Endurance

by Georgia Cates

  Ellison’s body jerks with every thrust as she watches my reflection fuck hers in the mirror. My balls tighten and I empty myself inside her as I press my forehead to the bare skin of her shoulder. “Ohh. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”

  I press my forehead into the back of her hair and savor the feel of her body squeezing my cock before pulling out and grabbing the hand towel to clean the semen running down her legs. “You’re wearing my brand tonight.” And although the brothers won’t know, I will. I will know she’s wearing my brand.

  I clean myself when I finish with her and toss the towel into the hamper. “Ready?”

  Ellison is looking at me with anger in her eyes. “Ah, baby. I’m sorry I didn’t make you come.” That was selfish of me.

  I push my hand between her legs. “Come here and I’ll take care of you.”

  “We don’t have time.”

  “We’ll make time.”

  Ellison fetches her knickers from the floor, steps in, and yanks them up. “Filling me with your cum so you can feel like you’ve marked your territory was unnecessary. You own me, Jamie. All of me. I don’t know what part of that you don’t understand.”

  Shit. Shit. Shit.

  She’s fuming.

  And I’ve fucked up. Big time.

  Ellison leaves the bedroom without another word and I find her waiting in the Range Rover. I get in and grip the wheel as I search for the words I need to say so I can fix this.

  “I fucked up, Mac. I’m so sorry I let a streak of jealousy get the better of me. I don’t know how to do this. You and me. It’s foreign.”

  “Your jealousy is unwarranted. I don’t want this party. I don’t want to be introduced to the brothers tonight. I don’t want to be put on display for them to appraise and evaluate as a contender to be their wife. I want us. I. Want. You.”

  I hear her devotion. I believe in it. But my confidence is shaken every time I think about tonight and what’s going to happen.

  She could end up with someone else. And tonight could be beginning.

  It would be no fault of hers. This will all be on me if I don’t come up with a way to safely have her as my wife. “I’m sorry I was an arse. Please forgive me, Mac.”

  “I don’t mind you being jealous or possessive or territorial. I like it. But the way you fucked me just now seemed more about them than us. I’m not down with that.”

  Every word she just said is true. “I get it. And it won’t happen again. Promise. When we’re together, it’ll be about us and no one else.”

  “Promise me, Jamie.”

  “I swear.”

  Thane and Isobel’s property is filled with Fellowship members. Each and every one of them are in the dark about why they’ve been summoned to their leader’s home.

  Ellison and I leave the main house and go out back to the huge canopy Isobel uses when there’s a Fellowship event at her home. Isobel and her events. Always making a formal gathering out of everything. At least she didn’t turn this one into a formal dinner.

  The attention of every Fellowship member—both male and female—is captured when we approach. “Oh God, Jamie. They’re staring at me. Every one of them.”

  “You’re a new face to most of them. That doesn’t happen often around here.” The only new people who show at Fellowship events are babies and new members who’ve undergone endurance to join.

  “This doesn’t feel like a good kind of attention. I don’t like it.”

  I see some not-so friendly expressions but all of those are from women. The men look quite welcoming.

  “You’ve been hidden away from them for months. It’s only natural they’d be curious about you and why you’re here.”

  “I feel like I have three heads.”

  “You only have one and it’s quite a lovely head. I’m sure that’s what they’re all thinking.”

  I’m a little surprised by Ellison’s reaction to gaining everyone’s attention. I would have expected her to enjoy being the center of attention.

  “I wish you could hold my hand or put your arm around me.”

  “Me too, babe.” She has no idea how much I’d like to do that. Show all of these fuckers that she’s mine.

  “Elli!”

  I’m relieved—and I know Ellison is as well—when Bleu approaches.

  “Oh, Elli. You look stunning. Love the dress.” Ellison is sexy as fuck tonight. That isn’t helping with the way I feel about Sin introducing her to the brotherhood tonight. He’s going to tell them she wants to join us and one lucky bastard gets a crack at her.

  “I wasn’t sure what to wear but you can never go wrong with black, right?”

  “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 t
rying 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.

  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?”