Ryder pov
"I know." He meets my eyes. "So I'm offering information. Council secrets, pack politics, hidden alliances. Everything I learned as the Broker. Use it to protect the Iron Fangs and to keep her safe."
"Why?" I don't trust this sudden cooperation.
"Because she gave me empathy." Gio's voice breaks. "Made me feel what I'd done. And now I can't unfeel it. Can't stop carrying the weight of every cruel thing I ever did to her. The only way I survive that weight is by trying to balance it. By being useful instead of destructive."
I studied him for a long time. Looking for deception, manipulation, hidden angles.
All I see is a broken man trying to be better.
"Fine." I decide. "You ride with us back to the compound. You give Doc all your intel. And you start proving yourself by doin
