Man of the House(163)

“Same,” I said.

We shook hands. His grip was firm, and he looked into my eyes, smiling.

He looked away and to Larkin. “I know this is hard, but it’s the right thing.”

“Sure,” Dad grunted.

“Mind if I have a moment with Janine here?”

Dad gestured and Stonewall left, Reggie right behind him. The other man came up and stood next to Jetter. He was short and bald and had this evil, sick smile that twisted his ugly face.

“This is Burke,” Jetter said, “my second in command.” Burke nodded at me, and Jetter motioned for him to leave. Burke grinned and left the room.

“I’m staying,” Dad said.

“Very well. Janine, let’s sit.”

We took seats at the conference table, Jetter to my left. Dad went and sat at the head of the table, not far away.

“Well,” Jetter said. “This is awkward.”

“Yeah,” I said. “A little bit.”

“I know this isn’t something you want,” he said. “I’m fully aware you don’t want to marry me. Frankly, I don’t blame you. I’m not too excited about the idea myself, although you seem like an intelligent and beautiful woman.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“You understand why this is happening, so I won’t explain it all again. Larkin and me, we have a very complicated history.”

“Yeah,” Dad grunted, “we do.”

I nodded. “I’ve heard stories.”

“Yes,” Jetter said. “Stories.”

“All of them true,” Dad added.

“I understand why you likely hate me, and with good reason. What happened years ago was unfortunate, but I’m coming home now.”

“Unfortunate?” I asked him. “Didn’t you get control of your own gang? That seems like a real win for you.”

He laughed. “That’s true. I can’t deny it.”

“What I don’t get is why you’d give that up to join us.”

He gave me a strange look. “You’re a smart one. Well, it’s simple. The Snakes are bigger and stronger, and without the Demons, we will be crushed. This is to save my club.”

“Yeah,” I said. “I get that. Same reason I’m willing to do this.”

“I understand.” He leaned back in his chair. “So, Larkin, I claim your daughter for my own.”

Dad nodded. “Witnessed. I’ll tell the boys.”

“Good. When do we start patching?”

“Soon as we can.”

“Fine.” Jetter stood up, and Dad and I followed suit. “Janine, it was nice meeting you. We’ll be seeing each other more soon.” He paused and took my hand. “I promise this won’t be horrible for you.”

“I’m sure being your wife will be lovely,” I said.

He grinned, dropped my hand, and turned to Larkin. “I’ll get my man and head out.”

“Fine.”

Jetter left the room.

I looked at Dad and felt like I wanted to throw up. He walked over to me and put his arms around me, pulling me into a hug.

I hugged him back.

“It’ll be okay,” he said. “I promise.”

“He didn’t seem so horrible.”

“He’s a piece of shit,” Dad said harshly. “Don’t let him fool you. He’ll be nice and polite, but it’s all a game and an act for him.”

“I understand,” I said.

We pulled apart and Dad looked at me, frowning. “You can do this,” he said. “And you can back out at any time.”

“I know,” I said. “I can do it.”

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s go tell the boys the shitty news.”

I smiled but felt a pain in my chest. Jetter didn’t seem so awful, and he actually seemed to feel a bit sorry for me and my situation, but still. I had to keep reminding myself that Jetter was scum, even if he seemed polite up front, just like Dad said.

But it was becoming real, much too real. I’d known it was going to happen, but actually meeting the man underscored the whole thing.

I was actually going to marry this stranger, all for the good of the club.

I could barely believe it. As I followed Dad out to the main room, and he sat me down in his office while he went out and made the announcement, I felt numb. I’d never been claimed by a man before, and I’d never really wanted to be. But now I was Jetter’s, all because I didn’t speak up.

I was claimed by some piece of shit stranger, and I hated it, because the only man I wanted was the man I most couldn’t afford to have.

As I sat in that room, waiting for Dad to break the news and for the boys to calm down, I just wanted to see Clutch. It was irrational and stupid, but I wanted Clutch there in the room with me. I wanted to feel his rough hands, hear his deep voice, see his big, inked frame. I felt safe with him around.