"I have to," I say simply. "Because the alternative, watching my brothers die and letting them take her back to Cole, that's not an option. I'll burn the whole world down before I let that happen."
"Fuck." Carter exhales slowly. "You've got it bad."
"Yeah, I do."
"Okay," he says finally. "Okay. I'll stay put. Keep Maya and Alice safe like you said. But Phoenix… You call me if things go sideways. You call me and I'll be there, Savage Riders or not. Brotherhood doesn't end because we wear different cuts."
"I know." The words come out rough with emotion. "And Carter? Thank you. For understanding. For not fighting me on this."
"Just don't die, asshole. Maya asks about her Uncle Phoenix every damn day. I'm not explaining to a five-year-old why you're not coming back."
The image of my niece, her bright eyes and endless questions about sharks, makes my chest tight. "I won't. I promise."
"Good. Now go take care of your woman. And Phoenix?" He pauses. "I'm happy for you. Really. You deserve something good after everything you've been through."
"Thanks, brother."
"Love you, man."
"Love you too."
I end the call and stand there for a moment, letting the weight of it settle. Carter's safe. Maya and Alice are safe. My brother understands, supports me, and trusts me to handle this.
Now I just have to make sure I can actually deliver on that promise.
I head back inside, following the sound of voices and laughter to the kitchen. Ivy is at the stove, stirring something while Canvas chops vegetables beside her. She's smiling, actually laughing at something he said, and the sight of it makes everything worth it.
Every risk. Every battle to come. Every impossible odd. She looks up and sees me, and her whole face lights up.
"Hey," she says. "Canvas is teaching me the secret to his famous chili. Apparently, it's whiskey."
"It's always whiskey," Canvas confirms with a grin.
I cross to Ivy, pressing a kiss to her temple. "How are you doing?"
"Good," she says, and I can hear the surprise in her voice. Like she didn't expect to be okay, but she is. "Really good, actually."
"Good." I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her against my side. "Because we've got a lot of meals like this ahead of us."
She leans into me, and I feel her relax. Whatever comes next—war, blood, impossible battles—we'll face it together.
And that makes all the difference.
Epilogue - Phoenix
Five Years Later
I pull into the driveway of our house, killing the engine and sitting for a moment in the sudden silence.
Our house.
Even after three years of living here, the thought still does something to my chest. This small two-story home just a mile from the clubhouse, with its white fence and flower garden that Ivy planted last spring, it's mine. Ours.
A life I never thought I'd have.
The war is over. Has been for years now. We won, though the victory cost us more than I like to think about. But we survived. The Iron Phoenix survived.
I head for the front door, my boots heavy on the porch steps. Before I can even get my key out, I hear it.
