Page 26 of Raze
We kiss like we’re sealing a vow, like we’re promising forever without saying it yet. When we pull back, his eyes are shining, and I know mine are too, though I’d never admit it to anyone but him.
“There’s more,” I say, my thumb brushing his cheek. “The Wolf Riders—this club, these brothers—they’re my family, the only one I’ve ever had. And I want you to join us, Nico. Not just as my boy, but as one of us. A Wolf Rider. It’ll give you what you’ve always craved, what I see in your eyes every time you talk about those foster homes, those years running. A family, a place to belong, with me as your Forever Daddy, leading the way.”
Nico’s breath hitches, and for a moment, he’s silent, his eyes searching mine like he’s looking for the catch. I hold his gaze, letting him see the truth—no games, no lies, just me, offering him everything I am.
Then Nico laughs again, a sound so full of joy it hits me like a shot of whiskey, warm and sharp.
“You’re serious?” Nico asks, his voice cracking with hope. “You want me to be a Wolf Rider? With you,forever?”
“Dead serious, boy,” I growl, but there’s a smile tugging at my lips. “You’ve got the guts, the smarts, and after tonight, you’ve proved you can handle this life. The Broker’s dead, the cash and all that loot is ours, and you didn’t flinch. You’re one of us, if you want it.”
“I want it,” Nico says, no hesitation, his grin fierce now, like the wolf on our patches. “I want you, Raze. I want the club, the bikes, the fights, all of it. I’m done running. I’m home.”
I pull him into another kiss, deeper this time, my hand tangling in his hair, my chest tight with something I can’t name—pride, love, maybe both. The boy is mine, and he’s our newest Wolf, and the weight of that settles like a promise I’ll kill to keep. We stay like that, kissing, touching, until the world outside this room starts creeping back in—the distant hum of the clubhouse, the brothers waiting, the life we’re about to step into together.
“Get dressed, boy,” I say, swatting his thigh lightly, my voice gruff but warm. “Time to show the pack their new pup.”
Nico laughs, scrambling off the bed, his movements quick despite the bandage on his arm. He pulls on his jeans, wincing a little as the fabric brushes his still-red ass, and I can’t help but smirk. That public spanking was a hell of a show, and the way he howled, taking it like a champ, earned him respect out there.
I tug on my own clothes—leather jacket, boots, the wolf patch heavy on my back—and watch him, this boy who’s turned my world upside down, slip into his torn jacket—I’ll fix him a new one—his .38 tucked back in his waistband.
Nico’s ready, and so am I.
We step out into the hallway, the noise of the clubhouse hitting us like a wave—heavy metal from the jukebox, laughter, the clink of bottles. The air smells like smoke and gasoline, and the neon wolf’s head over the bar pulses like it’s alive.
The brothers are scattered around, some at the pool table, others slouched at the bar, but all eyes turn to us as we walk in.I keep my hand on Nico’s lower back, possessive, proud, letting them know he’s mine and he’s here to stay.
Clay is at the bar, nursing a whiskey, his broad shoulders relaxed but his eyes sharp as ever. Dylan’s beside him, leaning against the counter, his mischievous grin lighting up when he sees us. They’re family—Clay, our president, who’s led us through blood and fire; Dylan, one of the boys who keeps this place human, keeps us grounded.
I guide Nico over, my chest swelling with something I haven’t felt in years—hope, maybe, for a future bigger than just me.
“Well, look who’s back,” Dylan says, his voice playful as he hops off his stool and slaps Nico’s shoulder—his good one, thankfully. “You clean up nice, pup. Ready to learn the ropes? Me, Keegan, and Caleb, we’ll teach you everything—how to ride without stealing Tank’s bike, how to dodge Jase’s mean streak, all of it. Oh and how not to get on Arch’s bad side!”
Nico laughs, his grin easy, like he’s already fitting in.
“I’m a quick learner,” Nico says, his eyes flicking to me, that spark of defiance still there but softened by trust. “And I’ve got a good teacher already.”
Clay sets his glass down, his gaze settling on Nico, heavy but not unkind.
“You’ve got potential, kid,” Clay says, his voice gravelly, commanding the room. “That bike-riding stunt you pulled, jacking Tank’s ride? Stupid, but ballsy. And your hustling background? That’s gold in this game. You play your cards right, you’ll be a valuable member of this pack. Don’t fuck it up.”
Nico nods, his jaw tight but his eyes bright with determination.
“I won’t, Clay,” Nico says. “I’m all in.”
I feel a surge of pride, hot and fierce, watching my boy stand tall under Clay’s scrutiny, earning his place. The Wolf Riders are my brothers, my blood, and seeing them welcome Nico—Clay with his grudging respect, Dylan with his easy camaraderie—makes my chest tight.
This is what I wanted for him, what I promised: a family, a home, with me at his side.
“Prospect,” I call to the kid behind the bar. “Beers for me and my boy.” The kid slides two cold ones over, and I hand one to Nico, our fingers brushing, a spark passing between us. I raise my bottle, my eyes locked on his. “To us, Nico. To love, to the Wolf Riders, to forever.”
“To forever,” Nico echoes, his voice steady, his grin fierce as he clinks his bottle against mine.
The brothers around us cheer, a rough, rowdy sound that shakes the walls, and I feel it in my bones—this is right, this is home.
Tank’s voice cuts through, loud and gruff, as he leans against the pool table, a beer in one hand, his Glock tucked in his waistband.
“Fucking God damned hell, this gang’s getting soft,” Tank says, grinning. “All these couples—Clay and his boy, Jase and his, Arch too, now Raze and this pup? We’re gonna start knitting blankets next.”
