Page 19 of Diesel’s Second Chance

"It's not a trap." Saint's voice is certain. "She wants this war to end as much as we do. More, maybe."

"Alright. We move tonight. Midnight. Full force. Everyone except Canvas."

Canvas starts to protest but Phoenix cuts him off.

"You're still limping, brother. That leg isn't healed enough for a firefight. You'd be a liability, and we can't afford liabilities on this one." Phoenix's tone softens slightly. "But you've got the most important mission. You stay here with the women and kids. If this goes south, if Demon somehow knew we were coming and this is his play to hit the clubhouse while we're gone, you're our last line of defense."

Canvas's jaw works, clearly wanting to argue, but he nods. "Understood."

"Good." Phoenix stands, looks around the table at each of us. "This is it, brothers. This is what we've been building toward. We end Demon tonight, we end the war. The Vipers scatter, the threat's gone, and we can finally breathe again."

He pauses, lets that sink in.

"But I'm not going to lie to you… This is the most dangerous thing we've ever done. We're riding into hostile territory to take out a desperate man with nothing left to lose. Some of us might not come back."

The room's silent except for someone's breathing.

"So, here's what's happening," Phoenix continues. "We've got until midnight. That's seventeen hours. I want everyone to get their affairs in order. Spend time with your family. Rest. Eat. Do whatever you need to do to be ready. Because when we ride out at midnight, we ride knowing we might not ride back. Anything else needs saying?"

Silence.

"Then church is closed. Seventeen hours, brothers. Make them count."

We file out slowly, the weight of what's coming settling on all of us. Canvas heads straight for Eden, pulls her close. Brick finds Rosie at the bar. Judge moves to Nora and Grace. Wraith already standing, probably planning to spend every minute until midnight with Quinn and Mariah.

I stand there watching brothers find their families, their old ladies, their reasons for coming back alive.

And all I can think about is June.

She asked for time. Asked for space. Told me she'd call when she was ready to talk.

But I don't have time. Don't have space. I have seventeen hours before I ride out to maybe die, and I'll be damned if I waste them respecting boundaries that might not matter by tomorrow.

I need to see her. Need to talk to her. Need to make sure that if I don't come back, she knows exactly how I feel and exactly what she means to me.

Even if she's not ready. Even if it's too soon. Even if she hates me for pushing.

I pull out my phone, stare at her contact for a long moment, then shove it back in my pocket. This conversation needs to happen in person. Face to face. No hiding behind texts or calls or the space she thinks she needs.

I head for the door, keys already in my hand.

Phoenix catches my arm as I pass. "Where you going?"

"Something I need to handle."

He studies my face, sees whatever desperation I'm not hiding well enough. "The dinners?"

I don't ask how he knows. Phoenix knows everything. "Yeah."

"You got seventeen hours, Diesel. Don't waste them." He releases my arm. "And don't ride out at midnight with regrets. Whatever needs saying, say it."

"Plan to."

I'm halfway to my bike when Saint calls out. "Diesel."

I turn. He's standing in the doorway, backlit by the clubhouse lights.

"Tell her the truth," he says. "All of it. Don't hold back because you think it'll hurt less if you die. It won't. It'll just mean she never knew."