Page 86 of Twisted Steel

Savage nods once.“And Harper?”

My chest tightens.I hate the answer before I give it.

“She stays here with Mama M, Raven, and six men.Locked down.”

Saint’s brows lift.“She’ll hate that.”

“Yes.”

“She’ll argue.”

“Yes.”

“She might stab someone with trauma shears.”

I almost smile.“Tell the men to stay out of striking distance.”

Savage looks satisfied.The club moves around me, not fractured, not uncertain, but aligned ...for now.But beneath every word, Reaper’s threat keeps breathing.Medic or brothers.

He thinks love is leverage, and maybe it is.Maybe Harper is the one thing strong enough to move me.But he made one mistake.He thinks moving me means breaking me.

Tonight, I’m going to show him what happens when the hammer learns restraint.And what happens when restraint finally ends.

The meeting breaks, but I don’t leave right away.I stand in the war room after the others move out, palms flat on the table, head bowed over the map.North rail yard.South road.West exit.Names.Angles.Lines of fire.

I should be thinking about strategy.I am thinking about Harper’s mouth in the morning.Her hand on my chest.Her voice saying she chose me.

The door opens behind me, and I know it isn’t Savage.He carries silence differently.

Raven steps inside and shuts the door halfway.“You always brood this loudly?”she asks.

“I don’t brood.”

“You stare at maps like they owe you child support.”

I look at her.She doesn’t smile.This isn’t a joke visit.Good, I don’t have patience for jokes right now.

“What?”I ask.

“She’s scared.”

My jaw tightens.“I know.”

“Of Reaper.Of the club.Of what wanting you says about her.”Raven steps closer, leaning one hip against the table.“Mostly, she’s scared she’ll become an excuse.”

“For what?”

“For you to burn the world and call it love.”

I say nothing because she’s right and I can’t argue.Raven watches me the way she watches Savage, like she isn’t afraid of monsters because she has already named the one she loves.

“You think I don’t know that?”I ask.

“I think knowing doesn’t always stop men like you.”

No, it doesn’t.My hands curl against the table.

“I won’t cage her.”