Page 66 of Dagger

Mason starts pouring shots, the golden liquid splashing into glasses that seem to appear out of nowhere. The moment my own glass is in my hand, he raises his.

“Here’s to second chances,” Mason says, his voice steady.

“And not screwing them up,” I add, earning a round of laughter.

We all throw the shots back in unison. The whiskey burns like hell, but it’s a good burn, the kind that settles in your chest and makes you feel alive. The moment I lower my glass, more hands clap my shoulder, more voices chime in. It’s a whirlwind of noise and heat and brotherhood, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Amid the noise, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I slip it out and glance at the screen. Chloe’s name pops up, and I can’t stop the small smile that pulls at my lips.

Chloe: Everything okay?

I type back quickly, leaning against the bar as I scan the room one more time.

Me: Yeah, everything’s good. Better than good. I’ll be home soon.

The second the message sends, Mason’s voice cuts through the din beside me. “Who’s got you smiling like that?”

“Who do you think?” I reply, tucking my phone back into my pocket.

“Damn,” Mason says, shaking his head with a grin. “She’s got you tied up already.”

“Maybe,” I admit, shrugging. “Not a bad place to be.”

He raises an eyebrow, smirking as he pours another round of shots for the table. “Don’t get soft on us now, VP. You’ve got a job to do.”

“I know,” I say, straightening up. “And I’ll do it.”

The weight of the patch in my pocket grounds me, reminds me of who I am and what I’ve worked to rebuild. But even withthe club back at my side, my thoughts drift to Chloe—sitting at home, her belly growing with my son, waiting for me.

I grab the next shot Mason passes my way, lift it high, and throw it back. Because no matter how much I’ve gained tonight, I know exactly where I belong. And the second this meeting is over, that’s where I’ll be.

TWENTY-FOUR

CHLOE

A few months later

The girls invitedme over to make some Iron Reapers MC t-shirts, but I should have known they had something else up their sleeves. As soon as I push open the heavy, creaky doors of Perdition, a wave of cheers hits me. Pale yellow and green balloons bob in the air, and a banner—strung between two rusted chandeliers—proclaims, "Welcome Baby Steele!"

The sight makes me laugh and blink back tears at the same time. It’s a mix of hilarity and sweetness that somehow suits this place perfectly. My cheeks already ache from smiling, and I’ve barely made it past the door.

I waddle in further, one hand on my lower back and the other resting on my enormous belly. Nine months along, and every inch of me feels it. The baby’s been kicking up a storm, as if they’re just as restless as I am. The idea of giving birth any day now has me on edge, but today isn’t about that. Today is about celebrating, and love practically radiates from every corner of the room.

"Surprise!" Sophie’s voice cuts through the cheerful chaos. She’s holding a cupcake stand decorated with biker-themed pastries. Tiny motorcycles and sugar skulls sit atop fluffy frosting. Her grin is wide and infectious—pure Sophie.

"You sneaky, sneaky women!" I laugh, my voice hitching with emotion. "I can’t believe you pulled this off."

Carlie steps forward, camera in hand. "We’ve been planning for months. You’re not easy to fool, Chloe."

"It’s a miracle she didn’t catch on," Sophie adds, ducking a playful swat from me.

Jenny joins in, balancing a tray of snacks. "We just wanted to do something special for you. You deserve it."

The room is buzzing with energy. Familiar faces fill the space—club women, old and new. The men hang back in clusters, their leather jackets looking out of place amid the pastel decorations. The sight of Tank awkwardly holding a teacup nearly makes me burst out laughing. Mason and Gavin are by the bar, beers in hand, their banter lively. Then there’s Dagger.

He’s standing by the gift table, a cluster of balloons in one hand, the other resting casually on his mom’s shoulder. Evelyn is smiling as she chats with Frank, her husband and Dagger’s new stepdad. Frank’s quiet humor and steady presence have made him an easy addition to the family dynamic. Seeing them together fills my heart in a way I didn’t know was possible.

"What’s all this?" Dagger’s voice pulls my attention. He strides over, the silver ring on his left hand catching the light—a quiet but powerful reminder of how much has changed. We got married just a few weeks after the raid at the docks, a whirlwind decision that somehow felt like the easiest one we’d ever made. He plants a kiss on my temple, his voice warm and teasing. "Looks like my wife is the center of attention."

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