Chapter 57

Phoenix

After I manage to calm Selene down, I promise her that we'll keep a close watch on her ex-boyfriend until we can get his ass kicked out of the police department. And we're going to figure out who the hell's scent was in the house. I can still feel her anxiety and fear, but I need her to know that we've got this under control. I need her to trust me.

Our top priority is monitoring my father's activities. Zack is a threat, sure, but he's practically harmless compared to what we're dealing with. He won't dare fuck with her if I'm around.

He'd have to find his balls first.

What he did to Selene was something only a coward would do. Instead of being a mature adult and communicating with her, he got jealous that she went out to dinner with her brother and threw a tantrum about it.

Maybe he sensed the connection between us, realized just how badly he fucked up. Or maybe he's just that pathetic, clinging to whatever control he thinks he has left as her ex-mate.

"Hey, why don't we go to the club?" I suggest, still stroking her back as she sits on our bed, her posture stiff, her energy drained from tonight's revelation. "Maybe a drink will help."

She sighs, a sound that cuts through me like a knife. "I guess that's a good idea. The wine I had earlier is out of my system anyway," she murmurs, her voice almost hollow, like she's here but not really present.

She's shutting down on me, forming walls to protect herself, and it's fucking tearing me apart to see her like this. I can't let her retreat into herself—I need her here with me, us facing this shit together.

When Selene tells Makayla that we're going, she invites Sam, and that automatically means Loki is going too. And then when Luke hears that we're heading out, he volunteers to tag along as well.

Damn. It looks like everyone needs a drink tonight.

I guess it isn't too bad. Although I want to spend some time alone with Selene, it's good that her friends will be coming with us. That's more support for her. More people to remind her that she's not alone in this.

When we arrive at the club, it's already crowded. The energy in the building is buzzing, a mix of adrenaline and alcohol. I hesitate for a moment, wondering if this was the right call. Should I have taken her somewhere quieter, more calming? Maybe a place where we could quietly talk instead of mind-linking or shouting over the music?

But I force myself to relax. This is my life—this club, these people. It's the main property I run, and if I want to be with Selene, I need her to get used to scenes like these. This is where me and my brothers come to rewind, to shut the world out for a while.

We support each other, and if they found out I was nervous about bringing my girl around them, they'd feel betrayed. Sure, they might be rough around the edges, but everyone here would take a bullet for me. And once they all know Selene is mine, they'd do the same for her.

As we push through the crowd, I keep a firm grip on Selene's hand, threading my fingers through hers just to feel her warmth and remind her that I'm here. I can feel the tension in her body, the way she tenses up. Her sense must be on overdrive, picking up on every scent, every sound.

I lean in close, my mouth brushing against her ear. She shivers. "You okay?" I whisper, trying to cut through the noise without startling her.

She nods, but it's not convincing. "Yeah...just processing everything," she admits.

We sit down at the bar, my hand still clutching hers like a lifeline. I'm afraid that if I let her go, her mind will drift off to places it shouldn't—back to the fear, back to the memories of her ex lurking in the shadows. I need her here, present, with me. Not worrying about that piece-of-shit hiding somewhere, ready to hurt her.

Not on my fucking watch.

The bartender, Greg, nods at me as he approaches us from behind the bar. "Your usual, boss?" he asks, already reaching for the top-shelf bourbon.

"Fuck yes," I reply, then glance at my little wolf. "And whatever she's having."

"I'll get the same thing," she says, taking me by surprise.

Holy shit. She really must be upset.

Greg looks a little surprised too, but he slides both of our drinks across the counter.

I look around the club, the familiar sights and sounds washing over me. It's not much different from a mainstream bar, except for the biker chicks who are more than willing to jump into bed with anyone who shows the slightest interest.

I'm not proud to admit that in my more reckless, single days, I took advantage of that. A few of them, more than a few, probably. But those days are behind me. And I'll be damned if I let Selene get caught up in any of that bullshit.

It's not that I want to keep secrets from her, but I also don't want her to start doubting herself, doubting us. She's already been through so much in the past few days, and I don't want to add to that burden.

As she takes a sip of the bourbon, her eyes squeeze shut. "Fuck, that's strong," she gasps, shaking her head slightly.

I can't help but chuckle as I take a measured sip of my own drink. "Yeah. Why'd you get that?" I ask, cocking an eyebrow.

She shrugs, a humorless laugh escaping her. "Just wanted to try something new. I think right now, I'm having a new appreciation for life. Who knows, one of these days I might get murdered by my crazy psycho ex."

A growl rumbles up my throat. "Never, baby," I retort. "You're safe with me. Always."

She just looks at me, her eyes searching mine, and I can see the fear, the uncertainty, but also the trust. She believes in me. She believes in us.

She's my world now and I need her to know that nothing—not my past, not her ex, not even our family will come between us.