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Blade has another life. Somehow he’s managed to be the president and have a home. I could see myself living in a house like this.
It’s strange. Up until Ryder, I never cared much about the places where I’ve lived. The house I grew up in was cold and not kid-friendly, or people-friendly, for that matter.
All my apartments were bought for me and decorated by someone else. Even the thought of that apartment Matthew bought us makes me shake my head. He loved it, spent millions hiring interior decorators to turn it into a rip-off of Versailles.
So creepy. I couldn’t wait to give that back to him and leave.
I walk to the left and into the large kitchen. Lush floral arrangements cover the counter, along with lots of champagne, and what looks to be a Bloody Mary bar set up on the marble island, along with an amazing charcuterie board. Tracing the gold vein in the greenish marble on the island with my fingertips, I wonder what it would be like to buy a house that I actually like. Would Ryder even want a house? He seems happy where he is, but Blade used to live at the clubhouse, and now look at this.
With a sigh, I grab a bottle of water from a large brass bucket.
“Julianna.” I turn to see Eve standing in a blue halter dress and adorable cork-heeled sandals, her hair pulled back. She hesitates, seemingly unsure what to say, as her eyes take in Ryder’s jacket. Dolly walks in behind her.
“Oh. My. God.” Dolly almost plows into Eve with her stomach—she’s literally all stomach.
“Holy shit. I told you.” She grabs Eve’s arm.
“Dolly, relax. Let’s not make a scene. Remember, we’re going to have a nice, calm day.”
Eve smiles at me, and Doug enters the room.
“Hello, gorgeous,” he says. He kisses my forehead, giving me a wink as he moves to the cheese platter.
“Doug, do you see what Julianna is wearing?” Dolly says, still wide-eyed.
Eve pours herself more champagne.
Leaning against the counter, eating a cracker, Doug gives me a once-over. “I know. She’s rocking the leather today. Leggings, jacket—” Dolly slaps him as he pulls her in for a hug.
“Your house is beautiful, Eve,” I say awkwardly, ready to kill Gia. Why does she always have to be late? It’d be so much easier if she were here.
Eve looks around. “Thanks. It’s home. Doug, make Dolly sit down. She’s swelling right before our eyes.”
Doug grabs another cracker and takes Dolly’s hand, dragging her toward a couch in what looks like the entertainment area.
Loud laughter makes me look over at a tall, middle-aged woman with long blond hair entering with Cindy and Charlie.
Perfect.
“Can I help you?” I ask Eve, who’s carrying a pink box.
“Um, sure. Can you hand me that cupcake stand?” She motions with her head toward a large, pastel blue-and-pink stacked cupcake stand. As I go to grab it, I notice a quarter-sized tattoo on her neck, right under her ear.
“Here you go.” Though I’m trying not stare, I remember Dolly has the same one on the inside of her wrist.
Eve sighs, looks over at me, then returns to placing the miniature cupcakes on the stand.
“Has he branded you yet?”
“No.” I shake my head, trying to get a better look at it. It’s small, and I’m not an expert, but whoever tattooed this did not do a great job.
“Ryder did it.” She smirks, and for one horrifying second, I wonder if I spoke my thoughts out loud.
“What?” My eyes dart to hers.
“Yep. Long story, but Blade held me as Ryder branded me. I think it was Ryder who did Dolly too.” She looks over at all of them sitting on the couch. “Maybe not.”
I shake my head and start helping her put the cupcakes on the stand. “Are you saying that they… brand you? Like, brand a cow?” I whisper and her lips twitch.
“Yep, but I think it’s called cattle. It’s the Disciple way.” She grabs the bottom of the cupcake stand and walks into the main area, placing it on the table.
I stand there, stunned. What the hell? When he said brand this morning, I thought it was some kind of biker word like cut.
“Julianna, come meet my mother-in-law,” Eve calls for me. Mind racing, I step into the main room, wondering if Gia knows about the branding thing.
“Julianna, I think you know everyone but my mother-in-law, Leah.” She smiles at me, and I instantly see the resemblance to Blade. When I glance at her wrist, I almost choke—there’s the brand on her wrist too.
Catching my breath, I wonder why I didn’t bring that water with me. I have no idea why this is freaking me out, but it is.
“You okay?” Doug stands, frowning at me.
“Sorry, yes, nice to meet you.” I go to shake her hand, trying to avert my eyes from her wrist, but it’s like a car accident. You want to look away, but you can’t.
