Page 89 of Break Me

Heads turn. A few of the guys nod. Others just watch. Someone says my road name under his breath, and another voice answers too quietly for me to make out. News travels fast in a club.

I keep my hands loose at my sides and my expression neutral.

Knox pushes off the bar and comes closer. “You know why you’re here.”

“I do.”

He studies me for a long second, measuring both my loyalty and restraint.

“You crossed lines,” he says. “Every one of them carried weight.”

“They did.” I meet his gaze. “But I’d do it all over again if I had to.”

Mouse shifts in his chair. “He showed up,” he says.

Knox glances at him briefly. Then his eyes come back to me. “You also saved my life,” he says.

I let that hang for a beat.

“I didn’t do it for the club. I did it because it was right.”

A muscle ticks in his neck. “You did it for Raven?”

“Yes.”

That’s the only answer I give him. It’s the only one that’s true.

Knox looks past me, like he’s checking something off in his head. “You’re married now.”

“I am.”

“That means whatever follows you follows her,” he says, stepping closer. “Whatever trouble you bring home lands at her door.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” I meet his gaze without flinching. “She’s been living with danger her whole life because of the family she was born into.”

Knox watches me closely.

“I won’t add to it,” I say. “I’ll take the hit before it ever reaches her.”

Bishop shifts in his chair. “Our world doesn’t usually ask permission.”

I look at him. “I know.”

Knox studies me for a long moment, measuring the man standing in front of him against the one he remembers.

“You put yourself in the line of fire,” he says.

“Yes.”

“You should’ve told me.”

“I did what I did. And I won’t apologize for it.”

He nods once, like that’s the answer he expected.

“We don’t have the luxury of tearing ourselves apart right now,” he says. “Ridgeback’s still out there. And I need my VP focused.”

I stay where I am and let him finish.