Dad warned Eagle and me not to tell anyone we date about family business. The only exception to the rule would be for the person we believe to be our soulmate, and only if we’re one hundred percent sure that person will be with us for life. We were to tell them only if we trust that person as we trust each other.
I know that person is Marco. I understand how much of a shock it was, hearing all of that, and that’s why I walked away when he said he needed a moment. But it’s been thirty-five minutes, and I don’t think he’s ready to talk.
Perhaps I should leave, Marco needs space to think about what he wants. Me being in the house right now is not going to help.
I look at myself through Marco’s bathroom mirror and realize I look like shit from crying. I’m not going to leave Marco, but I am going to give him some time. If Marco decides that there is no future for us, then I’ll walk away and never bother him again. I don’t have a clue what that would mean for Dun’s Dungeon, but I know we could work something out.
I’m going to have to put some clothes on in the car. I’m only wearing one of Marco’s t-shirts because we didn’t fetch my bag from the car. Not that it matters now, as long as I put something else on before heading to a hotel. That’s where I’ll stay tonight, and hopefully, Marco will be ready to talk tomorrow.
I open the bathroom door and come face to face with Marco. “There you are. I thought you’d run out on me.” Marco chuckles.
“I was just…” Is all I get out of my mouth before Marco gently presses his lips to mine.
I blink as he pulls away from me and slides his hand to my cheek. “I love you, Ember.”
A stunned smile spreads across my face. “But I thought…”
“You thought that telling me that your mother was once an assassin would change the way I feel about you? Perhaps that your father, brother, and pretty much all of your family are outlaws?”
I nod my head while swallowing hard. “I knew telling you that stuff would come as a big shock. I only told you because I don’t want to keep secrets from you, Marco.” I press my hand to Marco’s chest, and I can feel his heart beating. “My parents’ told my brother and me never to tell anyone their secrets. I never did, Marco, not even Toby. Do you know why?”
Marco shakes his head while tuning a strand of hair behind my ear.
“My parents’ told me that only the person I felt was my soulmate,” I swallow hard again. “Only the person, I trust with my life, and whom I knew I would spend the rest of it with, should I tell those secrets.”
I take Marco’s face in my hands. “I love you so much, Marco. You’re my soulmate; I know that with every part of me. I don’t want to lose you,” I gulp back a sob, and Marco wraps his arms around me, holding me tightly.
He chuckles softly around a kiss to my head. “Ember, you are not going to lose me. Don’t you know how much I love you?” I look up at Marco and nod my head. “I never imagined I could love a woman the way I love you. You are everything to me, Ember. You are more than my soulmate, baby. So your family are crazed killers,” I laugh, causing Marco to laugh with me. “But the fact remains that I can’t see my life without you in it, Ember.”
“Are you sure, Marco? I just mean that even though I never have and will never do those things, I can’t walk away from my family.” I hold my hand up, stopping Marco from replying. “I know you would never ask me to do that,” I smile. “The truth is, deep down, I will always be a Snakes Henchmen girl. We may have Dun’s Dungeon, but I can never really leave the MC, Marco. There is no way out, and I should have explained that to you before I ever let you fall in love with me.”
Marco runs the back of his hand down my cheek. “Sweetheart, nothin’ in this world could have stopped me from falling in love with you. I’m not gonna lie and say that what you’ve told me isn’t daunting and a little bit scary, it is. However, I can put it out of my head, and I can deal with whatever when it comes to you. Just so long as your family don’t expect me to do anything dodgy or join their gang.”
I laugh while shaking my head. “They won’t; I already told them not to involve you in club business. Not that my uncle Jett would when you’re not a member. Rules and all that,” I roll my eyes.
“Then, there is no problem.” Marco smiles before kissing me softly. “I love you, beautiful.”
“I love you, too.”
“I know,” Marco smiles again. “Let’s go to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow.”
I am meeting Marco’s family for the first time.
God, please don’t let me make a fool of myself. Please let me make a good impression on Marco’s family.
* * *
“You look like you’re about to meet and be eaten by crocodiles.” Marco chuckles before kissing me.
I’d be a liar if I said that I wasn’t nervous right now. Meeting a boyfriend’s family is never easy, but this is the man I love and want to spend my life with, I need to make a good impression.
“Do I look okay?” I feel a little over-dressed, but Marco insisted that I wear my forest green cocktail dress and marching silk heels. I was confused as to why I needed to dress up this way, but Marco asked me to trust him, so naturally, I did. I tied my hair in a low ponytail and kept my makeup light, trying to keep things as simple as possible.
“You look amazing, Ember, and you smell,” Marco leans in and sniffs my neck, breathing in my perfume, and making me shudder. “Divine.” He pulls away from me and winks. “Now, how do I look?”
I smile as Marco tugs on the lapels of his black suit blazer. “You look devastatingly handsome, Marco.” At least I’m not the only one dressed up this evening. Marco is wearing a black suit, shirt, and tie, and his dark hair is slicked back. His sun-kissed skin is shining, and my heart beats faster, just looking at him.
“Naturally,” Marco winks, and I roll my eyes with a smile on my face. Marco loves himself so much it’s unreal. “Ready to go in?” Marco offers me his arm - very gentleman-like. I nod my head, take a deep breath, and take his arm.
Marco leads me inside the cozy home of his parents. We walk into the living room, and I’m instantly greeted by eight smiling faces, seven adults, and one child, all impeccably dressed.
“Everyone, this is Ember,”
“Hi,” I smile at them all.
They all smile and wave, saying hello.
“Ember, this is my brother, Jud, and his wife, Callie.”
“Hello,” They say in unison, and I smile in their direction.
“My sister, Rhea, her husband Dave, and their son Macaulay.”
“Hi!” I can’t help chuckling when little Macaulay rushes over and wraps his arms around my waist. “I’m so happy to meet you!”
“Aww,” I stroke his hair. “I’m happy to meet you too, Macaulay.”
He lets go of me when his mother takes his small hand. “You need to let uncle Marco finish introducing Ember, Macaulay.”
“I’m sorry, I just wanted to hug her because she soooo pretty!”
I laugh behind my hand at the little cutie blowing me kisses.
Marco laughs and shakes his head. “Glad you approve, little man.” Macaulay gives Marco a double thumbs-up, making everyone laugh. “Ember, this is my mom, Carol, and my dad, Nic,”
“Nice to meet you, Ember.”
I take Nic’s outstretched hand. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
I’m a little stunned when Carol wraps her arms around me. “Welcome to the family, Ember.”
I smile while hugging her back. “Thank you. I’m happy to be here.”
Carol pulls away from me and cups my cheek. “You’ve made my son so happy,”
“Carol, let go of the girl. It’s time for Ember to meet Nana!”
The elderly woman in the armchair beside the window winks at me. Marco chuckles and wraps his arm around my shoulders.
Marco has a huge smile on his face as he leads me over to his grandmother. “Nana, this is Ember, the love of my life.” I smile at Marco. I love it when he say
s that. “Ember, this is my grandmother, Mary, my mother’s mother.”
Mary holds her hand out to me, and I take it while crouching down to her level. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Lane.”
“Call me Mary, and it’s a pleasure to meet you too, Ember.” She clasps her hand on top of mine. “My grandson was right,”
“About what?” I ask with a smile.
“You are beautiful,”
“So are you,” I wink at Mary, and she laughs loudly.
“Marco?”
“Yes, Nana?” Marco smiles lovingly at his elderly grandmother, and I fall deeper in love with him.
Mary takes Marco’s hand in her left while still holding mine in her right. Marco crouches down next to me. “I approve.” Marco leans in and kisses his grandmother’s cheek, and she smiles.
“It’s time we were leaving, Marco.”
Both Marco and I get to our feet and turn to face his brother. “You’re right,” Marco replies while looking at his watch.
“Where are we going?” I whisper toward him. I wasn’t aware that we’d be going anywhere.
Marco smirks while entwining his fingers with mine. “I have a little surprise for you. Don’t worry; it’s a good surprise.”
I bite the inside of my cheek and floor Marco out of the house. I get into the car and wait while Marco talks with Jud, Nic, and Dave. I don’t know what all of this is about, but I’m nervous and a little scared.
I have no reason to be scared; I know that. But I’ve spent less than half an hour with Marco’s family, and we’re already off to some surprise. I had no warning, and I’m not prepared for any of this.
Calm down, Ember. Marco obviously planned something special for you, so go with it. It’s the least you could do after you threw the man into a party at Snakes Henchmen clubhouse. Marco had never met any of them before, aside from Tank, Eagle, and Hammer. However you feel right now, you can bet Marco was just as nervous.
I take a deep breath and plaster a smile on my face as Marco gets into the car. “Okay, baby?”
I nod with a smile in Marco’s direction. “Never better.”
Chapter Thirty
Marco
“You ready for this, Marco?”
I look over at Jud before looking across the room at my girl. Ember is deep in conversation with Rhea and her best friend, Kimmy. Ember is oblivious to what’s about to happen. I almost feel bad that I’m about to ambush her in front of everyone.
Rhea and Kimmy outdid themselves with the subtle decorations, and the buffet-style food they put on for tonight.
I hired our local bar for a private function, which Ember believes is for Kimmy’s birthday. Of course, it’s not Kimmy’s party; this is all for Ember.
Ember was a little shocked to see Colin and Hannah, Saint and Bob here. I explained how they all knew Kimmy, and so they were invited. Ember seems to have bought the story so far, and she doesn’t seem to be as uncomfortable as she first was, especially as everyone has dressed up.
What if I’m doing the wrong thing?
What if Ember says no?
I suppose I could take her to one side and ask her privately. However, she could still say no.
I feel sick!
“No, Jud, I am not ready for this.” I turn and face the bar with my eyes close. I take a deep breath in through my nose and out through my mouth.
My brother laughs and slaps me on the back. “Stop doubting yourself, that girl is crazy about you. Besides, I’m assuming the two giants who just walked in with the hottest milf that ever lived are Ember’s family.”
I spin on the spot, and my eyes catch Tank’s. He tips his head slightly. I’m pleasantly surprised to see that Tank is wearing a dark suit that compliments his wife’s midnight blue cocktail dress. Eagle is wearing black dress pants, and a black button-down shirt with the top two buttons undone. I roll my eyes at the women staring at him with wide eyes. I can admit he’s a handsome man. He’ll have his pick of the women tonight.
I make my way over to the three of them before Ember spots them. I shake each of their hands one at a time. “Thanks for coming.”
“Do you wanna tell us what this is all about?” Nova asks. “I know my husband knows, but he’s kept us in the dark.”
Tank shakes his head while chuckling at Nova. “All will be revealed soon enough.”
“As if we don’t know.” Eagle mumbles under his breath. I get the feeling he’s not happy about any of this.
“Mom? Dad? Eagle!” I turn my head just as Ember comes rushing over. “Oh, my god!” She throws herself at Tank then Nova, who both hug her tightly. She pulls away from them and hugs her brother. “You all look amazing! Not that I’m not happy, but what are you doing here?”
“Marco invited us. He thought it would be nice for us to join you tonight.” Nova smiles at Ember, who then looks at me.
Ember is a smart girl, and she knows something more is going on here. I have to steer her away from coming events.
“I thought our parents should meet. I know it could have waited until we returned from Europe,” I take Ember’s hand in mine. “But why wait?”
“Of course, if you don’t want us here,” Eagle turns to leave.
“Wait,” Ember lets go of my hand and grabs her brother’s hand. “Don’t go! Of course, I want you here, Eagle. I’m just surprised to see you, and without your cuts.” Ember chuckles. I think she knows why they’re not wearing biker getup.
Ember doesn’t want the public knowing that her family belongs to a motorcycle club. Everything we do is a photo op, and we can’t take chances. Any person here could take a photograph and post it online. If Tank or Eagle were photographed wearing biker cuts and it ended up online, it wouldn’t take five minutes before people realized where Ember came from. Snakes Henchmen MC does not want to be outed for the world to see, and it could mean big trouble for Dun’s Dungeon if they were.
“Who are your guests?”
“Mom,” I smile. “Dad, I’d like you to meet Ember’s parent’s, Tank and Nova. This man is Ember’s younger brother, Eagle. Everyone, this is my mother, Carol, and my father, Nic.”
“I can see that you’re Ember’s mother,” My mom smiles while taking Nova’s hand. My family knew Ember’s would be here tonight, but they don’t want Ember to know that. After all, it’s supposed to be a surprise. “I have to applaud you on raising such a wonderful woman.”
Ember blushes, and a small smile sneak across her lips. I wrap my arm around her waist and kiss her head.
“Oh, thank you. You did a pretty good job with this one,” Nova winks, and my mother laughs.
My dad holds his hand out to Tank. “Nice to see you again, Tank.”
I narrow my eyes as Tank takes my dad’s outstretched hand and shakes. “You too, Nic,”
“Do you two know each other?” Ember asks before I get the chance to.
“We do,” My father smiles. “Your father has helped me out of sticky situations a couple of times in the past.”
“So you know,”
“That he’s VP of Snakes Henchmen MC?” Ember nods while clutching my hand. “I do, and I have no problem with that, Ember. I may not know every Snake, but those I do know have never caused me any problems. I don’t plan on causing any for them either, nor will I tell anyone here that he belongs to a motorcycle club. You have nothing to worry about,” My dad winks at Ember.
I can feel the tension fall from Ember. She’s scared that someone will overhear what my father is saying. Ember looks at me and swallows hard. I give her a look that says, Try not to worry, everything will be okay.
“Now,” My dad turns to Eagle. “It’s not hard to see whose boy you are. You look just like your old man here.”
“Marco,” Ember whispers toward me. “Did you know about this?”
“Not a clue,” My dad has never mentioned knowing any member of any motorcycle club, let alone Snakes Henchmen. “I know you’re worried, but no one will find out who they are, Ember. Trust m
e,” She nods her head, even though I know she doesn’t quite believe it.
“Ember, why don’t we introduce your family to everyone?”
“Okay,” Ember plasters on a fake smile and follows my parents, but not before kissing me. It seems she knows that I won’t be going with her any time soon.
“You and I need to have a word.”
I knew that was coming.
Eagle doesn’t give me a chance to say anything, he walks away, and I follow. Once we’re outside and away from other’s, Eagle turns to face me. “You think what you’re about to do is wise?”
“Depends what you mean,” I fold my arms around my chest.
“Don’t be a prick, Marco. You know exactly what I mean.” I do know what he means, I just didn’t expect to be getting a lecture from my girlfriends younger brother. “Ember is my best friend, and I don’t want you fuckin’ her around. She’s had enough of that to last a lifetime.”
I raise my eyebrow while shaking my head. I’m not angry with Eagle for saying this stuff, he’s looking out for his sister. However, he clearly didn’t believe Ember when she told him about the man I am. “What makes you think I’m going to do anything of the sort?”
Eagle stares at me for a moment. “I don’t think badly of you, Marco. I can see, as well as everyone else how happy Ember has been since the two of you got together. However, the fact you’re about to ask my sister to marry you means I want to make sure this isn’t just a spur of the moment thing.”
I sigh while rubbing my hand over my face. “I’m not gonna lie to you, Eagle, I hadn’t thought much about getting married until it shot out of my mouth the other night. But the truth is, the only woman I can see myself with forever is Ember.” I smile. “Ember is the best thing that ever happened to me, and I want nothing more than to make her my wife. I can’t promise that we’ll never argue, but I can promise that I’ll never hurt her deliberately. I love her, Eagle, I just wish I could express how much.”
“You think my sister loves you the way you love her?”
Ember: Next Gen (Snakes Henchmen MC Book 12) Page 24
