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Gunshots rip through the air.

Chaos. Screams.

But all I can see is her.

Kaylie collides with me, and I immediately swing her around, putting my body between hers and Demon. I raise my gun and fire twice. Both shots hit their target, and Demon goes down.

“It’s going to be okay, baby. I’ve got you. Just don’t look. I’ve got you,” I murmur, rubbing Kaylie’s back.

My brothers charge outside. It’s unlikely Demon acted alone, and anyone stupid enough to come onto Iron Thorns territory deserves to die.

“Judge, it’s done,” Ghost grunts as he jogs toward me. “We caught two more outside. Tank’s knocked out, but he’s still breathing. Looks like he put up a good fight.”

I don’t move.

Kaylie is trembling, and my need to protect her has me tightening my hold.

That could have been so much worse.

Something shifts inside me. I nearly lost her. I nearly lost the woman I love.

Without another thought, I shove my piece into its holster and scoop Kaylie into my arms. She cradles her face against my chest as I meet my Vice President’s eyes.

“Take care of this. Make it messy. Send a message. No more games.” I jerk my chin toward the other sweetbutts, who are whimpering behind the kitchen island. “Make sure they’re okay. Then call the other brothers back home. I want everyone here within the hour.”

“Yes, sir.”

CHAPTER 9

KAYLIE

I cling to Judge like my life depends on it.

Who am I kidding?

He saved me. More than once. This man who doesn’t owe me anything kept me from a future of assault and worse. He’s looked after me better than anyone else in my life.

I clutch his shirt in my fists and inhale his familiar scent of cedar and spice. It soothes me more than it probably should.

Judge just killed a man.

But he killed him for me.

“Shh, baby. I’ve got you,” he whispers as we head up the stairs. “You’re going to be okay.”

His presence is a balm to my frantic heart, even as fresh adrenaline courses through my veins. I’m barely aware of my surroundings when we enter a room and he kicks the door shut. The lighting is dim, but the space is familiar. Comforting.

Slowly, Judge lowers me to my feet, and suddenly I’m desperate. I don’t want him to leave me alone. I need him.

My whimpers come out in breathless pants, but they’re cut off when his mouth crashes over mine.

“You scared the shit out of me,” he murmurs between kisses. His hands drag my body against his, leaving no space between us. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

I jump into his arms, my legs wrapping around his waist. “But you didn’t. You came for me.”

He carries me to the bed and lays me down carefully. His eyes sweep over my body hungrily, and I squirm beneath his scrutiny. I’ve never considered myself a conventional beauty, yet with the way he’s looking at me, I might be willing to accept I’ve been wrong.

“Take off your dress,” he demands. “I want to see you.”