Page 31 of Azrael

I thought about what Clarity had said, about separating the man from his actions.About loving someone through the darkness they carried.

“The women said the violence isn’t who you are, it’s what you do when necessary.”

Azrael’s expression softened slightly.“Smart women.Maybe smarter than me.They’ve been in this life a long time.They probably see things differently than most.”

“They also said that as your woman, I’d help you carry that weight.That I wouldn’t judge or flinch.”I met his gaze steadily.“I don’t think I will.Flinch, I mean.Not from the truth of who you are.Even before we officially met, I saw you as a hero.A legend.That hasn’t changed.”

Something shifted in his eyes -- relief, perhaps, or hope.“That’s all I can ask.”

Later, after Azrael had gone to shower, I curled up on the couch alone, pulling the soft throw blanket over my legs as I stared out the window at the deepening twilight.The events of the day replayed in my mind -- the introduction to Clarity and Janessa, their warnings and advice, Scratch’s immediate acceptance, the talk of a family night to meet everyone.

It was all happening so fast, this integration into a world I’d barely known existed.A world with its own rules and hierarchies, its own justice system, its own definitions of family and loyalty.A world where violence wasn’t just possible but expected, where the man who’d claimed me as his own was known as the Angel of Death.

And yet, despite everything I’d learned today, I couldn’t bring myself to be afraid.Not of Azrael, not of the life he represented.There was something almost liberating in the stark honesty of it all -- no pretense, no hiding behind social niceties.The club, for all its darkness, seemed to operate on a simple principle: protect what’s yours, at any cost.

Wasn’t that what Azrael had been doing all along?Protecting what was his?And now, somehow, that included me.

I pulled the blanket tighter around me, settling deeper into the couch as I listened to the sound of the shower running down the hall.This wasn’t the life I had imagined for myself, not by a long shot.It was dangerous, complex, bound by codes I was only beginning to understand.

But as I sat there in the growing darkness, I realized with sudden clarity that I wasn’t running from it.If anything, I was running toward it -- toward him -- with my eyes wide open.

Whatever came next, whatever this new life held, I would face it alongside the man who had seen something in me worth claiming as his own.The man I was beginning to believe might be worth claiming in return.

* * *

Azrael

The hot water hit my skin and I closed my eyes.I hadn’t known what to expect when I’d taken Zara to meet Clarity and Janessa.Could have been worse.I had no idea how Jordan would have reacted.Maybe it would be a good idea to have her meet Alora and Grey.They were less intense.Mostly.

For a while there, Grey had managed to clear the girls out of the clubhouse.It hadn’t lasted long.The single brothers had eventually told Charming it wasn’t right to let the old ladies run things.But something was different.Now all the women were vetted, and we made sure they were there willingly and not as a way to run away from their problems.If they needed help, we offered it.

She’d made good points, ones we hadn’t been able to ignore.Although, back then, I’d only been a Prospect.I’d only patched in four years ago.Since then, two others who had been Prospects with me had also been patched in.Hunter, who now went by Chaos, and Nick, who was now called Java.Since then, we’d gained some new Prospects.

I tipped my head back under the hot spray and contemplated what I’d do next.In the morning, I’d check out my mother-in-law’s house.But after that?I’d told Zara she could have all the time she needed before we took the next step.Didn’t mean my dick got any less hard around her.Even now, the damn thing was hard as a fucking rock.

Then again, not my first case of blue balls, or having to take care of the issue myself.Been doing that for over a year.Did it suck I had to do that after claiming a woman?Of course.At the same time, I wasn’t going to press her for more than she was willing to give.Hell, she’d been through so much, and even now, I knew she was stressed over the disappearance of her mother.

I needed to be able to tell her at least something.I’d focus on finding my mother-in-law and getting to know Zara day by day.Eventually, we’d grow closer.It was inevitable.

She’d given up a life to stay here.A job, her apartment… It didn’t feel right keeping her locked up in the house with nothing to do, no friends or family.Clarity and Scratch had made a good point about the family night.It was the best way for Zara to get close to the others.The times I was gone, she’d need people to rely on, ones she felt comfortable with.Right now, all she had was me.

Grabbing the soap, I washed quickly.Standing in the shower wasn’t going to solve anything.Not even the small stuff, like food.We hadn’t discussed dinner yet, and I was running out of options in the fridge and pantry.Maybe I’d have Zara make an online grocery order for tomorrow and ask a Prospect to pick it up.If she got a few things for the house, items that would help make it feel more like her home and not just mine, it would keep her occupied while I was gone in the morning.

Why did I get the feeling it would only end up causing an issue?We hadn’t talked about much of anything.Would she balk at me handing her my credit card to grocery shop or get the things we needed?I knew some of the old ladies hadn’t liked being taken care of, while others had gratefully accepted what their men gave them.Which category would Zara fall into?I had a feeling she’d be in the first group.

I finished my shower and got out.I towel-dried my hair, pulled on a pair of sweats, and went in search of Zara.

* * *

Zara

The shower cut off and I settled deeper into the couch, waiting for Azrael to emerge.The silence of the house wrapped around me, broken only by the occasional distant rumble of motorcycles passing by on the road.I pulled my knees up to my chest, thinking about everything I’d learned today.

When Azrael finally appeared, wearing only a pair of low-slung sweatpants, I couldn’t help but stare.Water droplets still clung to his broad shoulders, and his damp hair curled slightly at the ends.The tattoos that covered his chest and arms seemed to shift with each movement, telling stories I hadn’t yet learned to read.

“You look deep in thought,” he said, his voice a low rumble as he approached.

I smiled up at him.“Just processing everything from today.It was… educational.”

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