Page 21

The grand dining room at Paradise Falls is suffocating tonight, high ceilings, antique chandeliers, crystal so polished it hurts to look at. Every damn thing in here screams of legacy, of pressure. Of my father’s looming absence. It’s nothing like last night over in Hell with Legend.

Bikers are out on the lawn, and he’s out there somewhere or he soon will be as the bikers take shifts. I fight the urge to go find him. I’ve spent all day up to my eyeballs in preparation for the race, because if I fail, my brother will take over.

James sits across from me like he owns the place already, arms folded, mouth twisted in disapproval. His tie’s still perfect, not a hair out of place, like the whole world hasn’t tilted sideways.

I stab at my dinner like it’s personally offended me. “They’re here to help.”

He scoffs, leaning back like I’ve proved his point. “Help? Is that what we’re calling it now? You bring in a gang of patched-up criminals and expect them to play security? Dad built an empire, and you're handing the keys to a pack of outlaws.”

“They’re not criminals,” I shoot back, voice low but sharp enough to cut glass. “They’re protecting me. Us.”

James barks out a humorless laugh. “They’re dangerous.”

“So am I,” I say flatly, meeting his stare without blinking.

His eye twitches. “You’re gambling everything he worked for. Do you really want this to be your legacy?” He gestures toward the camp they set up.

I set my fork down slowly, deliberately, then push back from the table. “My legacy?” I say, standing. “Is keeping Paradise Falls out of the wrong hands. And right now, that includes yours.”

I leave him there, stewing in his tailored bitterness, and step out onto the porch. The air’s thick and damp, the kind that carries thunder. I drag in a breath and try to shake the fight out of my shoulders.

But then I hear it, the low, throaty rumble of Legend’s bike rolling up the drive.

God, I don’t even need to see him yet. That sound alone makes my spine straighten and my pulse flicker. And sure enough, he’s off the bike in a second, eyes locking onto mine like he felt the tension all the way from Hell.

“Trouble?” he asks, stepping up with that calm, dangerous energy he wears so well.

“Family,” I mutter. “Worse than any damn enemy.”

He chuckles, all rough and low. “Ain’t that the damn truth.”

I lean against the porch rail, arms crossed, trying not to let him see how much I needed him to show up. “James thinks I’m throwing away everything Dad built.”

Legend moves in closer, just enough to make me feel steady again. “You’re protectin’ it. The boy just don’t see the difference.”

I glance up at him, hating the ache in my throat. “You think he ever will?”

“Maybe,” he says, brushing his thumb against my cheek like he has every right to. “Maybe not. Either way, it don’t change what you are.”

“What am I?” I ask, voice smaller than I want it to be.

His eyes flare hot and serious, but he doesn’t answer me. “I’m not just here to protect you, Sophie. I’m here to stand with you.”

That last part… it lodges deep. Too deep.

I let out a breath, leaning into his touch because I can’t help myself. “Thank you.”

He doesn’t smile, not really, but his eyes soften, his jaw eases, and the tension in my chest loosens just a little.

“I won’t let anything touch you,” he says, voice rough with promise. “Not them. Not him.”

And for a minute, under the Kentucky stars, I let myself believe him. Let myself fall just a little more.

When I shouldn’t fall.

He’s not just my protector.

He’s my war.

One I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep fighting.

“There’s something I’ve kept hidden. If I’m going to survive this, you need to see it,” I say as I pull Legend toward the barn.