The phone was quiet, just like the room we stood in. No one said a word, and I squeezed Cash’s hand. He let me go, opting instead to pull me against him with his arm around my shoulder. I knew it for what it was. A claim in front of his brothers.
“None from me,” Banshee said.
“Me either,” Win confirmed. I hadn’t met him yet. He was at the ranch helping Banshee protect Aspen.
“Thanks.” Cash disconnected the call and put it back in his pocket. Looking around the room, he asked again, “Any objections?”
Brothers shook their heads, murmuring their nos. Everyone looked at Thorne. My brother stared back at me for a long moment before he finally moved. He walked slowly toward me, brothers parting like the Red Sea.
When he stood in front of me, my neck craned up. He was so tall, and I wondered if our father was tall like him. I would have to ask Dr. Dunaway if he had any pictures. I would like to see what my father looked like.
“Is this what you want, Rosebud?”
I looked up at Cash, his expression blank. In that moment, I knew he needed to be claimed as much as I did. I looked back at my brother, who I had been separated from for ten years, and I rolled my lips between my teeth. I was having trouble saying the words.
My eyes filled with tears, and I got angry. When would I be able to feel without crying?
And why was I crying?
Because I realized in that moment that Cash meant more to me than my brother did. I would be devastated if Thorne voted against Cash.
“This is what I want.” I choked the words out so quietly that I wasn’t sure he heard me.
Thorne looked at Cash. His vice president. He squared up to him, all hundred and fifty pounds of him. My brother wasn’t muscular like the others in the club. He was tall and fit, but he was lean, and once again I wondered if he was built like our father.
“If you hurt her, VP or not, I will fucking kill you.”
“Thorne,” I hissed.
“She’s my life, Mimic. I would kill myself before I would willingly hurt her. In any way.” Cash’s voice was firm and left no room for argument. Except Thorne apparently didn’t know when to shut up.
“I’m not worried about you hurting her physically. I know she can kick your ass.” Thorne looked back down at me and smiled.
It was the first smile I had seen from my brother since I had found him. Even the first night, when he told me I was the best birthday present ever, he didn’t smile.
I threw myself at him as brothers snickered around us. Everyone congratulated Cash and hugged me. Every brother in the club, except the two that weren’t here, pulled me in for a hug and kissed the top of my head.
“Can we go now?”
“Ryder,” Ellie snapped.
“I’m hungry,” he said, wrapping his arms around Ellie.
“Me too. Let’s go,” I agreed, pulling back from my brother.
Cash held out his hand, and I took it. He squeezed it tight, and I squeezed back. I never wanted to let it go.
“Stop it. My stomach hurts,” I pleaded with Ellie as she told me another story of how Ryder would piss off Cash regarding Rachel.
Stories about Rachel and Cash didn’t bother me; in fact, I loved hearing them. Jealousy was something I knew well. We had a close personal relationship. But I wasn’t jealous of what they had. I envied it. I wasn’t a replacement for Rachel. I wasn’t taking her place; I filled a spot she left open for me.
The amount of fun I had with Ellie, Ryder, and Cash was something I wasn’t sure I had ever experienced. I couldn’t remember the last time I laughed so much.
Ellie shared stories of college with Sypher and Dante. Cash regaled tales of what it was like prospecting for the Silver Shadows, and Ryder introduced us to Diamond Creek residents before the club had moved in.
I shared what I could. I had a few stories of when Thorne and I were kids. But I didn’t want to bring the mood down, so I listened more than I talked.
The bell over the door jingled and when we looked over, Cash groaned.
