Lakota bowed. “It would be an honor.”
Tak pulled him into a hug. “Forget that bowing shit. You’re my brother now.”
They gripped tighter, and Tak knew he would remember this moment for the rest of his life. It was a new beginning, and he could finally close a chapter of his life that had held him for so long in the wrong story.
When they finally broke apart, Lakota looked away and wiped his eyes. “So, are we gonna be a tribe or a pack?”
Tak heaved a sigh. “Tribe is too sacred a word and defines my people who are from the same culture and blood. But we will be a pack like no other. With you and Hope by my side to lead, we’ll rise to power. We’ll form alliances and flourish as a family. I don’t want to discriminate against others. This is my second chance in life, and maybe it will be for someone else.”
“Seems fitting. Our friendship got a second chance, and look where I am now. Second-in-command.” Lakota puffed out his chest. “Think I should get that on a T-shirt?”
Tak patted his cheek and laughed. “Put it on your wish list. We’ll see if that fat man who climbs down your chimneys will bring you one this year.”
“Fat chance,” Lakota said as they strode toward the door. “Mel already said I was on the naughty list.”
Tak grinned. “And you think that’s a bad thing?”
A light blinked by the door, indicating someone was outside.
“Looks like we’re cutting in on someone’s time,” Lakota said.
Tak hung back. “Tell everyone I’ll be out in a bit.”
Lakota looked over his shoulder, his blue eyes darkening like storm clouds. “If you think you’re going to have sex in here with my sister, you can think again.”
When he opened the door, Lorenzo Church was standing on the other side.
* * *
Before Lakota leftTak and Lorenzo alone in the room, he shot Tak a look of amusement. Tak slammed the door in his face.
Lorenzo was dressed similarly to Tak, wearing a black sleeveless shirt and cargos, only his pants were camouflage green, as if he were going to war. His glossy hair draped neatly down his back, and he looked more put together than Tak last remembered. The man turned so that the skull-and-crossbones tattoo stared at Tak like an ominous warning.
Tak cleared his throat. “Can I get you a drink?”
Lorenzo gave him a sharp look. “Do you still drink?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because it makes men weak.”
Lorenzo turned and folded his arms. “Are you trying to make me weak?”
This was going all wrong.
“I haven’t touched a drop since the accident,” Tak explained.
“And yet you serve it to others.”
“I can’t control what other people do.”
Lorenzo lifted his chin and looked at him for a long time. He was a stern-looking man who clearly liked having the upper hand. Years of leading a pack will do that to an alpha. So Tak waited.
For what seemed like centuries.
Lorenzo widened his stance and tipped his head to the side. “Why did you ask to meet me here? And I don’t mean this bar, but this room. You don’t think people around here talk when they see a Packmaster going into one of the private rooms? Are you trying to sully my reputation?”
