Page 197 of Joker

“I’ve got you,” I murmur.

It’s not a comfort. It’s a promise.

Then I lift my head and look over her shoulder.

Logan’s already watching me. He doesn’t ask. He doesn’t need to. He sees it.

The shift. The decision. The end of hesitation.

I ease Raven back just enough to look at her. Her eyes are glassy, red, terrified in a way that hits something violent and protective in my chest all over again.

“Angel,” I say quietly.

She blinks at me like she’s trying to focus through the adrenaline still burning through her system.

“I need you to go with Mac,” I tell her. “Stay inside. Don’t leave the building unless it’s with someone you trust.”

Her grip tightens immediately. “No—”

I cut her off, not rough, but firm enough that she hears me.

“Just for a minute,” I say. “I need to talk to Logan.”

Her eyes search mine. Looking for distance. Looking for anger. Looking for anything left over from the fight.

There’s nothing there. Not anymore. Whatever was between us got obliterated the second she ran into my arms.

All that’s left now is this.

Her. Lexi.

And the man who just signed his own death warrant.

She nods. Barely. It’s enough.

Mac steps in and takes over with quiet efficiency, guiding Raven and Lexi away while still watching the room like she’s daring anyone to try something again.

I wait until they’re out of arm’s reach.

Then I turn.

Logan’s already moving.

We meet halfway across the store, the rest of the brothers closing in around us in a loose, controlled perimeter that looks casual to anyone who doesn’t know what they’re seeing.

It’s not. It’s war formation.

“What happened?” Logan asks. His tone is calm. His eyes are not.

“He was here,” I say.

That’s all it takes.

Something dark flashes behind Logan’s expression. “Cal?”

I nod once. “Got close enough to touch her.”

That lands. Hard.