Page 61 of Storm's Deliverance

“Sounds like a bukkake party,” Mom snorts.

I curl my lip at her. “Mom, Jesus,” I mutter.

She just giggles. “Sorry, honey.” I roll my eyes. It was time to take over. Mom might lead the ol’ ladies, but that was my man in there, and like fuck was I going to stay crouched beneath a window listening to my mother say the wordbukkake.

Dropping to my hands and knees, I start crawling towards the back door. “Follow me,” I whisper. Once I reach it, I hold up three fingers, silently counting down. Three. Two. One. We burst through the door.

“Leave him alone!” I scream.

One by one, the brothers turn to face us, their gazes drifting past me to the line of ol’ ladies behind us. They part, revealing Drix on the floor, his face swollen, his lip split, and blood dripping down his chin.

“What the fuck?” I sprint to him, dropping to my knees and cupping his battered face.

“Fuck me, I wondered where that suit had gone. Woman, get in the truck. We’re going home to fuck,” Beast groans.

“Eww, Dad. Jesus,” Raine and Ripley complain in unison.

“What the fuck do you think you’re wearing?” Beast barks. “Go put a fucking sweater on. The pair of you.”

I ignore the commotion and the arguing. My eyes stay locked on Drix. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper before pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.

He flashes me a bloody grin. “Worth it.”

I help him to his feet, draping his arm over my shoulders. As I turn, I come face to face with Dad. Mom stands beside him, giving me a reassuring smile. It only makes me angrier. “What the fuck is wrong with you?!” I shout, my temper finally snapping. “Drix has done nothing but stand by me these past few months. He’s looked after me, made me laugh, and kicked my ass when I needed it.” I jab a finger towards the club. “And you and your stupid club...” My gaze sweeps across every patched member. “Actually, all of you are on my shit list.” I point at each of them in turn. “Why would you do this to him? Because you haven’t got your hands on Zeke yet? Because you needed a punching bag to take your frustrations out on?” My furious stare lands back on Dad. “You want someone to hit? Someone to fight? Then bottle it up until you get Zeke.” I fold my arms tightly across my chest. “Now apologise.”

Dad’s cold gaze flickers between me and Drix. “You’re ordering me...” he says slowly, “...the President of this club... to apologise for delivering punishment after he broke club law?”

“Yes, I am.” I step closer, refusing to back down. “Drix isn’t just anyone, and if I, or anyone else...” My eyes briefly flick towards Maisy. “...decides to be with a patched member, then accept it. We’re all grown adults. It’s our choice.”

Silence. Nobody moves. Nobody breathes. Dad simply stares at me. Then the corner of his mouth twitches. A second later, he’s grinning. Before I know what’s happening, he pulls me into a crushing hug.

“Fuck, it’s good to have you back,” he murmurs, kissing the top of my head.

I shove against his chest and stare up at him. “What the... what?” I blink. He smiles wider. “I’m glad my feisty, stubborn, pain in the ass daughter is back.” His eyes flick to Drix. “You gonna let your woman speak to your President like that?” he asks, amusement dancing in his voice.

“What the fuck is happening?” I ask, looking around the room like I’ve somehow stepped into the Twilight Zone.

“I ain’t stupid enough to try and stop her.” Drix smirks before spitting a mouthful of blood onto the floor.

Still completely baffled, I look around. Mom is beaming with tears in her eyes, like she’s just witnessed the most heartwarming moment of her life. Even the brothers are smiling. Smiling! Like this whole thing is somehow beautiful.

“What the fuck is going on?” I yell. “You’ve just beaten one of your own to a bloody pulp, and now you’re all hugs and smiles like we’re the fucking Care Bears?”

Dad releases me with a chuckle. Drix steps forward, peeling off his ruined T-shirt. He wipes the blood from his face before tossing it onto the floor. His gaze slowly drags over me, heat flashing through his eyes as he stalks closer. Hooking an arm around my waist, he pulls me firmly against him. I shift awkwardly, shooting Dad a nervous side eye. Drix only grins. A wicked, possessive grin.

“You’re mine now, BB.”

I swear this entire family is completely insane. Unhinged. Absolutely fucking bizarre. But they’re my family, and I wouldn’t change a damn thing.