Page 70 of Monstrosity

"Really?" Cali bounces excitedly.

"Really. Can't have too much luck, right?"

Dasha watches this exchange with soft eyes, but I can see the fear underneath.

Time's running out.

"Give Daddy hugs," she says quietly. "He has to go to work."

They attack me simultaneously, small arms wrapping tight.

I breathe them in—shampoo and cookies and innocence.

Everything worth fighting for.

"Love you, monsters," I tell them.

"Love you too, Daddy. Be careful at work!"

If only they knew.

Dasha walks me to the door while the girls run ahead to claim good spots for movie night.

In the hallway, she grabs my cut and pulls me down for a fierce kiss.

Her hands freeze on my shoulders.

She pulls back, eyes widening as she takes in my cut.

"Rio... your patch." Her fingers trace over the full colors where 'PROSPECT' used to be. "You're... they made you a full patch?"

"About an hour ago," I confirm, unable to keep the pride from my voice.

"Oh my God!" She throws her arms around my neck, kissing me again with even more intensity.

When she pulls back, there are tears in her eyes. "I'm so proud of you. You've waited years for this."

"Worth the wait," I tell her, meaning more than just the patch.

"My old man," she says softly, touching the rockers again. "Officially. God, Rio, this is huge."

"Changes nothing about tonight," I remind her. "It’s still dangerous."

"I know. But now you're going out there as a full brother. They have your back completely." She straightens my cut, smoothing the leather. "You've earned this. Every thread, every stitch. I've watched you sacrifice for this club, bleed for them. I'm so fucking proud of you."

Her pride means more than all the congratulations from my brothers combined.

"Come back to us," she whispers against my lips.

"Always."

"My full-patch badass," she adds with a watery smile. "I love you."

One more kiss and then I'm moving, switching from father to warrior.

"Ready?" Tor asks, appearing at my shoulder as I head for the door.

"Born ready."