Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Priest, Colt and Sinner are looking great, standing by the altar, next to Hellfire. Fresh haircuts, leather polished, looking sexy and handsome as always. They smile as I hurry to join them, the crowd parting to let me through. The whole club is in here, and even some of the friends and family.
The old ladies, along with Bonnie and Anne have made a space for themselves. Paige has little Corbin in her arms, though he looks like he’s sleeping, draped over her chest with his head resting on her shoulder. And over on the side, looking both a little terrified and incredibly curious, are Erika, Toby and Roger. We’ll see how long they stick around for the party afterwards, but I appreciate them being here.
When I reach the altar, Colt puts an arm around my waist and pulls me in. He gives me a deep kiss that has the crowd hollering.
He twirls me right into Sinner, who gives me a kiss of his own. “You’re looking fucking fantastic, demon.”
“You noticed.” I give him another quick kiss.
“Couldn’t miss it.” Then he passes me to Priest, who dips me in front of the whole club and brings me back up flushed and wondering if we should skip out from the after party early.
Ghost comes in carrying a bundle that he puts down on the altar next to Hellfire, then retreats.
“Alright, let’s get this thing started.” Hellfire gestures for us to gather up. “Everyone’s staying? Good. Your funeral.” He clears his throat and stands straight to address the crowd. “This one worried me, I’ve gotta admit. The last thing you bunch of reprobates needs is media attention. An actress could mean unwanted eyes on the club, and I was concerned that Quinn might not understand the gravity of our commitment. But she stuck around, she proved herself, and I know through her brother and her choice of men, that she isn’t taking this lightly.
“Quinn. As much as I hate to admit it, Priest, Sinner and Colt do have some good qualities. They’re loyal as fuck. They’re capable when the shit hits the fan. They stick to their commitments. And hell, they’re even fun at a party. I can appreciate that.” He turns to them. “But they need to remember that for all the joy, this isn’t an easy life. It’s dangerous. It’s chaotic. Sometimes it’s batshit insane. In order to navigate that, a woman needs men who will support her unconditionally. Keep her safe. Keep her satisfied. If you boys aren’t up to it, now’s the time to say so and run away with your tail between your legs.”
None of them move.
He turns to me and those dark eyes pin me where I stand. I couldn’t run away if I wanted to. My guys can be wild, but the president of the Outlaw Sons is a whole different level of intensity.
“And you. Quinn, take a look at your men. Each one of them. Take a good look at their ugly mugs. Imagine waking up with them, every fucking day for the rest of your life. Not even just one, but three of them. Are you really fucking sure that’s what you want? I got some others if you wanna shop around a little, but know that once you do choose, you are part of us for life. You belong to them, and you belong to the club. Your boys will have work to do, and sometimes they’re in danger.” He points at the walls. “Look at all those cuts. We’re not good at living to old age. It’s dangerous, and sometimes that danger comes looking for you. So you gotta ask yourself, is this really what you want?”
I look between my guys, one at a time. I scratch my head, purse my lips a little. “Can I take a minute?”
“Quinn.” Sinner’s voice is a threatening, throaty growl. Around us, the crowd is chuckling.
“Can still back out,” Hellfire suggests, but even his lips are curling at the corners.
I shake my head. “No. I want them. All three of them. Dangers and all.”
Hellfire picks up the bundle that Ghost put on the altar and unfolds it. It’s my jacket. An official motorcycle jacket, and when he turns it around, it has the Outlaw Sons MC logo on the back. In curved letters over it, it says, “Property of,” and curved the other way, underneath, “Priest, Sinner and Colt.” He holds it up for me to put on.
I’m going to miss the Desdemona jacket, but this one is even better. It means something much deeper. I slip my old jacket off my shoulders and hand it to Sinner, and then I let Hellfire slip the new jacket onto my shoulders. It fits perfectly.
Hellfire nods, and then turns even more formal. “By wearing this, Quinn, you represent the Outlaw Sons MC, and you represent your men. You’re expected to give both them and the club your full loyalty, always. By claiming you as their old lady, they’ll be responsible for you as long as you bear their patches. Understand?”