“You’re weird,” I mumble.
Sevrin slightly tilts his head.“We’re related.Which means you’ve inherited a tad of our weirdness as well.”
“Just a tad.”I grin, and feel the need to add, “When my mother died, I thought I didn’t have any relatives.My uncle turned out to be my father, and I gained an uncle all on the same day.”
Sevrin reaches out and covers his hand with mine.A warmth spreads up my arm and it feels like a full-blown platonic friendly hug.
“When Fatal brings you to our clubhouse you will meet your grandparents, along with some of your other family members.Not all of us are still living in Lexmore Beach.Some have moved to other places along the shore due to arranged marriages.”
My eyebrows head for the ceiling.“Arranged marriages?”I wonder out loud.“Wait, is that why my mother left, and why I had no clue you guys existed?”
“Every family has issues.What happened between us and your mother is in the past.Besides, nothing we discuss would change any of it.”Sevrin places his mug back on the table.
I narrow my eyes.“Well, if the past isn’t up for debate, how about the future?You’re grouchy every time someone mentions you getting a woman.Do you have an arranged marriage set?”
He stares at me for a few heartbeats and releases a deep sigh.“Fine.Your mother chose the only way out possible by getting pregnant by an outsider.”
“And this doesn’t make me an outsider?”My voice is a mere whisper.
Sevrin’s smile is genuine when he says, “You’re our blood, Norie.The only issue we have is the fact that we can’t share all the family trades and secrets since you didn’t grow up with us and Fatal has claimed you.”
“No arranged marriage for me,” I state.
“What the fuck?”Fatal rumbles as he steps into the kitchen.“The only marriage in your future is with me.”
Sevrin, the idiot, laughs out loud while my eyes practically pop out of my head.
“When are you going back, Sevrin?I think you’ve spent enough mornings with my woman.Fuck.If Norris wasn’t still out there, I’d take you to the courthouse right now.You’re not going anywhere, you know that, right?”Fatal’s narrowed eyes land on me.
I purse my lips and think things over.Why does it seem like every man around here has lost his freaking mind?
“Could you stop hitting the throttle?Mentioning the courthouse is a tiny bit insane when we’re just getting started.There’s enough time for whatever comes our way.So, no...I’m not going anywhere, but it has nothing to do with you whipping your dick out to pee a circle around me to make sure everyone knows I’m yours.”
Sevrin leans back and watches us as if we’re his entertainment while Fatal looks pissed and says, “So, you’re sayin’ you won’t marry me?”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I mutter and rub a hand over my face.
“Give my niece some breathing room, Rhymes Coburn.You might process her words clearly if you do.”Sevrin shoves his chair back and stands.“I’ll be leaving in two days.Well, I hope to if the lawyer has the papers ready by then.”
Rhymes Coburn.The sound of Fatal’s legal name makes me pause, until my mind gets snagged by the lawyer part.
“What papers?”I ask and bounce my gaze between Sevrin and Fatal.
Fatal leans in and places a kiss on the top of my head, a frequent move of his these past few days.“We’re opening a new brewery together.Which means we’ll have to head beachside for a few days at a time each month from here on out.”
I can feel a smile sliding across my face.“Really?”
Sevrin’s face softens when his gaze lands on me.“Really.It’s a good investment, and with our chapters linked through you it’s also a way to strengthen our ties.”
“Which basically means we’re bound by contract to keep face-to-face interaction with you listed as the contact person.”Fatal takes a seat in the chair next to me.“A condition your uncle made.”
My smile turns into a full-blown grin, knowing I’m the one who tied these two chapters together like superglue.This past week has been a havoc of events, but I feel as if my life is finally back on track and I’m liking the destination it’s heading for.
Sevrin’s phone rings.He glances down and mumbles, “Gotta take this.See you guys later,” and disappears out of the kitchen.
I turn to Fatal.“Coffee?”
“Yeah, sweet thing,” he rumbles and covers the back of my neck with his large hand and places a kiss on my forehead.“Keep that fine ass of yours seated.I’ll get it myself.Would you like a refill?”
