The Burning Shadows

The compound felt like a powder keg with the fuse already lit. After the Reaper’s photo of my mom arrived, lockdown went full throttle. No one in or out. Patrols doubled. Every brother walked around armed and wired. I spent the afternoon in the garage trying to lose myself in work, but my hands kept shaking every time I remembered that red marker scrawled across the picture. Colossus found me there just after sunset. He didn’t say anything at first. He simply closed the garage door, locked it, and crossed the space in three long strides. Then his massive arms were around me, pulling me against his chest like he could shield me from the entire world. “You’re spiraling,” he said quietly, voice that low gravel I loved. “Talk to me.” I pressed my face into his cut, breathing in leather and him. “They have eyes on my mom. They’re not going to stop. And part of me still feels guilty for dragging the whole club into my mess.” His hand slid under my chin, tilting my face up. Those pale gray eyes were stormy but soft in the way only I ever got to see. “Your mess? This stopped being just your mess the second you chose us. Chose me.” He brushed his thumb across my bottom lip. “And I’d burn the whole desert down before I let them take you.” The heat in his voice made my stomach flip. I rose on my toes and kissed him — hard, desperate, pouring every fear and every ounce of love into it. He groaned into my mouth, hands gripping my hips as he lifted me onto the workbench like I weighed nothing. My legs wrapped around his waist instantly. “Need you,” I whispered against his lips. “Right now. Make me forget everything else.” He didn’t hesitate. His mouth claimed mine again, deeper, hungrier. Rough hands stripped my shirt off, then my bra, his beard scraping deliciously over my skin as he kissed down my neck to my breasts. When his tongue circled one n****e and his thick fingers slipped between my legs, I moaned loud enough that I was glad the garage was soundproofed. “So wet already,” he growled, voice wrecked. “My girl. Always so ready for me.” “Kane,” I gasped as he pushed two fingers inside me, curling them just right. “Please—” He kissed me again to swallow the sound, working me higher until I was trembling on the edge. Only then did he free himself, lining up and pushing into me in one slow, deep thrust that stole my breath. “f**k, Lena,” he groaned, forehead pressed to mine. “So tight. So perfect. Look at me.” I did. Our eyes locked as he started moving — deep, steady, powerful strokes that made the workbench creak beneath us. One of his huge hands gripped my hip, the other cradled the back of my head, keeping me close. “Say it,” he demanded, voice rough with need. “Who do you belong to?” “You,” I moaned, nails digging into his shoulders. “I belong to you, Kane. Only you.” His rhythm turned harder, deeper, the size difference making every thrust feel overwhelming in the best way. “That’s right. My old lady. My wrench girl. Mine to protect. Mine to love. Mine to f**k like this every damn night.” I came hard, crying out his name, and he followed right after, burying himself deep with a low groan that vibrated through his chest. We stayed locked together, breathing hard, his arms wrapped around me like he’d never let go. After a long minute, he kissed my temple, voice soft. “I love you. All of you. Reaper blood and all.” “I love you too,” I whispered, still trembling. “Giant, scars, overprotective growling… everything.” He chuckled low, the sound warm against my neck. “Good. Because I’m never letting you go.” We cleaned up slowly, stealing kisses and soft touches. When we finally stepped out of the garage, the compound was still on high alert. Viper called an emergency meeting in the main room. The evidence from the storage unit was laid out again. “We hit back tonight,” Viper said. “Not with guns. With proof. We send them copies of three of the worst photos. And a message: Next package goes to the feds.” Colossus stood beside me, hand on my lower back. “And we move Lena’s mom into a safe house. Tonight. No arguments.” I nodded. “I’ll call her. She won’t like it, but she’ll go.” The plan was set. Rogue would handle the delivery. Prospects would move my mom at first light. The club was united — at least for now. Later, back in Colossus’s bed, I lay curled against his chest while his fingers traced lazy patterns down my spine. “Tomorrow’s going to be ugly,” I whispered. He kissed the top of my head. “Then we face it ugly together. No more running. No more ghosts.” I smiled against his skin and slid my hand lower, feeling him harden again under my touch. “Good. Because I’m not done with you tonight either.” His low laugh turned into a groan as I stroked him. “Dangerous woman.” “Yours,” I reminded him, climbing on top. His hands gripped my hips, guiding me as I sank down onto him. “Mine,” he agreed, voice wrecked. “Always.” We moved together slow and deep, eyes locked, hearts racing in perfect sync while the war waited just outside the door.