Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen.
CHAPTER TWELVE
LAINEY
Instead of walkingaround the table and making my way over to the Vicious Reapers’ side, I do something that is going to piss my brother off and likely hurt Viking’s massive pride. As if walking away from him last night and getting into the back seat of Paul’s car wasn’t enough.
Now I’m going to add insult to injury.
When I walk over to the chair beside Paul, he stands along with the other men and pulls the chair out slightly. Sitting down, I thank them and allow him to push the chair in for me. Placing my hands on the table, I avoid Viking’s gaze.
“Now that we’re all here, we should discuss terms,” Lorenzo announces.
“Terms?” Axton whispers. “Lainey-Rose?”
Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I slowly lift my eyes to meet my brother’s. They’re not full of rage and anger like I anticipated they would be. No, instead, they’re filled with hurt and a bit of fear. He doesn’t hide it from me. The anger is one thing, the hurt is another, but it’s the fear.
That fear gets me, cuts me deep.
“I’m here to be part of the contract. I want my input taken into consideration.”
Saying those words shouldn’t fill me with absolute heart-pounding anxiety. But it does. My heart slams against my ribs, and I hold my breath as I wait for him to say something, anything.
He doesn’t speak immediately, but then when he does, my heart almost breaks in half. I love my brother more than anyone else in the whole world, and I knew this would upset him, but I never imagined he would be this… broken.
“You’re going to do it?” he asks in a whisper.
I reach across the table, ignoring the bread, plates, and silverware, and wrap my fingers around his, gripping them, my arm straight and outstretched as my gaze continues to hold his.
“I’m going to do it, because I know it’s the right thing to do.”
Axton presses his lips together, shaking his head a couple of times as he pulls his arm in and closes his eyes. “I cannot believe this shit,” he hisses.
“Axton?” I ask softly.
I lift my fingers to my lips. I shouldn’t have said his real name in mixed company like this, but it probably doesn’t matter. I can’t imagine Lorenzo and his people don’t already know his name.
“I’m pissed,” he hisses. “Pissed at myself, at the Front Mob Family, the Reapers, and that it’s come to this. That you’re right here, willing to be with this guy you don’t even know in an effort to protect me, protect the club.”
Lorenzo grunts but otherwise stays quiet. I’m sure that the things Axton is saying are pissing him off, but he stays quiet, knowing how important this moment is. Axton is my brother, my only family, and it’s important that he is okay with this.
Earlier today, Lorenzo laid it all out. It’s all very clear and concise. I agree to marry Paul. I get to keep a bakery, but I have to open it closer to my new home. The Front Mob Family and the club work together on whatever they agree upon.
I’m out of that part.
All I have to do is marry Paul, build a life with him, and work my bakery… which includes walking away from my entire life.
That depresses me. I love my family. And while Lorenzo said I can see them and that there are no restrictions, I already know that people are busy, as they all have children. I’ll hopefully have children as well, and monthly visits will turn into once in a while, will turn into holidays, will turn into only seeing Axton and Millie.
“It’s not ideal, but I think it’s the best decision for everyone.”
Axton presses his lips together in a thin line, then clears his throat. “You are a thirty-two-year-old woman, and you can make your own decisions. I love you, Lainey, and I trust you.”
God. I hate that. I’m not sure he should trust me. This decision felt like the right one until this moment. Now I’m backtracking and wondering what the hell I’m doing. My family, my friends. I’m going to miss everything.
Paul’s fingers curl around my thigh, squeezing gently as a reminder of last night. Instantly, I think about his mouth between my legs and the way he made me come. Wrapping my fingers around his wrist, I clear my throat, shifting my attention over to Lorenzo, but it’s Lorenzo who speaks first.
“The wedding will be a full affair. A family event in one month’s time,” he announces.