Page 81 of Claimed By the Psychos

"But Juniper comes first. Always. Making sure she's safe, that she's okay, that's what matters." I grip the wrench hard enough my knuckles crack. "And she is safe here. Safer than she's ever been with just me."

I can see it in the way she laughs without looking over her shoulder, the way she sleeps through the night without waking up screaming, the way she's started nesting even though she doesn't realize that's what she's doing. These alphas have given her something I never could—a home instead of just a hiding place.

"You're thinking about leaving." It's not a question.

"Eventually." The word tastes like glass. "When I know she's settled, when I know she's truly safe. I'll go handle what needs handling."

"And if you don't come back?" he challenges, his arms folded over his broad chest.

I shrug. "Then at least she's free." I set down the wrench, wipe my hands on a rag that's more grease than fabric. "She deserves better than being tied to someone who's more ghost than person anyway."

"That's bullshit and you know it."

The vehemence in his voice makes me look up. Bane's not looking at me anymore, staring at something only he can see.

"I know that look," he continues. "Had it myself for years after my partner was killed. That emptiness that says you're already dead, just waiting for your body to catch up. The way revenge becomes the only thing that feels real anymore."

"Then you understand," I say pointedly.

"I understand it'll eat you alive. Take you places you never wanted to go, turn you into something you never wanted to be." He finally looks at me, and there's a weight in his gaze that speaks to roads traveled and prices paid. "I became someone I didn't recognize, hunting down the people responsible. And when it was over, when I'd painted walls with their blood, you know what I felt?"

I wait.

"Nothing. Just empty. Because revenge doesn't bring anyone back. Doesn't fix what's broken. Just leaves you with more ghosts."

"I might be able to let go of what was done to me," I say slowly, each word pulled out like a tooth. "For her sake. But what was done to her? The things she went through, the things she still sees when she closes her eyes? No. That debt needs to be paid. And as long as my brother is alive, she'll never be safe. Not really. Not the way she deserves"

Bane sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I get it. More than you know. You think I ended up doing this because I like playing hero? I was a cop, a good one. Worked inside the system for years trying to make a difference. But there are people out there the law can't touch, places where justice doesn't reach. So I made a choice. Stepped outside the lines."

"And?"

"And it cost me." He straightens up, brushing off his hands. "Nothing I wasn't willing to pay, but it cost a lot. Look, I'm not going to talk you out of anything, Felix. But I want you to consider something—Juniper needs you. Not some idealized version of you, not you after you've gotten your revenge, but you. As you are."

"I can't be what she needs." The admission tears something inside me. "Not as long as he's alive. Not with that shadow hanging over everything. Maybe when it's done, if I survive, I cantry to be part of..." I gesture vaguely at the house, at what they're offering. "This. But not before."

"And if something happens to you? What then?"

"Then you take care of her." I meet his gaze directly. "That's what I need to know. That she'll be safe, protected, loved. That she'll have a pack even if I'm not in it."

Bane is quiet for a long moment, processing. Finally, he nods. "We'd die before we let anything happen to her. All of us."

"Good."

I turn back to the engine, pretending to examine something that's clearly beyond saving. "This thing's completely fucked, by the way. You'd need to replace basically everything. Probably cheaper to just buy a new vehicle."

Bane chuckles, but it's sad around the edges. "Yeah, I figured. Worth a shot though."

I wipe my hands off, toss the rag on the workbench. The conversation's over, we both know it. I've said more than I meant to, revealed more than I should have. But something about this place, these people, makes me careless with my secrets.

For Juniper, that security is a blessing. For me, it's a liability.

I head for the door, needing to get back before Juniper notices I'm gone and comes looking. But Bane's voice stops me.

"Felix."

I pause without turning around.

"You've got a place here. With the pack. As whatever you want to be. Alpha, beta, omega, doesn't matter. No one's going to force you to take it, but it's there. Whenever you're ready."