Page 180 of Ruthless God

“I faked my death. I left all of this behind. And now you’re telling me you want me to return?”

Dimitri’s jaw tightens. “Not want. Need.”

I exhale slowly, dragging my tongue over my teeth. “And why the hell would I ever say yes?”

Moretti leans forward, his expression deadly serious. “Because if João doesn’t win, the Brotherhood will fall into the hands of someone far worse.”

I exhale through my nose, my pulse thrumming in my ears.

Henderson meets my gaze, his usual cocky grin nowhere in sight. “You have a choice, Irons. Stay here, stay dead. Or step back into the fire and burn with the rest of us.”

I don’t answer right away. I should tell them to fuck off. I should walk away and never look back. But deep down, I already know the truth. If the Brotherhood were to get in the wrong hands, no one I love would be safe. Not even here.

I drag a hand through my beard, then reach for the glass of whisky beside me. I take a slow sip, the burn steadying me. Then I set the glass down, my decision settling like steel in my spine.

I meet their gazes, one by one, knowing what this means. What it risks.

But also what it protects.

Cecely. Cora. Callie. The baby that’s on the way. The life we built. The future we deserve.

I exhale slowly, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.

“Tell João I’ll be there.”

Because no matter how hard any of us try to deny it, the Defiant God Brotherhood is for life.

And I’ll do anything to protect my family. Even if that means letting Gabriel out more often.

THE END