Page 50 of Break Me

“And I promise you, whatever you think you’re protecting, I will never be the same again.”

The words don’t echo.

They settle.

She swallows, voice trembling, but she doesn’t stop.

“Samuel loves me. He protects me. And if you’re going to judge him, then judge me too.”

Silence grips the room. Every man there looks away. Every man except me. My eyes meet hers. Whatever happens next. Whatever the club decides. I’ll never regret loving her.

“What do you have to say, Wolf?” Jon asks.

“I didn’t plan this,” I say, my voice steady. “I didn’t wake up one day and decide to lie to you. I didn’t groom her.”

I swallow hard, my chest burning.

“I looked away. I fought it harder than anything I’ve ever fought in my life. Even after she was grown, even when walking away would’ve been easier.”

My gaze moves around the room, meeting every pair of eyes.

“You can punish me. You can strip me of everything I am in this club. You can hate me for the rest of your lives.”

Then I look at the woman who chose me despite all my imperfections. At the tears sliding down her cheeks.

“But none of that changes the truth.” My voice cracks for the first time. “I love Raven. And I don’t want a future that doesn’t have her in it.”

I turn to her father, my spine straight even as my heart splinters.

“I don’t have wealth. I don’t have promises that I can dress up pretty. But what I have is work, loyalty, and the rest of my life.” I hold his gaze. “And if you let me, I’ll spend every goddamn day of it proving that loving your daughter was never a mistake.”

No one speaks.

Jon studies me for a long moment. Not as a president. Not as a man with power. As a father.

“You’re asking for something I can’t give lightly,” he says at last. “You’re asking me to trust the same man who looked me in the eye every day and never told me the truth.”

My throat tightens. “I know.”

“And you’re asking this club,” he continues, “to ignore a breach of trust.”

Knox drags a hand through his hair, breathing hard. “So don’t ignore it. End it.”

A muscle ticks in Jon's jaw. “I didn't say that.”

Knox snaps his head up. “Then what the hell are you saying?”

“I’m saying this isn’t simple,” he replies. “And pretending it is would be a lie.” He looks at Raven, and his voice softens. “Baby girl, I need you to step outside.”

Her lips part. “Pop⁠—”

“This part isn’t for you.”

Raven looks at me, and I give her a single nod, letting her know that whatever happens next, we’ll figure it out together. She straightens, wipes her cheeks, and walks out with her head held high.

The door closes with a soft click behind her. Suddenly, the room feels emptier than it ever has.

Jon looks around the table as he speaks. “I’m not the president anymore, but I didn’t forget the weight of this seat,” he says. “The club will vote. Not on love. On consequence.”