Page 45 of Tank

I'm not the same broken girl I was when I first stumbled into the Iron Reapers' clubhouse. I'm someone new, someone stronger, someone who knows her own worth.

And as the last rays of sunlight fade from the sky, I feel a sense of calm settle over me. Whatever the future holds, whatever challenges we might face, I know we'll face them together.

Tank and I, the Iron Reapers, Chloe and the other women... we're a family now. Bound by something deeper than blood, something unbreakable.

I turn to Tank, my heart in my eyes. "Thank you," I whisper. "For everything."

He cups my face in his hands, his thumb brushing away the last of my tears. "You never have to thank me, Sophie. Not for this, not for anything. I love you."

"I love you, too." The words come easily, naturally, like they've been waiting on the tip of my tongue all along.

And as he leans down to kiss me, the world falls away. There's no past, no future, just this perfect moment. Just Tank and me, and the love that burns between us, bright and fierce and eternal.

Tank's lips brush against mine, igniting a spark that quickly grows into an all-consuming flame. I melt into his embrace, my fingers threading through his hair, pulling him closer. His strongarms wrap around my waist, holding me tight, as if he never wants to let go.

The kiss deepens, and I lose myself in the taste of him, the feel of his body pressed against mine. It's a kiss that speaks of love and longing, of promises made and kept. A kiss that seals our bond, our commitment to each other, to this life we've chosen.

When we finally break apart, I'm breathless, my heart racing. Tank rests his forehead against mine, his breath warm on my skin. "You're my everything, Sophie," he murmurs. "I won't let anything happen to you ever again."

I nod, my throat too tight for words. I know he means it, with every fiber of his being. Just as I know I would do the same for him, would fight tooth and nail to keep him safe.

Hand in hand, we turn back to the house, to the future that awaits us. It won't be easy, I know that. There will be challenges, obstacles, demons from both our pasts that we'll have to face. But we'll face them together, drawing strength from each other, from the love that binds us.

As we step inside, the door closing softly behind us, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. This is where I belong, here with Tank, with my new family. This is my home now, and nothing, no one can ever take that away from me.

The chapter ends with a sense of quiet, of calm amid the storm. The unbreakable bond between Sophie and Tank encapsulates their shared journey through darkness and chaos, and the love and hope for the future that will guide them forward. Together, they face this new chapter as partners, as lovers, and as two souls who have fought hard for their place in the world and for each other.

FOURTEEN

TANK

I stareat the computer screen, my eyes burning from hours of searching through online records and documents. The deeper I dig into Sophie's past, the more my blood boils.

Her stepmother Veronica is one cold bitch. Court records of abuse allegations that never went anywhere. Hospital reports of "accidents" and broken bones. And those stepsisters, Keelie and Kamie - entitled little princesses living it up on Daddy's dime while Sophie suffered. Fucking typical.

I slam my fist on the desk, papers scattering. Sophie deserves so much better than the shit hand life dealt her. I want to make it right, help her face those demons. But I gotta tread carefully. This is heavy shit to dredge up.

I find Sophie curled up on the clubhouse sofa, lost in thought as she twists a lock of hair around her finger. Even in an oversized sweatshirt with fading bruises on her face, she takes my breath away. So fucking beautiful and stronger than she knows.

"Hey little one," I say softly, sitting beside her. "Got a minute to talk?"

Sophie looks up, blue eyes big and trusting. "Of course, Tank. What's going on?"

I take her small hand in mine, choosing my words. "I've been looking into your past. Trying to piece together what happened...before."

She tenses, gaze dropping to her lap. "Oh. I see."

"If it's too much, we don't gotta do this now," I assure her. "But I found out some things about your stepmom and sisters that ain't right. Shit that makes me wanna bash some skulls."

Sophie is quiet a long moment. "It was bad," she whispers. "Really bad. I've tried so hard to forget..."

"I know, baby." I squeeze her hand. "You're so fuckin' strong for surviving that. But I was thinking, maybe it's time to face it head on. Would you - do you wanna see your dad? Let him know you're okay?"

Her breath catches. I see fear flicker across her face, but there's something else. A tiny spark. "My dad," she murmurs. "God, it's been so long. He just...let it all happen."

"He fucked up. Big time," I agree. "But this could be a chance to get some closure. Show him and those bitches that you're thriving, despite what they did."

Sophie meets my gaze, a hardness overtaking the vulnerability. "You're right. I'm done hiding from my past. Done letting them have power over me. Let's do it."

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