Who did this to you? Hell’s Angel asked his sister. By dawn, 100 bikers hunt down her ex. The neon lights from the bars sign cast an eerie red glow across the wet pavement. As Tessa stumbled outside, her fingers touched her split lip, coming away sticky with blood. The metallic taste in her mouth made her stomach turn.

She grabbed onto the brick wall for support, her head still spinning from when Liam had shoved her against the bar counter. You’re nothing without me.” His words echoed in her mind, followed by the sharp sting of his backhand. The same hands that had once held her tenderly had turned violent months ago. But this time was different. This time she’d fought back.

The cool night air helped clear her head slightly, but every breath sent pain shooting through her ribs where he’d grabbed her. Her purse lay somewhere inside, probably scattered across the floor where he’d knocked it from her hands. It didn’t matter now. She had to get away. Tessa pushed herself off the wall, willing her legs to stay steady.

The street was mostly empty, just a few parked cars and the distant sound of traffic. A group of people laughed somewhere down the block, the sound making her flinch. She started walking, each step becoming more determined than the last. This city had become a prison. Every street corner held memories of Liam’s possessive behavior.

Every restaurant a scene where he’d humiliated her in public. She’d tried to leave before, but he always found her. Always convinced her to come back with promises and tears. Not this time. Her phone buzzed in her back pocket, the one thing she’d managed to keep hold of. Liam’s name flashed across the screen. Three missed calls already.

She switched it off with trembling fingers, knowing the messages would start soon. They always did. Hey. Liam’s voice boomed from behind her. Where do you think you’re going? Tessa’s heart jumped into her throat. She picked up her pace, her heels clicking against the pavement as she practically ran. She turned down an alley, hoping to lose him in the maze of back streets.

The sounds of his heavy footsteps followed. “You can’t just walk away from me.” His words slurred slightly. He’d been drinking heavily all night. “Tessa.” She reached the end of the alley and turned left, not caring where she was going as long as it was away from him. Her chest burned with each breath, tears blurring her vision.

She’d been so stupid, thinking she could handle confronting him at the bar, thinking she could make a clean break. The street ahead opened into a wider avenue. More lights, more people, safety. But before she could reach it, a shadow detached itself from the darkness. Her heart nearly stopped until she recognized the broad shoulders, the familiar stance.

Devon stood there, his massive frame blocking the entire sidewalk. Even in the dim light, she could see the muscle tension in his jaw, the dangerous glint in his eyes as they took in her appearance. The president’s patch on his leather cut seemed to gleam menacingly. This was exactly what she’d been trying to avoid.

Devon was more than just her overprotective older brother. He was the beast, the feared leader of the black vultures MC. Violence followed in his wake like a shadow. And now she’d drawn him right into her mess. Devon,” she whispered, taking an instinctive step backward. But there was nowhere to go. Behind her, Liam’s footsteps were getting closer.

Her brother’s eyes fixed on her split lip, then tracked down to her torn blouse, the forming bruises on her arms. She watched as the cold mask of control he usually wore cracked, revealing something far more terrifying underneath. his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Who did this to you?” The words came out as a growl, low and deadly.

The sound sent chills down her spine, not from fear of him, but from knowing what would follow. The chaos she’d been running from was about to explode, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Before you continue listening, please let me know where in the world are you watching from today. Now back to the story. The rage rolling off Devon made the air thick and heavy.

His massive frame blocked out the street light as he towered over Tessa, making her feel small and trapped. Without warning, his arms shot out and scooped her up like she weighed nothing. Put me down. Tessa thrashed against his iron grip. Devon, I mean it. Not happening. His voice was deadly quiet. that familiar tone that meant someone was about to get hurt.

“You’re coming with me, and I’m ending this.” Her heart hammered against her ribs as she struggled. “I can handle this myself. I don’t need Look at yourself,” he snarled, turning her face roughly toward a darkened shop window. Her reflection showed the split lip, the darkening bruise on her cheek. “You call this handling it?” Shame and anger burned hot in her chest. “It’s not your problem.

like hell it isn’t. Devon’s boots crunched against broken glass as hestroed toward his motorcycle, parked in the shadows. You’re my sister. Everything about you is my problem. The familiar scent of leather and cigarettes wrapped around her as he held her close. Despite her fury at being manhandled, an old comfort tried to seep in.

memories of scraped knees and playground bullies, of her big brother always showing up to make things right. But they weren’t kids anymore. Devon’s version of making things right now left bodies in its wake. The club doesn’t need to be involved, she cried desperately. Just let me go. I’ll leave town. Start fresh somewhere else. His laugh was bitter and cold.

You think that piece of [ __ ] won’t follow you? that he won’t track you down and do worse next time. His fingers tightened on her arm. No, you’re coming home where I can protect you. The clubhouse isn’t my home, Tessa spat, even as Devon efficiently secured her on the back of his bike. I got out of that life for a reason.

And look how well that worked out for you. He kicked the bike to life. The engines roar drowning out her protests. Hold on. She had no choice but to wrap her arms around his waist as they tore through the empty streets. The wind stung her split lip, making her eyes water. Or maybe those were real tears.

Tears of frustration, of fear, of knowing that her carefully constructed normal life was about to go up in flames. Devon took corners at breakneck speed, forcing her to cling tighter. The city blurred past until the familiar skyline changed, giving way to the exclusive hills where the black vultures made their home.

A convoy of black SUVs fell into formation around them. Devon’s security detail, never far behind their president. The bike slowed as they approached massive iron gates. They swung open silently, revealing a winding driveway lined with perfectly manicured lawns. At the end loomed the mansion, a fortress of brick and stone, where the most dangerous MC on the west coast conducted their business.

Devon killed the engine and lifted her off the bike before she could protest. A guard opened the door to one of the SUVs. “Inside,” Devon ordered, his tone brooking no argument. Tessa slid into the plush leather seat, her whole body trembling with adrenaline and dread. The door slammed with finality, trapping her in climate controlled luxury.

Through the tinted windows, she stared up at the mansion, her childhood home, her brother’s seat of power, and now her gilded cage. She pressed her fingers against the cool glass, watching Devon bark orders to his men. The bruises on her face throbbed in time with her racing heart. She knew her brother well enough to recognize the murderous intent in his stance, the promise of violence in every controlled movement.

There would be blood spilled tonight, and it was all because of her. The heavy wooden doors of the mansion creaked open, and Tessa’s heart hammered against her ribs as she stepped inside. The foyer stretched before her, all dark wood and leather, wreaking of cigarettes and whiskey. Her heels clicked against the hardwood floors, each step echoing in the sudden silence that fell over the room.

Men in leather cuts adorned with the black vultures patch, lounged on vintage furniture, their attention snapping to her like predators catching sight of fresh prey. But there was something else in their gazes, a grudging respect, perhaps even sympathy. These weren’t just thugs. They were her brother’s soldiers. Devon’s hand pressed against the small of her back, guiding her forward.

His touch was firm, but careful, mindful of any hidden bruises Liam might have left. The thought of her ex made her wsece, and Devon’s fingers tightened slightly in response. “Boss!” one of the men nodded as they passed, his face a map of scars and hard years. Others murmured similar greetings, but no one dared to approach.

The beast’s presence was like a force field around them, keeping everyone at a safe distance. They moved through what must have been a living room, though it looked more like a war room now. Maps covered the walls. Weapons were carefully arranged on display, and the air was thick with tension. Tessa recognized some of the faces from years ago when she’d still been a regular presence in Devon’s world before she’d tried to build a normal life for herself.

That normal life felt like a joke now, shattered by Liam’s fists and her brother’s intervention. Devon led her down a hallway lined with old photographs. Club members from decades past, their faces stern and proud. The black vulture’s history wrapped around them like a shroud. Tessa’s fingers trembled as she touched her split lip.

The pain a sharp reminder of why she was here. “Stop touching it,” Devon growled, his voice low and dangerous. He paused their progress to examine her face under the dim lighting, his jaw clenched, and Tessa could practically feel the rage radiating off him in waves. The corridor seemed to stretch endlessly, each step taking her deeper into the heart ofeverything she’d tried to escape.

The walls felt like they were closing in, the air growing thicker. Or maybe that was just her anxiety mounting with each passing moment. Members of the club’s inner circle watched their progression with poorly concealed interest. These men had known her since she was a child, had watched her grow up, and then run away.

Now she was back, bloodied and broken, seeking refuge in the very world she’d rejected. Devon’s office door loomed ahead, a heavy oak barrier between the chaos of the club and whatever came next. He reached around her to turn the handle, and Tessa caught a whiff of leather and motorcycle oil mixed with something distinctly male.

The scent made her dizzy. Or maybe that was the concussion she probably had. The door swung open to reveal a surprisingly elegant space. Dark leather furniture, antique wood desk, and walls lined with books and weapons in equal measure. It was so perfectly Devon that it made her chest ache with forgotten familiarity. Before she could take it all in properly, Devon yanked her inside.

The door slammed behind them with a finality that made her jump. The sound echoed through the room like a gunshot, and Tessa found herself trapped between her brother’s intense gaze and the solid wood at her back. His eyes blazed with something dangerous as he towered over her.

“You’re safe here,” he declared, his voice a rough promise that sent shivers down her spine. “No one touches you again.” The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning and threat. He stepped closer and Tessa pressed herself against the door, her heart racing. His presence filled the space, overwhelming and absolute. You stay with me. Understood.

The clubhouse’s war room felt like a pressure cooker, thick with cigarette smoke and testosterone. Tessa shifted uncomfortably in the leather armchair, watching as Devon loomed over a map spread across the massive oak table. Her brother’s jaw was set in stone, his fingers tracing routes through the city while his men crowded around him like dark satellites.

Liam’s got connections on the east side, one of the bikers said, pointing to a section of the map. Word is he’s been meeting with the red dragons. Devon’s knuckles went white against the table’s edge. That piece of shit’s been playing both sides. Tessa’s stomach churned. The Red Dragons were notorious. Even she knew that.

The rival gang had been trying to muscle in on black vultures territory for months. Her eyes darted between the faces surrounding the table, scarred, tattooed, hardened by violence. These were men who solved problems with bullets and blood. not words. “I want eyes on every corner,” Devon commanded, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

“Track his movements. Find out who he’s meeting with. I want to know where he sleeps, where he eats, where he takes a [ __ ] piss.” The men nodded, their expressions grim. Tessa could feel the blood lust building in the room, see it in the way they hungered for violence. This wasn’t just about her anymore. Liam had inadvertently sparked a gang war.

Boss, another member spoke up, his arms crossed over his leather cut. What about his connection to Martinez? If he’s feeding intel to the dragons, then we burn it all down. Devon cut him off, his words dripping with venom. Every safe house, every business front, every [ __ ] dollar he’s touched.

By the time we’re done, there won’t be enough left of him to identify. Tessa’s hands trembled in her lap. This was the world she’d tried so hard to escape, the violence that ran in their blood. Devon hadn’t even looked at her since the meeting began, as if she were just another piece on his tactical board. But she could feel his rage radiating across the room.

See it in the rigid set of his shoulders and the cruel twist of his mouth. The meeting continued, details of surveillance and strategic strikes being discussed in cold, calculating terms. Tessa felt like she was drowning in it all, suffocating under the weight of their planned retribution. These men spoke of torture and death as casually as others might discuss the weather.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Devon dismissed his men. They filed out one by one, leaving behind a haze of smoke and whispered promises of violence. Tessa started to rise, desperate to escape the oppressive atmosphere, but Devon’s heavy hand landed on her shoulder, pushing her back down.

He waited until the door closed behind the last man before turning to her. His eyes were winter cold, filled with a darkness that made her shiver. Without warning, he gripped her arm and pulled her up, dragging her toward a corner of the room. “You don’t get to leave this house unless I say so,” he growled, his fingers digging into her flesh.

“Tessa tried to wrench away, anger flaring in her chest. You can’t keep me prisoner here.” But Devon’s grip only tightened, and she could see in his eyes that argument was feutal. She was bound byblood to this man, to this life she’d tried to leave behind. His control over her was absolute, and they both knew it.

The realization settled over her like a lead weight. She was trapped in her brother’s world now, with no way out. The heavy oak table dominated the room, scattered with maps and photographs. Tessa perched on a leather armchair in the corner, watching as Devon stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding absolute attention.

The leather of his cut creaked as he leaned forward, his knuckles white against the wooden surface. “Liam’s been spotted at these three locations,” one of the bikers reported, pointing to red circles on the map. “He’s got a routine. Hits the same bar every Thursday.” Devon’s jaw clenched. Tessa couldn’t help but notice how the muscles in his neck tensed the way his shoulders squared.

Even angry, he moved with a predatory grace that made her breath catch. “We strike fast,” Devon’s voice cut through the room like steel. “No warnings, no mercy.” His eyes flickered to Tessa for a brief moment, and the intensity in them made her stomach flip. The other bikers nodded, their faces grim. These were men who lived by violence, and Tessa could feel their collective bloodlust filling the room.

But there was something else, too. A fierce loyalty that bound them together. Boss, another member spoke up. What about his connections? Word is he’s running with the Red Devils now. Devon’s laugh was cold. Then we’ll send them all a message. Nobody touches what’s mine. The possessive tone in his voice sent a shiver down Tessa’s spine.

She shifted in her seat, trying to ignore the way her body responded to his words. This was wrong. He was her brother, her protector. She shouldn’t be noticing the way his black t-shirt stretched across his broad chest, or how his voice dropped to that dangerous growl. The meeting continued. each member reporting their findings.

Tessa watched Devon work, saw how naturally leadership came to him. He considered each piece of information carefully, building a plan that would leave no escape for her ex. We move in 3 days, Devon announced finally. I want eyes on him every second until then. If he so much as sneezes, I want to know about it. The men filed out, leaving behind the heavy scent of leather and cigarettes.

Devon’s attention turned to Tessa and suddenly the room felt smaller, more intimate. He crossed to her in three long strides, his presence overwhelming. “Come with me,” he ordered, not waiting for her response before taking her arm. Tessa let him guide her through the mansion’s corridors, trying to ignore how his touch sent electricity through her skin.

They climbed the main staircase, the wooden steps creaking beneath their feet, until they reached a heavy door at the end of the hall. Devon’s private quarters were surprisingly elegant. Dark wood furniture, crisp sheets on a massive bed, and windows overlooking the sprawling grounds. He pushed her inside, the lock clicking behind them with finality.

You stay in here,” he said, his voice softer now, but no less commanding. “I’ll handle the rest.” His hand came up to her cheek, and Tessa forgot how to breathe. His touch was surprisingly gentle, a stark contrast to the violence she’d witnessed moments ago. His thumb brushed over her skin, and she couldn’t help but lean into it.

Their eyes met, and Tessa saw something flash in his gaze, something that made her heart race and her knees weak. She was trapped here, under his protection, under his control. But instead of feeling imprisoned, she felt a dangerous thrill of attraction. Devon’s hand lingered on her face, and Tessa remained frozen, caught between wanting to pull away and wanting to press closer.

The moment stretched between them, heavy with unspoken tension and forbidden desires. The mansion’s heavy curtains filter the morning light, casting shadows across Tessa’s temporary prison. She sits at the window seat, watching the comingings and goings of the black vultures below. Their bikes gleam in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the darkness that surrounds their world.

Days have melted together since Devon brought her here. The bruises from Liam’s attack have faded to yellow green smudges, but the memory still burns fresh. She traces her fingers over her healing lip, remembering the moment everything changed. Through the window, she spots Devon emerging from the garage. His presence commands attention.

Members of the club immediately gravitating toward him. Even from this distance, she can see the rigid set of his shoulders. The way his hands curl into fists as he speaks. Whatever news he’s delivering has the men nodding grimly. Tessa’s breath catches when Devon suddenly looks up, his eyes finding her window with unairring accuracy.

For a fraction of a second, his expression shifts. The hardness melts away, replaced by something that makes her heart stutter. It’s gone in an instant, but the impact lingers. Shepushes away from the window, trying to shake off the effect he has on her. The room, though luxurious, feels like it’s closing in.

Every surface holds traces of Devon, from the leather jacket he draped over a chair days ago to the lingering scent of his cologne when he checks on her. The club members treat her with careful respect, but she sees the curiosity in their eyes. They whisper about how the beast becomes different around her, how his legendary control slips when she’s near. Tessa has noticed it, too.

The way his hands clench when she moves too close. How his jaw tightens when she defies him. She paces the room, her bare feet silent on the plush carpet. The attraction between them is impossible to ignore. A living thing that crackles in the air whenever they’re alone. It’s wrong. She knows it’s wrong, but her body betrays her every time he’s near.

Through the walls, she hears the rumble of motorcycles leaving the compound. Devon’s voice carries up the stairs, barking orders. The sound sends shivers down her spine, and she wraps her arms around herself. The mansion grows quiet. Tessa continues her restless pacing, her mind racing with possibilities. She could try to leave, make a run for it while the club is out.

But she knows better. Devon’s men are everywhere, and he’d find her. He always finds her. Her fingers trace the edge of his jacket, the leather smooth under her touch. She lifts it to her face without thinking, inhaling his scent. The action makes her cheeks flush with shame and want.

Heavy footsteps in the hallway make her drop the jacket. She spins around just as Devon appears in the doorway, filling the frame with his imposing presence. His eyes are dark, dangerous, fixed on her with an intensity that makes her breath catch. His jaw is clenched tight, a muscle ticking beneath the skin. “Stop running from this,” he commands, his voice low and rough.

Each word falls like a stone in the quiet room. “You can’t escape me. Not this time. Moonlight filtered through the heavy curtains, casting shadows across Tessa’s restless form as she lay in Devon’s bed. The silk sheets whispered against her skin, a constant reminder that she was trapped in luxury, a gilded cage of her brother’s making.

Sleep eluded her despite the late hour and the comfortable surroundings. Her mind wandered to the events of the past few days, to the way Devon’s presence seemed to fill every room he entered, the way his eyes followed her, dark and intense, promising both protection and possession. It unsettled her how aware she was of him, how her body responded to his proximity with a heat that shouldn’t exist between them.

The creek of the door startled her from her thoughts. Her breath caught as Devon’s silhouette appeared in the doorway. He was shirtless, his tattooed skin gleaming in the dim light. Scars marked his flesh, testament to the violent life he led. Her eyes traced the muscles that rippled across his chest as he moved toward her with predatory grace.

“Can’t sleep?” His voice was rough, deeper than usual in the quiet of the night. Tessa pushed herself up against the headboard, pulling the sheets higher. What are you doing here? This is my room. He approached the bed slowly, like a wolf stalking its prey. And you’re in my bed. Heat flooded her cheeks. You said I had to stay here.

I did. He sat on the edge of the bed, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from his skin. because it’s the safest place for you. Tessa’s heart thundered in her chest. She should move away, put distance between them. But her body refused to cooperate. I don’t need your protection. Devon’s laugh was dark, humorless.

Look what happened when you tried to handle things on your own. His hand reached out, fingers ghosting over the fading bruise on her cheek. Never again, Tessa. No one touches what’s mine. The possessive edge in his voice sent shivers down her spine. I’m not yours, she whispered, but the words lacked conviction. “No.

” He moved closer, one hand braced beside her hip, caging her in. “Then why are you here? Why do you tremble when I’m near?” His other hand traced her jawline, tilting her face up to his. Why can’t you look away when I enter a room? Tessa’s breath hitched. She wanted to deny it, but they both knew the truth. There had always been this pull between them, this forbidden attraction they’d both tried to ignore.

Devon. His name fell from her lips like a prayer. I see the way you watch me. he continued, his thumb brushing across her bottom lip. The way you bite your lip when you think I’m not looking. His eyes darkened. But I’m always looking, Tessa. Always watching. She should push him away. Should remind him of all the reasons this was wrong.

Instead, she found herself leaning into his touch, her body betraying her mind’s protests. Devon moved over her, his larger frame blocking out the moonlight. The bed dipped under his weight as he braced himself above her, his face inches from hers.Power radiated from him, but his touch remained gentle, a stark contrast to the violence she knew his hands were capable of.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Tessa, but you need to stop fighting me.” His voice was a dark promise that made her pulse race. The urge to push him away wared with the desire to pull him closer. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, “I’ll keep you safe. You’re mine now.” The early morning sun filtered through the mansion’s heavy curtains as Tessa made her way down the grand staircase.

The black vulture’s headquarters was quiet, but she knew better now. Behind these walls, danger lurked in every shadow. She paused at the bottom of the stairs, hearing muffled voices from Devon’s office. The door was slightly a jar, and she couldn’t help but move closer. “He needs to learn his place,” Devon’s voice carried through, cold and commanding.

“Make an example of him.” Tessa’s breath caught as she heard the unmistakable sound of someone being struck. A grunt of pain followed, then silence. “Consider this your only warning,” Devon continued. “Cross the black vultures again, and there won’t be enough pieces left of you to identify.” The office door swung open suddenly, and a bloodied man stumbled out, supported by two burly bikers.

They dragged him past Tessa without a second glance. She stood frozen, watching the scene unfold. Come in, Devon called out to her, his voice softer, but still holding that edge of authority. Tessa stepped into the office, taking in the scene. A few drops of blood stained the expensive carpet. Devon stood behind his desk, rolling up the sleeves of his black dress shirt.

His knuckles were red, but his face showed no sign of the violence that had just occurred. You shouldn’t be wandering around alone, he said, his eyes meeting hers. I’m not a prisoner, Tessa replied, though her voice lacked conviction. Devon’s lip quirked up slightly. No, you’re not. You’re family, and family stays close.

Throughout the day, Tessa witnessed more of the club’s operations. Men came and went, showing Devon respect that bordered on fear. She watched him handle business deals with the same calculated precision he used when doing out punishment. But there were other moments, too. Moments when no one else was looking.

She caught him late in the afternoon standing by the window in the library. His shoulders were tense, his hand gripping a glass of whiskey too tightly. For a brief moment she saw the weight he carried, the burden of leading the black vultures. When he turned and saw her, something shifted in his eyes. The hardness melted slightly, replaced by something that made her heart skip a beat.

“You should be resting,” he said, his voice lower, gentler than she’d heard it before. “I’m fine,” she answered. But she couldn’t look away from him. Later, during a tense meeting with the club’s top members, Tessa sat in the corner observing. They discussed territory disputes and revenge plans, their voices rising with each passing minute. Devon remained eerily calm throughout, his presence commanding enough to keep the peace.

When the meeting ended and the room cleared out, Devon’s hand shot out, catching her wrist as she tried to slip away. He pulled her back, his grip firm but not painful. I need you to stay with me, Tessa. No more running. His eyes burned with frustration as he drew her closer. Their faces were inches apart, his breath warm against her skin.

Do you understand? She nodded, unable to form words as his presence overwhelmed her senses. The pull between them was stronger than ever, a dangerous current she couldn’t fight anymore. The dim lights of Devon’s office cast long shadows across his face as Tessa stood her ground. Her heart hammered against her ribs, but she refused to back down.

After days of watching him command the black vultures with ice in his veins, she couldn’t take it anymore. Why are you so cold to everyone except me? The words tumbled out before she could stop them, her voice trembling with frustration. Devon’s shoulders tensed. He stayed behind his massive wooden desk, his fingers drumming against the polished surface.

The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. “You don’t understand what it takes to lead men like these,” he finally said, his voice low and controlled. “They’re not your friends. They’re soldiers who need a leader, not a buddy. Tessa crossed her arms, taking a step closer to the desk. I’ve watched you all week.

You treat them like they’re nothing, like they’re disposable. They know what they signed up for. Devon’s jaw clenched, a muscle ticking beneath his skin. This isn’t some corporate office where we worry about hurting people’s feelings. But they’re loyal to you, Tessa pressed. I see how they look at you. How they die for you without question.

And you just I just what? Devon cut her off, standing suddenly, his chair scraped against the hardwood floor. You think I don’t know what they’dsacrifice? You think I don’t carry that weight every damn day? The rawness in his voice made Tessa take a step back. For a moment, she caught a glimpse of something beneath his steel exterior.

Exhaustion, maybe even pain. “Then why hide it?” she whispered. “Why pretend you don’t care?” Devon moved around the desk, his movements fluid despite his massive frame. “Because caring gets people killed in this world. Because showing weakness makes you a target.” “Is that what I am?” Tessa challenged. a weakness.

His eyes darkened. You’re different. Why? Because I’m your sister. Because you feel obligated to protect me. Because you’re the only person left who sees me as more than the beast? The admission seemed to cost him something. His fists clenched at his sides. Tessa’s breath caught in her throat.

She’d never heard him sound so human. everyone else,” he continued, his voice rough. “They need the monster. They need to believe I’m untouchable. That’s how I keep them alive. That’s how I keep this whole operation from falling apart.” The weight of his words settled over the room. Tessa saw him differently now, not just as her overprotective brother or the ruthless leader of the black vultures, but as someone carrying an impossible burden.

Devon took a step forward, closing the distance between them. His large hands gripped her shoulders, and she felt the barely contained power in his touch. “You think I’m cold?” His voice cracked, just barely before he brushed it off. “You have no idea what it costs to keep everyone I love safe.” He pulled her against him, his next words rumbling through his chest.

But you’re my sister. I’ll protect you no matter what. Even if I have to burn the world down. The heavy crystal glass felt cool against Tessa’s palm as she sat alone at the mansion’s private bar. The amber liquid inside caught the dim light, creating shadows that danced across the polished wood. Her fingers traced the rim absently, mind churning with thoughts she couldn’t quiet.

The Black Vultures compound was silent at this hour. Most of the members had cleared out, leaving her alone with her turbulent emotions. The solitude should have been a relief. But instead, it made Devon’s absence more pronounced. She took another sip, welcoming the burn. Everything about this place screamed danger and power.

the leatherbound furniture, the weapons displayed on the walls like artwork, even the air itself felt charged with lethal potential. Yet somehow she felt safer here than she had in years. Her reflection in the mirror behind the bar caught her attention. The bruises from Liam were fading, but the memory of that night remained sharp.

Devon’s rage when he’d found her. It hadn’t just been brotherly protection. She’d seen something else in his eyes, something that made her breath catch and her heart race. “What am I doing?” she whispered to herself, pressing her forehead against the cool bar top. The attraction, she felt, was wrong on every level.

He was her brother, the president of a dangerous motorcycle club, a man who dealt in violence and power. But every time he looked at her with those intense eyes, every accidental brush of skin against skin, every moment alone together in this massive house, it all felt like gravity pulling her toward him. The leather of her chair creaked as she shifted, trying to shake off the weight of her thoughts.

But they kept coming back to Devon. The way his voice softened when they were alone. How his hand would find excuses to touch her shoulder, her back, her face. The electricity that crackled between them in shared glances across rooms full of people. She remembered this morning how he’d cornered her in the kitchen.

His body had blocked her escape, one arm braced against the counter beside her head. You need to stay close, he’d growled, his face inches from hers. It’s not safe out there. But the danger in his eyes hadn’t been about external threats. Tessa’s fingers tightened around her glass. The pull between them was getting stronger, harder to deny.

She could feel it in every silent moment, every shared space. It terrified her how much she wanted him, not as a brother, but as something else entirely, something forbidden and dangerous and absolutely inevitable. The sound of heavy boots on hardwood made her spine stiffen. She didn’t need to turn around to know it was Devon.

His presence filled the room like smoke, making the air thick and hard to breathe. The bar stool next to her scraped against the floor as he sat down, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off his body. Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. When she finally gathered the courage to look at him, her breath caught.

His eyes were fixed on her, dark and intense, filled with the same hunger she’d been trying to deny in herself. Devon reached out, his calloused fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face. The gentle touch contrasted sharply with the dangerousenergy rolling off him in waves. His hand lingered, trailing down her cheek to her jaw, making her shiver.

“You’re mine now,” he said, his voice low and certain. “Stop fighting it.” The words hung in the air between them, a declaration that changed everything. Tessa sat frozen, caught between the need to run and the desperate desire to lean into his touch, to finally give in to what had been building between them since the moment he’d brought her here.

The cool night air whispers through the courtyard as Tessa leans against the stone railing, trying to steady her racing thoughts. The black vultures mansion looms behind her, its windows glowing with warm light that spills onto the manicured lawn. She traces her fingers along the smooth stone, desperate for any distraction from the man who’s been consuming her every thought.

The sound of heavy boots on concrete makes her spine stiffen. She doesn’t need to turn around to know it’s Devon. His presence fills the ew space like a gravitational force pulling it something deep inside her. The scent of leather and tobacco follows him, carried on the evening breeze. You can’t keep running from me, Tessa.

His voice is low, dangerous, sending shivers down her spine. She grips the railing tighter, her knuckles turning white. I’m not running. But even as she says it, she knows it’s a lie. She’s been running since the moment he brought her here. Since the first time she felt that forbidden spark between them. Devon moves closer, his heat radiating against her back.

Then why won’t you look at me? Tessa’s breath catches in her throat. She forces herself to turn, meeting his intense gaze. His eyes are dark pools in the dim light filled with something that makes her heart stutter. He’s too close yet not close enough. The contradictions of wanting him and knowing she shouldn’t are tearing her apart.

This isn’t right, she whispers, but her body betrays her as she leans slightly toward him. Says who? Devon’s hand comes up to cup her face, his thumb brushing across her bottom lip. The gentle touch contrasts sharply with the raw power she knows he possesses. You feel it, too. Stop denying it. Tessa’s eyes flutter closed for a moment, overwhelmed by his touch.

When she opens them again, Devon has moved even closer, caging her against the railing with his arms on either side of her. The leather of his cut caks as he leans in, his breath fanning across her face. “I’ve tried to fight this,” he admits, his voice rough with emotion. “But I’m done pretending I don’t want you.

” Her hands come up to rest on his chest, but she can’t tell if she’s trying to push him away or pull him closer. The steady thump of his heart beneath her palm matches the frantic beating of her own. Devon, we can’t. We can. He growls, one hand sliding into her hair. Tell me you don’t want this.

Tell me you don’t feel it burning between us every time we’re in the same room. Tessa can’t lie. Not to him. Not about this. The attraction between them has been building since the moment he brought her here, growing stronger with every shared glance, every accidental touch. It’s like a living thing, pulsing with its own heartbeat, demanding to be acknowledged.

His other hand grips her hip, pulling her closer until their bodies are flush against each other. The hard planes of his chest press against her softer curves, and Tessa has to bite back a moan at the contact. Devon’s eyes darken at the sound, his control visibly slipping. Last chance, he warns, his lips hovering just above hers. Tell me to stop.

But Tessa can’t form the words. She doesn’t want him to stop. She wants this, wants him with an intensity that should frighten her. Instead, it feels like coming home. Devon must see the surrender in her eyes because his grip tightens. And then his mouth is crashing down on hers. The kiss is brutal and passionate, filled with all the pentup desire they’ve been fighting.

His lips claim hers with desperate hunger. And after a moment of shock, Tessa melts into him. Her hands slide up his chest to wrap around his neck, pulling him closer as she kisses him back with equal fervor. The world dissolves around them, leaving nothing but the taste of his mouth, the feel of his hands on her body and the knowledge that they’ve finally crossed a line they can never uncross.

Tessa’s heart hammered against her ribs as she tried to step back from Devon, her lips still tingling from their kiss, but his strong hands held her in place, fingers pressing into her hips with just enough pressure to keep her from escaping. You can’t walk away from me now, he growled, his voice rough with desire.

His dark eyes blazed with an intensity that made her knees weak. Devon, we can’t, she started. But the words died in her throat as he pulled her closer, his muscled chest pressed against hers. “We can,” he countered, one hand sliding up her back to tangle in her hair. “And we will.” The courtyard disappeared around them as Devon claimed her mouthagain, this time slower, deeper.

Tessa felt herself melting into him despite every rational thought screaming at her to run. His tongue traced her bottom lip, and she gasped, giving him the opening he needed to deepen the kiss. The rough leather of his cut scraped against her arms as he backed her against the courtyard wall. The cool stone behind her contrasted sharply with the heat of his body pressing against her front.

Devon broke the kiss only to trail his lips down her neck, making her shiver. “Tell me you don’t want this,” he challenged, his breath hot against her skin. “Tell me you haven’t thought about it.” Tessa couldn’t lie. Not to him. Not now. She had thought about it in the dark of night when she was alone with her forbidden fantasies.

Her fingers clutched at his shoulders, feeling the solid muscle beneath. “Someone could see,” she whispered, but it was a weak protest, and they both knew it. Devon’s laugh was dark and promising. “Let them.” His hands gripped her thighs, lifting her easily. But if you want privacy, he carried her through the empty halls of the mansion, his stride purposeful.

Tessa’s heart raced faster with each step, knowing where they were headed. The few club members they passed quickly averted their eyes, knowing better than to look too long at what belonged to their president. When they reached his bedroom, Devon kicked the door shut behind them. The sound of the lock clicking into place seemed to echo in Tessa’s ears.

He set her down, but didn’t step back, keeping her trapped between his body and the door. “Last chance to run,” he said, but his hands were already sliding under her shirt, calloused fingers skimming across her bare skin. Tessa shook her head, unable to form words as desire coursed through her veins. This was wrong on so many levels.

But she couldn’t bring herself to care anymore. Devon’s touch set her on fire, awakening needs she’d tried to bury. If growled in approval at her response, lifting her again and carrying her to his massive bed. The sheets were cool against her back as he laid her down, his larger frame covering hers completely.

His weight should have felt threatening, but instead it made her feel safe. protected. “Mine,” Devon breathed against her neck, nipping at the sensitive skin. “Say it.” “Yours,” Tessa whispered, arching into him as his hands explored her body with increasing urgency. Their clothes disappeared piece by piece, each revelation of skin met with hungry kisses and possessive touches.

Devon’s body was a masterpiece of scars and tattoos, telling the story of his violent life. Tessa traced them with trembling fingers, learning him by touch as he learned her. When he finally moved above her, his control was hanging by a thread. His muscles were taught with restraint as he looked down at her, his eyes dark with need.

Tessa felt completely helpless beneath him, but it was a helplessness she craved. Her body responded to his every touch, every kiss, every growl of possession. The last barrier of resistance crumbled as Devon claimed her completely. His movements a perfect balance of fury and tenderness that left her gasping.

The world narrowed to just this moment. Just them. Just the overwhelming sensation of finally giving in to what they both needed. Sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains of Devon’s room, casting shadows across the rumpled sheets. Tessa sat at the edge of the bed, her fingers tracing the silk fabric beneath her.

Her body achd in ways that reminded her of everything that had happened the night before. every touch, every kiss, every moment she’d given herself to Devon. She pulled his discarded shirt tighter around her shoulders, inhaling his scent of leather and something distinctly masculine. The comfort it brought terrified her. You’re thinking too loud.

Devon’s deep voice cut through her thoughts. He stood in the doorway of his private bathroom, a towel slung low on his hips, water droplets still clinging to his muscled chest. The sight of him made her breath catch. Tessa turned away, focusing on a spot on the wall. I need some air, Tessa. His voice held a warning.

She stood up, her legs shaky. I just I need space, Devon. The words came out barely above a whisper. His jaw clenched as he watched her gather her clothes. The silence between them grew thick, heavy with unspoken words and rising tension. Devon’s eyes tracked her every movement, predatory and possessive. “You’re running,” he stated, his voice cold.

“I’m processing,” Tessa shot back, finally meeting his gaze. This isn’t. We shouldn’t have. She couldn’t finish the sentence. Devon crossed the room in three long strides, crowding her space. Don’t. His fingers gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him. Don’t you dare try to take back what happened between us. Heat flooded her cheeks as memories of the previous night rushed through her mind.

his hands on her body, his mouth claiming hers, the way he’d made her feel things she’d never felt before.But with the light of day came clarity, and with clarity came fear. “I’m your sister,” she whispered, the words tasting like ash in her mouth. “You’re mine,” he growled, his grip tightening slightly. “That’s all that matters.

” Tessa pushed against his chest, needing distance. It’s not that simple, Devon. You can’t just decide. I already have. His eyes darkened. I’ve wanted you for longer than I should admit. Now that I’ve had you, there’s no going back. She managed to slip past him, her heart hammering in her chest.

The room felt too small, too intimate. She needed to think, to breathe, to find some way to make sense of how her entire world had shifted in one night. Devon watched her retreat, his muscles coiled tight with restraint. She could feel the storm building in him, the frustration, the need to control, to possess. It scared her how much she wanted to give into it.

“You can’t hide from this,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. You can’t hide from me. I’m not hiding. Tessa snapped even as she backed toward the door. I’m trying to think clearly, which is impossible when you’re She gestured vaguely at him at the overwhelming presence he commanded. When I’m what? He stalked toward her, backing her against the wall.

When I’m showing you exactly what you do to me. When I’m making it clear that you belong to me. His words sent shivers down her spine, desire waring with her need to maintain some control over the situation. Devon, please. No. He planted his hands on either side of her head, caging her in. You don’t get to shut down on me.

Not after last night. Not after everything. The heat from his body seeped into hers, making it hard to think. She could smell his soap, feel his breath on her face, see the intensity in his eyes that made her knees weak. “I need time,” she pleaded. His response was to lean closer, his lips brushing against her ear.

“Tell me what’s wrong, Tessa. I won’t let you pull away from me. You’re mine.” The morning light filtered through the heavy curtains of Devon’s office, casting long shadows across his broad shoulders as he hunched over his desk. Tessa paused in the doorway, struck by how different he looked in this moment.

Not the fearsome leader of the black vultures, but a man weighted down by invisible burdens. Papers were scattered across his desk, and his usual perfect composure was nowhere to be found. His hair was disheveled, as if he’d been running his hands through it all night. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, speaking of sleepless nights and endless worry.

“Devon!” Tessa’s voice was soft, barely above a whisper. He looked up, and for a moment, his guard was completely down. The raw vulnerability in his eyes made her heart clench. This wasn’t the beast everyone feared. This was just Devon, her Devon, drowning under the weight of his responsibilities. “You should be sleeping,” he muttered, attempting to gather the papers, trying to hide whatever had him so troubled.

Tessa stepped into the office, closing the door behind her. The room felt different at this hour. More intimate, less intimidating. “So should you.” His shoulders tensed, then sagged. Can’t sleep. Too much on my mind. He gestured vaguely at the papers. The rival gang is pushing into our territory.

Three of our men were attacked last night. Tessa moved closer, her bare feet silent on the hardwood floor. She could see the tension in his jaw, the way his hands trembled slightly as he shuffled the papers. “The club looks to me for answers,” he continued, his voice rough. They expect me to be strong, to always know what to do, but sometimes he trailed off, shaking his head.

Sometimes it’s too much. Tessa finished for him. Devon’s laugh was bitter. My father made it look so easy. He led the black vultures through worse times than this, never showed a moment of doubt. His fingers traced the edge of an old photograph. their father, younger and proud, surrounded by club members. I was 15 when he was gunned down.

Watched it happen right in front of me. Tessa’s breath caught. He’d never talked about that day before. The club needed a leader, he continued. I stepped up because I had to learn to be hard, to be feared. The beast. His voice cracked on the nickname. But some nights I look in the mirror and wonder if I’m strong enough to keep everyone safe.

The confession hung heavy in the air. Tessa moved behind his chair, her heart aching for the boy who’d had to grow up too fast. For the man who carried so much on his shoulders. I failed to protect you, he whispered. My own sister. I should have seen what was happening with Liam sooner. Should have stop. Tessa placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling the muscle tense beneath her touch. You’re not failing anyone, Devon.

The club follows you because they believe in you, not because they fear you. His hand came up to cover hers, his grip almost desperate. The touch sent electricity through her veins, but this moment wasn’t about their complicatedattraction. It was about something deeper, more fundamental. She could feel his breathing uneven and heavy.

The mask he wore for everyone else had crumbled completely, leaving him raw and exposed. In this private moment, she saw all of him. The ruthless leader, the protective brother, the wounded boy, and the man who carried the weight of so many lives on his shoulders. I’m here for you,” she whispered, and felt him shudder under her touch. The whispers reached Tessa first, hushed conversations in dark corners of the mansion, stolen glances between club members, and an undercurrent of tension that made the air thick with suspicion.

Something was wrong within the black vultures, and she could feel it in her bones. She lingered near Devon’s office, her heart racing as raised voices filtered through the heavy oak door. The words traitor and inside job caught her attention, making her blood run cold. Devon’s voice, usually controlled and commanding, had an edge of barely contained fury that she’d never heard before.

The door burst open, and several club members filed out, their faces grim. Devon stood at his desk, his massive frame rigid with tension. Maps and papers were scattered across the surface, some crumpled, others torn. His knuckles were white as he gripped the edge of the desk. Devon.

Tessa stepped into the office, closing the door behind her. What’s happening? He didn’t look up, but his jaw clenched. Someone’s been feeding information to Liam. That’s how he’s been staying. one step ahead of us. His voice was deadly quiet, like the calm before a storm. One of our own. Tessa’s stomach dropped. The implications were staggering.

Someone they trusted, someone close to them, had betrayed not just the club, but her as well. They’d helped the man who had hurt her, who still haunted her nightmares. “How do you know?” she asked, moving closer despite her instinct to run from the rage radiating off him. Devon finally looked up, and the raw emotion in his eyes made her pause.

There was anger there, yes, but something else, too. Pain, betrayal, vulnerability. Because only someone on the inside would know about our safe houses, our roots, our security protocols. He ran a hand through his dark hair, a rare gesture of frustration. Every time we get close to Liam, he slips away. Now we know why.

Tessa watched as he paced the room like a caged animal. The powerful, controlled leader was cracking, showing her glimpses of the man beneath the armor. His shoulders were tense, his movements jerky with barely contained violence. I trusted them,” he growled more to himself than to her. “I trusted every [ __ ] one of them with my life, with your life.

” His voice broke slightly on the last words, and Tessa’s heart clenched. She reached for him instinctively, placing a hand on his arm. He stilled under her touch, his breathing heavy. “We’ll find out who it is,” she said softly. Devon turned to her, his eyes dark with a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite read.

“I brought you here to keep you safe,” he said, his voice rough. “I promised to protect you. And now he trailed off, fury building in his expression again, the weight of leadership, the burden of protection. She could see it crushing him. This wasn’t just about the betrayal of the club.

It was about his failure to keep her safe, to control everything around them. Devon, who always had to be in control, was watching it slip through his fingers. His fist connected with the wall suddenly, the sound making Tessa jump. “No one betrays me,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. The threat in those words sent a chill down her spine, reminding her exactly what kind of man her brother was, what kind of world she’d stepped into.

She stood frozen, watching him, understanding finally hitting her. She was in, too deep now to back out, too entangled in this dangerous web of loyalty and betrayal. The man before her, both terrifying and vulnerable, had become her whole world. and there was no escaping that truth anymore.

The clubhouse basement felt like a tomb. Tessa’s heart hammered against her ribs as she watched two of Devon’s most trusted men drag Jake, a longtime member of the Black Vultures, down the concrete steps. His face was already bloody, one eye swollen shut. The other club members formed a tight circle, their leather cuts gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights.

The air rire of cigarette smoke and something darker, anticipation of violence. Devon stood in the center, his massive frame coiled with tension. His eyes were glacial as he watched Jake being forced to his knees. Tessa pressed herself against the wall, trying to become invisible, but she couldn’t look away. You want to tell them what you did? Devon’s voice was deceptively soft.

or should I? Jake spat blood onto the floor. I didn’t have a choice. They had leverage. There’s always a choice. Devon circled him slowly. You chose to feed information to Liam. You chose to put mysister in danger. You chose to betray your brothers. The word brothers echoed off the concrete walls.

Several members shifted uncomfortably, their faces hard with betrayal. Tessa felt bile rise in her throat as she realized these men weren’t just club members. They were family. And Jake had violated that sacred trust. How long? Devon demanded. 6 months. Jake’s admission was barely a whisper. The silence that followed was devastating.

Tessa watched her brother’s jaw clench, the muscle ticking beneath his skin. She could see the exact moment his control snapped. Devon’s fist connected with Jake’s face with a sickening crack. Blood sprayed across the floor. But Devon wasn’t done. He grabbed Jake by the throat, forcing him to look up. Everything we built, everything we protected, you risked it all.

Each word was punctuated with barely contained fury. For what? They threatened my kid. Jake choked out. “My daughter, you should have come to me.” Devon roared, his voice filling the basement. “I would have protected her. That’s what we do.” Tessa flinched at the raw pain in her brother’s voice.

This wasn’t just about punishment. This was personal betrayal. She watched as Devon released Jake, stepping back to compose himself. The other members stood silent, waiting. This was club business. and there were protocols to follow. But Tessa could see the hurt in their eyes, the way they looked at Jake like he was already dead.

“Strip is cut,” Devon ordered, his voice now eerily calm. Two members stepped forward. Jake didn’t resist as they roughly removed his leather vest, the black vultures patch that had been his identity for over a decade. Tears streamed down his face, mixing with blood. Please, Jake begged. My daughter.

Your daughter will be protected. Devon cut him off. Because unlike you, I understand loyalty. He turned to address the room. This man is no longer a black vulture. He’s nothing to us now. Tessa felt her stomach twist as she realized this was just the beginning. In this world, betrayal had consequences, fatal ones. Devon moved closer to Jake, towering over him.

His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper that still carried in the silent room. You gave Liam information that put my sister at risk. You compromised our security. You broke your oath. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting harsh shadows across Devon’s face as he delivered his judgment. Tessa pressed her hands against the cold wall behind her, trying to ground herself.

This was the reality of the club. Brutal, unforgiving, absolute. Jake knelt there, broken and stripped of his identity as Devon pronounced his sentence. The words fell like hammer blows in the basement, each one sealing Jake’s fate. Tessa watched, unable to look away as the true nature of her brother’s world unfolded before her.

The night air crackles with tension as motorcycles roar through the empty streets. Tessa sits in the back of a black SUV, her heart hammering against her ribs as she watches the formation of bikes ahead. Devon leads the pack, his broad shoulders rigid beneath his leather cut, the black vultures patch gleaming under the street lights.

They’d gotten the intel an hour ago. Liam’s gang was making their move tonight, planning to hit one of the club’s warehouses, but Devon was ready. He’d been waiting for this moment. The convoy slows as they approach the industrial district. Tessa’s fingers dig into the leather seat as the SUV comes to a stop behind a row of abandoned buildings.

Through the tinted windows, she watches Devon signal to his men, their movements precise and practiced. “Stay in the car,” he’d ordered her earlier, his voice leaving no room for argument. But now, as she sees shadows moving in the darkness ahead, she knows she can’t just sit here. The first gunshot shatters the night. Everything explodes into chaos.

Men pour out from both sides. The air filled with shouts and the metallic click of weapons being drawn. Tessa’s driver curses, reaching for his gun as bullets ping off the SUV’s armored exterior. Through the windshield, she sees Devon in the thick of it. He moves like a predator, efficient and deadly. Two men rush him.

He takes them down without breaking stride. The way he fights is terrifying and beautiful. Raw power controlled by years of experience. A explosion rocks the ground and flames light up the night sky. The warehouse. Tessa’s door is yanked open and she screams before recognizing one of Devon’s trusted men. Boss says to move you. We’re compromised here.

She scrambles out, keeping low as they run for better cover. The sound of fighting surrounds them. grunts, shouts, the dull thud of fists meeting flesh. She catches glimpses of the battle through the smoke. Black vultures engaged in brutal combat with Liam’s men. Another explosion, closer, this time. The force of it throws Tessa forward.

She hits the ground hard, the taste of blood and asphalt in her mouth. When she looks up, she’s alone.The smoke is too thick to see more than a few feet ahead. Somewhere in the chaos, she hears Devon’s voice roaring orders. The sound steadies her even as fear claws at her throat.

She pushes herself up, trying to orient herself in the madness. A figure emerges from the smoke. Not Devon. Not one of his men. Liam. His face is twisted with hate and satisfaction as he spots her. Look who’s all alone,” he snears, advancing slowly. “Your brother can’t protect you now.” Tessa backs away, her eyes darting for an escape route.

The smoke swirls around them, thick and disorienting. More gunshots echo in the distance, but they sound far away now. You shouldn’t have run to him. Liam snars, closing the distance. You made me look weak. The black vultures need to learn their place. She sees the gun in his hand before he raises it.

Terror floods her system, but something else rises with it. Rage. She’s done being afraid of him. The battle rages around them as Liam takes aim. But before he can pull the trigger, a roar of pure fury cuts through the chaos. Devon appears like a demon through the smoke, his eyes wild with murderous intent. Liam turns, but he’s too slow.

Devon crashes into him with the force of a freight train. The gun goes flying as they hit the ground. Tessa scrambles back as the two men roll in the dirt, trading savage blows. More explosions rock the night. The air is thick with gunpowder and blood. Tessa loses sight of Devon and Liam in the mayhem as more figures emerge from the smoke.

She can’t tell friend from foe anymore. A hand grabs her arm. She whirls, ready to fight, but it’s another club member. He tries to pull her to safety, but a burst of gunfire sends them diving in opposite directions. When she looks up again, she’s alone in the middle of the battlefield, trapped between two waring sides.

Through the chaos, she hears Devon’s desperate voice calling her name. The zip ties cut into Tessa’s wrists as she struggled against them. the rough plastic digging deeper into her skin. The room they held her in rireed of cigarettes and motor oil. Dim fluorescent lights flickering overhead in an abandoned warehouse. Her capttors, three men wearing patches from the rival MC, paced around her like hungry wolves.

“The beast’s going to come running when he finds out we have his precious sister.” One of them sneered, blowing smoke in her face. Tessa turned away, fighting back tears of rage and fear. She’d been grabbed outside the Black Vultures compound during the chaos of the initial attack. The rival gang had planned this perfectly, creating a diversion at the front gates while sending a small team to snatch her from the back.

Now she sat bound to a metal chair, her heart thundering against her ribs as she thought of Devon. He’s going to kill every single one of you,” she spat, earning a harsh laugh from her captors. “The tallest one, a man with a jagged scar running down his neck, leaned in close.” “That’s what we’re counting on, sweetheart. The beast’s going to walk right into our trap.

” Footsteps echoed through the warehouse, and Tessa’s blood ran cold as Liam emerged from the shadows. Her ex-boyfriend’s face was twisted into a cruel smile as he approached, that familiar look in his eyes that always preceded violence. “Look what we have here,” he drawled, reaching out to grab her chin.

“Tessa jerked away, but his fingers dug into her jaw. Didn’t expect to see you again so soon.” “Don’t touch me,” she hissed through clenched teeth. Liam’s grip tightened painfully. You really thought you could hide behind your brother? That psycho’s about to learn what happens when he sticks his nose where it doesn’t belong? The sound of motorcycles in the distance made everyone freeze.

Liam’s smile grew wider as he pulled out his phone, quickly typing something before showing Tessa the screen. It was a message to Devon with her location. Time to spring the trap,” he said, nodding to his men who took up positions around the warehouse. Minutes felt like hours as Tessa sat there, straining to hear what was happening outside.

The roar of engines grew louder, then cut off abruptly. Silence fell heavy and suffocating. The first gunshot made her jump. Then all hell broke loose. The warehouse erupted into chaos as the sound of automatic weapons fire filled the air. Glass shattered somewhere behind her as bullets sprayed through windows.

Tessa ducked her head, trying to make herself as small as possible while still bound to the chair. Through the cacophony of gunfire and shouting, she heard it. The deep familiar rumble of Devon’s voice barking orders. Her heart leaped into her throat. “Where is she?” His voice carried across the warehouse, followed by a wet, gurgling sound and a heavy thud.

More gunshots, more screaming. Tessa could barely breathe as the violence drew closer. She saw one of her capttors fall backward past her, blood spraying from his chest. Another tried to use her as a shield, but abullet caught him in the head before he could reach her. Then Liam was there pressing a gun to her temple.

One more step and I’ll paint the walls with her brains. The shooting stopped through the haze of gun smoke. Tessa saw him. Devon stood 20 ft away, his leather cut spotted with blood, his eyes burning with a fury she’d never seen before. He held a gun in one hand and a bloody knife in the other. Last chance. Devon’s voice was eerily calm. Let her go and I’ll make it quick.

Liam’s hand shook as he pressed the barrel harder against her head. “You think I’m stupid? The moment I let her go, I’m dead.” “You were dead the second you touched her.” Devon snarled. “What happened next was almost too fast for Tessa to follow.” Devon moved like a shadow, the knife leaving his hand in a silver ark.

Liam screamed as the blade buried itself in his shoulder, his gun hand jerking up reflexively. Devon closed the distance in three long strides, grabbing Liam’s wrist and twisting until bones cracked. His eyes found Tessa’s through the chaos, and in that moment she saw everything he’d never said out loud, the fear of losing her, the depth of his devotion, the raw need to protect what was his.

Devon was here for her, and nothing would stop him from taking her home. The warehouse erupted in chaos as Devon stormed through the entrance, his leather jacket splattered with blood, his eyes burning with a rage Tessa had never witnessed before. From her position, tied to a chair in the center of the room, she could see everything unfold like a violent nightmare.

The rival gang members rushed at Devon, but they might as well have been charging at a force of nature. He moved with lethal precision, each strike calculated and devastating. Bodies dropped around him as he carved a path toward her, and Tessa couldn’t look away. This was the beast they all whispered about, the man who’d earned his reputation through blood and violence.

“You want her?” Liam’s voice rang out from behind Tessa. Come get her. He pressed a knife against her throat, and she felt the cold steel bite into her skin. Devon’s eyes locked onto Liam, and something in them changed. The rage transformed into something colder, more calculated. “You’re already dead,” he said, his voice eerily calm.

“You just don’t know it yet.” Two more gang members rushed Devon. He dispatched them with brutal efficiency. A punch that shattered a jaw. An elbow that crushed a windpipe. The warehouse filled with the sounds of breaking bones and desperate screams. Liam’s hand trembled against Tessa’s throat. “Stay back!” he shouted, but his voice cracked with fear. Devon didn’t slow down.

He kept advancing, stepping over fallen bodies, his presence filling the space with predatory intent. Last chance, he growled. Let her go, and I’ll make it quick. Tessa felt Liam’s grip tighten, saw Devon’s muscles coil like a snake about to strike. The tension in the room was suffocating. Then everything happened at once.

Liam tried to drag the knife across Tessa’s throat, but Devon moved faster than seemed humanly possible. His fist connected with Liam’s face with a sickening crunch. The knife clattered to the ground as Liam stumbled backward. “Devon wasn’t finished. He grabbed Liam by the throat and slammed him against the wall.

“You touched what’s mine!” he snarled, each word dripped with promised violence. Tessa watched, her heart pounding as Devon systematically destroyed the man who had hurt her. There was something beautiful and terrifying in the way he moved, in the raw power he displayed. This wasn’t just revenge. This was a statement to anyone who would dare harm her in the future.

When Liam finally stopped moving, Devon turned to Tessa. Blood stained his knuckles, but his touch was gentle as he untied her bonds. His eyes, usually so cold and distant, now burned with an intensity that made her breath catch. “Are you hurt?” he demanded, his hands running over her body, checking for injuries. His touch left trails of fire on her skin.

“No,” she whispered, still processing the violence she’d witnessed. “You You came for me.” Always,” he growled, pulling her against his chest. His heart thundered beneath her palm, matching the frantic rhythm of her own. “I’ll always come for you.” Around them, the warehouse had grown quiet. The fight was over, and the survivors had fled.

The only sound was their breathing and the distant whale of sirens. Devon’s hand cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. His eyes were dark with possession and something deeper. Something that made her whole body tremble with need. “Your mind, Tessa, forever,” he growled, his voice rough with emotion. She felt the words vibrate through his chest, felt the truth of them settle into her bones.

There was no running from this, from him. Not anymore. The monster she’d witnessed minutes ago was still there, lurking beneath the surface, but his touch remained gentle as he held her. This was who he was. Violence andtenderness, danger and protection, all wrapped up in a package that she couldn’t help but want. The room was thick with tension, the metallic scent of blood still lingering in the air.

Tessa trembled in Devon’s arms, her heart pounding against her rib cage as the adrenaline from the fight slowly ebbed away, his massive frame enveloped her, his breathing harsh and labored from the battle that had just ended. “Are you hurt?” Devon’s voice was gruff, his hands running over her body, checking for injuries.

His touch was surprisingly gentle, despite the violence he’d just unleashed. Blood stained his knuckles, but his fingers were tender as they traced her skin. Tessa shook her head, unable to form words. The image of Devon fighting through the rival gang members was seared into her mind. The raw power, the unleashed fury as he’d carved a path straight to her.

She’d never seen anything like it. He’d been unstoppable, a force of nature driven by a single purpose. getting to her. “Look at me,” Devon commanded softly, tilting her chin up. His eyes, usually so cold and distant, burned with an intensity that made her breath catch. “I told you before, you’re mine to protect. No one touches what’s mine.

” The possessiveness in his voice should have frightened her, but instead, it sent a shiver down her spine. His thumb brushed across her bottom lip, and she could feel the slight tremor in his touch. The only sign that the fight had affected him at all. “The things you did,” Tessa whispered, remembering the brutal efficiency with which he’d dispatched their enemies.

“You killed them all for you.” His words were simple, direct. I’d do it again. I’d kill anyone who tried to take you from me. His grip tightened slightly, pulling her closer against his chest. The steady thrum of his heartbeat was oddly comforting, despite the violence still fresh in her memory. Tessa’s fingers curled into his leather jacket, breathing in his familiar scent.

Leather, smoke, and something uniquely him. I was so scared, she admitted, her voice barely audible. Not of them, of losing you. Devon’s breath hitched, and for a moment, the facade of the ruthless MC president cracked, his forehead pressed against hers, his eyes closing briefly. “Nothing could keep me from getting to you. Nothing.

” The confession hung between them, heavy with meaning. Tessa could feel the change in the air, the shift in their dynamic. Gone was the hesitation, the guilt of their forbidden attraction. In its place was something raw and undeniable. His hand slid into her hair, cradling the back of her head. “When they took you,” his voice grew rough with emotion.

“I’ve never felt fear like that before. The thought of losing you.” Devon, she whispered, her own emotions threatening to overwhelm her. No, he cut her off, his eyes blazing. Let me finish. You’ve always been different. Special. Even when I tried to fight it, even when I knew I shouldn’t want you this way, his jaw clenched, fighting for control.

But watching you in their hands, seeing you in danger, it broke something in me. Tessa’s heart raced as his words washed over her. The man who commanded an entire MC with iron control was coming undone before her eyes. His vulnerability, so rarely shown, made her chest ache. “I don’t care anymore about what’s right or wrong,” Devon continued, his voice dropping lower. “You’re mine, Tessa.

Mine to protect, mine to love, mine to keep safe. His fingers tightened in her hair. Not enough to hurt, but enough to emphasize his words. I won’t let anyone or anything come between us again. The possessiveness in his voice sent warmth spreading through her body. This was Devon stripped bare. No more pretenses. No more holding back.

The dangerous MC president, who’d torn through an entire rival gang to get to her, was now laying his heart at her feet. His thumb traced her cheekbone, wiping away tears she hadn’t realized had fallen. The tenderness of the gesture contrasted sharply with the violence he was capable of, reminding her of the complexity of the man who held her.

“You’re everything to me,” Devon whispered, his voice raw with emotion. I’ll never let you go. The mansion thrummed with energy as the black vultures celebrated their victory. Bodies packed the main hall, leather cuts gleaming under dim lights, beer bottles clinking. But Tessa noticed the underlying tension.

This wasn’t over yet. She found Devon in his office, away from the festivities. He stood by the window, his broad shoulders tense beneath his cut. Maps and documents littered his desk. Intelligence on Liam’s remaining forces. You should be celebrating with the others, she said, closing the door behind her.

Devon turned, his eyes darkening as they landed on her. Can’t. Not while those bastards are still out there. His voice was rough, tired. He’d been up for days planning, strategizing. Tessa approached his desk, studying the papers. Red circles marked possible locations where Liam’s men might behiding.

Her stomach churned at the sight of her ex’s name scrolled across one document. “How many are left?” she asked. “About 20. The ones who got away during the fight.” Devon’s jaw clenched. “They’re scrambling, desperate, makes them dangerous.” Tessa moved closer, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body. Let me help. Devon’s head snapped up, his eyes fierce.

No, you’re not getting involved in this. I already am involved. She stood her ground, meeting his intense gaze. This started because of me, because of what Liam did. And it’ll end because of me. He grabbed her arm, pulling her against his chest. I won’t risk you. The touch sent electricity through her body.

Being this close to him still made her head spin even after everything they’d been through. I’m not asking permission. A growl rumbled in his chest. Stubborn woman. You wouldn’t want me any other way. The words slipped out before she could stop them. Devon’s grip tightened, his other hand coming up to cup her face. No, I wouldn’t.

His thumb traced her bottom lip. You’re perfect exactly as you are. Wild, fierce. His voice dropped lower. Mine. The word sent shivers down her spine. She’d fought against this for so long, against him, against these feelings, against this world. But now, standing in his office while the club celebrated below, she couldn’t remember why.

Tell me what you need, she whispered. Devon’s eyes flashed. I need you safe. I’m safest with you. She pressed closer, her hands fisting in his shirt. Let me fight beside you. Let me end this. He studied her face for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded. You stay close to me. You follow my orders. No risks.

Deal. Relief flooded through her. She wasn’t going to be sidelined anymore. Devon pulled away, turning back to the maps. We’ve got intel on three possible locations. They’re scattered, weak, but they’ll regroup if we give them time. Tessa leaned over the desk, her shoulder brushing his. Then we don’t give them time.

No, he agreed, his voice hard. We end this tonight. The sound of motorcycles revving filled the air outside. The celebration was turning into preparation for war. The black vultures were ready to hunt. Devon straightened, his presence filling the room. This was the beast, the president who commanded respect and fear.

But when he looked at her, his eyes softened just slightly. “Last chance to back out,” he said. Tessa shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere.” “Good.” He pulled her close again, his lips crushing against hers in a bruising kiss. When he pulled back, his eyes were dark with promise. Because after this is done, “You’re never leaving my side again.

” The words should have scared her. Once they would have sent her running, but now they felt right. She belonged here in this dangerous world with this dangerous man. The mansion of the black vultures thrummed with victorious energy. Bodies moved through dimlit halls, leather cuts gleaming, voices raised in triumph.

Blood still stained some of their clothes, a reminder of the battle they’d just won. But none of that mattered to Tessa as she stood in Devon’s embrace, her head tucked against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. His arms tightened around her, one hand threading through her hair while the other pressed against the small of her back.

The warmth of him surrounded her, and for the first time since this all began. She felt truly safe. The chaos of the club celebrating their victory faded into background noise. “You okay?” Devon’s voice rumbled through his chest, soft enough that only she could hear. Tessa nodded against him, her fingers curling into his leather cut. I am now.

He pulled back just enough to look at her face, his eyes scanning for any sign of distress. Even now, after everything, his protective instincts ran deep. His thumb brushed over her cheekbone, wiping away a smudge of dirt from the fight. “I thought I lost you,” he admitted, his voice rough with emotion.

when they took you. “But you found me,” Tessa whispered, leaning into his touch. “You always find me.” Around them, the club members moved with purpose, cleaning weapons, tending to wounds, making calls to spread the word of their victory. The air smelled of gunpowder, leather, and whiskey. It should have frightened her once, but now it felt like home.

Devon’s hand slid to her neck, his grip firm but gentle. I’ll always find you, Tessa, no matter what. A cheer went up from the main room, followed by the sound of bottles being opened. The celebration was beginning in earnest. Devon’s eyes flickered toward the noise, then back to her face. Without a word, he took her hand and led her away from the chaos, up the stairs to his private quarters.

The room was exactly as they’d left it hours ago when the first warning of attack had come. The bed was still unmade, clothes scattered from their hasty departure. Devon shut the door behind them, the click of the lock echoing in the sudden quiet.We should join them,” Tessa said, though she made no move to leave.

Devon shook his head, pulling her back into his arms. “They can wait. I need this moment with you.” She understood. The adrenaline was still coursing through both of them, making their hands shake and their hearts race. They needed this pocket of peace, this chance to breathe and remember they were alive. I’ve never been so scared, Devon admitted, pressing his forehead to hers.

Seeing you in their hands, knowing what they could do to you. Shh. Tessa soothed, running her hands up his chest. I’m here. We both are. His grip tightened, almost painful, but exactly what she needed. You’re mine now, Tessa. Really mine. No more running. No more fighting it. No more running,” she agreed, tilting her face up to his.

“I’m exactly where I want to be.” Below them, the sounds of celebration continued to grow. Music started playing, the bass vibrating through the floors. But in their private sanctuary, time seemed to stand still. Devon’s hands roamed over her body, checking for injuries he might have missed, reassuring himself that she was really there.

The club’s stronger now,” he murmured against her hair. “No one will dare challenge us after this. You’ll be safe.” Tessa smiled against his chest. “We’ll be safe,” she corrected him. “Together.” Devon pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his gaze intense and full of promise. “We’re unstoppable, Tessa.

Together, nothing can tear us apart.” The morning sun cast long shadows across the debris strewn street as Tessa walked beside Devon, their footsteps echoing in the eerie quiet that followed chaos. The battle was over, but its aftermath lingered in the air like smoke after a fire. Devon’s hand rested possessively on the small of her back, warm and steady, grounding her in this moment of surreal peace.

It’s really over,” Tessa whispered, more to herself than to him. Her voice caught slightly, the reality of everything they’d been through finally hitting her full force. Devon’s fingers tightened against her spine. “Yeah, baby, it’s done.” His voice was rough, tired, but satisfied, like a predator after a successful hunt.

They passed the remains of what had been Liam’s territory. Windows were shattered, doors hung off hinges, and the stench of gunpowder still clung to the air. But Tessa felt no fear now. Instead, a strange calm had settled over her, replacing the anxiety that had been her constant companion for so long. “I never thought,” she started, then paused, searching for the right words.

I never thought I’d feel safe here in this world. Your world. Devon stopped walking, turning to face her. His eyes, usually so cold and calculating, held a warmth reserved only for her. He cupped her face in his callous hands, thumbs brushing over her cheekbones. “This isn’t just my world anymore, Tessa. It’s ours.

” The weight of those words settled over her. She’d fought against this life for so long, tried to maintain distance from the violence and power that defined the black vultures. But now, standing here with Devon, she understood that running had never been the answer. “I was so afraid,” she admitted, leaning into his touch.

“Not just of the danger, but of us, of what I felt for you.” A ghost of a smile played at the corners of Devon’s mouth. I know. I watched you fight at every step of the way. His hands slid down to her shoulders, then her arms, finally capturing her hands in his. But you’re not afraid anymore, are you? Tessa shook her head, surprising herself with the truth of it.

The fear that had been her constant companion was gone, replaced by something stronger. something unshakable. “The club’s waiting,” Devon said, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. “They want to celebrate our victory.” He paused, studying her face. “But first, I need you to understand something.” Tessa met his gaze, waiting.

The intensity in his eyes made her breath catch. Everything I did, every life I took, every move I made, it was all for you, to keep you safe, to make you mine.” His voice dropped lower, rougher. I’d burn this whole city down again if I had to. The old Tessa would have flinched at those words, would have seen them as a threat or a sign of the violence she’d tried to escape. But now she understood.

This was love in its rawest form. Protective, possessive, all-consuming. “I know,” she whispered, stepping closer to him. “And I’d let you.” Devon’s eyes darkened at her words, and he pulled her against his chest. His heartbeat was strong and steady under her palm, a rhythm she’d come to associate with safety and home.

“We should head back,” he murmured into her hair. The club needs their president. Tessa nodded, but neither of them moved. They stood there, surrounded by the aftermath of their war, holding on to this moment of perfect understanding. The world around them might be scarred and broken, but they had emerged stronger, unbreakable.

When they finally started walking again,it was with a new purpose. The Black Vultures compound loomed ahead. No longer a prison in Tessa’s eyes, but a fortress. Their fortress. She could hear the distant sounds of celebration, the roar of motorcycles, the calls of victory. Devon’s hand found hers again, their fingers interlacing naturally like they’d been doing this forever.

In a way, maybe they had been. Maybe every step, every fight, every moment of resistance had been leading them here. The past lay behind them like the rubble in the streets, destroyed, but necessary for the foundation of something new, something stronger. The morning sun streamed through the windows of the black vultures mansion, casting long shadows across the hardwood floors.

Tessa leaned against the doorframe of Devon’s office, their office now, watching him work. His broad shoulders were hunched over the desk as he reviewed contracts and territory agreements, his presence commanding even in silence. 3 months had passed since the war with Liam’s gang. The dust had settled, and the Black Vultures had emerged stronger than ever.

Devon’s leadership was unquestioned, his authority absolute. But Tessa saw beyond the hardened exterior to the man beneath, the one who held her each night with gentle hands that belied their deadly capability. “You’re staring,” Devon said without looking up, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Just admiring the view,” Tessa pushed off the door frame and walked toward him, her bare feet silent on the floor.

The mighty beast brought low by paperwork. Devon’s hand shot out, catching her wrist and pulling her onto his lap in one fluid motion. Watch that mouth of yours, Princess. His voice was a low growl that sent shivers down her spine. Tessa ran her fingers through his dark hair, feeling the tension in his shoulders ease at her touch.

This was the side of him that only she got to see. the vulnerable moments when he let his guard down completely. “The guys are waiting for you in the main hall,” she said softly. “Something about new territory negotiations.” Devon’s arms tightened around her waist. “They can wait.” Through the open door, Tessa could hear the familiar sounds of the club, motorcycles revving in the distance, rough laughter, the clinking of bottles.

It was a world she’d once feared, but now it felt like home. The black vultures weren’t just Devon’s family anymore. They were hers, too. “I never thought I’d end up here,” Tessa admitted, tracing the tattoos on Devon’s forearm. Running from this life for so long, only to find everything I needed right where I started.

Devon caught her hand, bringing it to his lips. “You were always meant to be here with me. His eyes darkened with possession. “No more running, Tessa.” She leaned down, pressing her forehead against his. “No more running,” she agreed. The club had changed under their joint leadership. Devon was still the feared president, the beast who showed no mercy to his enemies.

But with Tessa by his side, there was balance. She brought light to his darkness, softness to his edges, without diminishing the power that made him who he was. “We should head down,” Tessa murmured, though she made no move to leave his lap. “They’re waiting for their president.” Devon’s hand slid up her back, tangling in her hair. “Let them wait.

” His voice was thick with desire. “I’ve got more important matters to attend to. Through the window, Tessa could see the black vultures compound sprawling before them. Men in leather cuts moved with purpose, bikes lined up in neat rows, the club’s flag flying proud above it all. This was their kingdom, built on blood and loyalty and love.

Devon’s lips found her neck, and Tessa’s eyes fluttered closed. His touch was possessive, marking her as his own. In moments like these, the lines between tenderness and control blurred, creating something uniquely theirs. “I love you,” she whispered against his skin, feeling his heartbeat steady and strong beneath her palm.

“Devon pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his gaze intense with emotion. His hands framed her face, thumbs stroking her cheeks with a gentleness reserved only for her.” You’re mine, Tessa, forever. I hope you like this story. Please share what’s your favorite part of the story and where in the world you are watching from.

Have a wonderful day.