Page 90 of Boulder's Weight

When I go back to bring Kelsey to the meeting, I find her already in the main room, talking with Astra and Oakleigh. From the serious expressions on their faces, they're talking about something serious.

"Amara wants your input," I tell her, not bothering to hide my pride in her.

She looks surprised, then determined. "I'm ready."

As we walk toward church, I find myself studying her profile—the determined set of her jaw, the fierce intelligence in her eyes.

For the first time, I let myself acknowledge what I've been fighting against for weeks: what I feel for Kelsey goes way beyond claiming her, beyond my selfish desires.

I'm falling for her.

Hard and fast and completely against my will.

The realization should terrify me.

Instead, it settles in my chest like a weight—not dragging me down, but anchoring me.

As we enter church together, I know two things: I will keep Kelsey safe from her brothers, no matter what I have to do.

And when this is all over, I'll tell her everything—about her half-sister, about my feelings, about the future I'm starting to imagine with her by my side.

But first, we have a war to win.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Kelsey

"The café isn't safe anymore," Amara says, her voice firm as she leans against the heavy wooden table in her office. "Not until we deal with both Andrés and your brothers."

I sit quietly, trying not to fidget from my nervousness.

Boulder stands behind me, his presence solid, and him being here for me is reassuring.

After hearing about Craig's visit, Amara called this emergency meeting, and to my surprise, asked me to join.

"I get what you're saying," I say carefully, "but my brothers and Andrés are separate issues. Benji is only after me. He doesn't give a shit about your club."

Zorro, the Sergeant at Arms with eyes that miss nothing, shakes his head. "Maybe not originally. But Boulder's intel says he's been asking questions about our territory, our operations."

"That's just Benji being Benji," I explain. "He analyzes everything—identifies strengths, weaknesses, pressure points. It's how our father trained him."

The word 'father' tastes bitter on my tongue.

Knowing he's dying should bring relief, but instead, it's stirred up all the shit I've tried to bury.

"Tell us more about Benji," Amara prompts. "What exactly are we dealing with?"

I take a deep breath, feeling Boulder's hand come to rest on my shoulder.

It might sound silly, but it’s like his touch gives me strength.

"Benji was my father's favorite. His protégé." My voice stays steady even as memories flood back. "While most kids were learning to ride bikes, Benji was learning to spot police surveillance, to create alibis, to find weaknesses in people." I pause. "He doesn't act from anger or impulse. Everything's calculated. He's patient, methodical."

"And Craig?" Python asks. "Boulder says he came to warn you."

"Craig follows Benji's lead, always has. He's the muscle—stronger physically, but he lacks Benji's...creativity." I choose the word carefully, unwilling to detail the twisted "creativity" my oldest brother inherited from our father. "If he's breaking ranks to warn me, it means something. It means he doesn’t want to keep doing what he has been for years, he’s grown a heart or something.."

"Could be a trap," Zorro suggests. "Lure us into complacency."

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