Page 39 of Monstrosity

"To hurt you. To use you against the club." I squeeze her hand. "I won't let that happen."

"Okay," Dasha says finally. "How long?"

"Until it's safe."

"And when will that be?"

"When Bembe Reyes is dead." I don't sugarcoat it. She deserves honesty.

She nods slowly. "Okay. Let me grab my things. We'll need to pack for the girls too."

"Dasha—"

"I said okay, Rio." She stretches up to kiss me, soft and sweet despite the blood on my neck. "I trust you. If you say we need to be at the clubhouse, then that's where we'll be."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that." She pulls back to look at me. "You're not the only one who protects this family. I'll do whatever it takes to keep the girls safe. Even if it means leaving our home for a while."

"Our home," I repeat, the words warming something in my chest.

"Our home," she confirms. "Which we'll come back to when this is over."

Meghan clears her throat. "Not to interrupt this sweet moment, but can we get moving? I'd rather be behind club walls before dark."

She's right.

We move efficiently after that—packing essentials at Dasha's apartment first.

She's practical about it, filling suitcases with clothes and toiletries, grabbing the girls' favorite toys and books.

I watch her work, this woman who's taking upheaval in stride because she trusts me to keep her safe.

At my house, we pack more strategically.

Clothes for a few weeks, the girls' school supplies, medications, important documents.

Dasha knows exactly where everything is, moving quickly.

"The girls' stuffed animals," she reminds me. "Cali won't sleep without Mr. Bunny."

"Already packed him."

She smiles at that. "You're a good dad."

"Trying to be."

By the time we pick up the girls from school, I've arranged for prospects to watch both properties and had their teachers alerted to the security situation.

The girls are excited about staying at the clubhouse—to them, it's an adventure.

"Will we have sleepovers with the other kids?" Florencia asks.

"Maybe," I allow. "But you'll have your own room with Dasha and me."

"Like a family vacation!" Cali declares.

Dasha meets my eyes in the rearview mirror. "Exactly like that, baby."