Page 108 of Twisted Steel

Dante’s throat works.“I’ll try.”He steps back.

I move then, not to Harper, but to Dante, and he goes still, proving he does indeed have good survival instincts.

I stop in front of him.“You come near her without invitation again, and an apology won’t matter.”

His face pales.“Understood.”

“Good.”

“How charming,” Harper mutters.

I look over my shoulder.“I’m trying.”

“Are you though?”She raises a brow at me.

“Yes.”

Raven snorts from the truck.“That’s him trying, unfortunately.”

Dante leaves, followed by two prospects, and the yard exhales.The noise returns slowly, like the compound remembers we’re supposed to be celebrating.

Milo presses a hand to his chest.“Well, that was emotionally draining and a little terrifying.I need carbs.”

And Harper laughs again.I watch her.Still breathing, still free enough to laugh after everything.And that’s the only miracle I believe in.

Crimson walks across the yard, and the noise dips again.He doesn’t have beer in his hand.Doesn’t have a smart-ass comment waiting.Doesn’t have that old suspicion curled around his mouth like he’s chewing on broken glass.

He stops in front of Harper, and my body turns.Harper feels it, and her eyes flick to me.This woman is going to put me in an early grave through restraint alone.

Crimson clears his throat.“Harper.”

She lifts a brow.“Crimson.”

Milo whispers, “Do I need to hold your earrings?”

“I’m not wearing earrings,” Harper says.

“I have emergency ones,” he offers, ever the helpful sidekick.

Raven calls out, “I want to see those.”

Crimson winces, then looks at Harper properly.“I owe you an apology.”

Even Fury shuts up, which might be the most shocking thing I’ve seen all month, but Harper says nothing.

Crimson drags a hand over his jaw.“I was an ass.”

Milo whispers, “From the look of you, I’m assuming that would be accurate.”

Saint coughs to hide his laughter, and Crimson shoots him a look before he faces Harper again.“I called you a leash.A weakness.I acted like you made Steel less than what the club needed.”His gaze flicks to me, then back to her.“I was wrong.”

Harper’s expression shifts.Not quite softening but listening.

Crimson continues, his voice rougher now.“You kept Dante alive.You saved Tyler.You kept Steel from walking blind into Reaper’s trap.You stood in our yard and didn’t flinch when men twice your size were acting like idiots.”

“Not all of them were twice my size,” Harper says.

Milo says, “Spiritually, they were.”