“Right.”
“Where are my babies?” Ellison’s voice rises a little higher when she says the word babies.
Bleu turns and scans the crowd. “Hmm. Looks like Westlyn is holding Liam. Lorna has Harrison annnd… Alanna has Lourdes.”
“Alanna? Is that the girl from the defense class?”
“That’s her.”
“Wow. That kid has grown up a lot since the last time I saw her.”
“Alanna’s such a sweet girl. She wants to help with the babies for a couple hours each day after school. I think I’m going to let her.”
“You should, Bleu. I’m sure that would be fun for her and a nice break for you.”
Ellison touches my arm, wrapping her fingers around it—an intimate gesture exchanged between lovers. I like it very much but she shouldn’t do that in public. “I’m in withdrawals. I have to go see my babies. It’s been four days since I saw them. Four. Days. I’ve never gone that long without kissing their chubby little baby cheeks.”
“Then I think you need to go kiss some chubby little baby cheeks. Go on, and I’ll catch up in a sec,” Bleu says. She wants to talk to me.
Ellison makes her way through the crowd, causing a chain reaction of people turning their heads to watch her. “She piques interest.”
“Doesn’t matter where Ellison goes. She always does that.” Not a good quality when you need to fly below the radar.
“Your sister is something.”
“My sister is something to live with. How’s that going?”
“Only two days in… but I like it.” I like it far more than I should.
“She has lots of stuff, doesn’t she?”
“Fuck. Yes.”
Bleu laughs. “Beauty products are an addiction for her. Always have been.”
“She has a bottle of something for every little thing.” I put my hand to my chin. “But I’m very well moisturized, don’t you think?”
Bleu laughs again. “Yes, Jamie. You look well moisturized.”
Sin appears and punches my upper arm. “You ready to do this?”
I know what he’s talking about but I don’t want to acknowledge it. “The infirmary announcement?”
“No. Watch the feeding frenzy when I announce your girlfriend will be available for claiming in a few weeks.”
He knows I’m not going to handle this well. “That was a shite thing for a best mate to say.”
Sin shrugs. “It’s shite because that’s what you’ve made it.”
The longer we wait, the more my chest tightens. “I’ve never been one for procrastination so how ’bout you do this, and we get it over with already?”
“Last chance to make a claim on her before she goes up on the block.”
“Make the fucking announcement.”
“I’m not asking again. You’ve had your chance.”
Sin walks toward the podium and for a split second I consider going after him. Telling him to not do it. Instead, announce that I’ve taken a mate.
But I don’t.
Fuck. Only had her for a few days and I have no idea how I’ll find the strength to let her go if it comes down to that.
Bleu’s eyes are saturated with disappointment. I think I might even see tears forming there. “You’re going to break my sister’s heart.”
“That’s not what I want.” I’m trying to find a way to make it work, Bleu. I swear I am. “But I can’t sacrifice her safety to keep from hurting her.”
“You give yourself too little credit.”
“I’m a doctor. My recent years have been spent in a classroom and hospital. Not in the crossfire gaining the experience I’d need to protect her.”
“You’re Fellowship, Jamie. You have all the experience you need to keep her safe. And you have four weeks to figure that out before another man steps forward to take her. I’m hoping you’ll come around. It would be a shame for you to spend the rest of your life regretting this decision.”
I’d rather regret seeing her with another man than regret taking her life into my hands and something happening to her.
Sin takes front and center on the raised platform and our people give him their undivided attention. Here we go.
“Good evening, Fellowship members. It’s with great pleasure that we call you together tonight to make a couple of new and exciting announcements.”
Sin finds Ellison in the crowd and motions for her to join him on the platform. “This is my lovely sister-in-law, Ellison MacAllister, Bleu’s sister from the U.S.”
A soft murmur spreads across the crowd and it’s impossible to not make out some of the comments around me:
“She’s beautiful.”
“She’s so bonny.”
“She doesn’t look like Bleu at all.”
“She’s fucking hot.”
“I’d love to get between those legs.”
“Would you take a look at those tits?”
I spin around to see who made the last few comments. A trio of young wankers with big gobs. I bet neither have more than three hairs on their balls. “Keep your fucking comments to yourself and listen to your leader.”
The trio goes silent and stares ahead. Gobs shut.
Sin continues, “You may or may not know that Ellison has been living among us for the past nine months.”
The murmurs around me grow louder but at least this time there are no fuck comments made.
“She was unaware of The Fellowship’s existence until several months ago. Bleu and I had every intention of keeping the brotherhood secret, but that proved impossible one night when a situation presented in our home while Ellison was there.”
Sin’s talking about the night Leith was shot. That was the first time Ellison and I worked on a patient together. It’s when I recognized how much stronger my attraction had grown for her since our first meeting.
“There was no going back from that moment. Following the incident, Bleu and I spoke in-depth with Ellison about The Fellowship. She had already expressed interest in staying in Edinburgh permanently so I wasn’t surprised when she made the decision to become one of us.”
The multiple female voices around me buzz with displeasure:
“Great. Just what we need. A shiny new toy for the brothers.”
“And one with a face and body like that.”
“No one tried to put up a fight for Bleu because she belonged to Sin but the brothers are going to fight over this one. No doubt.”
“Paden is so close to claiming me. I hope this doesn’t change his mind.”
I want to tell the grumbling women around me to ease up. Their men aren’t going to make a claim on Ellison if I have a say about it.
“We have a battle approaching. I need every able-bodied brother fighting so I can’t allow anyone to stand in Ellison’s place for endurance until after the takeover.”
“Will you allow me to claim her now and postpone endurance until after the takeover?”
What. The. Fuck?
I turn to the brother who just called out to Sin from the back of the room. Logan Breckenridge. Our second cousin. Grandson of our grandfather’s younger brother. A Breckenridge by blood. He actually has more claim than me toward a seat on the council but he’s never made a commotion. Guess he hasn’t been interested.
But he is interested in the woman I love.
I’ve never known Logan to be a drunkard or brawler. He’d probably make a fine mate, but he’s already proven he doesn’t have what it takes to protect his woman against The Order. He doesn’t have what it takes to protect someone like Ellison. No. I don’t trust him to ensure her safety.
Sin looks at me in the crowd and then back at Logan. “Ellison’s official claiming will be postponed until after the takeover as well.”
“Cousin, I’d like to make my interest and intent known now publicly for all to hear. I plan to claim her.”
Grumbles about Logan’s announcement grow louder and at least a dozen brothers voice interest in claiming Ellison. I
want to choke the fuck out of all of them.
“I’m sure my sister-in-law would like to meet and become acquainted with any brother vying for her. You’re welcome, and encouraged, to introduce yourself tonight but formal intentions won’t be considered until after the takeover.”
This whole night is about to turn into a shite show when the brothers are turned loose on Ellison.
“Now for the second part of the announcement. There will be injured brothers when the takeover occurs. It’s an unfortunate aftermath of war, but we’re fortunate enough to have a skilled physician who will be on hand to treat the wounded.”
I go to stand front and center between Sin and Ellison when he motions for me to join them on the platform.
“Jamie is going to tell you about his proposal.”
I take the microphone from Sin, and without any thought, pace the platform from one side to the other just as he does when he speaks. “I have concerns for long-term, following the takeover. I have proposed a Fellowship infirmary—something along the lines of an emergency room—where I can treat you and have the needed supplies and acceptable equipment on hand. Like a medical bed instead of my sofa. And you’ll have a proper nurse assisting me with your injuries.
“Ellison is a highly experienced emergency room and trauma nurse so I feel very lucky she will be joining me at the infirmary. She and I have spent the week converting a house into The Fellowship’s new clinic. I’ll be living there full-time so I’m available to you when needed.”
Do I also announce that Ellison will be living there with me? Doing so could cause problems with suitors.
“Ellison will be living at the clinic full-time as well, so we’re able to provide the best possible care for you.”
I smile on the inside, knowing I just caused everyone to wonder what will be going on between us behind the closed doors of the clinic.
Sorry, not sorry.
I return the microphone to Sin. “That concludes tonight’s announcements. Eat, drink, and have a great time.”
Ellison reaches for my hand and I help her down from the platform. “You announced to everyone that we’re living together.”
“They were going to find out anyway. Better to own it now.”
Her grin tells me she doesn’t buy that explanation. At. All.
We’re barely off the platform when my cousin Logan approaches. “Good evening, Jamie. Would it be all right if I stole Miss MacAllister away for a moment?”
We both know he has no intention of returning her to me. He’ll hold her captive until the next brother mans up and comes along to ask if he can steal her away. It’s how this game is played.
I’m not in a position to say no. Or act like this bothers me. “She’s all yours.” Fuck, I hate those words. I hate those words. I hate that one day I might say them and never get her back.
This night is definitely about to go to shite for me. There’s only one hope for not losing my mind.
The bar.
Chapter 6
Ellison Macallister
I’d like to make my interest and intent known now publicly for all to hear. I plan to claim her. Wow. I wasn’t expecting anyone to publicly express interest in me. And I sure wasn’t expecting a brother to ask if he could claim me now.
The man knows nothing about me. Why would he do something like that?
“Miss MacAllister, I would like to formally introduce myself. I’m Logan Breckenridge.”
“Breckenridge?” I’ve never heard Bleu mention Breckinridges beyond the ones I’ve met. Logan must not hold a powerful position in The Fellowship.
“Yes. Sin and I are second cousins.” I’m attempting to sort out the different options of how that lineage might fall when he answers my unspoken question. “Thane’s father was my grandfather’s older brother.”
Logan grins and something in his expression reminds me of Sin. Maybe something around the eyes. I can’t quite place my finger on it, but it’s very attractive. “I could tell you were trying to figure out the connection.”
“It may sound silly but I was actually wondering if Fellowship cousins are the same as familial cousins. I see now they are.” I offer my hand for a shake. “I guess you already know I’m Ellison MacAllister. It’s nice to meet you.”
Logan is a handsome man. Dark hair and eyes. Tall with broad shoulders and what appears to be a muscular chest beneath his shirt. He’d be just my type—and probably someone I’d pursue—if I weren’t in love with Jamie.
“It would be an honor if you’d have this dance with me.” Shit.
Dancing with Logan will not sit well with Jamie. At least I don’t think it will. It shouldn’t if he cares about me at all. I don’t want Jamie to be okay with me dancing with Logan or any other man vying for me.
I don’t want to be that bitch who rubs other men’s interest in me in Jamie’s face, but maybe he needs to see me with another man. Maybe he needs a small taste of what it will feel like if he allows another man to claim me. It’s just a dance—a safe way for him to see how he’ll feel seeing another man’s hands on me.
“I’d love to.”
The band is playing a rendition of “Oceans” by Seafret. The only reason I’m familiar with it is because Bleu introduced me to that band months ago. The song describes Jamie and me so well.
Logan pulls me closer than I’d like when we’re on the dance floor. Yep. That’s definitely a muscular chest pressing against me.
“How long have you been a nurse?”
“A little more than five years.” Nursing is such a huge component of my life. Not having that piece of my identity for the last ten and a half months has left a void. I’m excited to get back in the saddle.
“It’s no wonder Jamie recruited you to be his nurse. You’ve probably seen a lot.”
“You have no idea.” You don’t really know what human beings are capable of until you see what comes through the ER.
“Your work at the infirmary is honorable, but it won’t continue if you become my wife.”
Whoa. Hold on just one mutha-humping minute. I don’t know this man. We’ve spoken all of two minutes and he thinks he’s going to tell me what I can and can’t do?
I understand my circumstances aren’t normal. I will be claimed by someone, but neither Logan or any other brother, owns me. No man, Fellowship or otherwise, will give me limitations.
“Logan, I’m twenty-eight years old. I took complete responsibility for myself when I was twenty-two so I’ve been doing as I damn well please for a while now. I’m not really in a place where I’m interested in obeying orders from anyone. Especially when it’s someone I don’t know.”
Logan smiles, appearing amused by my words. “Defiant much?”
Defiant doesn’t even begin to describe me. “I’m not obedient or compliant or submissive. At. All. If that’s what you want or expect in your mate, then you should probably reconsider making a claim on me.”
“Your resistance is fascinating. I’ve never been around a woman like you.” I’m sure he hasn’t from what Bleu has told me about Fellowship women in general.
“I’m confused by why you’d claim and marry me when you don’t know me at all.” What if he disliked me? What if we didn’t get along at all? It would be miserable for both of us and there’d be no way out.
“I’m not interested in any of The Fellowship women. And I miss being married.”
Divorce doesn’t exist in The Fellowship so there’s only one other alternative for why Logan is no longer married. “What happened to your wife?”
“The Order.”
Oh, God. His wife was murdered?
It’s yet another reminder of the true danger that accompanies becoming one of these people. Jamie’s concern for my well-being isn’t unfounded. My safety will always be at risk.
“We had just found out the week prior that she was pregnant with our first baby. We were so happy.”
Logan lost his wife and child. What do you say to that? “I’m so sorry.”
“I loved Emilia and our unborn child with all my heart. I’ve mourned their deaths for five years but it’s time to move on. I’m ready to take another wife and start my family.”
I could potentially end up with this man if Jamie doesn’t come around, and all I can think about is what a poor replacement I am for a woman and child he loved with all his heart. “I’m sorry for your loss, Logan, but I don’t understand this. By your own admission you were married to a woman you loved with all your heart. Why would you be willing to settle for a marriage with someone you don’t know?”
“My marriage to Emilia was arranged. I barely knew her when we wed, and I came to love her very much. I’m certain I would come to love you as well.”
Logan seems like a nice guy—and his offer is wonderful, considering the circumstances. After everything Logan has been through, though, he deserves a wife who isn’t in love with another man. “I think you can do better than me.”
“You need a Fellowship husband and I’m ready to take another wife. It makes sense for us to come together.” Logan touches the back of his hand to my face and drags it down my cheek. “I was immediately attracted to you. I think that’s a great start for a relationship.”
Everything about this feels wrong but I can’t tell Logan I’m in love with someone else.
Logan returns his hand to my lower back and pulls me closer. “Do you want children?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve proven I’m able to father children. And I’m ready for a family. We wouldn’t have to wait to conceive unless that’s what you wanted.”
Holy shit. Conceiving a baby? Are we really having this conversation three minutes after meeting for the first time?
“I’m sure you’d make a wonderful father.”
Claiming. Marriage. Babies. Every word coming out of Logan’s mouth is so archaic. What surprises me though is how this type of primitive language is actually becoming less and less strange the more I hear it.
The song comes to an end and another brother is standing at my side waiting for his turn to dance with me. Logan isn’t shy about giving him a glare I interpret as forget it because I’ve as good as claimed this one.
Complete Sin Box Set Page 77
