Page 98 of The Riders’ Reign

“It’s going to be a busy household,” Rook says. “Just how I like it.”

“Oh, got to go.” Ace puts his beer down and rushes off to the back of the room.

I shoot Rook a questioning glance, but he only winks at me. His hand finds mine and holds it tight.

The lights go down, and for a split second, it’s total darkness, but then a spotlight clicks on at the front of the bar, highlighting the stage. Standing on it are Jack, Ace, and Ghost.

What on earth is going on?

“Thank you all for coming,” Jack says in that deep, gruff voice of his. “I know this has been a period of upheaval, and we’ve had a lot to deal with, so we’re going to have more club events moving forward to make sure we keep morale up. Tonight, though, is special. As I’m sure most of you are aware by now, there’s a lady who has joined our club, and she’s claimed more than one heart.”

My throat runs dry. Oh, God, this must be what Felicia said, and they’re going to make me their property. My inner feminist is screaming that it’s not okay, but there’s a part of me, the little girl who never got much love or attention, who is screaming in giddy happiness.

“Camile. Can you come on up here?”

Rook takes the champagne from my other hand and leads me to the stage.

I clamber up and feel my face burning as everyone looks at us.

“Camile,” Ace says, “we want to officially welcome you as an ol’ lady of the Verona Falls Riders MC. You turned up all scared and bruised, yet in a short time you captured my heart, and I know you’ve got these three bastards wrapped around your finger, too.”

I laugh but can feel the heavy weight of the gazes of the rest of the club on me. Do they approve? Or do they hate this? It’s certainly unconventional.

“So, we had a patch made for you.” Rook squeezes my hand as he speaks. “Then we realized you didn’t have a cut for the patch. So, we had a cut made, too.”

Ghost steps forward. “This is yours, Camile.” He holds up a denim waistcoat. “It means you’re now officially our property, if you accept? All four of us.”

I nod, unable to find my words. I’m still feeling a little nervous that I’m stepping wholly into something I don’t fully understand, but nothing could stop me from taking these men as mine.

“This is your cut, and here’s your patch on the back.” Ghost hands it to me and turns it around so I can see the large patch that says Property of Jack, Ghost, Ace, and Rook. I stare in disbelief. If, a moment ago, I’d been unsure of being their property, seeing that they’ve put all their names on that patch, despite it being taboo in their world, has made me speechless. In the best way.

Jack frowns. “Do you accept?”

I nod again, then realize I need to speak, damn it. “Yes, Jack, I accept.”

The room erupts into cheers and foot stomps as I hold the soft denim cut with the leather patch in my hands. I know for these men this is as serious as marriage.

“We got them, too.” Ace says.

“What?” I shout over the noise.

“Me and Rook, look.”

Both turn around, and I see the new patches they’re sporting. They state Property of Camile.

“Oh, wow. I can’t believe you did that!” My heart swells with joy, and tears prick at my eyes.

I glance at Jack and Ghost, subconsciously looking for theirs.

“They couldn’t, Princess.” Ace pulls me in for a hug. “I think that might be going too far outside the rules of this world, for the prez and his enforcer.”

I nod, understanding immediately, and it doesn’t matter. The fact that Ace and Rook did it means the world.

Jack holds his hand up for the crowd to quiet down. “There’s no deeper commitment in our world than making a woman your ol’ lady, but in the world out there, it’s not seen that way.” He focuses on me. “Camile, you mean everything to us. We don’t just want you to be our ol’ lady, we want you to be ours in every way.”

All four men seamlessly drop to one knee, leaving me with my mouth agape.

Jack reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small red box.