7
Dante
If the walls in church could talk, I could hear some of the grittiest and darkest conversations the club had had over the decades. Back when Matt was president, then Storm, and now Maddox. From what I’d grown up hearing, Storm’s reign had seen some awful shit. Lives had been lost. Women had been harmed. And Knight’s Legion MC had grown in numbers and power.
Damn, I wished the walls could replay the goings on at the massive oval table in front of me. I wanted to hear the fury and rage spewing out of Storm’s mouth. The jokes and sarcasm from Lynx to lighten tense moments. The serious collaborations on how to deal with issues between my great uncle Raul and Ember’s dad, Hero. And in the end, Storm would’ve had the final say.
My cousin Track had told me once to never take attending church for granted because we never knew when our number would be up. I wouldn’t. I’d dodged death a handful times during raids and assault missions.
I was fucking honored to be in the glorified space. Hell, I was a bottom-of-the-chain prospect. An ass kisser. A boot licker. I was reminded of how I had to climb my way up to the top during boot camp. I’d succeeded and I would here, too.
Pictures lined the walls. The OG members stared at me with brutally cynical expressions. I was slightly intimidated by the images—a teeny bit. Some of them would be sitting across from me, much older than in the photographs and with a lot more mileage behind them.
Without a doubt, I could be a Knight and make my MC family proud. Nothing scared me. I didn’t fear death or the enemy. My attitude had made me a damn fine ranger and it would serve me well in the MC.
I inhaled the scent of leather and cigarettes wafting in the air. But I’d be remiss, if I didn’t admit to being nervous. Why had I been told to attend church?
“Awfully quiet, there, son.” Lynx grinned at me. “You’re not in trouble… Yet.” He clucked his tongue and poured himself a glass of whiskey.
“Are you trying to screw with me?”
“Always.”
“Where is everyone else? Did I get the time wrong?”
“Nope. They’ll be here when they get here. You afraid to be alone with me? I’m harmless.”
I shook my head. “I know you’re cool. How’s the family? Sadie’s wedding is coming up, right?”
“Jaynee and the kids are fantastic. After Sadie and Bryce tie the knot, I’ll have twin granddaughters, Cat and Tori. They are the cutest half-pints any granddad could ask for. Of course, a grandson would be extra.” He winked.
“I can’t wait to meet them all.” I dialed into the voices out in the hallway. They were getting louder and louder.
“Here they come,” Lynx said.
The door blew open and Maddox entered like a deadly hurricane, knocking the air out of my lungs.
“Prospect. Glad you could make it.” He eyed me as he went to the head of the table.
“Maddox, good to see you.”
“Where’s your manners? Stand for your president!”
I jumped to my feet and stood at attention. “Sorry, sir.” My heart hammered against my ribs and despite it being subzero temperatures outside, I immediately began to sweat.
Suddenly, snorting broke out on my right. Storm had taken the chair at the opposite end of the table from Maddox. Hero and my dad were on either side of him, hissing with laughter. On my left, my cousin Ray sat beside me, and Bjorn, the club’s enforcer, was seated across the table.
“Sit, prospect,” Maddox ordered, then dropped into his leather chair. He picked up the gavel and held it firmly in his hand.
I lowered myself and folded my hands on the table.
“Relax, cuz,” Raymond whispered and elbowed me.
How could I relax with everyone staring and laughing at me?
Maddox hit the gavel on the table and all the attention went to him. “First order of business is welcoming this military man into the fold. Fucking happy you returned in one piece. We’ll have to get drunk together and you can tell me all the shit you saw.”
“Anytime.” Although I couldn’t tell him everything. Some stuff was top secret, but I’d share what I could.
“Friday night is Dante’s party. Prepare for karaoke, booze, and women. Not kittens. They’re only for members, but I’ve got some girls coming just for you.” The prez winked, and a weird sinking feeling in my stomach nearly made me barf.
“Something wrong, son?” Lynx asked.
“No.”
“Are you sure, cuz?” Raymond asked next.
Every member stared at me, Storm and Maddox with the severest of glares. Was I missing something?
“Speak your mind, prospect,” Maddox told me.
“I don’t need women.” The words flew out of my mouth unbidden.
“My bad. I can find some guys for you.”
A snort came from Storm.
“I mean, I already have a woman.” I straightened my spine. When I woke up this morning, I had no intention of claiming Ember before I even talked to her. But there I was doing just that. “Ember is all I need.”
“Come again, prospect?”
I cut my gaze at Hero. “With your blessing, of course. Ember is the only girl I’m interested in.”
“But I thought my Birdie was the love of your life?” Storm asked.
Jesus, what the fuck was happening. “Um, she was my teenage crush.” On my left, I heard a low growl from my cousin. “But it was never returned.”
“No, it wasn’t.” Storm leaned forward with his elbows on the table. He still had massive forearms and a deadly glint in his gray eyes.
“So, my daughter is your second choice?” Hero’s lip curled into a snarl.
I’m a dead man.
“No.” I leveled my gaze at Hero. “I was stupid back then and hadn’t noticed what was in front of me. I’ll make it up to her.”
“Hell yeah, you will. Are you claiming her?”
I gulped. What in the actual fuck?
“Breathe, prospect. We’re just fucking with you.” Maddox chuckled and lit a cigarette.
I didn’t take my eyes off Hero’s. “She’s it for me.”
“Good. I wish you all the luck tying her down. She won’t make it easy for you.” He sat there like a proud father.
“I know. Wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“Enough. I don’t want to get off track,” Maddox barked. “No women for the prospect. That just means more for the first of us.”
Bjorn pounded his fist on the table. I was surprised to see him. He’d been working at Maddox’s twin brother’s sex club in Chicago for as long as I could remember. But after Markey found his woman and married her, he closed up shop, and Bjorn returned to Minnesota.
Relief crashed through me as Maddox talked about his expectations for me. A protectiveness I hadn’t felt before had taken hold of my soul regarding Ember. If Hero and the others wanted me to claim her today, I would’ve. Regardless of the secret she had, and believe me, my mind went wild conjuring all kinds of scenarios, not one had scared me off.
I wanted her.
I would get her and claim her as mine.
Then I could do my time in the club, and get patched in.
“Come Monday, you’re at the beck and call of every member in the club so enjoy your freedom while it lasts.” Maddox watched my reaction.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
A high-pitched ringing came from Storm’s direction and stole everyone’s attention.
“It’s Birdie.” Storm answered the call without hesitation. “Hey sweetheart, I’m in church.”
“Fuck,” Raymond muttered. A formidable tension radiated off him.
“I’m coming. Stay put.”
“What?” Raymond asked.
“Birdie, I want you to go back inside the boutique. I’ll be there in—” His face turned candy-apple red, as if she’d cut him off. “I know you can take care of yourself, but foul play could be involved.” He cut his gaze at Maddox, then Raymond.
“Go.” He nodded at Bjorn. “Take a prospect.”
“I’m going with.” Raymond got to his feet and bolted, not waiting for Maddox’s approval or Bjorn.
“Bjorn and Ray are coming.” He paused. “I don’t care what you want Melody Hope!” Storm’s voice rattled the roof.
It was never good when a parent used a child’s first and middle name.
“Keep it up, and I’ll put you on lockdown!” Storm genuinely appeared pissed off. “Yeah, you should’ve called your mother if you didn’t want me to freak the fuck out.” He threw his phone at the wall.
“What happened?” I asked.
“She hung up.” Storm stormed out like a violent tornado.
“Church is adjourned.” Maddox hit the gavel on the table. “How was that for your first time in church?”
“Riveting.” I stood. “I’m gonna go to the boutique. Was supposed to meet Birdie at The Bullet.” I glanced at the time on the wall clock. My cell phone was in the basket outside of the room. Phones weren’t allowed in church. I guess that rule didn’t apply to Storm. “Seems I’m late.”
“Go help rescue her. If Storm gets to her, it’ll get uglier in a snap.”
I left without a backward glance at my old man, who’d been surprisingly quiet. But I’d seen the look in his eyes. He was observing me. Watching to see how I handled myself and if I could control my mouth. I did all right.
Jogging out of the clubhouse, I searched for Ember. She was probably at home. It hadn’t sounded like she was with Birdie. I’d just have to catch her tomorrow.