Page 33 of Dagger

“And if you’ll let me,” he continues, his voice barely above a whisper, “I’ll be there for you and the baby. I’ll raise him like he’s my own. You won’t have to do this alone.”

I close my eyes, overwhelmed by the weight of his words and the sincerity in his voice. For a moment, all I can do is breathe, feeling the steady warmth of him so close.

“I don’t know what to say,” I whisper.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he murmurs, pulling back just enough to look at me. “Just think about it,” he says before kissing my cheek.

I nod, my thoughts too tangled to form a coherent response. He stays close for a moment longer before stepping back, giving me the space I suddenly feel desperate for.

“Take your time, Chloe,” he says, his tone softer now. “I mean it.”

And with that, he leaves, the sound of his bike fading into the distance as I stand there, staring at the door, my head a whirlwind of emotions.

TWELVE

DAGGER

I sit in church,the tension so thick it feels like it’s crushing me. The table is full, every brother in their seat, all eyes bouncing between Mason and me. Sledge is the first to speak, leaning forward with his arms crossed and his glare locked on me.

“Dagger’s back,” he says coldly. “And I don’t see why the hell he should stay. He left without a word, put the club in a bad position, and now he thinks he can walk back in like nothing happened? That’s bullshit.”

Murmurs ripple through the room. Some nod, others glance at Mason, waiting for his call. I don’t move, my jaw tight as I keep my eyes forward. Hawk sits across from me, leaning back in his chair, arms folded, his expression unreadable.

Mason steeples his fingers, his gaze moving from Sledge to me. Finally, he speaks, his voice calm but sharp. “Sledge isn’t wrong. You left us, Dagger. No word. No explanation. You put the club in a hard fucking position.” He pauses, his eyes narrowing. “And now you’ve got some serious shit to answer for.”

I nod, keeping my voice steady. “I’m here to answer for it.”

“Then let’s hear it,” Sledge snaps. “Why’d you leave? What’s your excuse?”

I glance at Mason, waiting for his nod. When he gives it, I exhale slowly, my voice rough as I finally speak. “I slept with Chloe after Mason told me it was forbidden.”

The room erupts. Tank shoots to his feet, his chair scraping loudly across the floor. “What the fuck did you just say?” he growls, his fists already clenched.

“She’s my wife’s best friend, Dagger,” he spits. “Chloe’s practically family. And you—you slept with her?”

“Sit down, Tank,” Mason orders, his voice sharp enough to cut through the chaos.

Tank doesn’t budge. His glare burns into me, his fists twitching like he’s barely holding himself back. “You’re telling me you fucked Chloe, and then you just left like she meant nothing?”

“Tank!” Mason barks. “Sit. Down. Now.”

After a long, tense moment, Tank drops back into his chair, his chest heaving, but his eyes stay locked on me.

Mason turns his attention back to me, his expression colder than I’ve ever seen it. “You disrespected Chloe, you disrespected the club, and you disrespected me.” He leans forward, his voice low and dangerous. “You don’t walk away from something like that without consequences.”

I nod, my chest tight. “I know. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m asking for a chance to make it right.”

Mason’s eyes harden. “You want to make it right?” He motions toward my chest. “Then start by giving me your patch.”

The words hit like a freight train. I stare at him, my stomach twisting into knots. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious,” Mason says, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You don’t get to wear that patch after what you’vedone. Not right now. You’re on probation until you’ve earned it back.”

The room is dead silent as I rip the VP patch off my cut and toss it onto the table. It lands with a dull thud, but the sound feels like a gunshot. Mason picks it up, his expression unreadable.

“You’ll earn it back,” he says, his voice cold and deliberate. “Every inch of it. Until then, you’re just another brother. No rank, no privileges, nothing.”

I nod stiffly, my jaw clenched so tight it aches. “Understood.”

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