Page 44 of Judge's Justice

Like maybe, despite everything, despite the cheating ex and the PTSD nightmares and the war with the Vipers, we found exactly what we were looking for.

Each other.

Broken pieces and all.

Chapter 10 - Judge

My whole body hurts.

My ribs are screaming. My shoulder throbs with every movement. My face feels like someone used it as a punching bag—which, to be fair, someone did.

And I don't care.

Not even a little bit.

Because Nora just told me she wants to try. Wants to be a family. Wants to work through the broken pieces together.

And I've never been happier in my entire fucking life.

We're still laughing when Saint opens the door again. Slower this time, like he's terrified of what he might see.

"Are you decent?" he calls without looking in.

"Yes," I manage between chuckles. "We're decent."

Saint peers around the doorframe, sees that we're both clothed, mostly, and steps inside. His face is red. Actually red. I don't think I've ever seen Saint blush before.

"I'm sorry," he says stiffly. "I should have knocked. I just… Grace ate an entire bag of chocolate and she's currently doing cartwheels in the common room and Canvas can't keep up with her and I thought you should know—" He stops. Looks at us. At the way Nora's sitting beside me, her hand in mine, both of us still grinning like idiots. "You two look happy."

"We are," I say

"Good. That's good." Saint clears his throat. "But Judge, you need to talk to Phoenix. He's been asking about you since you woke up. And now that you're—" He gestures vaguely at us. "—you definitely need to talk to Phoenix."

Right. Phoenix.

My president.

The man I just brought civilians into the clubhouse to protect, then proceeded to fuck one of said civilians while I was supposed to be recovering.

Yeah. That conversation is going to be fun.

"I'll go now," I say, starting to stand. Nora's hand tightens on mine.

"Are you sure you're okay to walk? Your ribs—"

"Are fine." I lean down and kiss her forehead. "Saint did good work. I'll be sore for a few weeks, but I can move."

"Will Phoenix be angry?" Nora asks quietly. "About us?"

"I don't think so. But he'll have questions. Deserves to have questions." I squeeze her hand. "I just brought a woman and her kid into the clubhouse during a war and then started a relationship with her. That requires explanation."

Nora's face pales slightly. "I didn't think about it like that. About how it might look. About the position it puts you in—"

"Stop." I cup her face with my free hand. "You didn't put me in any position. I chose this. All of it. And I'd choose it again." I pause. "Phoenix is a good man. He'll understand."

"And if he doesn't?"

"Then we'll figure it out. Together."