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The complete fucking nonesense continued well into the night. The guys continued their brotherly banter, teasing one another and bickering.

Eventually, I zoned out a little, deep in thought about my own family and the similarities between us. I got the same vibe here as I did when The Family gathered. That familiar jabbing, that easy back and forth.

And again, I could easily see the appeal.

It was a brotherhood, just as much as The Family was. So why the fuck did they spend all their time on this bullshit?

Why not just enjoy the family they had, the things that they had in common, rather than getting themselves into constant fucking danger and drama?

It was the same question I had asked myself about my own family for years. Maybe it was naive of me, maybe it was my lack of understanding or knowledge about anything that they did or went through.

But to me, this was enough.

So why wasn’t it enough for anyone else?

Ashe had wandered towards the bar at one point, following Prince who looked very lost in thought. After Charmer’s third quip about sucking Freddie’s dick, I wandered over and joined them.

Ashe clapped Prince on the shoulder, roughing him up a little and obviously trying to lighten whatever conversation they were having. I could tell it was doing little though, because Prince finished what was left of his drink and pulled Ashe in for a hug that looked like a goodbye.

I waited patiently, a few steps behind them until they were done.

“Zarina,” Prince sighed, nodding a greeting at me. “Thank you for taking a chance on us.”

“Of course.”

Something was weighing on him, that much was obvious.

“I’ll see you round, guys,” Prince offered after a sigh and a wave, and headed out of the door without another word to anyone else.

I joined Ashe at the bar then, and he pulled me in close by the hip.

“How are you doing, darlin’?”

“Fine,” I shrugged. “What’s up with him?” I gestured with a tilt of my head towards where Prince had left.

Ashe let out a long sigh and a shake of his head. “He gets too wrapped up in this shit. Eats at him. Feels like he’s fucking everything up. Doesn’t trust himself.”

I nodded. “I get that.”

Ashe frowned at me, leaning in to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear.

“I’m gonna tell you the same thing I told him,” he said, his voice low. “The only true mistakes you make will come from betraying yourself, ignoring that nagging feeling in your gut. Only you know what’s right for you, Zar, no one else. Don’t let anyone tell you they know any better.”

A smile stretched on my lips. “You told him that?”

He rolled his eyes. “Fuckin’ smart ass.”

I nudged his hip with my own. “Thank you.”

Ashe lifted his drink momentarily, like he was giving a toast.

“Can I ask you something?” I pressed my side closer to his.

He nodded once, looking down at me with an amused little grin.

“Why the MC?” I gestured around the room. “I’m trying to understand it, but I just…” I finished the sentence with a shrug.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and then he plastered what I knew was a fake smile on his face.