Page 28 of Azrael

Janessa snorted.“Azrael’s not a monk.But he’s always kept relationships separate from club business.Doesn’t shit where he eats, if you get my meaning.If he was with any of those girls, I doubt anyone knows about it other than him.”

“If one tries to get too close, let them know you’re no pushover,” Clarity added, her voice firm.“You don’t have to be cruel -- that’ll just make you enemies.But be clear about your boundaries.And never let them see you’re rattled.”

I nodded slowly, imagining what this might look like in practice.I wasn’t naturally confrontational, but I wasn’t a doormat either.Still, the thought of women actively trying to undermine me or stake a claim on Azrael made my stomach knot.

“The brothers will follow Azrael’s lead,” Janessa continued.“If he makes it clear you’re his, they’ll respect that.But the club girls…” She trailed off with a meaningful look.

“They play by different rules,” I finished.

“Exactly,” Clarity confirmed.“And remember -- respect is everything in this life.How you handle yourself, especially in those first visits to the clubhouse, will set the tone for how everyone treats you going forward.”

I took a deep breath, smoothing my palms over my jeans.“I appreciate the warning.”

“It’s not meant to scare you off,” Clarity said, her expression softening.“Just prepare you.This life… it’s not always easy.But it has its rewards.”

“Family,” Janessa said simply.“Real family.The kind that would die for you without hesitation.”

I thought about Azrael, about the intensity in his dark eyes when he looked at me, the way his hands moved with such careful precision, whether he was touching me, cooking a meal, or cleaning one of his guns.The man contained multitudes -- capable of both violence and tenderness in equal measure.

“Can I ask you something else?”I said, looking between them.“How do you deal with knowing what they sometimes have to do?The violence, I mean.”

Clarity’s eyes grew distant for a moment.“You learn to separate the man from his actions.Scratch has done things that would horrify most people.But he’s also the man who held my hand through seventeen hours of labor, who read to our children, who still looks at me like I’m the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen after all these years.”

“The violence isn’t who they are,” Janessa added quietly.“It’s what they do when necessary.There’s a difference.”

I nodded, understanding dawning.“Like soldiers.”

“Something like that,” Clarity agreed.“They fight so others don’t have to.They carry that weight.”

“And as their women, we help them carry it,” Janessa finished.“We don’t judge.We don’t flinch.We just… love them through it.”

The simple truth of her words resonated within me.Wasn’t that what Azrael had shown me already?A man capable of compartmentalizing, of being both ruthless and gentle?

I wondered if Azrael had recognized something in me from the beginning -- some quality that told him I could handle this life, could handle him in all his complexity.Would he have even offered to claim me if he’d thought I couldn’t handle it?

As if summoned by my thoughts, Azrael stepped back into the room, his dark eyes immediately seeking me out.The conversation abruptly halted as all three of us turned toward him.

“Everything okay in here?”he asked, his gaze moving between us, no doubt picking up on the serious atmosphere.

“Just girl talk,” Clarity said smoothly, rising from her seat.“Getting to know each other a bit.”

Azrael’s gaze found mine, questioning, and I gave him a small nod to indicate I was fine.The protective posture of his body relaxed almost imperceptibly.

“Scratch will be in shortly,” he said.“Just finishing up some business with the boys.”

The encumbrance of what “business” might mean hung in the air, but I didn’t flinch.Something had shifted in me during this conversation -- a new understanding, perhaps, or the beginning of one.

I met Azrael’s eyes steadily, and for the first time, I felt like I was seeing all of him.

And I wasn’t afraid.

Chapter Eight

Zara

Clarity clapped her hands together once, the sound cutting through the lingering tension in the room.“We should have a family night soon,” she announced, her eyes bright with an enthusiasm that felt slightly forced.“Get everyone together properly, make it official.”The words “make it official” hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning I wasn’t sure I fully grasped yet.Beside me, I felt Azrael stiffen almost imperceptibly.

“Family night?”I echoed, trying to keep my voice steady despite the sudden flutter of anxiety in my chest.

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