Page 30 of Cyrus

I looked at Cyrus, who looked startled, then to Ace who was shaking his head with a look of utter relief on his face.

“Thank fuckin’ God! No. It’s not exactly dangerous, especially here, but I’m sure the Surgeon General recommends against it.” He gave Cyrus a triumphant look.

“I’ll get Stitches’ opinion. I don’t want to put the baby at risk, but I really want this done.”

“I’ll do whatever you think is best, Cyrus. You’ve earned my trust.” It surprised me how true those words were. I did trust Cyrus to make decisions like this for me. I knew that, if there was any danger and he chose to go ahead with this, the benefits of having his ink on me outweighed the risks. And it would have to be a huge gap.

He fired off a text to Stitches. It wasn’t long before he got a reply. He must not have liked what he read because his scowl deepened. “Mother fuck. Can nothing go right today?” His complaint was muttered as he scrubbed a hand behind his neck. “I need an alternative, Ace.”

“What about henna? It’s not permanent and would have to be touched up at least once a week until we can get her inked. There won’t be much color other than a reddish brown, but it could mark her until it’s safe.”

Cyrus looked at me. “What do you think?”

“I’ll do whatever you want me to, Cyrus. I know you won’t lead me wrong.”

He shot off another text, looking a little more settled after my words. Seconds later, he got a reply.

“Stitches says the henna is safe. I’ll have to talk to Sting and Brick about it. See what they recommend since we can’t get you inked properly. I’ll present this as our alternative.”

“I’m sure he’ll have to put it to a club vote,” Ace said. “Shoulda been done a while ago, but we never considered there’d be a need.” He shook his head. “I’ll do the henna, Cyrus, but not the real tatt until after she delivers.”

“Not perfect, but it’s the only option we’ve got. I won’t put the baby at risk.”

I sucked in a breath. “Like I did.” My voice was soft and guilt rode me once again. I’d struggled with it since the day I’d woke up so sick after my night of feeling sorry for myself.

“Honey, it was one time. And you only suspected you were pregnant. Given the circumstances, I think you needed a break from reality. We’re taking care of you and the baby now. Everything will be fine.”

“I hope so.”

Cyrus squeezed my hand and smiled. “Worry about how to keep yourself healthy from this point forward, lil’ bit. We’ll worry about anything else if it becomes an issue.”

The next couple of hours was done in subdued silence. Ace spoke softly when he had questions while Cyrus stood next to me, holding my hand while Ace worked. He did a single-color variation of my hummingbird. The design was the same, though. Once he’d finished with me, he worked on Cyrus. His tattoo was my name in the same elegant script inked around his ring finger. Cyrus had him add “Beloved Mate” along the inner side of his finger. Naturally, that set off a bout of crying on my part.

“Stupid hormones,” I sniffed before Cyrus dried my tears and gave me a tissue to blow my nose.

He kissed me gently. “Lean on me, Odette. Cry if you need to. I’ll keep you safe.”

“I know you will.” I gave him a watery smile. Then we left Ace’s place and went to see Sting.

“We’ll have to discuss it in church, but what alternative do we have? It’s just bad timing, and we’d never insist either of you willingly put the baby at risk. Not unless it’s life or death. This can wait. The temporary tattoo will do for the short term.” He shrugged. “It might be necessary to restrict her movements within the club without an escort until she’s fully inked, but as long as you’re with her, Cyrus, everything will be fine.”

“She’s not going to be more loyal after she’s inked than she is now. But rules are rules.”

“Once we discuss it in church, I’m sure we’ll come up with a reasonable plan for her to exist with us inside the compound as an old lady to you.”

“Seems like all I do is cause problems.”

“You’re not a problem, Odette,” Cyrus assured. “We’re in uncharted territory. At worst, you’ll be confined to the areas the other families are unless you have an escort. No one’s going to consider you a problem.”

“We’re having to adapt is all,” Sting offered. “We’ve been doing it a lot in the last few months. Not the first time. I’m sure it won’t be the last.”

While we sat in the common room chatting, the door opened and my brother strolled in, his gaze darting around the room. When he found me, he let out a harsh breath.

“Odette. Thank God you’re safe.” He hurried to me, pulling me into his embrace when I stood. “Why’d you take off? You had me worried sick.”

“There’s been some things going on in my life I didn’t tell you about. Everything kind of came to a head, and I just needed to get away.”

“All the way from Palm Beach to Evansville? Honey, that’s a thousand miles! What happened that you ran a thousand miles away?”

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