Page 48 of Echoes of Fear

“Guess we don’t need a vote to know where we stand then,” I say, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Feels good to be part of something real.”

Knox looks back at me and blushes.

Yeah, he fully understood what I was saying.

“Regardless,” Ghost calls out, halting everyone’s conversations. “We need an official vote. Is anyone opposed to voting today?”

Silence.

Ghost holds the silence for several minutes, most likely giving everyone time to step forward if they wanted.

“Alright,” he says minutes later. “Let the record show that the obsidians are voting to allow or not allow Anthony Taylor, Jacob Reynolds, Ryan Mitchell, Nathan Parker, Christopher Sullivan, and Alexander Hayes to join as patched members if they choose to do so. All opposed?”

No one moves to raise their hands.

“All for?”

When each Obsidian’s hand raises, a weight is partially lifted from my chest. I squeeze Knox as his hand reaches for the ceiling.

“Knox, mark it in the files. The vote was unanimous. Including Pops and all the females.”

“Got it, Prez,” he says, pulling his cell from his pocket.

I lean Knox back against my chest so I can see everyone.

“Men,” I start, taking time to look at each of my friends. “I know I bulldozed myself into your lives and flipped everything upside down five years ago. Since then, we haven’t really been much of a club. But I’d like to think that we’ve become family.”

Knox, finished with what he was doing, places his phone on his lap and tucks his face into my neck.

Wrapping my arms around my boy, I hold him tightly.

“We’re bikers through and through,” I continue. “And, if you want to rebuild the Dark Sentinels, I will stand by your side, and we will make it something to be proud of. Or we can leave it behind and join the Obsidians. Become something new.”

With Knox’s comforting presence, I feel a surge of determination. “But whatever path we choose, we do it together,” I declare, meeting each of my friends’ eyes. “The bonds we’ve forged go beyond any patch on our backs. We’re a brotherhood bound by loyalty and love. So, what do you say, brothers? Are we ready to ride into the future, united as one?”

“Where you go, I go, brother,” Reynolds shouts, his hand raised high. “Always.”

“Awe,” Knox whispers against my neck.

One by one, the rest of my men raise their hands, followed by Blaze.

“Put your damn hand down, Blaze,” Ghost sighs. “You’ve already voted.”

“I can’t help it, Ghost,” he sighs. “Taylor’s speech was so heartwarming that I needed to vote again.”

“Fucker,” I laugh.

“Knox,” Ghost says, and I feel him smile against my skin as he reaches for his phone. “Let it be known that the vote for the Sentinels was unanimous and that the Obsidians, on this day, have patched in seven new members. Order the patches. Six for the men and one Obsidian Lady patch for our newest woman.”

“And the beer,” Venom shouts. “Time for a party.”

Everyone cheers, but Emily’s smile is the brightest in the room.

“Me too?” she asks.

“You too,” Ghost tells her. “We haven’t ordered the women’s cuts yet, but when we do, you’ll have one with your Lady patch.”

“Awesome,” she whispers.

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