“So tell me,” I continued, my voice steady and clear. “Why do you get to be loved despite your darkness, but Chapman doesn’t? Why do you get to choose happiness, but I don’t?”
The room went silent.
Reaper’s grin widened, and he leaned back in his chair, clearly delighted.
“It’s not about that,” Balthazar said finally, his voice rough. “It’s about protecting you, Hope. It’s about keeping you safe from—”
“From what?” I asked, stepping closer. “From love? From happiness? From a man who’s willing to face the Golden Line-Up rather than walk away from me?”
Balthazar flinched.
“Chapman didn’t violate the Golden Rule because he was careless or reckless,” I said, my voice softening slightly. “Heviolated it because he was drowning in grief, and I was there. And yes, it started wrong. Yes, it was messy and complicated, and wrapped up in pain. But it became something real. Something worth fighting for.”
“Hope—”
“I love him,” I said, my words ringing out clear and strong. “I love him, Balthazar. And I’m choosing him. Not because Reaper ordered it. Not because Chapman needs me to save him. Not because the club demands it. But because when I strip away all the fear and the noise and the coercion, the answer is simple:yes. I want him.”
Chapman’s eyes locked on mine, and I saw something break open in his expression—awe, disbelief, overwhelming relief.
“You don’t understand what you’re asking for,” Balthazar said, his voice tight. “The MC world—it’s not kind to women, Hope. It’s not safe. And Chapman—he’s not just some brother. He’s an executioner. He deals in death. That darkness doesn’t just go away because you love him.”
“I know,” I said quietly. “I know exactly what I’m asking for. I grew up around the MC world my entire life, Balthazar. I watched what it did to Mom and Dad. What it did to ourotherbrother. I’ve watched what it does to you and Zeke. I’ve seen the violence and the danger, and the cost. And I’m choosing it anyway. Not because I’m naïve or stupid, or desperate. But because I love Chapman enough to face it.”
“At least no one got kidnapped, shot, stabbed, or maimed,” a sharp voice said from the kitchen doorway.
I turned to see Stella standing there, her arms crossed, her expression wry. Digger stood beside her, his face carefully neutral, but his eyes bright with barely suppressed amusement.
“Excuse me?” Balthazar said, his tone dangerous.
“You heard me.” Stella stepped into the room, her gaze sweeping over Balthazar and Zeke with pointed precision. “Atleast Chapman didn’t lose his shit and shoot up half the countryside trying to get to Ari, or take on another clubhouse to get his woman. Do either of you even remember what happened when you two claimed your women?”
Balthazar’s face darkened. “That was different.”
“How?” Stella demanded. “Because you were protecting Ari from the Black Vultures? Because Zeke was protecting Joan from—what was it, Zeke? Oh, right, fromyouand a Diamondback brother who lost his fucking mind!”
Zeke’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t respond.
“Chapman fell in love with Hope,” Stella continued, her voice sharp and unyielding. “He made a mistake, yes. He violated the Golden Rule, yes. But he didn’t do it out of malice or disrespect. He did it because he was grieving and broken, and she was there. And instead of walking away when he realized what he’d done, he faced the consequences. He stood in front of Reaper and accepted his fate rather than deny what happened.”
“He lied,” Reaper said flatly.
“Oh, that’s calling the kettle black, Prez,” Digger cut in, his voice calm but firm. “Remind me again how many times you’ve lied to protect Remi?”
“Watch it, Dig,” Reaper growled.
“All I’m saying is that my brother isn’t the only brother who’s ever bent the truth to protect someone he loves.”
Balthazar opened his mouth, then closed it again, his expression tight.
“And let’s talk about the Golden Rule for a second,” Charity said, stepping forward. “Because it seems like the rules only apply when it’s convenient. Balthazar, you violated about a dozen protocols and nearly started a war not only with the Disciples of the Word but with the Black Vultures. But Reaper let it slide because you were protecting your woman.”
“That was different.”
“Zeke literallyleft the clubto be with Joan,” Joy added, her voice rising. “He walked away from his patch, his brothers, everything—but that was okay because it washischoice, right?”
Zeke’s face flushed, and he looked away.
“So why,” Charity continued, her voice sharp, “do the rules suddenly matter when it’s Chapman? Why is he the one who has to pay the price when everyone else gets to do whatever the hell they want?”