“Absolutely.”
“How do we prove it?”
“The four men who brought the dead sisters to our doorstep are dumb fucks. They didn’t even cover their faces. I have them on video.” My father holds up a remote, and a video begins playing on the large flat-screen. “I don’t know who they are, but one is marked.” He zooms in on the neck of one of the men. “There… behind his ear. He wears the symbol of The Order.”
“Someone will know who they are.”
“I think it’s time we hold another meeting with our new people, all of them, to demonstrate what happens when someone commits treason. I’m going to put out the word that we are having a party tomorrow night. Every member of The Order must be in attendance. When it’s over, everyone is going to have a full understanding of the way things are going to be from now on. They won’t dare to cross us again.”
“There are many Order members working inside the compound. I’m concerned one of them might try to harm Westlyn. I think it’s wise to keep her by my side until this is handled.”
“I know it goes against our plan, and you’re not going to like it, but I think Westlyn needs to return to The Fellowship until we tend to our affairs within The Order.”
No fucking way. “She is my mate. Mine to protect. She will stay by my side.” No other way makes sense. “I did not claim her only to return her to The Fellowship.”
“Westlyn is yours to protect, and that’s exactly what you’ll be doing by sending her back to her people for safekeeping until this problem is rectified.” My father hesitates. “You’ll be apart for no more than a few days.”
“I’ll appear weak in their eyes if I send her back for the purpose of protection.”
“No, son. They’ll see you for the strong leader you are. The leader who does what is necessary to protect your mate even when that means admitting that the safest place for her may be somewhere other than next to you.” That’s not how this feels. “This would be a different situation if we were dealing with The Syndicate. We’d have security we trusted, but this is The Order and your mate is Fellowship. She’s hated. And she may not be safe here until we use our iron fist to take control of this brotherhood.”
“What if The Fellowship won’t let me have Westlyn back? What then?”
“That isn’t going to happen. You’ve had her.”
Damn right, I’ve had her. And I’m not done having her.
“It’s possible you’ve already sealed your bond. They won’t refuse to return your claimed mate to you.”
“I won’t give her up. If I have to perch on top of Thane’s house and snipe every Fellowship brother down, I will.”
“I trust that it won’t come down to that.”
Westlyn Breckenridge is mine.
I will go to fucking war with The Order, The Fellowship, or whoever for her if I must.
Chapter 12
Westlyn Breckenridge
I stand in the closet and look through the pieces of lingerie hanging there. Another ivory silk gown. A black one. A red. A floral. Some of it is downright naughty. And I’m excited about wearing it… but after I’ve had more time with Kieran. I’m not brave enough to go there just yet.
I’m slipping into the black silk gown, no panties, when there’s a knock at the door. “Who is it?”
“Kieran’s sister.”
He told me that she isn’t supposed to have contact with me until her behavior changes. I somehow think showing up at the door while Kieran is gone isn’t a good indicator that has happened.
I put on the gown’s matching robe. “Hurry up and let me in.”
I open the door and a streak of white-blond hair darts into Kieran’s suite. Shaw Hendry is the complete opposite of Kieran in every way. Tiny. Fair. Delicate. She’s easily one of the most unique beauties I’ve ever seen. “Are you Westlyn Breckenridge? From The Fellowship?”
“I am.”
“Thank God I was able to get to you while the council is meeting. I’m Shaw, and it’s lovely to meet you. I’m sorry to ambush you this way, but my brother is being a total asshole about introducing us.”
This isn’t what Kieran ordered. His sister is blatantly going against his orders, and I’m afraid that’s going to cause a problem. “It’s nice to meet you too, but I don’t want Kieran to be angry because you’re here.”
“Oh, fuck Kieran.” I think I recall saying something very similar not so long ago. “I’m here because I need to talk to you.”
She crosses her arms. “In case you don’t know, I’m the other half of the marriage treaty. I’m being forced to marry a Breckenridge.”
“Kieran told me, and he says that you aren’t happy about it.”
“Fuck no, I’m not happy. I’m mad as hell. Aren’t you?”
“I was.”
She looks bewildered by my answer. “How can you not still be pissed off?”
“Our circumstances are different. I had no prospects for a husband from within my brotherhood. I never had the intention to marry a Fellowship man. Of course, I wasn’t happy about being kidnapped and threatened and told who I was going to marry, but it turns out that I think Kieran and I are compatible.”
“I’ve been raising hell for a week, but I don’t think I’m going to get out of marrying Jamie or Mitch.”
I hope she doesn’t prefer Jamie over Mitch. “You won’t marry my brother. Jamie is already in love with someone. He will not give her up even for the good of the brotherhood.”
“Then that leaves me with Mitch. I need to know everything about him. Good or bad, I want to hear it all. Because I’m losing my mind thinking about marrying a man whom I’ve never met.”
Kieran says that Shaw has been irrational, but I see only a scared girl. “Mitch is kind and considerate and respectful. He’s slow to anger, but once he gets there, you better look out because he’s a beast. He may be the second-born son, but he is strong and loyal and dutiful to the brotherhood.”
“How old is he?”
“Just turned twenty-four.”
“Is he hideous-looking? Please don’t lie or sugarcoat it.”
I can’t control my laughter. “No. Mitch is a handsome man. Tall, muscular, fit. Dark hair. Deep brown eyes, but not nearly as dark as Kieran’s. Mitch’s are a rich shade of brown, like warm chocolate. All of the Fellowship women think he’s very good-looking. They’d all love to be claimed by him, but he’s never found one to interest him.”
“He’s not gay?”
“No. Mitch is definitely not gay.”
“I don’t think I’d mind him being gay. At least then he wouldn’t want to have sex with me.” She frowns and shakes her head. “I just can’t imagine doing it for the first time, or any time, with a man I don’t know.”
“It sounds crazy, and I don’t know how to explain it, but being intimate with Kieran doesn’t feel like being with a stranger.”
“I don’t understand how that’s possible. He is a stranger. You’ve just met.”
“We have this crazy, intense sexual chemistry. It’s out of this world. I guess it fuels the relationship.” I’m not sure what will happen between us after it plateaus.
“Don’t be fooled by my brother. He can be sweet when he wants to be, but he’s an asshole when it comes to women.” She doesn’t know the half of it. “They fall all over him like he’s some kind of king, and he doesn’t care whose heart he breaks as long as he gets what he wants.”
“Your brother has already clearly demonstrated what an asshole he can be. And I showed him what a bitch I can be, but we’ve talked and come to an understanding.”
“What kind of understanding?”
“If we must be married for the good of our brotherhoods, we’re going to make the best of it. Our marriage is going to be real.”
“Kieran has already claimed you?”
“Yes.”
“You were a virgin?”
“I was.”
“Was it horrible?” This poor girl looks terrified.
“I hate asking because it was with my brother, but what was it like?”
“Have your friends not told you about being claimed?”
“None of my friends have been claimed, and I’m not allowed to associate with girls who would allow men to bed them. My parents have sheltered me.”
Wow. This girl really has been guarded by Lennox and Arabella.
“I know the feeling all too well. My father threatened every brother within The Fellowship with severe mangling or death if they so much as looked my way.”
“Same. The men of The Syndicate acted as though I didn’t exist. I don’t know if it’s because they found me revolting or because they feared the wrath of my father and brothers.”
The only daughter with four very large older brothers. I can see where that would be intimidating for a boy who was interested in Shaw.
“You’re a beautiful girl. Surely you must know that no man could possibly find you revolting.”
She shrugs. “I have no way of really knowing when they avoid me like the plague.”
“I can promise you that Mitch will not find you revolting. He’ll think you are the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen.” They’ll make a very cute couple.
“You haven’t told me what the claiming was like. Please… I need someone besides my mother to tell me what’s going to happen.”
It’s awkward telling my young sister-in-law about being claimed. And it’s more awkward to tell her that I was really into it because her brother made me so horny. Definitely need to tone that part down. “Kieran wanted to make it good for me. He went slow and was gentle. I won’t lie to you. It still hurt… but not for long. A minute at most. The pleasure made me forget about the brief moment of pain.”
“I know his duty was to seal your bond. Do you think he did?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure about the timing because I haven’t been keeping up with my cycles.” If it didn’t happen, I suspect it will soon.
“It’ll be Mitch’s duty to seal our bond as soon as possible, but I don’t want to have a baby right now. Do you?”
“I’d prefer to wait, but I’m okay with it if it happens.” Actually, after being around Sin and Bleu’s babies, I might be more than okay with it.
“I’m not okay with it. Not even a little.”
“Your feelings might change if things go well between you and Mitch.”
“Do you really think things could go well between us?”
“If you’d asked me before tonight, I’d have said no. But after being claimed by Kieran, I know it could go very well.”
Shaw is younger, but her circumstances are different than mine. Better in a lot of ways. She’s been told by her family what’s going to happen. She’ll be delivered to Mitch, not stolen by him. Or threatened. Her family is encouraging this union. Her marriage to Mitch has real potential. “If anyone understands your uneasiness, it’s me. I truly believe that you could be happy with Mitch. Especially if you’re inclined to make it work, even a small bit.”
The door opens, and Kieran stills when he sees Shaw. “What the fuck are you doing in here?” His voice is a roar. A growl. So loud it’s nearly deafening. “I ordered you to not have contact with Westlyn until I said it was permitted.”
Shaw stands in place, saying nothing. I think terrified. Or pissed off. I can’t decide which, but I feel the need to shield her from Kieran’s wrath. “Don’t be angry. She just wanted to meet her new sister-in-law.”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to protect me from this asshole.”
“Watch your mouth, Shaw. Despite what you may think, you’re not too big or old for me to belt.”
“You’re not my father.”
“And you’d better be damn glad of that because I wouldn’t overlook your bullshit as he does.”
Shaw bats her lashes and grins. “I have Dad wrapped around my little finger, don’t I?”
“Not for much longer. Your arse is getting carted off to The Fellowship in four days.”
“In four days?” The color leaves Shaw’s face. “You’re lying. Trying to piss me off for disobeying your order to keep away from your fiancée. And all because I have a brain and an opinion about what I want for my life.”
“You were born into the wrong family if you want to call the shots in your life. And I’m not lying. You’re going to The Fellowship in four days.”
“We’ll fucking see about that.” Shaw marches toward the door and yanks it open, slamming it closed on her way out.
“That’s the reason that I forbid her from seeing you. I knew she would behave like a brat.”
“She’s upset, and she has every right to be. No one wants to be told what they must do, and even more so when it involves marriage and sex. I bet you didn’t react well to being told you must marry me.”
“I damn sure wasn’t happy, but I didn’t throw a temper tantrum.”
“She’s an eighteen-year-old girl who has been with her mother her whole life. You’re a twenty-eight-year-old man who was taken from your mother and reared by your father and grandfather to become a powerful leader. Big difference.”
“True, and Mum has coddled her. I love Shaw, but she can be a brat when she doesn’t get her way.”
“She’s the baby and the only daughter with four older brothers. I’d be shocked if she weren’t spoiled and bratty.”
“Enough about Shaw. There are more pressing things to discuss.” Kieran takes my hand in his and tugs. “Come. We need to talk.”
We need to talk. Nothing good has ever followed those words.
I sit next to Kieran on the bed, and he cups his hands around mine. “Two Order women were killed and dumped on the steps of our compound tonight. Some of the brothers have come forth and placed blame on The Fellowship. They demand blood.”
“The Fellowship didn’t do that. You have to make them understand that it had to have been another brotherhood; neither Thane nor Sin would have ordered that.” It’s not our way.
“It wasn’t another brotherhood. It was The Order.”
“Are you sure?” I know The Order is ruthless, but that would mean that they killed two of their own women to frame The Fellowship. That takes a special kind of evil.
“The stupid fuckers who dumped the bodies were caught on camera. We’ve not identified them, but we’ve studied the video. One of them was inked in the space behind his ear with the mark of The Order.”
“These people are monsters.” And I’m going to be married to the man who leads them. What if he and his father can’t reform them? That’s more than a little frightening.
“A plan has been set into motion to reveal the traitors before the entire brotherhood. It’s happening tomorrow night.”
“Good. They deserve everything they get.”
“Something else to discuss. I asked, or rather I told, The Fellowship that I wanted three days with you and Ellison so that I could choose which one of you I wanted as my wife. Technically, that time won’t be up until Monday night, but I’m taking you back early.”
I don’t understand. He’s claimed me as his mate. “Why?”
“I need you to be in a safe place when our plan plays out, and that’s not here.”
“What’s going to happen?” Kieran looks at me, saying nothing. Looking so torn. “I’m not the enemy.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you.”
“Then what is it?”
“I wanted more time for you to come to know me before I told you who I am to my brotherhood. And what I do.” He has that same pained expression as he had this morning.
“Are you talking about your contribution to the brotherhood?”
“Aye.”
“I’m not a stranger to contributions and what they are.”
“Sinclair is a lawyer. Mitch is an accountant. Jamie is a doctor. I’m none of those things.”
“I never thought you were.” Kie
ran grimaces and lowers his face, breaking our eye contact. “Whatever it is, you can tell me. I promise it’ll be okay.”
He lifts his face and our eyes connect again. “I’m an assassin. I have one job, and it’s to kill anyone who becomes a problem for the brotherhood.”
Fuck.
That’s not what I expected to hear.
“This morning’s killing wasn’t unplanned? You went there to gun down those men?”
“They were a problem for us, and I took care of them.”
“And you’re going to take care of the men who killed those women and dumped them here to frame The Fellowship?”
“I am, along with anyone else who tries to be an obstacle in setting this brotherhood on a better course. Tomorrow night could turn into a bloodbath, but no Order member will walk away unclear about the way this brotherhood is going to function going forward.”
“You’ve killed a lot of people?”
I hate hearing that question, but I won’t lie to her. “Yes.”
“How many?”
“I don’t keep a count because it’s better if I don’t know.” Some brothers are proud of their kills. They proudly display the numbers with ink on their skin. I’ve never understood that.
“How long have you been doing it?”
“My first kill was ten years ago.”
Only eighteen when he took his first life. Still a kid. “Killing bothers you.” I could see how deeply affected he was when he returned from shooting those men.
“I’m not immune to taking lives. If I ever am, then I’ve become a savage animal who should be put down.”
I’m surprised by how much those words disturb me. “Don’t say that.”
“An executioner is always in danger of losing his empathy and humanity. I don’t want to become that person.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
“My question for you is this: can you accept a killer as your husband?”
“You aren’t defined by your contribution.” I lean forward and place a kiss against his lips. “I will accept you as my husband just the way you are.”
“I’m a dreadful person who does vile things.” He closes his eyes and presses his forehead to mine. “I don’t deserve you.”
Sin Series Stand-alone Novels Bundle: Endurance, Unintended, and Redemption Page 33
