Page 60 of Dagger

“They won’t,” I cut him off, my voice firm. “I’m not letting anything happen to her.”

He studies me for a moment before nodding. “Good. Then let’s get to work. We need to make sure this doesn’t go any further—or we’re all screwed.”

I glance back toward Chloe one last time. She catches my eye and gives me a soft smile, completely unaware of the storm we’re standing in. For her and the baby, I’ll make damn sure Mason’s right—we won’t let it go further.

TWENTY-ONE

CHLOE

Lockdown isn’t sobad the first night, especially with Beast running around keeping everyone distracted. He’s the best kind of chaos—zooming across the room, skidding on the floor, and melting every hardened biker heart in the building. Even the gruffest of the guys can’t resist him, and the old ladies spoil him with scraps from the kitchen.

By the end of the night, I’m exhausted but grateful. Beast is finally passed out in his little makeshift bed in the corner of Dagger’s room, and for a moment, everything feels calm.

Dagger closes the door behind us, and the air in the room feels heavier, charged with unspoken memories. This room holds so much significance. It’s where we made love for the first—and only—time. Where we created the life growing inside me. And it’s where he left me the next morning without a word.

I glance around, swallowing hard at the rush of emotions, but Dagger’s already moving toward me. He steps close, his hands gently brushing my shoulders. “Let’s get you comfortable,” he murmurs, his voice low. His fingers work the buttons of my shirt, his movements deliberate, his eyes never leaving mine. Heslips the fabric from my shoulders, leaving me standing in just my bra and jeans.

I don’t say anything, just watch him as he grabs one of his oversized T-shirts from a drawer and hands it to me. “Here,” he says, his voice soft. “Wear this.”

I take it, slipping it on over my head. It smells like him—leather, smoke, and something warm and familiar. He helps me out of my jeans, his touch lingering on my waist, and then guides me toward the bed.

We climb in, the mattress dipping under our weight, and he pulls me close, wrapping his arms around me like he’s afraid to let go. His warmth seeps into me, his steady breathing grounding me. For the first time in a long time, I feel safe.

Before I drift off, I tilt my head up to look at him. “You’re going to be here when I wake up this time, right?” I joke, though there’s an edge of vulnerability in my voice I can’t quite hide.

His eyes meet mine, and the seriousness in his gaze makes my breath catch. “Baby,” he says softly, his voice like a vow. “I’m never leaving you again.”

Then he kisses me—deep, hungry, like he’s trying to make up for all the time we lost. His hand slides up my back, and before I know it, he’s rolling me onto my back, his body pressing against mine.

As Dagger kisses me deeply, everything else fades away. His lips move with an intensity that sends shivers through me, and his hand slides up my back, warm and steady. Before I know it, he’s rolling me onto my back, his body hovering over mine, his weight grounding me in the moment.

His hand moves to pin mine against the mattress, his fingers lacing through mine. The dominance in the gesture sends a thrill through me, and I arch up against him, needing to be closer. His free hand trails down my side, his rough fingertips leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

“Chloe,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough. The way he says my name—like it’s the only thing that matters—makes my breath hitch.

His lips trail down my neck, leaving a path of heat and electricity as they move lower, to the collar of the oversized T-shirt I’m wearing. His hand releases mine just long enough to grip the hem, lifting it over my head and tossing it aside. His gaze sweeps over me, dark and hungry, and I feel like I’m burning under his stare.

“You’re so damn beautiful,” he whispers, his voice full of awe, like he can’t believe I’m here beneath him. He leans down, his lips finding mine again as his hand glides over my bare skin, exploring every curve.

His hand moves lower, slipping between my thighs, and I gasp as his fingers brush against my pussy, teasing and deliberate. “Dagger,” I moan, my hips lifting instinctively to meet his touch. He growls softly, the sound vibrating through me as he pushes a finger inside, his thumb circling my clit.

The tension builds quickly, my body responding to every stroke, every flick of his fingers. My hands clutch at his shoulders, desperate for more. He watches me, his gaze locked on my face as if he’s memorizing every expression, every sound I make.

“Dagger, please,” I whisper, my voice shaky with need.

He doesn’t make me wait. His hand leaves me, and I let out a soft whimper at the loss, but then he’s pushing boxer briefs down. The sight of him—so raw, so close—sends a flush of heat through me.

He presses his body against mine again, the warmth of his bare skin meeting mine, its overwhelming. Every inch of him feels solid, grounding, as if he’s all I need to keep the rest of the world at bay. His hands roam over me, possessive yet tender, and I melt into him, feeling utterly consumed.

He positions himself at my entrance, his thick cock brushing against me, and I can’t help the way my hips shift, inviting him in. Slowly, deliberately, he pushes inside, and my breath catches at the stretch, the fullness.

“God, Chloe,” he groans, his head dropping to the crook of my neck as he stills for a moment, letting me adjust. “You feel so damn good.”

I can’t speak, can’t think—all I can do is feel. My body arches into his, my hands gripping his arms as I urge him to move. He does, pulling back slightly before thrusting in again, his pace steady and controlled. The friction sends waves of pleasure coursing through me, and I cling to him, my nails digging into his back.

He picks up the pace, each thrust more powerful than the last, and the room fills with the sound of our breathing, our moans, the soft creak of the bed beneath us. His lips find mine again, capturing every sound I make, his hand tangling in my hair as he kisses me deeply.

“Chloe,” he growls, his voice raw with need. “You’re mine. You’ve always been mine.”

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