Page 39 of Brick's Claim

“I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

She looked at him steadily.

“I don’t know the rules,” she said quietly.“I don’t know how to fit into your world.”

Her voice trembled just enough to betray her fear.Not of him, but of failing him and of being swallowed by something too big, too dangerous.

“You don’t have to,” Brick said.“Not alone.”

She searched his face, reading every scar, every shadow, every unspoken promise written there.

“And if I get it wrong?”she asked.“If I make mistakes?”

He didn’t hesitate.“Then we handle it together.”

Her lips parted.She nodded slowly, like she was bracing herself for the leap.

“I want to try.”

That was all he needed.

Brick surged to his feet and pulled her up with him, lifting her straight into his arms.She gasped softly at the sudden movement but melted into him just as fast, arms sliding around his neck, her face pressing into his throat.

He held her like he was afraid the world might try to take her again.

“This means you’re under my protection,” he said into her hair.“Always.Club protection.Mine first.”

She nodded against him.“I know.”

“This life isn’t gentle,” he went on.“There’ll be eyes on you.There’ll be danger.I won’t ever lie about that.”

“I’m not fragile,” she whispered.“I’m just ...human.”

His grip tightened.“Then I’ll be your armor.”

She pulled back just enough to look at him.“And what are you to me?”

His forehead touched hers.“Yours.”

The word landed between them with quiet gravity.

She kissed him then and it wasn’t desperate or rushed.It was soft and steady, full of trust and choice and the kind of promise that didn’t need vows.Brick cradled her face with his hands, using his thumbs to brush warmth into her skin as he deepened it just enough to make her breath stutter.

When they parted, her eyes were shining.

“I was so scared when you left,” she admitted.

“I won’t disappear on you again,” he said.“Not without you knowing exactly where I’m going.”

She leaned into his chest.“Good.Because I don’t ever want to wake up alone after this.”

Brick lifted her back onto the bed and settled beside her, pulling her into his side once more.Her head tucked naturally beneath his chin this time, like she’d already learned where she belonged.

Outside the room, the clubhouse roared with life.Engines, laughter, the constant hum of violence and brotherhood and danger.Inside the room, there was only her breath.His heartbeat.And the quiet knowledge that everything had changed.

Tessa wasn’t just the woman he loved.She was his old lady now.

The End