Page 32 of Tank

Because of this man who walked into my life and refused to let me face the darkness alone.

I turn my face into his chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat. It's a lullaby, a promise.

We're alive. We're together.

And no matter what tomorrow brings, we'll face it as one.

Tank's fingers thread through my hair, his touch achingly gentle. "You're not alone, Sophie," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that I feel in my bones. "Not anymore. Not ever again."

I close my eyes, letting his words wash over me, healing the cracks in my soul. For so long, I've been running, hiding, surviving. But in this moment, wrapped in Tank's embrace, I finally feel safe. Like I belong.

Like I'm home.

"I know," I whisper, my fingers curling into his cut, anchoring myself to him. "I trust you, Tank. With my life. With my heart."

He pulls back just enough to look down at me, his dark eyes glinting with an emotion that steals my breath. "I'll keep them safe, little one. I promise you that."

And I believe him. Because he's not just words. He's actions. He's the man who rode into the night to save me, who stood between me and the monsters that haunt my past.

He's my protector. My savior.

My everything.

I rise up on my toes, pressing my lips to his in a kiss that says everything I can't put into words. It's a kiss of gratitude, of promise, of love.

Because that's what this is. Love. It's raw and fierce and unbridled, forged in the flames of our shared pain.

Tank's arms tighten around me, his kiss turning hungry, desperate. Like he's drowning and I'm his air.

We cling to each other in the midst of the chaos, two broken souls finding solace in each other's touch.

And for a moment, the world falls away. The past, the future, the battle that lies ahead - it all fades into the background.

All that matters is this. Us. The way we fit together, two jagged pieces forming a perfect whole.

I know the road ahead won't be easy. We'll have to fight for every inch, every breath.

But with Tank by my side, I know we can conquer anything.

Because together, we're unbreakable.

As the first rays of dawn filter through Perdition's windows, I stir from my restless sleep. Tank's arms are still wrapped around me, his solid warmth a comforting presence amidst the lingering shadows of the night.

I lift my head from his chest, meeting his gaze. Those dark eyes, once filled with a fierce protectiveness, now hold a glimmer of hope. A promise of a future beyond the pain.

"Mornin', little one," he rumbles, his voice rough with sleep and emotion.

"Morning," I whisper back, my fingers tracing the intricate lines of his tattoo. The angel wings, a symbol of the guardian he's become to me. To all of us.

Around us, Perdition begins to come to life. The soft murmurs of the women as they begin to stir, the distant hum of motorcycles as the Iron Reapers prepare for the day ahead.

But in this moment, it's just us. Two warriors, battered and bruised, but still standing.

Tank presses a gentle kiss to my forehead, his beard rasping against my skin. "You ready for this, Sophie? It ain't gonna be easy."

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. "I know. But I'm ready. We have to do this, Tank. For Chloe. For all of them."

He nods, his jaw clenching with determination. "Damn right, we do. And we will. The Iron Reapers take care of their own."

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