Page 19 of Ranger’s Protection

She takes a shaky breath. Then another. Then she nods and reaches for her seatbelt with trembling fingers.

I'm out of the car and around to her side before she can finish unbuckling. Open the door for her. Offer my hand to help her out. She takes it, her palm small and soft against mine, still shaking.

The contact makes me feel that unfamiliar warmth from earlier, when I told Vale to shut his mouth. Protective instinct, probably. The same thing I feel when Quinn calls me after a nightmare, or when I see Grace signing with Judge, or when any of the kids at the clubhouse look at me with that absolute trust that says they know we'll keep them safe.

Except it doesn't feel exactly the same as those things.

It feels more specific. More focused. More—

Not the time for this.

I guide Delilah toward the clubhouse entrance, keeping myself between her and the perimeter, scanning for threats even though we're inside the fence and surrounded by brothers. Judge and Brick are already extracting Vale from the back seat, securing him properly before transporting him inside for interrogation.

The front door opens before we reach it.

Phoenix stands in the doorway, and even though I've known him for three years, worked with him on dozens of operations, seen him in every kind of situation from planning sessions to firefights, I'm still struck by his presence. The way he commands a space just by existing in it.

"Ranger," he says, nodding to me. Then his attention shifts to Delilah. "Ms. Moore. Welcome to the Iron Phoenix. I'm Phoenix, the club president. I'm glad you're safe."

"Thank you," Delilah manages. Her voice is steadier than I expected. "For sending someone. For... for all of this."

"Thank Ranger. He's the one who got you out." Phoenix steps aside, gesturing us inside. "Come in. Let's get you somewhere more comfortable than a parking lot."

The common room is fuller than usual. Word travels fast in the clubhouse: everyone knows we were bringing in a protected witness, everyone knows there was an incident during extraction. The brothers who didn't ride out as backup are scattered around the room, and the old ladies have gathered near the kitchen.

Too many people. Too much attention focused on the woman barely holding herself together beside me.

"Clear out," Phoenix says, his voice carrying without him raising it. "Give her space. She's had a long day."

The room doesn't empty, that's not how family works, but people shift, turn their attention elsewhere, create the illusion of privacy even though we're in a room with a dozen witnesses.

Ivy appears at Phoenix's side, her auburn hair catching the light, her expression warm and concerned. "Hi, Delilah. I'm Ivy. Phoenix's old lady. Can I get you something? Water? Food? Coffee?"

"Water would be good," Delilah says. "Thank you."

Ivy heads toward the kitchen, and Eden emerges from the hallway leading to the medical room. She's in jeans and a hoodie, her dark hair pulled back.

"I'm Eden," she introduces herself, stopping a respectful distance away. "I'm a nurse. Ranger mentioned you might not be injured, but I'd like to check anyway if that's okay. Just vitals and a visual assessment. Five minutes, tops."

Delilah glances at me, uncertain.

"It's standard protocol," I tell her. "But it's your choice. You can say no."

She considers for a moment, then nods at Eden. "Okay. Five minutes."

"Perfect. We can do it right here if you're more comfortable, or in the medical room if you'd prefer privacy."

"Here is fine." Delilah's grip on my hand tightens slightly. She hasn't let go since I helped her out of the car.

Eden notices but doesn't comment. Just pulls a blood pressure cuff and thermometer from the medical bag she's carrying and gets to work. She's gentle, narrating each step before she does it, giving Delilah time to process and consent to every touch.

Professional. Compassionate. Exactly what Delilah needs right now.

I should let go of her hand. Give her space to be examined properly. But she's still holding on like I'm the only stable thing in a room full of chaos and letting go feels wrong.

So, I don't.

"Blood pressure is elevated but not dangerously so," Eden says after a minute. "Given what you've been through, that's actually better than I expected. Heart rate is fast but steady. No visible injuries I can see. Any pain anywhere? Headache? Nausea? Dizziness?"