Addictive (Houston Defiance MC #2) - K.E. Osborn Page 0,99
family.
Luc is loyal. There’s no doubting that—I owe him my life. That’s part of the reason he’s getting his patch today because he proved himself.
Nessie rushes inside the clubhouse doors waving her hands through the air. “They’re here!”
Everyone chuckles at Nessie’s excitement as we all take our places.
I kiss Prinie on her temple, then head over to stand with Zero in the middle of the main room. A single stool sits proudly next to a small bench with a medium-sized wooden box sitting on it. We all stand back waiting for the trio to walk inside.
Their chatter becomes louder as they approach, then recognition appears on their faces at us all standing around, and that halts their movements. Ruby gasps, her hand rushing to her mouth as Luc tries to hide his excitement.
“Well, get your ass on over here, prospect,” Zero exclaims.
Luc turns to Ruby, smiling at her so fucking wide his cheeks must be hurting. Then he spins back striding like king-fucking-dick through the middle of the room. We all cheer loudly.
Chains drowns us out, he’s that fucking loud as he throws his fist in the air in celebration. “‘Bout fuckin’ time!” Chains hollers.
Luc turns back to him. “Been trying, brother, not like I didn’t have a reason.” His eyes shift to Ruby, and her eyes flood with tears as she wraps her arms around herself trying to keep her shit together.
“Okay, it’s safe to say we all know what’s happening right now. So, Luc, take a seat. We wanna have a little chat.”
Luc turns and sits on the stool facing out to everyone.
I place my hands on his shoulders. “Thing is, Luc, you’ve been a prospect for a long-ass time… we all know your story. From villain to hero. You were willing to withstand the heat it took to come from your past and join the MC you tried to bring down… that takes fucking guts.”
Zero strides out circling him. “You started off small, but when small things are compounded, they can turn into something big. A force so strong it’ll withstand extreme temperatures and corrosive environments.”
I open the box, pulling out his club cut. “Bringing you into the club is only going to make us stronger. Make us a force to be reckoned with.”
Zero yanks Luc up by his shirt, his head turning around to face me. I move in hooking his arms into his cut. “Accept this cut, and welcome to the club, Nickel. It might only be considered small change in the US of A, but you, Luc, you were willing to change. And just like strong metal, you can withstand the heat and pressure of any situation.”
Ruby bursts into tears as Nickel pulls on his new club cut with ease. He turns around to face Zero and me with pure honor shining back from him. “Thank you… you don’t know how much this means to me.”
I grip his shoulder as Zero dips his chin. “Yeah, brother… we do.”
“To Nickel!” Chains calls out, throwing his hands in the air again, letting out a loud cheer.
I can’t help but laugh. Chains rushes forward, barreling into Nickel, lifting him up like he’s a damn lightweight. Nickle backslaps Chains in a bromance-style embrace the second Chains puts him down.
Their relationship is unique.
They have been through a lot together.
Chills rushes forward, wrapping her arms around Nickel in a move like you would see from a sister.
Then the crowd parts, and Ruby walks toward him. Her eyes overflowing with tears running down her cheeks as Nickel finally catches sight of his woman.
It’s like the room disappears when they spot each other—we all see it.
She starts running, his arms fly open, and she lands in them as they embrace so tightly it warms even my once-dead heart. She kisses him, and I can’t help but glance over at Prinie.
I’ve never been a man to take in moments like this. They’ve never hit home before, but now I know what it feels like, what you would give to be with the person who completes you, and I have a newfound respect for Nickel and Ruby.
They’ve waited, bided their time to be together in the eyes of the club.
Now they can.
They pull apart, all of us watching with bated breath as Nickel gives some kind of signal to Chains. He rushes off to the two supporting beams just below the second level. Ruby’s bottom lip quivers as we all stand back waiting for Nickel to claim Ruby.