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Soul claps me on the back. “You wouldn’t be gettin’ your patch if I thought otherwise.”
Malice, my actual blood-brother, steps up next to Soul and shakes my hand. “As for your road name, we thought it only appropriate to call you Demon.”
The room erupts into cheers, and warmth spreads through me. The road to get to this point was full of potholes and speed bumps, but finally becoming a part of this family makes all the trauma and heartache worth it.
I glance around the space, and my eyes find Jez. Growing up, she was a constant in my life since she was close with my brother, and now that we’re older, it’s the same. Well, mostly. Now I want her with an intensity that’s almost blinding, but I can’t act on it.
Jez smiles, her face lighting up with pride. But then her attention is diverted as she reaches into her pocket and pulls out her cell. Her expression instantly shifts, and she turns around to stalk to the elevator.
Disappointment is sharp and immediate.
She’s leaving? Today of all days?
“Well, don’t just stand there,” Malice says, pulling my focus back to him. “Say something.”
I shake my head to clear my wayward thoughts. “I, um… I’m honored to be a brother in Saints Purgatory, and I swear I’ll live, breathe, and die for the club. See evil, hear evil, become evil, purge evil.”
As I say the club’s motto, the others join in. Chills race down my spine at realizing that I have a family, and not one that will look the other way when danger comes calling.
The after-party begins to really kick off, and I make my way to the bar. My hand itches to reach into my pocket and retrieve my cell to call Jez, but I resist. There was a time I would’ve done anything for scraps of attention, but I’m not that guy anymore. Apple, Malice’s old lady, made sure of it.
“How’s it feel?” Soul asks when he steps up next to me.
“Feels great.” I grin. “Feels right.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
“You ready to embrace the motto?” my brother asks.
“Malice, I’ve been ready. You of all people should know that.”
His expression falters as he no doubt is remembering what we went through as kids… the horror that tore us apart andforced us back together. Getting hitched has mellowed him some, but neither of us will ever forget.
“So, kid, care to tell me what that was all about?” Soul asks, nodding toward where we were standing a few minutes ago.
“What?”
“That look that crossed your face when my sister left,” he snaps.
Oh shit.
“No look, Prez,” I lie.
“Bullshit. I know a puppy-love look when I see one.”
“I don’t kn?—”
“Don’t insult him by lying,” Malice bites out. “Anyone with a pair of eyes could see the disappointment you felt at her walking out of here.”
Clearly, they aren’t going to believe anything I tell them, so I keep my mouth shut.
“Stay away from Jez,” Soul orders. “She’s off-limits.”
“Ah, Prez, we deal with her all the time,” I remind him. “Not sure how I’m supposed to stay away from her.”
Soul growls. “You know what I mean. Dicks stay in pants around my twin.”
I lift my hands. “Got it.”