Page 31 of Steel's Mercy

"Neither did I," King agrees, his gaze drifting to where Luna sits with Jenny, both women cooing over Beast's daughter. "But some things are worth changing for."

Later, as the night deepens and the party shows no signs of winding down, Holly and I slip away to put Naomi to bed. In the quiet of our daughter's room, Holly leans against me as we watch our little girl sleep, peaceful and secure in the life we've built for her.

"Happy?" Holly asks, her arms circling my waist as we stand in the soft glow of Naomi's night light.

I pull her closer, breathing in the scent of her hair, still amazed that this remarkable woman chose me.

"More than I ever thought possible," I answer truthfully.

She tilts her face up to mine, her green eyes reflecting the dim light. "Me too."

As I bend to kiss her, I think about the journey that brought us here—bullets and blood, fear and desire, choices made in desperate moments that somehow led to this perfect peace. I think about the man I was, the man I've become, the father I strive to be for Naomi and any future children we may have.

"I love you," I murmur against Holly's lips. "Every day, more than the day before."

"I love you too," she whispers back. "My mechanic. My protector. My home."

We return to the gathering outside, to our extended family of outlaws and their loves, children and prospects, all connected by choice and loyalty and shared history. The safe house that became a home. The club that became a force for good rather than destruction. The broken pieces of separate lives thatsomehow fit together to create something stronger, something whole.

Not just surviving. Living. Together.