And where is Evanna? I thought she’d be here since The Hendrys consider her a potential wife.
“I have my own plan.”
What a relief. “Thank fuck. You don’t know how glad I am to hear that.”
Thane comes into the dining room and takes his seat at the head of the table. “Lennox and Kieran will be here any minute. I understand you have something to tell us before their arrival.”
Westlyn is taking her destiny into her own hands. I highly doubt I’ll ever see something like this from Evanna. She’s content to let Mum run her life for her.
“I do. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the treaty offer and I’ve come to a decision. Ellison isn’t Fellowship. This isn’t her responsibility. She shouldn’t be sacrificed when she isn’t even one of us yet. I’m prepared to marry Kieran.”
What the hell? What. The. Hell? “No fucking way. You’re not marrying him.”
“I am, Jamie. I’ve made up my mind.”
That is the craziest shite I’ve ever heard. “Why would you volunteer to become the wife of a man who brutalized you for three days?”
“You don’t know anything about what happened while I was with Kieran.”
She says his name so comfortably. Like they’re well acquainted friends. Like he isn’t her rapist. “How could I know anything? You haven’t answered your phone. You haven’t been at your flat. You disappeared off the face of the earth.”
I assumed she cut us off because she needed time to herself after the hell he put her through. I think that would be a normal reaction for anyone. But after hearing this, I don’t know.
Ellison is one of her best friends. Maybe she can talk some sense into her. “Tell her this is nuts.”
“Wes. You can’t sacrifice yourself for me again. It won’t be three days this time. It’s the rest of your life. Forever. You’ll never get away from him.”
“I’ve made up my mind. I’m doing this.”
“Then it’s settled. Westlyn will marry Kieran. Which one of you will marry Hendry’s daughter?”
I’m preparing to announce Ellison’s pregnancy when Mitch speaks up. “This treaty dissolves the only complication that has been keeping Jamie and Ellison apart. I’m not in a relationship with anyone, and I don’t have interest in any of The Fellowship women. I’ll take Shaw as my wife.”
Thane nods. “Your decision is the act of a true leader. You make me very proud, son.”
“Not a totally selfless act. I’m really hoping she’s hot.”
One of the guards comes to the doorway. “The Hendrys have arrived, boss.”
“You can escort them in.”
Lennox and Kieran come into the dining room and the younger Hendry’s eyes immediately go to Westlyn. The fucker looks like he could devour her right here and now.
“Gentlemen.” Lennox offers a nod of acknowledgment but Kieran is too busy eye-fucking my sister to offer any form of greeting.
Ellison senses my rage and pats my leg beneath the table. “Calm down,” she whispers.
“Please join us.”
Kieran takes the empty seat next to Westlyn. He rapes my sister and now he torments her further by sitting next to her. The protective big brother inside me wants to go over the table, put him in a chokehold, and squeeze the fucking life out of his body.
“Have you come to a decision about the treaty?”
“Aye. We are pleased to say we have decided to accept. Westlyn has offered herself to be Kieran’s wife—if that’s agreeable with him.”
“Aye. I’m agreeable to taking Westlyn as my wife.”
“I think Kieran and Westlyn will make a good match.” Based on what, motherfucker? This is bullshit.
“And your decision on who will be taking Shaw as a wife?”
“I will,” Mitch says.
“Very good.” Lennox looks pleased. I’m sure having his daughter wed the second son of the leader is more preferable than me—the son of the leader’s adopted brother.
“Kieran and Westlyn will notify the district registrar tomorrow of their intent to wed. Do we agree that the wedding will take place in four weeks?”
“No objection from us,” Thane says.
“Kieran will claim Westlyn tonight unless there are any objections.”
I’m preparing to argue when Westlyn shakes her head and mouths, “Don’t.”
Thane flicks his hand in the direction of the empty chair. “I only see one bride here for exchange.”
“My apologies for Shaw’s absence. I’m afraid she needs a little more time to adjust to the idea of marrying someone she’s never met. She is a Hendry and will fulfill her duty. I will see to it personally.”
I’ve known Mitch his entire life. He isn’t quick to anger but I can see he’s annoyed. “Shaw isn’t the only one marrying a stranger she’s never met. It would have been a nice gesture for her to at least come meet the man volunteering to take her.”
It must be a bleak feeling to know you’re going to marry a lass you’ve never met. What if he’s not attracted to her at all? What if they hate each other? It happens. I think Thane and Isobel simply tolerate one another because they’re too tired to do anything else after so many years of marriage.
“It is my solemn vow that Shaw will be delivered to Mitch by the end of the week.”
“Your daughter clearly isn’t onboard with being a treaty bride.”
“Shaw is young. Headstrong. She has her own ideas about what she wants for her life but I will steer her in the right direction.”
“The lass sounds obstinate. I don’t want a difficult wife.”
“I admit my daughter is stubborn, but she isn’t unbending. I swear to you, Mitch, you won’t find a more beautiful wife within The Fellowship or The Order. And she is pure. Arabella and I have ensured that she will be a virgin on her wedding night. You won’t be disappointed with her.”
I don’t envy the pressure Mitch must be feeling right now.
“I will go through with the marriage.”
“Deliver Shaw to us by Friday, otherwise the agreement is off and we will expect Westlyn to be returned.”
“We want this treaty, Thane. Probably more than you. I give you my word Shaw will be here.”
“Then this meeting is adjourned.”
So Westlyn is carted off to The Order without any kind of insurance? “Wait. I need to know what this means for my sister.”
Kieran reaches for Westlyn’s hand. “She is my mate and will leave with me when we go. I’m claiming her tonight.”
Am I supposed to be fucking okay with this? “I need a few minutes with my sister in private.”
“You can have as many minutes as you like, but Westlyn is mine. It’s been decided.”
What an arrogant arsehole. “You haven’t delivered your end of the bargain, and you’ve not officially claimed her. Nothing is in stone yet.”
Westlyn follows me into the hallway. “You don’t have to do this because you want to save Ellison. We have a plan.”
“It really has nothing to do with Elli. It’s about me and what I want.”
“You want to marry that arsehole?”
“I never had the intentions of marrying a Fellowship man. This works for me.”
“It works for you? Don’t you want more? Don’t you want someone to love?”
“Of course, but you and Ellison are some of the lucky ones. We don’t all find love.”
“I will find you a good match. I will find you a brother you can love.”
“No, Jamie.” I hate the tears in my sister’s eyes. “I can’t stay; I’m ruined with the brothers. Tainted. They all know I was kidnapped and held prisoner for three days. None of them are going to want me. You know this.”
“Fuck. I hate that bastard for what he’s done to you.”
“You don’t have to like him. And neither do I for this treaty to work.”
“I hate this so much.” How do I let my sister leave with a man I don’t trust and be taken to another b
rotherhood in the process? How do I say nothing as he walks away with her as though she’s a possession and not a person?
I don’t know how a treaty works. Will I be allowed to see her? I can’t go without seeing my sister.
“It’s going to be okay. And hey… another perk is Mum will be happy.”
An advantageous marriage. But he’s not in The Fellowship. How could Mum feel this is okay? I’m sure Mum will eat this shite up. Her daughter will be securing a place high on the hierarchy by becoming the wife of a leader. Mum’s grandchildren will be the future leaders of The Order. “You’re gaining status you wouldn’t be able to achieve within The Fellowship so I guess she will be thrilled.”
“Marrying Kieran is for the best. You might not see it right now but you will.”
“I doubt that.”
“This treaty is coming at the perfect time for you and Ellison. The Order is no longer a threat to her with them as our allies. There’s nothing stopping you from claiming her.”
“I’ve already claimed her. We notified the district registrar two days ago of our intent to marry.”
Westlyn propels herself at me for a hug. “I’m so happy for you. Have you told anyone?”
It hasn’t been possible to tell anyone. We haven’t left our bed in three days.
“You’re the first to know, but we’re telling Thane and Sin after the meeting.”
“I’ve wanted this for a while but I’m scared for you. Endurance is bad.”
I saw firsthand how wounded Sin was after he went through endurance. I thought he had lost his mind for doing something like that for a woman. I get it now. “Can’t lie. I’m not looking forward to it, but every blow, every punch, every lash will be worth it for her.”
“I hate that part of The Fellowship.”
“It’s one of the ways we protect ourselves from bringing in untrustworthy outsiders. It’s necessary.”
“I don’t like it but I’ll go along with it because she’s who you want.”
I’d like to stall and keep my sister in this hallway forever but that isn’t possible. “Never hesitate to call on me for anything. Any. Thing. And you better tell me if that bastard mistreats you. I will kill him if need be. Don’t care if it starts a war or not.” To hell with the treaty. I won’t allow that fucker to abuse my sister.
“This treaty is about making allies. Not enemies. He’d be dumb to mistreat me. Plus, you know me. I’m a hard-ass. Not going to put up with bullshit.”
Kieran and Lennox come out of the dining room, and I know this is it. It’s time to say goodbye to my sister. “I love you, Wes.”
“I love you too.”
She is my blood. My instinct is to protect her. It’s damn near impossible to watch him take her when they go. Every fiber within me wants to keep her here where I know she’s safe. But I can’t.
Thane, Sin, and Mitch are already standing and ready to leave when I return to the dining room. “Wait. Before the council leaves, I have an announcement to make.”
The Breckenridge trio gives me their full attention. “Someone needs to call Alec Ferguson and tell him we’re on the way. I’ve claimed Ellison. Made it official three nights ago and I intend on marrying her as soon as our twenty-eight-day wait is over.”
Sin chuckles and comes over to do the half-hug-handshake-bro thing. “About fucking time, J. My wife has been about to lose her mind thinking her sister was going to be married off to someone else because you were being a dumbass.”
Mitch comes to me and offers a half-hug-handshake. “We knew it was only a matter of time. Damn, I know some brothers who are going to be pissed off about this.”
“They can be pissed off. Ellison is mine. Not a one of them is touching her.”
Thane smiles and slaps me on the back. “Kiss your girl goodbye, son. We have a long night ahead of us.”
Panic spreads across Ellison’s face. “They’re taking you for endurance? Now?”
“Aye.”
“I don’t want them to hurt you.”
I chuckle in hopes of lightening her mood. “I don’t want them to hurt me either, but it’s necessary.”
Ellison presses her forehead to mine. “I don’t want you to go through this.”
“A requirement, I’m afraid.”
“God, I love you so much, Doc.”
“I love you too, Mac.”
Ellison lowers her voice. “Shit, Jamie. We just spent the last three days trying to conceive a baby we could use as the glue to keep us together. Unnecessarily.”
“I know. The irony isn’t lost on me.”
“What are we going to do?”
“Same thing we were going to do anyway. You’re going to take a pregnancy test in eleven days. Regardless of the result, we’ll get married in three and a half weeks.”
Ellison looks at the council and then back to me. “Do you want me to be pregnant?”
“I would be very okay with you being pregnant but if you’re not, that’s fine too. It’ll just give us more time for the two of us.”
Sin ends the call to Alec. “Ferguson’s going to meet us there.”
Tears pool in the lower lids of Ellison’s eyes. “Please don’t cry, baby. I can’t stand it.”
She lowers her face. “I’m sorry.”
I put my finger under her chin and force her to look up. “Listen to me. I need you to stay strong. I’m going to need you to be there for me when this is over.”
“I will not leave your side. I’m going to take care of you.”
“Can you handle being at the site when they’re finished with me? I’m going to need an injection to help manage the pain.”
“I will do anything you need me to do.”
I take my keyring from my pocket and hold it up by the small brass key. “I have morphine in a lockbox in the supply closet.”
“Should I give you ten or fifteen milligrams?”
“Use your own judgment.”
“You’ll get fifteen.” Endurance is going to be hell, but I’m positive Ellison will make sure I’m pain free afterward.
“Someone will come for you when it’s almost over so you can be there to inject me. You should expect the worst.”
Ellison launches herself at me and squeezes hard. My shoulder is still tender but I stifle the groan.
“I have to go, baby.”
“Will they come for me soon?”
“It’ll be hours. Probably early morning. Try to rest if you can.”
“You have to go through hours of torment for me?”
“Endurance takes a while. Go home and get the morphine and syringes and then go stay with Bleu and the babies. I don’t want you to be alone while you wait.”
She nods and the movement causes the pooled tears in her eyes to dribble down her cheeks.
How did I get so lucky to marry a woman who loves me? Just like Sin has with Bleu, true fucking love, and something I never thought possible. Not only will she be mine, she will be mine by choice.
I kiss the wetness on both sides of her face before looking at her eyes. “Into me, you see.”
“Into me, you see.”
Alec Ferguson secures two metal chains around my wrists. “You and Sinclair don’t make things easy for me when you go and do this kind of thing.”
“How’s that?”
“Both of you are my leaders and your choices in women bring us to this. You couldn’t do me a favor and choose a nice Fellowship lass?” He chuckles.
“Sorry, Alec. I saw her and it was out of my control.”
“I understand, boss. Miss Ellison is a bonny one.” The chain tightens when he uses a pulley to lift my arms over my head and a searing pain ignites in my shoulder. “I don’t enjoy this. I want you to know that.”
“There’s no hard feelings, Alec. I understand it must be done. I knew that when I made the decision to take a non-Fellowship woman as my wife.”
“Ah, you’re marrying Miss Ellison? That won’t go over well with a lot of the brothers. I
know a few who were looking to claim her.”
“They can kiss my arse. She’s mine.”
“Spoken like a true mate.”
“How many bairns do you have now?”
“Three. Just found out we have another on the way.”
I wonder if Ellison and I will be finding out we have one on the way.
“Congratulations.”
“We weren’t planning to have another so it was a wee bit of a surprise. It’s taken a little while to get over the shock but we’re very happy now. Shona is hoping for another girl to make it two boys and two girls.”
Two boys and two girls. I like that.
Alec pulls the chain until I’m on the tips of my toes. I can immediately tell how the muscles in my legs are going to burn. “I know ye’re familiar with the process,” Alec says.
“Very familiar.” Sin’s endurance was less than two years ago but I remember it like yesterday. I hope I black out from the pain quickly.
He locks the chain in place and I’m dangling like a punching bag. Fitting since that’s what I’m about to become.
Alec has a routine so I’m expecting the first blow when it lands on my lower back over my left kidney. “Uhh…”
Excruciating. It’s the only word I can think of to describe the pain. If I weren’t hanging from the ceiling like a punching bag, I’d fall on the floor into the fetal position. It’s for Ellison. And that makes it worth it. Every. Fucking. Bit.
“There are times when I really hate this job.”
The next jab is over my right lower back. I thought the first blow was bad but the pain with this one is even worse.
Positive imagery. It’s my only hope for making it through this shite.
I close my eyes and imagine my life with Ellison. I see flashes of our life together. Married. Making love. Her giving birth to our first child, maybe in the very near future.
Those beautiful pictures in my head get me through the punches to my back and gut. And then the first lash of the whip bites the skin of my upper back. “Fuck!”
“It’s not as bad if you relax,” Sin says. “The more you tense, the worse the pain.”
I almost forgot Thane, Sin, and Mitch were here.
Complete Sin Box Set Page 89
