Page 29 of Azrael

Clarity nodded, her eyes flicking briefly to Azrael before returning to me.“Nothing formal.Just dinner, drinks.A chance for everyone to meet you all at once instead of in bits and pieces.”

“Which means kicking the club girls out for the night,” Janessa said.“I’m always down for that.”

Everyone.The word expanded in my mind, filling it with images of leather-clad men with hard eyes and guarded expressions, women watching me with calculating gazes, all of them measuring whether I was worthy of their Angel of Death.

“Everyone meaning…” I let the question trail off.

“The officers and their old ladies, patched members,” Clarity explained.“Maybe the Prospects and kids.Depends on who’s around.We try to do these gatherings every few months anyway, so it’s about time.”

Azrael moved closer to me, his arm sliding around my waist in a gesture that felt both possessive and protective.“We can discuss it later,” he said, his deep voice resonating through me where our bodies touched.“Zara’s still getting used to all this.”

I shot him a grateful look, though part of me bristled slightly at being spoken for.I wasn’t some fragile flower that needed sheltering.But another part -- the part still reeling from everything I’d learned in the past hour -- was thankful for the reprieve.

“Of course,” Clarity agreed easily, though her knowing eyes missed nothing.“Just putting it out there.No rush.”

Janessa snorted softly, apparently finding something amusing in the exchange.When I glanced her way, she merely raised an eyebrow as if to say, “See what I mean?”

The sliding glass door opened again, and a man stepped into the room.Even if Azrael hadn’t mentioned his name, I would have known this was Scratch.Despite his age -- he had to be in his seventies -- he carried himself with the unmistakable authority of someone accustomed to command.His long gray hair and beard gave him an almost wizardly appearance, but there was nothing gentle or mystical in his sharp eyes as they assessed me.

“So this is her,” he said, his voice gruff but not unkind.“The woman who’s got our Azrael acting like a lovesick fool.”

I felt heat rush to my face but refused to look away from his scrutiny.Exactly what had they discussed?There was no way Azrael was in love with me.Had he given them that impression on purpose?

“I’m Zara,” I said, stepping forward slightly but not breaking contact with Azrael.“It’s good to meet you, sir.”

Scratch’s face broke into a sudden grin.“Sir?Hear that, Clarity?The girl’s got manners.”He approached, and for a moment I thought he might offer his hand to shake, but instead, he pulled me into a brief, strong hug that smelled of motor oil and tobacco.“Welcome to the family, girl.About time this one found someone to keep him grounded.”

When he released me, I stepped back into the comfort of Azrael’s presence, slightly overwhelmed by Scratch’s immediate acceptance.

“We won’t keep you long today,” Scratch continued, addressing both of us now.“Just wanted to get a look at the woman who’s managed what half the females in the county couldn’t.”His eyes crinkled with amusement.“She’s a pretty one, Az.Good taste.”

“She’s standing right here,” Azrael reminded him, though I could hear the subtle note of pride in his voice.

“That she is,” Scratch agreed, unrepentant.“You coming to the meeting tomorrow night?I know Charming didn’t officially call Church, but it would be good if you showed up.”

The question was directed at Azrael, who nodded once.“Unless something comes up.”

“Good.Got some business to discuss.”Scratch’s tone shifted slightly, becoming more serious.“Trouble brewing over on the eastside.Nothing we can’t handle, but we need to get ahead of it.”

I felt Azrael’s body tense beside me, though his expression remained neutral.“I’ll be there.”

Something wordless passed between the two men, an understanding that went beyond the simple exchange.

“We should probably get going,” Azrael said after a moment, his hand still firm at my waist.“Long day tomorrow.We were supposed to go to her mom’s house today to check things out, but I asked for an extra day.Wanted her to know a few people before I ran off and left her for a bit.”

Clarity smiled knowingly.“Of course.It was lovely meeting you, Zara.Don’t be a stranger.”

“She needs to meet everyone,” Scratch said.

“We already discussed holding a family night,” Charity replied.

Scratch nodded.“No pressure, but it’d be good to get it done sooner rather than later.Let everyone know where things stand.”

Goodbyes were exchanged, with Janessa giving me a small nod that felt more meaningful than her earlier reception.As we stepped out onto the porch, the late afternoon sun momentarily blinded me, and I lifted a hand to shield my eyes.

“You okay?”Azrael asked quietly as we walked toward his bike.

“Yeah,” I said automatically, then reconsidered.“No.I don’t know.It’s a lot to take in.”

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