Page 42 of Lockout

“No one knows the meaning of brotherhood, or loyalty, like these two men do.” I met Idaho’s gaze and recognized the emotion in them. For too long I’d kept him at arm’s length, but not anymore. “They’ve done everything we’ve asked of them. Helped protect us and our families. They’ve been a part of us long before now, but it’s past time we made it official. We’re lucky to be able to count them as brothers. As friends. As Vikings. Welcome to the club.”

The crowd cheered as I passed over the patches to Static and Idaho. I took the beer that Hush handed to me and stepped aside to let Riptide give a speech. A couple of the guys had them prepared. I clapped a hand on Idaho’s shoulder, then kept moving, getting out of the spotlight.

“That was sweet.”

I glanced over at Keely and grinned. “Okay.” She was swaying a little and sniffling with tears in her pretty blue eyes. She put on this persona of a tough woman, but my girl had a soft heart. It was easy to see now as she sniffed back happy tears. “How many of those have you had?” I asked, motioning to the drink in her hand. The glass was tilting dangerously, so I rescued it from dumping its contents on the floor.

“Oh, thanks. Uhh…” She made a cute face as she tried to remember how much alcohol she’d consumed. “Three?” she said, holding up four fingers.

“Five,” Scarlett corrected from behind the bar.

Keely looked at her in surprise. “Really? You sure?”

Scarlett laughed. “They’re my Long Islands. I keep count when I give them out.”

I swore and scowled at her. “Five, Scarlett? Seriously?” That was the equivalent of eight with the way she made them. I was surprised Keely was still standing.

She shrugged. “Toxic gave strict orders that no one was getting cut off tonight.”

“I’m rescinding those orders, Scar. Especially for Toxic,” I told her. “And this one.”

“Hey,” Keely said, sounding offended when I put her drink on the bar.

“Sure thing, Boss,” Scarlett said, swiping up the glass before Keely could grab it again.

I briefly thought about re-rescinding the orders for Toxic, if only to have Scarlett feed him enough alcohol to kill him. No, it was better to keep him alive. For now. Besides, he was basically unkillable.

Rip had finished his speech and everyone was congratulating Static and Idaho. Someone had turned the music back up. I turned to Keely. “Maybe you should-”

“Hey, Keels.”

We both turned and I gave Warrant a dark look as he stepped up next to Keely and put a hand on her shoulder. My gaze dropped to where he was touching her, then flicked back up to him. The fucker looked amused for some stupid ass reason. “Later, Warrant.”

“Naw,” he said. “Keely here promised me a dance.”

She looked shocked. Her eyes were darting between me and Warrant. “I- Um-”

Warrant took her by the arm before I had a chance to say anything and led her to an open spot. The fucker started grinding on her to the music. I could see the blush spreading over Keely’s cheeks from here as she tried to decide if she was going to dance with him or not.

He took the option out of her hands, grabbed her by the hips, and started moving her body along with his. Their bodies were pressed together while the singer crooned out lyrics meant for lovers.

It was like waving a red flag in front of a bull because all my focus narrowed in on them as my temper snapped. I didn’t even remember moving, and before I knew it I was standing next to them.

Warrant grinned at me. “What’s up?” He knew what the fuck he was doing.

I could see it in his shit-eating grin and the look in his eyes. I didn’t bother to say anything to him. My fist flashed out and hit him square in the jaw. Warrant stumbled backward while Keely gasped and backed up a step because I rushed forward.

“No one teach you to keep your hands to yourself?” I snarled in his face.

He was sitting on his ass, still grinning. “Shit, sorry, Lock. Didn’t realize you had a claim on her…”

Everyone was focused on us. The music was still playing in the background, but no one was listening to it. They were all straining to hear what was being said. And I knew they all heard that. Fuck. Now I had to make a decision. If I denied Warrant’s statement, then anyone could hit on Keely, and I’d be the dickhead here for going after Warrant.

But if I claimed her… I glanced up and found Idaho watching me, one eyebrow up, as if challenging me. I straightened up and met Keely’s gaze. She was too damn drunk for this, but there wasn’t exactly anything I could do about that now.

“I do have a claim on her,” I told him, and the crowd. Fuck. They went wild, erupting in cheers. Assholes. Especially my brothers.

“Damn, my bad,” Warrant said, climbing to his feet. He held out his hand. “No hard feelings?” He winked. The bastard knew.

---