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“He understands the mechanics better than brothers twice his age,” Hammer confirmed. “Got the touch.”

Across the room, a burst of laughter drew our attention to where Aura sat surrounded by several younger Knights, gesturing animatedly as she told some story that had them hanging on every word.

“Your daughter’s making friends,” Wrath observed, nodding toward the group.

“She does that,” Hammer replied, a mixture of pride and resignation in his voice. “Never met a stranger she couldn’t charm or a fighter she couldn’t stand toe-to-toe with.”

“That how she ended up wanting to prospect? Fighting spirit?”

Hammer’s expression sobered. “Partly. Mostly it’s about belonging. About making her own place in the world that tried to break her.”

Something passed between the men then -- an understanding that transcended their earlier tension. Men who’d seen the darkest corners of the world and still found reasons to protect what they loved.

“Excuse me,” I said, suddenly needing a moment to collect myself. “Restroom?”

“Down that hall, second door on the left,” Wrath directed, his eyes following me as I stood.

I felt Hammer’s questioning gaze but gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m fine. Just need a minute.”

The restroom was empty, thankfully. I leaned against the sink, studying my reflection in the mirror.

My father’s eyes looked back at me, the resemblance uncanny now that I’d seen him in person.

How had my mother never mentioned it? How had she kept this secret for so many years?

I’d known I didn’t exactly look like her, but I guess it hadn’t ever occurred to me I’d resemble my father.

I splashed water on my face, taking deep breaths before heading back out.

As I approached our table, I slowed, noticing that Hammer and Wrath were now sitting together, slightly apart from the boys who had been drawn into conversation with some of the younger Knights.

The two men leaned toward each other, their expressions intense.

I lingered just out of earshot, not wanting to interrupt what appeared to be an important exchange.

Wrath’s face was serious, his posture rigid as he said something that made Hammer straighten. I caught the tail end of my father’s question as I drew closer.

“-- intentions with my daughter and grandsons?” His voice was low but clear, the challenge unmistakable.

Hammer didn’t flinch, didn’t hesitate. “My intentions are to love them for however many years I’ve got left,” he replied, his voice carrying the same certainty it had when he’d promised to protect us from Piston.

“To give those boys a father who sees them as people, not possessions. To give Amelia the respect and partnership she deserves.” He leaned closer to Wrath.

“To make up for the years she didn’t have a father in her life. ”

The barb landed, but instead of anger, I saw something like grudging respect cross Wrath’s face. “And if I don’t approve?”

“Then you’d be a fool,” Hammer said bluntly. “But it wouldn’t change anything. They’re mine now. My family. My responsibility.” His voice softened slightly. “But they have room for you too, if you’re smart enough to take what’s being offered.”

I stepped forward then, unwilling to eavesdrop any longer. Both men looked up as I approached, something passing between them that felt like a truce.

“Everything okay?” I asked, slipping back into my seat beside Hammer.

Wrath leaned back, his posture noticeably more relaxed than it had been all day. “Just getting to know my son-in-law,” he said, the term no longer laced with skepticism.

The afternoon mellowed into evening, the initial stiffness gradually giving way to something that, if not quite comfortable, was at least less strained.

I watched in amazement as Wrath showed the boys his prized collection of vintage motorcycle parts, Chase asking technical questions that clearly impressed his grandfather.

Levi eventually gravitated toward the club’s tech setup, drawn into conversation with their intelligence officer who seemed genuinely interested in his insights.

Later, as we gathered near the bar, Wrath approached Hammer with an extended hand. “Welcome to the family,” he said, loud enough for those nearby to hear, making the acceptance official.

Hammer accepted the handshake but snorted.

“I was family first,” he replied with unexpected humor.

“So I’m the one accepting you.” For a moment, tension crackled between them -- then Wrath’s booming laugh broke the silence, echoed seconds later by Hammer’s deeper chuckle.

The sound of their shared laughter seemed to release the last of the day’s strain, like a thunderstorm clearing heavy air.

I smiled, watching these two powerful men find common ground in their stubborn pride and shared commitment to family. Beside me, Chase nudged Levi, both boys wearing expressions of cautious hope as they observed this unexpected camaraderie between my dad and theirs.

Aura appeared at my side, slipping her arm through mine. “Found my people,” she murmured, nodding toward the younger Knights who’d adopted her for the day. “They’ve got some interesting ideas about female Prospects. Might be useful back home.”

Since I hadn’t noticed any female Prospects, I wondered if they were just hoping to convince her to stick around. I’d noticed the way a few of them watched her.

“Making alliances already?” I teased.

“Always,” she replied with a wink.

As I looked around at this unlikely gathering -- Hammer and Wrath now engaged in what appeared to be a detailed comparison of their respective clubs’ territories, the boys cautiously integrating with their new extended family, Aura building bridges with typical charm -- I felt a profound shift inside me.

The father I’d never known. The husband I’d never expected.

The sons who were healing from their past. The stepdaughter who’d become sister and friend.

Family. Not perfect or conventional by any measure, but mine.

Ours. For the first time in my life, I felt complete -- not because I’d found my father, though that filled a hole I’d carried for decades.

But because I’d found myself among these people who chose each other, who protected each other, who built something stronger from the broken pieces life had dealt them.

As Hammer caught my gaze across the room, his subtle nod communicating volumes in the language we’d developed together, I knew with bone-deep certainty: This was home.

These people were home. And nothing -- not distance, not complicated pasts, not uncertain futures -- could take that away from us now.