Brick Brick (Knights Corruption MC - Next Generation, #4) - S. Nelson Page 0,113
his shirt, the fabric sticking to his skin before separating. And because the material was black, the blood stain wasn’t noticeable. No one would’ve suspected he was injured… until we saw what made him wince.
“What the fuck, prospect?” Stone blurted. “That looks bad.”
Marek blocked my view, but when I moved to the side and stepped closer, I saw what everyone else did. A large hole in his side, directly above the waistband of his jeans.
“Either you got hit twice, in the same damn spot, or that fuckin’ bullet was huge,” Linc added.
“I’m fine,” he reiterated, closing one eye when a jolt of pain traveled through him. “Besides, it’s no worse than what you guys did to me. If I can handle that…” He didn’t complete his sentence, diverting his eyes from Marek and looking at me, then Kaden, anywhere but at the leader of our club.
There were so many things Marek could’ve said, and would’ve given any other situation, but the words that left his mouth shocked all of us.
“You can leave if you want. No restrictions.”
Tag looked confused. Join the club, buddy. “What does that mean? Leave where? Here?”
“The Knights,” Marek clarified, although I believed there was still some confusion, at least for me there was.
“But you said either I joined, or you’d kill me.” Tag’s eyes narrowed, wincing again when he moved.
“I know what I said. It wasn’t that long ago.” His expression was flat yet hardened, looking put out, this conversation something he didn’t want to be involved in. But he was the one who brought it up when he could’ve simply walked away.
“So, you’re tellin’ me I can leave the club and nothin’ will happen to me? What about the money you spent on my mother’s medical bills? Do I have to pay you back for that?” Tag’s skepticism was justifiable, and I was as curious as to what Marek would respond as the rest of the men standing around, all eyes bouncing between him and the prospect. Would the offer be clarified or retracted?
“You can leave if you want, no repercussions from anyone, including me, and what’s done is done. No payback.” Marek leaned in close, his tone dipping in warning. “Of any kind… from anyone.” He straightened back up. “Or you can stay in this brotherhood if that’s what you choose.”
The prospect ran his fingers slowly over his jaw, seemingly contemplating the offer, but it wasn’t long before he gave his answer. “You’re right. What’s done is done. And if it’s all the same to you, I’ll stay.”
Marek didn’t so much as blink before he uttered, “Get Addy to stitch you up. I don’t need you dying out of stubbornness.” He jerked his chin at his VP and pointed toward the cabin, his attention back on Tag before they walked away. “Thanks for saving my son.”
Marek offering the prospect an out was unexpected but understandable, given the situation. I was glad he chose to stay with us. He was a good guy who’d proved his worth and loyalty time and again, even though he didn’t have to.
Ford and Owen stood off to the side, allowing the rest of us to discuss a few more club details. Neither of their cousins were present, but they hung around anyway. As we broke apart and headed back toward the house, Linc asked a question, and I had to admit I was curious myself.
“This is quite a place. Thanks again for letting us use it.” He brushed shoulders with Ford. “How did you end up marrying into the Dessoye family anyway?”
Ford huffed. “It’s a long story.”
“It’s not that long,” Owen laughed, knocking into his brother as they walked side by side.
“I guess you’re right.” His brother wiggled his brows and all Ford did was shake his head. Anyone witnessing their interactions could tell they were close. “Walter had some threats against his family, and he hired us to watch over his two daughters. Twins, but they couldn’t’ve been more different if they tried. Anyway, I got saddled with the spoiled, bratty one and Owen here got assigned to the nice one.” The older brother ran his hand over the top of his dark hair, a smile flickering over his mouth a second later. “In the end, it all worked out.”
“Because you married them?” Linc asked, intrigued with the story, and I was betting it had everything to do with the fact it was moons away from the debacle that was our current life.