Page 34 of Dark Seduction

I hesitate, and Judge picks up on it. A part of me wants to tell him Burnt’s story, but it’s not my place. If he hadn’t shared it with them, it’s not my call. “With everything going on, I’ve been distracted, and that falls on me as his sponsor.”

Judge leans back in his chair, his eyes boring into mine. “You know I can’t just call for a vote without reason.”

“I know,” I say, holding his gaze. “But I believe that Burnt has proven himself. He’s loyal, he’s dedicated, and he’s saved our asses more times than I can count. He’s earned his place.”

Judge regards me for a moment longer before nodding in agreement. “Fine. We’ll call for the vote. But I want to hear from Burnt himself. I want to hear him say he’s ready to join the club.”

“I’ll talk to him,” I say, already mentally preparing myself for the conversation. I know Burnt has been eager for this moment, but he’s also nervous. He doesn’t want to let me down, or the club. But I have faith in him. He’s stronger than he knows.

“Good,” Judge says, rising from his chair. “I’ll call everyone to the table. And just so you know, I’m not doing this to make you happy. I’m doing it because it’s what the club needs. But if Burnt messes up, it’s on both of you.”

I nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. But I won’t let Burnt fail. I’ll make sure he knows what’s at stake and push him to be the best member he can be. Because that’s what brothers do. We have each other’s backs, even in the toughest of times.

An hour later, we’re all gathered around the meeting room table. Every face in the room is stone cold serious. Normally, we don’t call meetings like this unless we have a major problem.

“The floor is yours,” Judge declares with a nod.

“I want to call a vote for Burnt.”

A few of the guys exchange glances with one another while the rest sit still.

I take a deep breath and explain why it would be best for us all to vote in favor of Burnt. As his sponsor, it’s my job to guide him, determine when he’s ready, and advocate for him. It took us going out to that camp to realize I’d done a shit job of being his sponsor. Hell, all of us had. Trouble never seemed to be far away, and the focus had been anywhere, but on our prospects. Priest had already earned his colors, and he had less time than Burnt. It’s high time I rectify it.

“With all the shit life has handed us the last couple of years, Burnt has risen up for this club, and I think it’s time he’s one of us. He’s put his life on the line for us. He needs to be rewarded. He deserves to wear our colors, and our patch.” My voice is steady as I speak, and my eyes lock onto the others in the room.

“Any objections?” Judge’s voice booms over the quiet room.

Slowly, they nod, and I can see the agreement forming. It’s a unanimous decision.

Judge bangs his gavel. “All in favor of Burnt becoming a member of the club, say, aye.”

The room booms with a chorus of “aye” as everyone raises their hands.

“Go get him.”

I rise from my seat at the table towards the door. As a prospect, patch meetings were off-limits to him, but I had asked him to help with something at the clubhouse in case the vote went his way. He, of course, argued with me about not being at the garage with Mack, but I ultimately won with Mack out sick. She’d been sick for the last couple of days. While Burnt wanted to knock down her door and mother hen her back to health, I’d given her what she really wanted. Space to recover without either of us hovering.

Opening the meeting room door, I peer out to find him sitting with his back towards me at the bar. Grace, Judge’s old lady, stands opposite of him.

“Didn’t think I’d ever see you tending the bar,” I smirk at her. Grace’s hair is in her typical tight bun at the top of her head. Gray hairs peeking up around her hairline.

Burnt peers over as I join them.

“We’re almost done,” I tell her. After meetings, most of the guys liked to hang around and have a couple of beers. Tonight would be a whole hell of a lot bigger than just a few beers.

“Judge wants to see you,” I tell Burnt.

Burnt looks at me, his face a mix of surprise and anticipation. “What for?” he asks.

I can’t help but grin. “You’ll see.”

Grace hands Burnt his beer before grabbing a bottle opener and walking away. “Good luck,” she says with a small smile.

I wave at her before turning back to Burnt. “Come on, let’s go see Judge.”

Burnt follows me out of the room, his steps slow and measured. I can feel the tension radiating off him, and it takes everything in me to keep from laughing.

“Am I in trouble?”

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