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Drake’s voice disturbed my thoughts, and I raised my head.
“Ain’t discussing shit. Candidates and prospects ain’t allowed to vote but can remain present. The majority will win. Those in favour of voting Calamity out for disrespecting a brother, hold your hand up.” Gunner, Rock, Texas, Axel, Lex, Lowrider, Apache, Ace, Fish, Slick, Manny, and Ezra put their hands up.
Hopelessly, I stared at the younger generation, who steadfastly kept theirs down. Their actions decided my own. And I accepted the pain as it settled over me.
“Those who disagree, raise your hands,” Drake announced.
Blaze, Hunter, Slate, Jett, and Mac raised theirs.
Drake and Texas both sent Mac a dire look. But somehow, it was for different reasons.
“The ayes win. Calamity is out,” Drake said.
On Drake’s words, I rose to my feet. With absolute agony at what I was giving up, I took my cut off and repeated Calamity’s actions. Drake appeared stunned as I laid it on the table. My hand lingered, wanting to snatch it back up, but I was not abandoning Aurora. Not for Rage. We’d make our own family, and at least I knew Aurora wouldn’t turn against me.
“What the fuck?” Axel boomed.
“I’m in love with Aurora Victoria, and she feels the same. But as a prospect, I stayed away out of respect for the club rules. This bullshit means that as long as I wear a cut or am a Rage member, I can’t claim the woman I cherish. You said no discussion, Drake. You should have had one because it’s too late. Because if the women we adore mean more to us than our cuts, brothers, family, and loyalty, then we genuinely worship them.
“Rage wished to build a club with personalities like Calamity. And now you toss us aside because we dared to fall in love with a princess? We break our backs as candidates and prospects to prove our allegiance to Rage and yourselves. And you call us trash because we cherish a woman you deem us not good enough for. What the fuck are we killing ourselves for? Thought we’d earn respect. Calamity waited four years to claim Rosie, me waiting months for Aurora, and you shit on our feelings.
“Yeah, Texas, we’re trash, ain’t we? The same as each of you, and like you, us trash would kill to protect the women, children, and club we love. We would give up everything to be with them. None of ya thought of that when you voted against Calamity. Rage just lost the best of us. You’ll never get that kid’s like again,” I said and strolled out.
Outside, Aurora’s mouth dropped open as I walked out without my cut. Aurora shook her head in despair as I took a stand behind Calamity. Neither of us desired this outcome, but it was a decision I was making for the future. Considering we’d not even had a date yet, it was a momentous choice, but Aurora had informed me I was her soul mate and our every interaction told me she was mine. We’d spent time together, talking at the club, and I felt the bond grow tighter each time.
Aurora stepped forward and seized my arm in her hand. She was making a stand too. We gazed at one another as the confrontation furiously grew, and old ladies picked sides.
Before I fully understood what had happened, we were leaving the clubhouse, both Calamity and I in shock. We’d just lost our family. Everything we’d wished for had been ripped away, and we were floundering.
Phoe said we still had her and the old ladies and to meet at Reading Hall. Aurora was clinging to me like I was her lifeline. I felt terrible because ever since Aurora had returned, she’d been met with one drama after another.
Hunter was talking about this shit-splitting Rage, and Calamity was denying he wished to be the cause. Neither did I. A hand fell on my shoulder, and Savage stood behind me, anger warring with sympathy on his face. Savage didn’t say a word but offered silent support. Calamity looked even more lost than I did, and I spoke to him, telling him that he had Aurora and me no matter what. Only time would tell what the future would bring, but I had Aurora, and Calamity understood he had a brother. That’s what mattered.
???
Days moved swiftly as Calamity and I came to terms with our new life. Both of us felt like we were drifting in the wind, and while I didn’t contact Mac, I guessed the job at the bar had gone. Which meant I needed something to keep my mind busy. And funnily enough, it was Rosie who handed me a solution.
“Klutz?” Aurora asked as she approached. We were in her shop painting the walls and varnishing the wood, and I’d fallen into a muse.
Surprised, I glanced up and saw her concerned expression.
“It’s okay, baby, just thinking about something Rosie suggested,” I replied.
“Oh?” Aurora said and walked across to plop herself on my lap. Happily, I wrapped my arms around her and nuzzled into her neck. Aurora did as I expected and released a slight giggle.
“Rosie proposed I become a vet,” I drawled, and Aurora stilled as she thought about it. That was one of Aurora’s habits I considered adorable. She liked to think before offering an opinion.
“That would be a great idea. You enjoyed yourself the other night helping Rosie out. And plus, you were annoyed you couldn’t help more,” Aurora finally replied.
“Think I can do it, baby?” I asked as she leaned back against me.
“Hell yeah, I see good things, Klutz,” she whispered.
Aurora was distracted, and I was starting to learn the signs. While I didn’t understand woo-woo shit, I believed in her. Plus, Aurora had said a couple of things, and I’d seen them come true. Which tore my beliefs apart because now I didn’t know what to think. Aurora had that ‘who gives a crap if you believe me’ attitude, and I loved that she felt safe enough to tell me what she saw.
“Then I’ll guess I’ll register. Now lady, are you certain about this colour?” I asked, glaring at the soothing yellow paint.
Aurora giggled and nodded.
