Page 41 of Journey

Silence fills the room as all eyes turn to us. I squirm under the scrutiny, but Journey just tightens his hold, offering whatever comfort he can.

“What the fuck, J?” a man shouts angrily.

“Listen up,” Journey says loudly. “I’ve got an announcement to make.”

Aw, hell.

“What? Did that chick finally let you sink your cock into her again?” another man says as he walks toward us.

Journey moves so fast, and the next thing I know, the guy is flat on the floor with blood coming from his nose.

“Wren isn’t just some chick,” Journey snarls. “And the next time you choose to speak about her like that, you’ll be out in the cold. Got it, Blain?”

“Yeah, yeah. Got it.”

“Anyone else have an opinion they wanna share?” Journey asks. No one says a word. “Good. Now, my announcement. I’ve already told the officers, but the rest of you need to know that Wren is mine, and I expect you to treat her with the same respect as you do Addison.” He glances at me and winks. “And if you can’t do that, I’m gone.”

“You’re what?” a third man snarls as he moves from the bar to stand in front of Journey. “I don’t think I heard you right.”

“You heard me just fine, Crow.”

“You’d really walk?”

“In a heartbeat.”

Crow stares at him for a moment before turning his attention to me. “Wren?”

“Uh, y-yes,” I stutter, doing my best not to let the voices win the struggle for control.

Crow smiles and strides toward me. “I’m Crow, the president of these yahoos. It’s nice to meet you.”

“It… What?”

He chuckles. “I take it you weren’t expecting to be welcomed with open arms.”

“Well, yeah. I mean… You do know that Stone is my dad, right?” I lean close and whisper, “And I’m kinda crazy.”

He erupts into laughter, and I can’t help but wonder what is so funny. I’m sweating bullets, and he’s acting like this is all normal.

“You’re gonna fit in just fine, Wren,” he finally says when his laughter subsides. “Welcome to the family.”

“I… thanks.”

Crow spins around to face Journey, who’s grinning like an idiot. “As for you, VP… You’re not goin’ anywhere. Soulless Kings stick together, no matter what.”

“I know, Pres. But she didn’t, and I needed to show her.”

“Yeah, I get that. Helluva way to get a point across, though.”

“Whatever it takes.”

“You heard him,” Crow shouts to the entire room. “Wren is one of us. Anyone who can’t accept that, there’s the door.” He points to the exit.

Not a single person moves in that direction. Quite the contrary. One by one, I’m engulfed in hugs by big, burly men who all seem to genuinely be happy about me being here.

Huh.

When I’m released by a man who introduced himself as Fudge, Journey takes his place.

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