“About me?” I squeaked. Nobody had ever gone to bat for me, so a whole bunch of men sitting and talking about whether to defend me was a little scary and exciting at the same time.
“That vote was dependent on meeting you. I would say things are looking pretty good,” he said as he took both my hands in his and nodded in the direction of Bones.
Relief flooded through my system. The last thing I wanted was two MC’s on my back, both of them ruthless. I’d stolen from a lot of people, but maybe this was the end of the line. “I hope so. I meant what I said. I won’t cross you,” I said solemnly as I dropped my head on his chest.
“I believe you Jaz,” he said tenderly, kissing the top of my head.
The rest of the crew were gathered in a circle and seemed to be discussing things.
I let go of Ink’s hand as he looked over to them. “Be right back.”
My belly felt tight and I wondered what they were all thinking of me. If they didn’t want to defend me, I didn’t want to think about what I would do.
It was a painful twenty minutes before he returned to tell me the news.
Ink walked back over with a grin on his face.
“What?” I asked nervously.
“Bones will come explain in a minute.”
As he spoke, Bones approached me. “This isn’t the usual way the club decides things. The preliminary vote was a yes from everyone, but we don’t take this lightly, Jaz. This means that we deem you to be one of our own. Your enemies are now our enemies. You understand that, right?”
I moistened my lips as I listened. “Yes. I get it. I do. Thank you for believing in me,” I thanked him sincerely.
He paused for a minute. “Welcome to the Rebel Saints, Jaz. Don’t let us down,” he warned. His jaw tightened.
“I won’t.” I nodded at him.
“We’ll keep you updated and we expect the same from you,” Bones said. “This is going to be a step-by step plan to work our way out of. Together. Ink speaks highly of you and nobody is holding judgement. We just like to know who we are protecting and whether it’s worthwhile. Got it?”
“Yes. I got it.” I nodded my head. This was it. I was committed and staying for the long haul.
Bones shook my hand, tapped Ink on the back and walked away.
Ink trained his eyes back on me. “I gotta get to work, honey, but look at that. I told you I got you,” he said with pride as his lips brushed over mine delicately in a sweet kiss.
“You do. Thank you,” I said humbly. I followed him to the bar to have a drink and celebrate being under the protection of the Saints.
Ink had a little lump and some bruising on the side of his jaw, but he was still cracking a smile.
“So, you here for good or you gonna bail?” Harper, one of the old ladies, asked bluntly.
“No, I’m staying.” I looked at Ink with affection as he served one of the customers. “I’m getting my dealer’s license, so I won’t be going anywhere,” I assured her.
“Yeah, you can do that anywhere. Are you sure now?” she asked in a slightly cynical tone.
I drank my wine and looked at her with intent. “I’m staying,” I said firmly.
She searched my face and nodded slowly. Harper was super pretty and intelligent. “Okay good. We like Ink here and we look out for one another. We’ll extend that same courtesy to you as well. You’re in good hands.”
A real network of people who loved one another. My mind flooded with relief. All of it was new and overwhelming to me. “Thank you, I appreciate that. Everyone seems cool here.”
“They are for the most part.”
I wanted to impress Ink’s friends, but I didn’t know how to be in a relationship and was starting to feel insecure about the whole thing.
One of the women, who was playing a game of darts, approached me. “Hi, Jaz. I’m Mia. I’ve heard a lot about you, nice to meet you.” She extended her hand to me.