“Do you know why we called you here, Dillon?”
I nodded, shooting Archer a pained look before reluctantly returning my attention back to Scorpio. “Because I stole your bike and handed it over to your mortal enemy.”
Scorpio’s angry gaze didn’t soften at all, he stared at me like he was seconds away from strangling me again, and it was like I could feel his ghostly fingers wrapping around my throat, squeezing what was left of my life from my body.
“What you did, Dillon, was something I’ll never forget. You betrayed me and the club…”
My gaze hit the table as his verbal lashing beat me down, creating even more guilt to rise up inside of me.
“I know, Scorpio, and I’m so sorry. If I could take it all back, I would. I’ll never forgive myself for any of it. I hope you at least know that.”
I didn’t hear him get up from the table. I didn’t even hear him move across the room until he was kneeling beside me, forcing me to look at him even though it was hard.
“I do know that, Dillon. I also know that even though you stole my dad’s bike, it wasn’t because you wanted to. It was because Beretta forced your hand. I’m not going to hold that against you, and neither will any of the other men in this room. You proved to all of us just what kind of man you are. You’re someone who will put your life on the line to right a wrong you committed and save those you love. We saw the devotion in your eyes when you watched that video of Beretta torturing your sister, but also the look of determination that took over when you went speeding off on my bike, not knowing if you would return. Do you know what the strongest personality traits of a Cancer are?”
“No?”
Scorpio stood up, then took a step back so that the rest of the room could see him. “A Cancer is loyal, intuitive, protective, and caring. We’ve seen all those traits in you, Dillon. We also see something we didn’t expect.”
“What’s that?” I questioned, not sure where this conversation was going.
“Prospect,” Scorpio said with a smile.
I felt someone come up behind me, and then something soft but hard cross over my head. My eyes widened when I saw the familiar leather jacket all the men wore in this club, patched with a phrase I knew but didn’t understand.Prospect.
“Wait… are you… are you inviting me into your club?”
“You earned it, Dillon,” Aries said from behind me. “Fate brought you to our doorstep, but it was your tenacity and strength that sealed the deal. We want you to be a part of our club, Dillon, and hopefully down the line you’ll be a full-fledged member. If you want to, of course.”
It was hard to keep my emotions in. This band of brothers was asking me to join their ranks, something I never thought I would be open to until now.
“We’re loyal to each other, Dillon. We’re a family here, and as long as you’re a Celestial Son, you and your sister will always be protected. And we will find her, Dillon. It’s just going to take time,” Fish encouraged, gripping my shoulder with his hand.
“So, what do you say, kid? Are you ready to become a Celestial Son?” Bull asked, standing up from where he was seated.
I stared at the cut in my hand, only knowing what it was called because I overheard them talking about it. A man’s cut was a big thing to a biker, and just holding it made me feel powerful, and surrounded by love. What these men were giving me was more than a patch and a title. These men were giving me a family, something I never had until now.
“Are you sure you want me after everything I’ve done?” My gaze zeroed in on Scorpio, knowing out of all of them, it was his approval I needed to hear the most.
Scorpio nodded his head. “Kid, you jumped on my bike that was strapped with a bomb and drove it like a bat out of hell. You put your life on the line to try to save my dad’s bike. That right there righted any wrong you committed before. You showed me that you were not only worthy of our patch, but my friendship as well. You deserve the cut, Dillon. All you have to do now is say yes.”
Every man stared at me, waiting for my decision. But the second they placed the cut in my hand, I was already saying yes in my head. They just couldn’t hear it.
“Yes!” I exclaimed. “If you’ll have me, I’d love to prospect for the Celestial Sons.”
“Thata boy!” Zodiac cheered, standing up at the end of the table. “Now all you need is a club road name. Anyone have any ideas? Cancer doesn’t seem fitting.”
Castor and Pollux chuckled.
“I’d call him crabby, but Leo already commandeered that title long ago,” Pollux joked.
“Fuck you, Pollux,” Leo snapped, showing him the finger.
“We already got one aquatic thing in this club,” Castor added. “So anything that sounds like crab doesn’t really fit. Ain’t that right, Chub?”
Pollux snickered. “You called him Chub. I like that one because you know a chub is about all he’s rocking in those tight-ass skinny jeans.”
Now it was Fish who was flipping Pollux the bird.
