Page 41 of Phoenix's Rising
But in this small room, with morning light streaming through the windows and Ivy safe in my arms, none of that matters. We have each other. We have this moment. We have hope for a future that seemed impossible just forty-eight hours ago.
And for now, that's enough.
From ash, we rise.
Together.
Hours later…
I find myself standing outside the clubhouse, phone in hand, staring at my brother's contact.
Inside, Ivy is helping Canvas prepare lunch for everyone. I watched her volunteer, watched Canvas accept her offer with a warm smile and a joke about needing all the help he could get. She's fitting in already, becoming part of the family in a way that feels natural and right.
But I need to make this call. Need to tell Carter what's happening before he hears it from someone else.
I hit dial.
He answers on the second ring. "Phoenix. Was wondering when you'd call."
"Yeah, sorry. Things have been—"
"Complicated?" Carter's voice holds a hint of amusement. "Word travels, brother. Already heard the Vipers paid you a visit this morning."
Of course he has. The MC network is faster than any news channel.
"Cole Briggs and three others," I confirm. "Looking for a woman who ran from him. A woman who's now under Iron Phoenix protection."
Silence on the other end. Then: "You going to war over this?"
"Looks that way."
"Then I'm coming." No hesitation. "I'll talk to King, bring the Savage Riders. We can be there by—"
"No." I cut him off, gentle but firm. "That's not why I called."
"Phoenix—"
"I need you to stay in Blackwater Falls," I say. "I need you to focus on Maya and Alice. Keep them safe, keep them happy. The Iron Phoenix will handle this."
"Like hell." Carter's voice is hard now. "You're my brother. You think I'm going to sit on my ass while you face the Vipers alone?"
"I'm not alone. I've got eight good men who know what's coming and are ready for it." I take a breath. "And Carter, Maya needs her father. I won't risk making her an orphan because I was too proud to handle my own fight."
The silence stretches longer this time. When Carter speaks again, his voice is rough. "This is about her, isn't it? The woman. It's not just about protection."
He knows me too well.
"Yeah," I admit. "It's about her."
"Tell me."
I lean against the brick wall of the clubhouse, watching clouds drift across the sky. "Her name is Ivy. Twenty-six, auburn hair, green eyes. She was engaged to Cole Briggs and spent two years being used by him before she found the courage to run.” I pause, struggling to find the words. "She's everything. Everything I didn't know I was missing. Everything I thought I'd given up on."
I can hear the smile in Carter's voice. "You love her."
"Yeah. I love her. Which is insane because I've known her less than forty-eight hours, but it's true. And I'm going to protect her with everything I have. Which means you need to stay put, keep Maya and Alice safe, and let me handle this war."
"You really think you can win? Against more than forty Vipers?"
