Chapter Sixteen

Storm

"I've called for a board meeting for tonight at eight. Don't be late," Mercy announced before taking a drink of his scotch as I nodded.

"That will work," Fury added. "As soon as we're done here, I can file the paperwork with city hall. Once that's done, he won't be able to challenge it."

"Bastard is still going to blow a fuse either way, but he won't be able to do shit about it." Vicious sighed, shaking his head. "Gotta say, though, when Mercy called and told me who you were marrying, it took everything in me not to take Linsey and the kids and bolt. The thought of being around that shit again worries me. I was there when a lot of that shit went down. When Reaper learns the truth, I don't envy you, but I'm with you all the same, brother."

"Thanks, Vicious."

He wasn't lying. Out of all my brothers, Vicious was the only one who knew everything that happened between the Golden Skulls and the Society . He was there. Fought alongside Reaper until he met Linsey and walked away from it all to protect the woman he loved. He knew the uphill battle I was about to face.

"The first hurdle is the brand. Is she prepared for it?" Fury asked.

Taking a deep breath, I muttered, "About as well as the others were, I suspect. She doesn't understand why I have to brand her, but so far, she's going with it. I think she's more worried about the actual marriage."

"Just lock her down, Storm," Payne stated. "The sooner you do that, the easier everything else will be. Get that you sprung this shit on her, but you need to be sure she won't run when shit hits the fan. ‘Cause trust me, brother, it will be a lot sooner than you think."

"Delany's solid."

Me and every brother in the room turned to stare at Malice, who stood near the fireplace, glaring at the hot poker in the fire.

"How can you be sure?" I asked, confused.

Malice was closed off. Brother barely spoke to anyone. He didn't like anyone. Though he barely tolerated us, he was fucking loyal to a fault. The only thing he fucking cared about was the club and maybe Father Dominic.

"Just know."

Looking at Mercy, my brother rolled his eyes before adding, "While I don't agree with Mr. Wonderful's assumptions, just do what you need to do to lock her down. After Montana has his meltdown, we can get down to business."

"He's going to fucking kill his father with his bare hands." Payne chuckled. "Gotta say, I'm not gonna mind watching that one bit."

"That's if he doesn't kill me first," I retorted, taking a sip of my drink. "I'm about to marry a Golden Legacy."

Vicious smiled, slapping me on the back. "Welcome to the dark side, brother, and may God have mercy on your soul when the Reaper finds out."

"Thanks, asshole."

"You know this could work out." Fury smirked. "You marry a Golden Legacy. Reaper accepts the marriage, thereby aligning our clubs."

"In what reality do you see that happening?" Payne snarked. "This is fucking Reaper we're talking about. You think Malice is a bastard? Moody fucker is a marshmallow compared to Reaper. My gut is telling me he isn't going to give a fuck. War is coming. Mark my words."

"You think I shouldn't go through with it?" I challenged.

"Nope," Payne said, shaking his head. "Not saying that. You got a kid by that woman. Look, brother, I got nothing against Delany. Seems like a sweet woman, and I agree, she's had it rough. Shit with her dad is bad enough. I'm with you on that part. The girl deserves retribution for what George did to him and her family. Hell, man, I'll lead the fucking charge. I'm just worried about the flip side of this shitstorm."

"We all are, Payne." Mercy sighed. "All we can do is fix what we can right now and worry about the other shit when it happens."

"And that's where you come in, Storm." Vicious groaned. "You want Reaper to accept this marriage, then you better seal Delany tight to your ass. Cause if he believes for one fucking second you are trying to pull the wool over his eyes, he won't think twice before gutting you. Trust me. I've seen the man kill for less. However, there is someone who might save you."

"Who?"

"Remi," Vicious whispered as he looked me dead in the eyes. "You get her on your side, and Reaper will fall in line."

"She's in the wind. No one knows where she's at."

"You haven't asked the right person."

"Who would know where to find her?" Mercy asked.

Vicious grinned and simply said, "Her father."

Fuck me.

Vladmir Ivenok.

Second-in-command to Maxim Fedorov, the head of the Russian Bratva.

"I can't ask for a meeting with Fedorov without Montana's permission. You know that. Besides, Vladmir left shortly after the shit went down with that whole Bratva mess. No one has seen him since."

"You honestly think Maxim doesn't know where his second is? Trust me, brother, that Russian bastard knows." Vicious grinned.

Yeah. Okay. I knew Vicious was right. There wasn't anything Vladmir did or anywhere he went without Maxim knowing. But Vicious was right about one thing. If I wanted to survive Reaper's wrath and his blades, I needed to get his wife on my side.

However, none of that would matter until I sealed Delany to me.

Hearing the women walk back into the room, I looked at Delany, who looked scared to death.

Had to admit, I was too.

This was a tricky game of chess I was about to play, and the last time I played the game, I lost.

Kneeling before her as I tightly clasped her arms, I could see the fear in her eyes. "Can't we give her something for the pain?"

"You know the rules, Storm. She has to be coherent and of sound mind. As soon as it is done, Bane will give her something. She has to do this on her own," Mercy stated as my brothers stood at my back, watching her.

Tears ran down her face while she tried to breathe, knowing what was coming. I wanted so much to take this away from her. She didn't ask for any of this. She was just trying to survive it all.

"Jason?" she barely whispered when Malice walked behind her with the red-hot poker.

Grabbing her face, I didn't think as I murmured, "Look at me, baby. Just me. It's gonna be over real soon, I promise. Just look at me."

"I'm scared."

"I know, and I swear to you that this is the only time. Once it's done, that's it."

Mercy cleared his voice and clearly stated for all to hear, "Delany Campbell, do you accept the brand of a Soulless Sinner?"

She closed her eyes and nodded.

"Need you to say the words, sweetheart," Mercy spoke softly.

"I accept," she whispered.

"Do you accept Storm as your man?"

"I accept."

"Malice."

Delany's eyes shot to mine. Pure, unadulterated fear screamed at me from behind her beautiful green eyes. Unable to take away her pain, I grabbed her face and kissed her as Malice placed the hot poker against her shoulder. The second I heard her skin sizzle, Delany cried out as I deepened the kiss, trying but failing to take her pain away.

The whole thing lasted mere seconds, and when Malice stepped away, Delany sagged against me and Bane rushed over, administering a sedative to relieve some of the pain.

"You did so good, baby. So fucking good," I cooed as Bane did his thing, tending to the wound. When he placed a gauze bandage over her wound and stepped aside, I pushed her hair out of her face, kissing her lips once more.

"It's done. Delany Campbell, welcome to the Soulless Sinners," Mercy announced as I helped her to her feet.

One after another, my brothers each walked up to my woman and kissed her cheek. Even Largo and Linsey, who had tears in their eyes, as they welcomed Delany into our fucked-up family.