CARMEN
Everything felt quieter as soon as I pulled back.
But it wasn’t silent—it felt hushed. The world dimmed, leaving only the weight of my actions pressing in.
The brothers and women around the clubhouse were still stunned. Some knelt, eyes wide; others slumped where they stood, faces pale and rigid. The air hung thick, uncertain if it was safe to move again.
I stood there, chest rising and falling, while Tim’s hands gripped my shoulders, his touch protective and anxious, as if worried I might break—or explode—if he let go.
“No more secrets,” I repeated, but this time it wasn’t a command.
A demand, steady and clear.
And a promise, grounded in resolve.
Behind me, LuLu took a steadying breath. I could hear it. Christ, I could feel it. It felt like she would rather be anywhere else
