Chapter 3 – A MARRIAGE FOR CONVENIENCE
Chapter Three
A MARRIAGE FOR CONVENIENCE
Indigo’s heart raced as she followed Steel through the clubhouse, unable to believe what was happening.
She had agreed to this marriage of convenience, a way to protect her club and herself.
But now, standing in the ceremonial room, surrounded by bikers dressed in leather and steel, she felt a wave of panic wash over her. What had she gotten herself into?
Steel led her to the altar, his hand wrapped tightly around hers. She could feel the calluses on his skin, rough and unyielding. But she also noticed the tremor in his grip, a small sign of vulnerability that she tried not to focus on.
The ceremony began, and much to her surprise, it felt real.
Steel spoke solemnly, promising to protect her and keep her safe.
He pressed a small black band onto her ring finger, sealing their supposed union.
Indigo closed her eyes, trying to push down the nausea rising in her throat.
This was all a farce, but it seemed everyone around her believed it.
After what felt like ages, the ceremony ended, and Steel led her to a sparse room at the back of the clubhouse.
It was filled with tattooing equipment, the scent of ink and leather filling the air.
Before she could protest, he grabbed her wrist, revealing a small black mark by her heart.
Without asking, he pressed the tip of the tattoo gun against her skin, tracing the outline of the symbol.
“This is the MC’s mark,” he said, his voice low and warning. “Pretend to be ours, and keep it hidden. Understood?”
Indigo nodded, feeling the cold metal against her skin. She hated the idea of being branded, but it was better than the alternative.
Steel released her, his expression softening slightly. “Don’t run, Indigo. Don't lie. I can’t protect you if you do.”
Indigo pulled her wrist from his grasp, flexing her fingers to loosen them from the grip. “I won’t,” she murmured, her voice shaking. She knew Steel was dangerous, but he was all she had now. She had nowhere else to turn.
As she turned to leave, his giant hand was back on her arm, stopping her in her tracks. She looked up into his steel-grey eyes, and felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her. This man was intense, fierce, and not at all what she had anticipated.
“No running,” he growled, releasing her arm but not letting go completely. “This is our agreement. Understood?”
Indigo swallowed hard, her mind racing with the implications of what it meant to be married to Steel, even if it was just for show. “Understood.”
With that, she followed him back into the main room of the club, feeling the weight of his presence at her back.
Every step sent a shiver down her spine, both from fear and something else she couldn’t quite place.
She felt his hand slide into hers once more, his grip firm but not overpowering.
It was as if he was testing her, seeing how much he could push before she broke.
As they navigated through the crowd, Indigo caught sight of the other women in the club.
They watched her, assessing and calculating.
For the first time, she realized that she wasn't just marrying Steel - she was joining a family, one she knew nothing about.
They were a brotherhood, bound by blood and loyalty, and she was an outsider trying to infiltrate their ranks.
But it was too late now. She was committed, whether she liked it or not. Over the coming days, she would learn to adapt, to survive in this new world of leather and steel. And maybe, just maybe, she would discover something more along the way, a heart that was now willing to take the ultimate risk.