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I rest my hand on the back of her head, feeling the silken strands of her hair slide through my fingers.

“When you showed up on amateur night, we weren’t sure why you were there or what you were up to, but I’m glad you walked into our club.” The memory of seeing her dance for the first time sends heat rushing to my core. I ignore the pulse of desire and focus on what I’m trying to tell her. “Now that I know you a little better, I know you’re fighting for what’s right.”

“And I always will,” she whispers.

I pull back just enough to see her face, to look into those piercing blue eyes. “You’re nothing like your brother, Isabella. Not at all.”

She shakes her head, her eyes darkening with the shadows of a life she’s desperate to leave behind. “I hate what he’s doing to those people… to those kids. I want to stop him. I have to stop him.”

There’s fire there, in her words, in her soul—a flame that Juan and his cartel could never snuff out. And it’s that same fire that draws me to her, like a moth to a blazing inferno.

“Since you’ve got nowhere else to go, you’re staying here. With me.”

“Are you sure?” she asks.

“Absolutely.”

As I lean in for a kiss, her breath hitches. Our lips crash together, hungry and fierce. It’s a kiss that speaks of promises and protection, a silent vow that I’ll keep her safe from the hellfire licking at our heels. And more than that, after this kiss, she’ll realize that as long as we’re together, there will always be passion between us. I’m sure she already knows this, but just in case, I kiss her until she melts into my lap.

A knock at the door, sharp and insistent, breaks us apart. A growl rumbles in my throat as I pull away. I stride over to thedoor, swearing under my breath before yanking it open to reveal Fang’s muscle-bound frame.

“Vapor’s here,” Fang says, urgency cutting through his usually calm demeanor. “Church. Now.”

“Give me a minute,” I reply, not missing the way his gaze shifts past me, landing on Isabella where she sits on the bed, still catching her breath. Fang nods, but his silence speaks volumes. He’s worried, and hell, I am too.

“Make it quick, Ice,” he adds before leaving, giving me a moment to compose myself before I face Vapor and the others.

I close the door and return to where she’s sitting. “I’ve got to handle some club business. I’ll be back soon.”

“Can I come with you?” Her voice is hopeful.

“No,” I say, with more force than I intend. “Women don’t take part in club business.”

“I don’t want to be alone,” she whispers, her eyes searching mine for some kind of sanctuary.

“You won’t be. I’ll have a couple of prospects keep watch outside.” The idea of leaving her, even momentarily, gnaws at me, but I can’t let it show.

“How long will you be gone?” The fear in her question is palpable.

“Not long,” I promise, lowering my lips to hers to give her a reassuring kiss. “Sit tight.”

Stepping into the courtyard, the humid night folds around me. My boots echo against the cobblestones as I approach two prospects by the pool, their silhouettes bathed in the soft glow of underwater lights.

“Listen up,” I command, locking eyes with each of them. “Guard my door. No one gets in or out except for me. And make damn sure the woman inside doesn’t leave.”

“Got it, Ice,” they respond in unison.

I linger a moment longer, ensuring the gravity of my order sinks in. There’s no room for error—not with Isabella’s life at stake. I can’t protect her if I don’t know where she’s at. With a final nod, I turn away and head for the room where we hold Church when we’re not at Vapor’s place.

I push open the door to the dimly lit room where my brothers are gathered. Their faces, etched with concern and suspicion, turn toward me as if I’m the harbinger of a storm about to break. Vapor, looming over the group, arms crossed like a fortress wall.

“Church is in session,” he barks.

“Brothers,” I start, shifting my weight from one leg to the other. “We’ve got a problem.”

“Damn right we do, Ice,” Fang says, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose with his forefinger.

“Spill it,” Diablo growls from the corner, his stance menacing. He’s coiled energy, ready to pounce at any sign of betrayal.