“What the fuck, prospect?” Ryan shouts from someplace I can’t see.
“Suck his dick, prospect!” my dad shouts. My dad. My freaking father is in here. I knew he was in the clubhouse, but I didn’t expect for him to be in here. But he is. I don’t know why I’m surprised. This is some kind of birthday deal for Jeremy.
My eyes travel around the room to see that they’re all here. Every single member of my dad’s club is here. Even Ian is by the door, watching from the back of the room. I guess because it’s a club party, and not only a prospect’s birthday but a member’s son’s birthday as well, that they kind of have to be here. If they’re all here, that means all their girlfriends and wives are here, too. Either that or they’re in the chapel. Party or no, Forsaken won’t leave their women totally unprotected at a time like this.
My eyes nearly bug out of my head when I see Ruby and Holly sandwiched between Uncle Jim and Dad. The two women are chatting about something and barely paying attention to what’s going on around them. I have no clue how they can just pretend all this isn’t happening. I guess my theory about Aunt Ruby babysitting all the kids is bullshit.
“You got it?” Jeremy shouts excitedly. Duke confirms, and they do that manly hug thing where they practically chest bump and slap each other’s backs. When they break apart, Jeremy turns to the room and throws his arms in the air in victory. I tilt my head so I’m better hidden behind a couple in front of me. There’s a large enough crowd between us, but I don’t need him seeing me right this second.
“Butch gave me his blessing,” Duke shouts with a smile on his face. Oh, Butch’s blessing. That makes sense now. It’s a tradition the brothers take incredibly seriously. Nobody gives a shit if the chick is new, but if she’s a member’s kid, you ask for your brother’s blessing. Period. Not asking is a big deal. Duke could marry Nic, and they already have a kid on the way, but wanting to officially make her his old lady without asking her father first is bad news. A smile takes over my face. I don’t remember much about Butch, just that he always gave me gum even after Dad said I wasn’t responsible enough for it anymore. I’d always get it in my hair, or his hair, or in the couch. But Butch would always say that nobody gets to decide what you’re responsible enough to handle but you, and then he’d sneak me a piece. Despite how weird all of this is, I wish Butch could be here to see his son. He’d be proud of Jeremy. They all are.
I am.
Duke shoves Jeremy back in the chair and clears his throat. “Prospects don’t normally get this kind of shit. Because you haven’t earned it. But this fucking prick,” he says and points to Jeremy, “is family. The only thing his dad asked in return for his daughter is that I make sure this asshole gets a pleasure Butch has been denied for too damn long.”
I can’t stop the smile that overtakes my face when Duke shoots Jeremy a huge smile and then winks at Chel. Forsaken really is a family. I crane my neck, ignoring Daniel’s irritated grunt to get a better view of what’s going on. Chel takes the attention away from Duke when she lifts one of her legs to expose the large slit in the crotch of her G-string and places her heel-clad foot on Jeremy’s leg. She purses her lips, her attention wholly on him.
The smile slides off my face, and I’m back to feeling like total shit. It’s not a punch to my gut this time. It’s not a twisting of my heart. It’s more like the breath has been sucked right out of me and has been replaced by acid. The only thing keeping me from running out in this moment is Daniel, who is still bucking at my ass and trailing soft kisses up and down my neck. He’s moved to the other side now and has slipped my bra strap off my shoulder as he peppers every inch of my flesh he can find.