Page 46 of Tank

I cup her face, pride swelling in my chest. "That's my girl. We'll get through this together, you hear? You ain't alone anymore."

She nods, a tearful smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you, Tank. For everything."

I pull her into my arms, kissing her hair. My strong, brave little warrior. I'll burn the whole fuckin' world down to keep her safe.

Sophie presses closer, fitting perfectly against me. In this moment, the future is uncertain. But I know she's gonna come out the other side stronger than ever. And I'll be right beside her, every step of the way.

An icy fist clenches in my gut as I watch the sleek black car pull up to Perdition. The air crackles with tension, every Reaper on high alert. Waiting. Watching.

I glance at Sophie, her face pale but determined. "You sure about this, little one?"

She nods, jaw set. "I need to do this. For me."

Pride burns fierce in my chest. My brave girl. I squeeze her hand, a silent promise. I'm right here. Always.

The car door opens. A man steps out, his shoulders hunched like the weight of the world rests on 'em. Gerald Lange. Sophie's father.

He looks up, his eyes finding Sophie. Pain and regret war on his face. "Sophie," he whispers, voice cracking. "My baby girl."

Sophie trembles against me, but stands tall. Facing her demons head on.

But it's the woman who emerges next that sets my blood boiling. Veronica. Her designer dress, red soles of her heels, cold calculation in her gaze as she takes in Perdition - and smirks.

Fuckin' bitch. Actin' like she's above it all. Above the lives she's ruined. The innocence she's shattered.

I feel the Reapers at my back, a wall of solidarity. Ready to protect our own. Veronica may think her money makes her untouchable. She's dead fuckin' wrong.

Sophie takes a step forward, her chin raised. Fearless in the face of her abusers.

Gerald reaches for her, a broken man desperate for forgiveness.

But Veronica's eyes glitter with malice. A snake poised to strike.

I move to Sophie's side, a shield against the venom. This is only the beginning. The calm before the storm.

And I'll be damned if I let them break my girl again. They're about to see what happens when you cross the Reapers. When you cross me.

Hell's comin' for you, Veronica. And her name is Sophie Lange.

Veronica's daughters step out, their eyes roaming Perdition with disdain. Keelie and Kamie, carbon copies of their mother's cruelty.

They zero in on Sophie, lips curling into sneers. Dismissive. Superior. As if they're lookin' at somethin' beneath them.

Then their gazes slide to me, takin' on a predatory gleam. Smilin' like I'm a piece of meat they wanna sink their claws into.

I clench my jaw, disgust churning in my gut. These bitches think they can waltz in here and mess with what's mine? Not fuckin' happening.

I step closer to Sophie, my hand finding the small of her back. A silent promise. I'm here. I got you.

Sophie leans into my touch, drawing strength. Her eyes never leave her father's face.

Gerald approaches, each step heavy with the weight of his sins. His voice trembles as he speaks. "Sophie, I'm so sorry. I should've protected you. I failed you."

Sophie stands rigid, a statue carved from pain and resilience. I feel the storm raging beneath her skin. The struggle to hold herself together.

"You let her hurt me," Sophie whispers, the words jagged shards. "You chose her over your own daughter."

Gerald flinches as if struck. Tears glisten in his eyes. "I was weak. A coward. But I never stopped loving you, Sophie. Never."

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