Page 28 of Viper's Salvation

Jacob's hand finds the small of my back, warm and solid. "She's not wrong."

"Never said she was," I reply, leaning into him. "Remember our first fight? About whether I should get my own apartment in town?"

He groans. "Don't remind me. I was an ass."

"You were protective," I correct him. "And I was stubborn. But we figured it out."

"We always do."

A shriek of delight draws our attention back to the yard, where Reaper is now giving pony rides to the kids, crawling around on all fours while Evelyn laughs so hard she has to sit down.

"Still can't believe that's the same man who put a bullet in Charles's head without blinking," I murmur.

"He’s a man of many faces," Jacob says, "Ready to bring out the cake?"

"Let's do it."

We head inside to the kitchen where the cake waits: a confection of pink and purple frosting with sprinkles that will definitely send all the kids into a sugar-fueled frenzy. Jacob grabs the lighter for the candles while I lift the cake.

"Hey," he says suddenly, his hand on my arm stopping me before I can pick up the cake. "You happy, Amy?"

The question catches me off guard, not because it's unusual but because the answer is so obvious. I set the cake back down and turn to face him fully.

"Happier than I ever thought possible," I tell him honestly. "We have a beautiful daughter, a home, a family. Both blood and chosen. I'm halfway through my degree. You're running the new garage with Ace." I place my hand on his cheek, feeling thefamiliar scratch of his beard against my palm. "What more could I possibly want?"

His eyes darken slightly. "I just... sometimes I worry that this life—the club, the town, me—it's not enough. That you settled because it was safe after everything you went through."

"Jacob Reynolds," I say firmly, using his full name the way I do when I need his complete attention. "I didn't settle. I chose. Every day, I choose this life, this town, this family." I step closer, pressing my body against his. "I choose you. Not because you're safe, though you are the safest place I've ever known, but because you're you. Because I love you. Have since that sunset at the lake four years ago."

He bends down to kiss me, slow and deep, his hands finding their familiar places at my waist. When we break apart, he presses his forehead to mine.

"I love you too. Every stubborn, fierce, beautiful inch of you."

A small voice interrupts our moment. "Ewww, Mommy and Daddy are kissing again!"

We turn to find our daughter in the doorway, hands on her hips in a perfect imitation of my disapproving stance.

"That's right," Jacob says, scooping her up into his arms. "And I'm going to kiss her again right now."

He makes an exaggerated smooching sound against my cheek while our daughter giggles and squirms.

"Cake time?" she asks.

"Cake time," I confirm, picking up the dessert. "Want to help Daddy light the candles?"

The three of us head back outside to where our extended family waits. As everyone gathers around the table, singing "HappyBirthday" with varying degrees of musical talent, I take a moment to just breathe it all in.

Four years ago, I was a broken woman with nothing but trauma and fear to my name. Today, I'm surrounded by love and laughter, by people who would, and have, fought and bled for each other.

It's not a perfect life. There are still nights when the nightmares come, when Jacob has to hold me until the shaking stops. There are days when the club faces threats or trouble finds its way to our door. There are moments when the past reaches out with cold fingers to remind me of what I survived.

But those moments are fewer now, outnumbered by days like this, filled with sunshine, laughter, and a family that spans blood and choice alike.

As I help my daughter blow out her candles, Jacob's arm secure around my waist, I silently thank whatever twist of fate brought that dangerous biker with the kind eyes into my life four years ago.

Some would call it luck. Others might say destiny.

I just call it home.

In the meantime,