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146 COLE STEPS INTO HIS PLACE

Author: Skye
last update Last Updated: 2025-11-27 17:27:03

The sun was sinking low by the time Ashley made it back to the clubhouse yard.

The day had been a blur of meetings, rebuilding tasks, Ace’s relentless flirting, and catching glimpses of Jax whipping the prospects into shape. Nolan had already called her twice to confirm supply payments, and Ace had messaged her three new logo variations even though she had only approved one.

But Cole was the only one she hadn’t seen since breakfast.

Cole was always everywhere. Loud. Talkative. Touchy. Always eager to help, eager to follow, eager to be useful.

But today, he had slipped under the surface like a ghost.

She spotted him at the far end of the yard, hunched over a box of new tattoo equipment he had personally sourced. He was checking each item carefully, organizing everything into neat rows.

Ashley walked over. “Hey.”

He didn’t look up. “Hey.”

That single flat word made something in her tighten.

She stepped closer. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” he muttered. “Busy.”

That wasn’t Cole’s voice.

Not the re
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  • Steel and Sin   189 — EPILOGUE

    The world didn’t crumble after that night.It didn’t explode.It didn’t collapse.It didn’t twist into something unrecognizable.It softened.Three weeks later, the building no longer felt like a bunker.It felt lived in, balanced in a way Ashley still wasn’t used to but loved anyway.Ashley stretched across the mattress—their mattress now—and blinked at sunlight sliding through the curtains. Cole’s side was empty, sheets still warm. Jax had left too; his pillow was cold and rumpled.Only one person remained.Nolan.Sitting in the corner chair, boots on, shirt half-buttoned, flipping through a stack of reports.“Morning,” Ashley murmured, still half-asleep.His eyes met hers. “You should sleep more,” he said.“And you should actually sleep,” she teased.No smile, but the warmth in his gaze said enough.Ashley sat up, hair messy, heart steady. “Where is the chaos?”“Ace is causing it,” Nolan replied dryly.Of course he was.Ashley walked barefoot into the living area. Ace stood on a ch

  • Steel and Sin   188

    The place wasn’t the same when they walked back in.Like the whole building let out a breath the moment they did.Ashley stepped through the doorway first, the low buzz of the lights brushing over her skin. Behind her came the familiar sounds—Ace’s rough breathing, Jax moving with quiet control, Cole’s heat at her back, and Nolan’s solid, unshakable calm. It didn't feel like four men trailing behind her anymore.This was one group, one decision, one direction.Her heartbeat was still fast from what she’d said outside, but it wasn’t fear anymore.It felt earned. Cole closed the door quietly.Nolan flicked off the porch light without a word.Jax hung up his jacket in its usual spot.Ace kicked off his boots with a groan. “My feet are screaming,” he muttered, trying to break the tension he wasn’t built to sit in.Ashley’s lips curved slightly.She’d never known peace could feel so… full.No one scattered to their usual corners.No one said goodnight.No one tried to pretend they weren’

  • Steel and Sin   187

    The ride back home was silent. The warehouse district shrank behind them, swallowed by distance and darkness, and Ashley kept her eyes on the road ahead. The hum of engines felt steadier now. She wasn’t running. Not anymore.She was choosing.By the time they pulled into the lot outside the building, she felt it settling in her bones.Nolan killed the engine first.Cole killed the headlights.Ace kicked down his bike stand.Jax opened his door slowly. Ashley stepped out of the truck and turned toward them.They expected her to go inside.To sleep.To breathe.To recover.But she didn’t move.She stood in the cold purposely. “Ash?” Ace asked softly, voice losing all the jokes at once.She shook her head. “Don’t go inside yet. Not yet.”The tension shifted instantly.Nolan straightened first—like he already knew.Cole stepped closer.Jax moved to her right, cautious, loyal.Ace hovered just behind her shoulder, restless but soft.Their formation around her wasn’t planned.It just… hap

  • Steel and Sin   186

    For the first time in hours, the clubhouse was calm.The storm inside them had finally settled, but the world outside didn’t care about their breakthroughs, their unity, or their new beginning.And that reality hit the second Nolan’s phone buzzed on the table.He didn’t move at first.Ashley watched his jaw harden before he finally reached for it.Jax straightened immediately.Ace uncrossed his arms.Cole’s eyes flicked toward the door like he already sensed trouble.Nolan answered, “Yeah?”A pause.Then another.Ashley watched the way Nolan’s shoulders shifted—tightened—adjusted.“What is wrong?” she asked softly.Nolan didn’t answer until he hung up.Then he stood. “We have a problem.”Ace groaned. “Of course we do. We finally get our shit together, and the universe is like ‘surprise, bitches.’”Jax ignored him. “What happened?”Nolan looked at Ashley first.“One of your old mess just resurfaced,” he said quietly. “And it is coming fast.”Ashley asked. “Which one?”Nolan’s voice har

  • Steel and Sin   185

    The door shut softly behind Cole and Ashley as they stepped back into the main room.For the first time all day… the place didn’t feel like it was holding its breath.Ace was leaning against the far counter, arms folded, looking like he was trying not to look nervous.Jax sat on the armrest again, but his posture wasn’t tight this time.Nolan, who had been silent for long minutes, finally lifted his head.His eyes went straight to Ashley and his expression softened — the tension, the weight, the guilt he’d been wrestling.Cole’s hand rested lightly on Ashley’s lower back.Ashley stepped further inside, and… every one of them subtly moved toward each other.As if instinct said; this is the moment.This is where we all sit.Together.Cole guided her gently to the center of the room, toward the big couch. He slid into one end and tugged her hand so she’d sit beside him.Nolan took the seat directly across from her, instead of retreating into a corner like he usually did.Jax moved closer

  • Steel and Sin   184

    Ace walked out first.Ashley followed him, her heart still warm and aching from what just happened — a moment she’d never expected from him, not like that. Jax looked up instantly, subtle concern masked under stoic calm.Cole didn’t move but his eyes stayed locked on her. Ace muttered something about needing air and slipped outside.The second the door closed behind him, Jax stood.“Are you alright?” he asked. Ashley nodded. “Yeah. He just needed… space.”Jax’s jaw tightened. “Did he say something to—”“No.” She put a gentle hand on his arm. “It was good. Really good.”“Alright,” he said quietly. “If you are good, I am good.”He brushed a thumb along her forearm, then stepped back and let her breathe.Cole stood in front of her.He just… stood there waiting for her to speak.Ashley exhaled. “You… felt that shift, didn’t you?”“Everyone did,” Cole said. “But I saw you more.”He sat on the couch and patted the space beside him. Ashley joined him slowly.The moment she sat, Cole turne

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