Page 84 of Boulder's Weight

The fake claiming was supposed to be my shelter in the storm, an arrangement to keep me safe.

I never expected it to feel like something I might want to hold onto, even after the danger passes.

I never expected it to feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

CHAPTERTWELVE

Boulder

Church is tense as Amara lays out the latest on Andrés.

I force myself to focus, pushing all thoughts of Kelsey to the back of my mind.

The club comes first—always.

"He's getting ballsy," Razor says, spreading photos across the table. "Our sources say he's planning something big within the next 48 hours."

Zorro’s weathered face is grim. "Targets?"

"The same trend—businesses under our protection," Amara says. "The café is likely high on his list, given its connection to Python and now Boulder."

At the mention of the café, my heart rate kicks up.

The thought of Kelsey caught in Andrés's crosshairs makes my blood run cold.

"We need eyes on every place, everywhere someone depends on us," Python says. "Round-the-clock coverage."

Amara nods, her eyes scanning the faces around the table before landing on me. "Boulder, you'll take the café with Brick, but that’s a given. I’ll call my uncle Alejandro, see if we can get some cartel men on the ground to help us."

"Yes, ma'am," I say, keeping my voice neutral.

She gives out a few more assignments, and only a couple of people are going to be left at the clubhouse.

After she finishes telling us all where we’ll be, church is adjourned.

But as I stand to leave, Amara catches my eye. "Stay," she says.

I can tell based on her tone it’s not a request.

Once the others file out, she gestures for me to take a seat across from her. "How are things with Kelsey?"

The question catches me off guard.

I expected to be reprimanded for something, not an inquiry about my personal life.

I’m cautious with what I tell her. "Things are fine."

Amara gives me a look that says she's not buying my bullshit. "You claimed her a week ago. That's a big step for a man who swore he'd never want an ol’ lady."

I shift uncomfortably in my seat. "Yeah, well, I changed my mind."

She leans forward. "Yeah? Because I've noticed something, Boulder,"

For a split second, I think she knows it’s just a ruse to be able to keep her in the clubhouse with me, to keep her safe.

"Since she came into the picture fully, you're more focused. More steady. Even with the shit show around us, you're less likely to go off half-cocked. When she wasn’t claimed, you were an idiot I wanted to choke, making stupid decisions. I’m glad you’ve been an adult for once in your life."

Her observation hits closer to home than I'd like. "I'm just doing my job, Prez."

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