Page 72 of Boulder's Weight

All eyes turn to me, surprise evident on most faces.

Amara raises a single brow. "And why the fuck would we let you do that?"

"Because I've claimed Kelsey, which means this is personal. I can make it clear she's under club protection now without making it an official club action. Keep it looking like a territorial boyfriend, not a club enforcing boundaries. Less likely to escalate."

There's a moment of silence as they consider what I’m saying.

"It's not the worst idea," Razor admits reluctantly. "Keeps our options open."

Python counters, "And puts our best prospect in potential danger."

Axel cracks up. "Aw, are you sure you didn’t wanna write that on a card and give him some chocolates?"

Python clenches his jaw. "Go fuck yourself."

"I can handle myself," I say firmly, breaking up the bullshit between the two of them. "I just need to know where to find them."

Amara studies me for a long moment, then nods slowly. "Fine, Boulder. But you don't go alone. Take Brick with you. And this is a warning only—no engagement unless absolutely necessary. We clear?"

"Crystal."

"And no telling Kelsey," she adds. "Last thing we need is her panicking or trying to interfere."

I hesitate at that, not liking the idea of keeping secrets from her, especially about her own brothers. But I nod.

Club business is club business.

"Now, onto Andrés," Amara continues. "We need eyes on all his known associates. Zorro, get our prospects rotating more surveillance duty. Boulder, you're exempt for now, given your... new responsibilities."

Part of me wants to argue that I can handle both, but I know better than to push my luck.

Besides, Kelsey needs protection, and right now, I'm it.

The meeting wraps up after another thirty minutes of logistics and planning.

As everyone files out, Axel claps me on the shoulder, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Never thought I'd see the day. Boulder the Pussy Slayer, claiming an ol’ lady. Hell must be freezing over."

I shrug him off. "She's not my ol’ lady. It's just protection. Just don’t let anyone else know that, okay?"

He laughs, not believing me for a second. "Sure, brother. And I'm the fucking pope. I've seen how you look at her. Just don't let it mess with your head too much. We still need you to focus on club shit."

I mutter something and head back to my room, coffee in hand.

The door is slightly ajar when I reach it, and I push it open to find Kelsey sitting on the edge of the bed, fully dressed, looking at her phone with a furrowed brow.

She glances up when I enter, tension evident in every line of her body until she recognizes me.

Then her shoulders relax, just slightly, and something in me warms at the knowledge that my presence makes her feel safer.

"Morning," I say, motioning over to her coffee I sat on the bedside table. "Thought you might have needed that."

She picks it up, wiping the sleep from her eyes. "Thanks. Been up long?"

"Club meeting," I explain, sitting beside her on the bed. "Lot to discuss with everything that's happening."

She nods, taking a sip of coffee. "They talking about my brothers?"

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