Page 34 of Brick’s Anchor

"But I need you to understand something." Her voice goes serious. "I'm damaged. Really damaged. I'm going to have bad days. Probably a lot of them. I'm going to freak out over stupid things. I'm going to be angry and irrational."

"I know."

"And you're still okay with this?"

"Rosie. I'm a man who likes violence. Who thrives on breaking things. Who has two brothers in prison and a family history of destruction. I'm not exactly a prize myself. We can be damaged together."

"That's either really romantic or really fucked up."

"Can't it be both?"

She kisses me. When she pulls back, her smile is genuine. "Yeah. It can be both."

I hold her close, feeling her heartbeat against my chest. "Tomorrow's going to be complicated."

"I know."

"Phoenix is going to want to talk to you. Eden's going to want to do a full medical assessment. The other women are going to have questions. And your family—"

"One thing at a time," she says, using my words from earlier. "Tonight, I'm here. Tomorrow, we'll deal with tomorrow."

"Stay the night," I say. "In my bed. With me."

"Is that allowed?"

"I don't give a fuck if it's allowed. Stay anyway."

"Okay," she whispers. "I'll stay."

We lie there together, both of us knowing this is probably a mistake but neither of us willing to walk away. The rain continues its soft pattern against the window. The clubhouse is quiet around us.

And for the first time since I pulled her out of that warehouse, I let myself think about the future. About what it might look like with her in it. About whether two damaged people can build something good together.

I don't have answers.

But I have her, here, now. And for tonight, that's enough.

"Brick?" she says quietly.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For everything. For saving me. For this. For being you."

I kiss the top of her head. "You're welcome."

She falls asleep first. I stay awake longer, watching her breathe, feeling the weight of her against me. Already knowing that letting her go is going to be impossible.

Saint was right.

I'm completely fucked.

But for once, I don't mind.

Chapter 10 - Rosie

I wake up warm.

That's the first thing I notice. Not the thin scratchy blanket from the warehouse. Not the cold concrete floor. Actual warmth from soft sheets, a firm mattress and a massive body pressed against my back.