Page 53

TRIGGER
The weight of everything that’s happened still lingers in the air as Aerianna stands near the bar, with my arms wrapped tightly around her waist. The rest of the Club is still buzzing from the revelation about Benton, but I have something else on my mind.
Capone, Tiny, Blayze, and the rest of the high-ranking members are discussing strategy, but I’m not listening. Instead, my focus is entirely on Aerianna. On the way she’s standing so tall despite everything, on the fire in her eyes that hasn’t dimmed despite the horrors she’s uncovered.
“You good, Kitten?” My voice is low, meant just for her.
She exhales sharply, looking up at me. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be ‘good’ again, Trigger. But I’m here.” I nod, my grip tightening. That’s enough for me.
I raise my voice, addressing the room. “Listen up.”
The chatter dies instantly. All eyes turn to me. I’m not a man who speaks unless I have something to say. Aerianna tenses slightly under the weight of all the attention, but I don’t let her pull away.
“I’m claiming Aerianna as my Ol’ Lady.” My voice is absolute.
A beat of silence, then a low murmur spreads through the room. Some nod in approval, and others, like the Club Bunnies, not so much.
Pearl, who just apologized to Aerianna, gives me a long look before shaking her head with a small smirk. “Well, shit.”
Tiny whistles low, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. “Damn, brother, finally locking it down, huh?”
Blayze crosses his arms, his expression unreadable. “You sure about this, Trigger?”
“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.” I don’t even hesitate. My grip on Aerianna’s waist is possessive, protective.
Aerianna is still processing what just happened. The Club is watching, waiting for her response. Her throat goes dry, and she suddenly feels very exposed.
“This is,” she swallows, steadying herself. “This is serious for you?”
I turn her in my arms, cupping her face in my hands. “Dead serious, Kitten.” My blue eyes burn with certainty. “I don’t just want you in my bed. I want you as mine. Officially.”
She searches my face for any doubt, any hesitation, but there is none.
“I’ve spent my whole life keeping people at arm's length, but I realize something.” Aerianna rests her forehead against mine and whispers. “I don’t want to run anymore.”
A roar of approval erupts around them as I smash my lips to hers, sealing the deal in front of the entire Club. Cheers and whistles echo through the room, but Aerianna tunes them out, melting into my embrace.
“What happens now?” Aerianna asks.
I lean in, my voice low. "Now, you’re mine. And I’ll make sure no one takes you from me. You’re not just a partner in this war, Aerianna. You’re my everything."
Capone comes up to us with a cut in his hands. “One more thing, Aerianna.” He holds it up, and pride fills my soul. It readsProperty of Triggerwith our Club logo on the back andOl’ Ladyon the left breast pocket.
Aerianna grabs it with trembling hands. “This is mine?”
“Yeah, Little Kitten.” I take it from her hands and put it on her. It fits like a second skin. “This is yours, and I would be honored if you wear it everywhere you go.”
Aerianna runs her fingers over the soft leather. “I will.” She looks up at me with longing and love shining in her eyes. “But it might look weird wearing an MC cut while I’m on the job.”
I expected that. Hell, I’ve been thinking about it since the moment I decided to claim her. Aerianna has spent years dedicated to her badge, to justice, to a system that barely deserves her. But the FBI? It’s never been her real home.
“About that,” I say, watching her closely. “You ever think about leaving the Bureau? Maybe working with Zach in his department instead?”
Aerianna tenses slightly, her fingers tightening on the leather. “I have,” she admits. “But leaving the FBI isn’t something I can just do overnight.” She exhales, her throat working as she swallows. “I joined because I wanted to stop men like Benton. If I leave before this is over, it will feel like,” she hesitates, searching for the words. “Like I failed.”
I step closer, cupping her face, forcing her to look at me. “Kitten, you didn’t fail. You found the truth. You dug deeper than anyone else, risked your life when no one else would.” My voice drops lower. “You’ve done more than enough.”
Aerianna releases a shaky breath, but I can see it, the war inside her. The duty she’s always carried. The burden of unfinished business.