Lucas blushed as he looked around at the people staring at him. His chest rose and fell rapidly. Country moved close to Lucas and slapped a hand to his shoulder. “Welcome to the family, Lucas.”
“That shit was awesome. You were all ninja-like,” Tech commented.
Lucas blinked, his hands shaking as he shrugged. “I… um, didn’t mean to. It just happened.”
Holy shit. Shock rode him hard, no doubt at how he’d reacted. On instinct, he’d felt the need to protect me, and was now trying to understand it.
Tech was right; it’d been fucking awesome.
Beaming a smile down at him, I curled an arm around his waist as I leaned in and whispered, “You’re all right.”
His wide eyes looked up at me. “I didn’t think…. It just happened. I didn’t like him hitting you and then bam, something took over me and I reacted.” His cheeks heated even more.
“It’s okay. I’m damn proud of you.”
His head jerked back. “You are?”
“Yeah, babe. It was hot to see you havin’ my back.”
Country clapped. “Let that be a fuckin’ lesson to all. No one can tell another who to love. No one has the fuckin’ right to say bull like that and get away with it. No one else has to hide when they’re showin’ their partner some lovin’, and we don’t expect you two to do it either.” His eyes landed on us at the end.
“Damn right,” Saint yelled.
Country looked down at Duck in disgust with his upper lip pulled up. “You don’t fuckin’ smarten up, you’re out. Hear me?”
Duck, who was still on the ground, grunted and then stupidly said, “Didn’t know you were a fag lover, Prez.”
Stupid cunt just wouldn’t learn to keep his mouth shut. Country’s jaw clenched. “Torch, Death, take him out for an advanced lesson before he leaves the club,” Country called.
“Prez, shit, fuck, no, I won’t do it again,” Duck shouted as Death and Torch came forward and dragged a still yelling Duck out.
“I didn’t want this to happen,” Lucas said softly.
Country stepped in front of him, gripped his chin, and lifted Lucas’s gaze. When I growled under my breath, Country let his grip go, but he told Lucas, “Listen to me, kid, and listen well. My pa put this club together a very fuckin’ long time ago. It’s a place of peace, a place for brothers to come together and share in life, love, and family. We’re a damn big family, and all families have their testin’ members. But none, and I goddamn mean none, should treat another member like the way Duck treated you and Wreck. It’s his own fuckin’ issue.” He turned to the room and said loudly, “and if anyone else has a problem seein’ love in this fuckin’ compound, no matter who is showin’ it, they shut their motherfuckin’ mouth, walk away, or deal with the rest of us comin’ down hard on them.” He glanced back at Lucas. “You’re here to feel safe, to do whatever makes you happy, because you’re goddamn family even before gettin’ in with Wreck. Understand?”
Lucas nodded, cleared his throat, and then whispered, “Yes.” He glanced to the doors where Duck had been dragged out. “But I don’t want anyone hurt for being themselves.”
Country shook his head. “If that’s how he thinks normally, then he fuckin’ doesn’t deserve to be in this club. We’re loyal and deal in respect for all members. His soul is tainted with ugliness. I don’t want that shit to rub off on the club. That’s not what we’re about. Jesus, kid, not in this day and age. People need to grow the fuck up.”
Lucas’s sudden burst of laughter even startled himself. He covered his mouth. Then he removed it and said, “Some just aren’t smart like you, Country.”
Country chuckled. “Ain’t that the truth. Now, let’s fuckin’ party and put the ugly behind us.” He patted Lucas on the shoulder and stepped up to the bar.
My gut twisted in delight when Lucas moved into me, his shaky hands resting on my hips. Finally, I relaxed. He looked up at me and whispered, “Sorry for jumping in like that.”
I shook my head. “Never apologize. I’m fuckin’ damn proud of you for stickin’ up for me, but also yourself.”
He grinned up at me. “Thank you.”
A couple of hours later, Lucas was slapping the bar as he tilted his head back and laughed from something Tech told him. I’d been standing away, talking with Death and Saint, but he wasn’t far from my sight. It was good to see him having fun with some brothers. So far, Duck had been the only cunt who had started shit. The others had taken it in stride when Lucas and I had got close and shit. Hell, some even spoke to us when I had Lucas leaning against my front and an arm across his chest.
It made me feel good. Fuck, it felt like everything was as it was supposed to be in life, and usually, I wasn’t someone who thought crap like that, but I did, and it was because of Lucas.
My Lucas.
Someone chuckled beside me. A swift thump in the shoulder followed, and I glared at Death. “Brother, you’re not listenin’ to anythin’ we say. Go get your guy and take him to your room. Maybe then we can actually have a fuckin’ convo.”
“Jesus Christ, you know I’m cool about you bein’ with my brother, but do not fuckin’ talk about them in any bedroom in front of me. That’s my kid brother.”
I chuckled. “Who I’m gonna take to my room,” I told him, smirking. He gave me the finger and stalked off while Death laughed. I quickly made my way over to Lucas, Tech, Kylo, and Torch.
They all stared at me, grinning.
“What?” I asked.
Kylo snorted. “We told him it wouldn’t be long before you were over here, draggin’ him away from all the looks you were givin’ him.”
I shrugged and held my eyes on a blushing Lucas. “They were right.” Reaching out, I
