Page 18 of Blade’s Protection

"Yes." No hesitation. "But I get to decorate. This place needs some life."

"You are my life," he said quietly. "You brought life back to this place the minute you walked in."

As I drifted toward sleep, safe in his arms, I thought about how this had all started—with threats and fear and running. But it had led me here, to this man who'd protect me with his life but also let me be strong. Who saw my softness as strength, not weakness.

"No more pushing me away," I murmured, already half asleep.

"Never again," he promised. "You're stuck with me now, princess."

"Good." I pressed back against him, feeling his body respond. "Because I'm never letting you go."

Tomorrow would bring explanations to the sheriff, statements about the criminals, integration into the MC world as Blade's woman. But tonight was just us—no more barriers, no more excuses, just two people who'd found home in each other despite every reason they shouldn't work.

We worked perfectly.

CHAPTER 6

BLADE

Sheriff Bill Jenkins looked like he'd swallowed something sour as he stood in my clubhouse, notepad in hand, taking my statement about yesterday's incident at the clinic.

"So these three men just happened to break into the clinic while Miss Glover was doing inventory?" His skepticism dripped from every word.

"That's right." I kept my expression neutral. "Good thing Phoenix and Tank were nearby."

"Uh-huh. And the one with the gunshot wound?"

"Self-defense. He drew first."

Jenkins's jaw worked like he was chewing nails. "Convenient how these things always work out with you boys playing hero."

Behind him, Quinn—Deputy Jenkins—rolled her eyes at her father's attitude. She stood next to Wolf, my VP's arm possessively around her waist, living proof that cops and MCs could coexist. The sheriff's daughter had chosen our world, much to Bill's ongoing disgust.

"The criminals confessed," Quinn pointed out. "All three of them. Admitted to the threats, the stalking, the attempted theft. Case closed, Dad."

"It's Sheriff Jenkins on duty, Deputy," Bill snapped, but his daughter just smiled.

"Of course, Sheriff. Will that be all? I believe Mr. Beckett has club business to attend to."

Bill's gaze shifted to where Tiffany sat at the bar with Tara, both women watching our interaction. My woman—and fuck, that still felt good to think—wore jeans that hugged her curves and one of my t-shirts knotted at her waist. The sight of her in my clothes, in my clubhouse, safe and whole, made my chest expand with something I was still learning to call happiness.

"We're done here," Jenkins said finally. "But Beckett? Try to keep the violence to a minimum. This is still my town."

"Our town," I corrected. "And we protect our own."

He left with a disgusted snort, Quinn throwing us an apologetic smile before following. The moment the door closed, the tension in the clubhouse evaporated.

"Sanctimonious prick," Phoenix muttered.

"His daughter makes up for it," Wolf said with a grin that would have gotten him punched if Quinn had seen it.

"Church in twenty," Viper announced from his position at the head of the table. "Got business to discuss."

I crossed to where Tiffany sat, her hand immediately finding mine.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

"Perfect." I pulled her up, needing her closer. "How you feeling?"