Micaela

Waiting for the guys to return from their meeting with the club's officers made me so nervous I was about to cry or scream. I'd been anxious since we'd decided last night to have them meet like this first. It had continued to grow. They tried to get me to return to the compound and stay with one of them or in one of the empty trailers. They swore they'd make sure my brother stayed away from me. I stood my ground and told them no. After they left for the night, which they weren't happy about, I paced for a long time.

First thing this morning, they made a group call to me to see how I was and to make sure there was nothing I needed. I didn't tell them I barely got any sleep. I'd worried and done the what-if scenarios most of the night. While they were at work today, I napped a little, but I was still exhausted. I needed a solid six hours soon. When I went too long without proper sleep, I got short-tempered. Wait until they saw that side of me.

I attempted to occupy myself by continuing the search for studio space and a place to live despite being told I wouldn't need an apartment. It didn't work because I kept thinking it would be a waste of time. The officers and, therefore, the club might very well not vote me in as acceptable for Ashes, Dragon, and Vicious. I knew it would crush me if they said no. As much as I cared for them, hell, loved them, I wouldn't let the guys leave the club for me. It would be better to wait and see.

One interesting thing happened as I waited. Shain had called me. When I saw her name and number, I almost didn't answer her. However, she was my sister-in-law, and if she wanted to talk to me, as long as she didn't speak to me like Daredevil did, I wouldn't freeze her out. I genuinely adored her. Besides, what if it was an emergency? She was pregnant. Remembering our conversation made me want to see and talk to the guys even more.

"Hello," I said hesitantly.

"Hey, hi, Micaela. I hope I'm not interrupting anything. Do you have time to talk?" Her tone was partly hopeful and partly wary.

"No, you're not interrupting anything at the moment. We can talk depending on what you have to say."

"What does that mean?"

"If you're calling to defend Daredevil or to talk me out of being with the guys, then I don't want to hear it."

She sighed. "I swear, I'm not gonna harass you or defend him. He was wrong, Mic. He should've never said those awful things to you. Yes, I know he loves you and doesn't want you hurt, but that wasn't the way to go about it. I told him so. He's on my shit list right now."

"I'm sorry this is causing issues between you. It was never what I wanted, but I am glad to have someone else see it from my perspective. He had no right to try and dictate my life. I'm not a child."

"You're not a child. He has concerns, and I do think he should be able to voice them but do it calmly and the right way. Okay, enough of that. How're you doing? Do you need anything?"

"I'm as good as can be expected. I don't need anything. Before they went home last night, the guys made sure I had what I needed. I've been trying to occupy myself today and get some sleep."

"Any new candidates for your studio or apartment?"

"Honestly, I stayed away from those searches. I don't know if I'll be staying, so until I do, I'm not looking anymore."

"Whoa, wait, not staying? I thought you were dating all the guys. You can't do that from Florida. Or have you decided none of them are what you're searching for in a relationship?" I thought there was the slightest hope in her tone.

"I never said I didn't want them. I'm thinking the worst-case scenario is if the club won't vote me in as theirs."

"Vote you in? Wait. You're really going through with the whole harem thing Daredevil told me about? You've decided?"

"Yeah. My anger at him isn't merely due to him calling me names. He is denying me my choice because he disagrees with it. It's not his decision. What if I'd come along and told him he wasn't allowed to choose you?"

"Don't take this wrong, but don't you think this is moving awfully fast?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yes, it is fast but not any faster than when my brother met you and claimed you. It's no different."

"But it is. There's three of them, Micaela. Are you telling me all three are in this for the long haul after a few conversations and a single date each? It was quick for Daredevil and me, but we spent a lot of time together during those first couple of weeks. Yours has been divided into thirds. You don't know much about them. What if you can't stand to be with them after you know them? Or one or more of them decide they no longer want to be with one woman? And what about jealousy between them?"

She was doing what she said she wouldn't, although in a much nicer way than my brother. "Shain, you didn't know everything about my brother when you accepted your property cut or married him. You're still getting to know him and vice versa. It's the same with me and the guys. However, I know enough to know how I feel. Never in my life have I felt anything this strong for any man, even after knowing them for months. I can't put it into words, but they make me feel complete."

"Really? And how are things, uhm, you know?"

"What do you mean? What things?" I knew exactly what she meant, but I wanted her to come out and say it.

"You know, sex. I assume you're compatible with all three in bed if you're saying you want them to claim you. How does that work? You spend a night with each one?"

"Smooth. The answer is I'm sexually attracted to them, unlike I've ever been with any man. We're figuring out how it works. Sex is still a work in progress."

"Wait. Do you mean you haven't slept with all or any of them?" she squeaked.

"Despite what my brother thinks, I'm not a slut. No, we haven't slept together, and they aren't pushing me to do it. They have been the sweetest things, and our dates have been out of this world."

That led to me telling her about each date. When we ended the call, I felt she was enlightened about my relationship with them. Or I hoped. I had no idea if she'd tell my brother any of it or not. I didn't give a damn if she did.

A hard rap on my hotel door made me jump. Checking the time, I was surprised they were done already. Hurrying to it, I undid the security bar and flung it open. The smile on my face died. Standing there wasn't Dragon, Ashes, and Vicious. It was my brother. Shit. Why didn't I check the peephole? In my eagerness to know what the decision was, I wasn't safety conscious.