"No, it's supposed to make you understand that I'm not taking this lightly. I know who I am and what I bring. And I'm choosing to be better anyway."
Diesel is quiet for a long time, studying Rush like he's trying to find a crack.
Finally he says, "If you hurt my daughter, there will be consequences. Not club consequences, personal ones. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Good, then we're clear."
He picks up his beer and walks away. Pyro and Tank follow.
Rush doesn't move, just stands there breathing hard.
I touch his arm. "You okay?"
"Yeah."
"You sure?"
"No, but I will be."
We go outside to the parking lot, away from the clubhouse and the eyes watching.
Rush leans against his bike and closes his eyes.
"That was brutal," I say.
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. He's your dad and he's protecting you."
"That doesn't make it okay."
"Doesn't make it wrong either."
I step close and take his face in my hands. "You don't have to prove anything to him."
"Yes, I do."
"Why?"
"Because he's right, I am dangerous. And if I want to be with you, I need to prove I can control it."
"Rush, you've been controlling it for eight years."
"That doesn't mean I always will."
"So what, you're just going to live in fear of becoming someone you're not?"
"I'm living in fear of becoming someone I was."
The words break my heart.
"You're not that scared thirteen-year-old anymore."
"I know, but he's still in here." He touches his chest. "And your dad just reminded me of that."