Sin & Suffer (Pure Corruption MC #2)(76)

I looked around. Uh, that’s strange.

The garden, where multiple couples had been making out, whispering, and staring entranced into the fire, was empty. The evening was late, but no one had made moves to leave before now.

Movement by the door caught my eye. “There.” I pointed to the Clubhouse as Grasshopper appeared, a large grin splitting his face, something hidden behind his back.

“What the hell are they up to?” Arthur tilted his head, never taking his eyes off the procession of bikers and their women as they emptied out from the Clubhouse, coming to ring around us.

“Whatever you’re up to, quit it,” Arthur growled.

Grasshopper and Mo joined us in the center of the ring created by Pure Corruption. My muscles vibrated. I couldn’t understand what was going on. Was this a mutiny? A double cross?

You only think that because you’ve lived through an uprising. Not all Clubs go against authority—especially the Club Arthur has created.

Crossing his arms, Arthur stood to his full height. “I’m not into séances or whatever shit this is.” His voice bordered on aggression and amusement.

“Calm your f*cking tits, Kill. Let us do this.” Mo grinned.

The Club traded their fussy, foggy drunkenness and sobered with secrecy. Everyone beamed, conspiring as one entity to deliver earth-shattering news.

Mo clasped his hands together as if preparing for a sermon. “Seeing as tonight is the last night we have until all of this is done—a war waged on both bikers and politicians alike—we thought it was a good opportunity.”

“Hopper?” Mo moved to the side, giving Grasshopper lots of room to swing his hidden treasure from behind his back and present it. The parcel rested heavily in his raised hands.

My eyes widened as I looked at Melanie.

She winked.

I think I know what this is …

Grasshopper closed the last few steps and shoved the item into Arthur’s chest. “It’s all you need to make an honest woman out of her.”

I covered my mouth with my hands.

At Dagger Rose, I’d been too young to appreciate the bonds of love and the tether of a family group—even though I’d loved Arthur with all my heart. But this … this was more than just love for one person. This was a welcome, an initiation—an acceptance into a world I knew and forgot for so long.

I belonged here.

I was no longer a stranger.

“Fuck.” Arthur glanced at me, understanding slowly smoking his eyes. He looked at Mo and Grasshopper, then the rest of Pure Corruption. His hands shook a little as he tore open the package.

Forgetting the circle of gawking people, I drifted closer to Arthur, never taking my eyes off his strong fingers as he tore at the cello tape and scrunched up the paper. Tossing the wrapping in the direction of the fire, he revealed a tan leather jacket.

My heart stopped beating.

Grasshopper laughed. “Couldn’t have a Dagger hanging out with us. No offense.”

Arthur cleared his throat as he shook out the jacket, dangling it in his arms. The back faced me and I gasped at the perfection.

Reaching out, I traced the emblem for Pure Corruption with its skull and abacas. Peering closer, I noticed the filigree circle encompassing the logo, threading with Sagittarius and Libra star signs.

And above it all were the words Property of Kill.

I trembled. I never expected to be accepted the way I had been. Never expected to find such a place after being adrift for so long.

Resting my hands on his, I sensed the pressure of his headache, the joy of his excitement, and the sharp tang of his lust.

If we were alone, I would’ve grabbed him and kissed away the lingering worry in his gaze. I would’ve shown him just how much I was already his, regardless if I had a ring, jacket, or marriage license. None of that mattered as long as I got to sleep beside him at night and rise with him in the morning. We were equals. We were each other’s.

“Cleo—” Arthur cleared his throat, his voice scratchy and coarse.

The group surrounding us gathered tighter.

I stood stiffly in front of Arthur. My heart was a runaway rabbit. My body a vibrating engine. I wanted it over with so I could sink into the new leather and find home.

Arthur’s body heat battled with mine. Pressing a swift kiss on my mouth, he murmured, “Turn around.”

Drinking in his green eyes, I struggled to obey. Pirouetting, I faced Pure Corruption.

A rustle, a footstep, then a heavy, welcoming weight fell across my shoulders. “You are no longer a Dagger Rose, but a Pure. From this day forth, you belong to this family, you will honor our rules, you will protect our members, and you will forever be welcome within our walls.”

Arthur wrapped his arms around me, kissing my hairline. His large hand imprisoned my breast, dragging my attention to the glitter of silver. “See … it’s real, Buttercup. Written in thread. You’re mine forever.”

I sucked in a breath as I looked down at the front pocket.

“It’s official now,” Arthur whispered. “The Club has spoken.”

Tears swelled as I read four embroidered words:

Cleo.

President’s Old Lady.





Chapter Twenty-Two


Kill


Everything of value had always been taken from me.

If I showed the slightest affection toward anything, my brother would steal it or my father would ruin it.