Although Bleu has yet to meet Brooke, she's aware of my pledge to personally see to the care and safety of her and her unborn child.
Bleu's eyes flash with acknowledgement. I'm pleased she remembers.
She embraces Brooke. "Sin has told me wonderful things about you and Callum. It's so nice to finally meet you."
"I'm glad to meet you too. And happy to see you're off bed rest."
"That was brutal."
"My doctor placed me on it for a while when Callum died. Afraid the stress would cause me to lose the baby." She places her hand on her tummy. It's twice as big as mine. "But I didn't."
My father cues me it's time. "We're up."
Bleu places a hand on Brooke's shoulder. "Our presence is requested but we'll definitely talk later."
Bleu and I join my father on the rostrum behind a podium. Tonight's event has felt like nothing more than a large dinner party until now. This is where the commitment gets real. There's no going back after this. And I'm ready.
My father makes the opening statements, recites The Fellowship creed, and then instructs me to repeat after him. The formalities are still familiar in my mind from when I attended Abram's swearing-in as my interim replacement almost six years ago.
"I, Liam Sinclair Breckenridge, freely and willingly accept my role as leader of this organization known as The Fellowship." That's how it begins. The lengthy pledge that follows mostly pertains to declaring absolute and unwavering loyalty to the people of my brotherhood.
My father included Bleu in the rites, which I wasn't expecting. He had her repeat similar declarations, vowing her complete and unfaltering loyalty in support of me as her husband and leader of The Fellowship. She vowed to be steadfast at my side, supporting me in all of my decisions.
Once the swearing-in is complete, our people wait for a word from me. I understand it's part of my duty but I hate giving speeches. "I've been trained for this job since the day I was born so this has been a long time coming. I want you all to know I'm both ready and prepared to be your leader."
I gesture toward Bleu so all attention is focused on her. "Many of you aren't yet acquainted with my wife. As you come to know her, I'm positive you'll see her for the amazing person she is. She's the strongest woman I've ever known and I'm certain I'll be a fiercer leader for you because she's by my side."
I take her hand in mine. "One of our duties as your leaders is to provide an heir. As you already know, we are expecting our first child in September. What we haven't told you is that Bleu is carrying twins."
The crowd applauds and yelps so loudly I'm forced to let the noise die down before I'm able to continue. "We anxiously await the arrival of these children and look forward to raising them in the way of The Fellowship."
I debate telling them our plans for the way any sons of ours will be reared but decide to tackle that at a later time.
"As leader to the women of The Fellowship, Bleu has been hard at work creating and organizing many new opportunities for those she'll be presiding over. I'll let her expand on what those things include."
Bonny steps to the podium and adjusts the mic. "Good evening. First of all, I want to express my sincerest appreciation to you for welcoming me into your circle. I understand that isn't an easy thing to do within The Fellowship, but you've been so kind and hospitable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Bleu removes the mic from its stand. "I'm sorry. This podium is too formal for me."
She crosses the floor of the rostrum, microphone in hand. "My husband and father-in-law are in charge of the brothers. My role is to minister to the females of the brotherhood so I want to talk about women's services – – or rather the lack of them. I have many things I'm considering but my biggest concern for now is the women's inability to protect themselves. They've not been taught any defense skills. We're all aware that The Order has a habit of targeting our women so I want to work toward putting a solution into place to combat that problem.
"I was kidnapped by them. Torrence Grieve tried to sexually assault me. I stress the word 'tried.' He was unsuccessful because I had the skills to fend him off. I want that for all of our women. They deserve that power."
It's selfish but a part of me is glad Bonny addressed this issue so my men are clear about what happened. It bothered me that they were probably questioning if she was raped.
"A good shepherd protects his flock but a better one teaches his sheep to become lions when attacked. Male or female, we all deserve equal training to protect ourselves. The Order is in a state of panic. They're desperate to prove they've not been weakened by their leader's death. Who do you think they'll come for? Our men who can defeat them or women they can overpower? How great would it be for them to come expecting to attack a sheep and find a lion in its place?"
The daughter of a trusted brother lifts her hand. "You have a question?" Bleu asks.
The young woman stands. "Hello. I'm Lacey Taggart."
"Very good to meet you."
"What do you mean when you say you want to make us lions?"
"I'm proposing basic self-defense classes be offered to those who are interested. For the women who'd like to take it further, I would recommend Muay Thai. The skills taught enable even the smallest woman to take down a larger male opponent. You're welcome to verify that fact with Leith Duncan if you'd like."
"True story," Leith calls out and laughs. "The lass put me on the floor of the ring with one punch."
"I have the perfect person in mind to help me teach the self-defense classes, but I'll need to find someone for the Muay Thai classes. The required physical combat will be too much for me during my pregnancy. But physical defense can't be the end of it. You need to know how to use firearms. I'd like a show of hands – – women only – – if you know how to properly fire a gun."
Only three. And one of them isn't my own mother. It's a shame. I'm glad Bleu sees this problem and wants to fix it.
"I only see a few hands. That astounds me. Let's pretend for a moment that a member of The Order is after you with malicious intent. Kidnap. Rape. Murder. Whatever. By show of hands, how many of you would like to learn how to defend yourself against him?"
Every woman in the room lifts her hand – – including Torrie, Evanna, and Westlyn. I'm sure that pisses Abram off.
"Moving beyond learning to defend yourself, I want to find ways to offer more opportunities in the workforce. Perhaps you're in a marriage or you've been claimed and you don't have to work. Maybe you like it that way. That's fine, so this isn't for you. But if you are interested in independence, then this opportunity could be of interest. Brothers must select how they'll contribute to The Fellowship. Many choose to become professionals, go to college, and learn a trade or service. Women should be given the same opportunity."
Abram lifts his hand but doesn't wait to be acknowledged. "I'm unclear about something. Did you learn your defense skills and how to shoot a gun while you worked as an FBI agent for the US government, or were you taught elsewhere?"
Motherfucker just won't stop.
Bleu doesn't miss a beat. "I was initially taught by my father. It was important to him that I have the necessary skills to protect myself against those attempting to harm me. I learned to shoot a handgun when I was twelve. I never miss my target. But I didn't master the use of high-powered rifles until I was in the academy."
"You don't deny that you once worked for the FBI?"
"No. It's true, so why would I deny it?"
Good girl. She's making herself transparent. It's her only defense.
"You were an FBI agent and now you're part of The Fellowship. That's suspicious. Doesn't anyone else find Bleu's motives questionable?" His tone is contemptuous.
He's trying to place doubt about Bleu in the minds of our people.
"Sin is a lawyer. His professional career places him on one side of the law but his loyalty lies with The Fellowship. The same is true for me. I once had a career in law enforcement for the US but my allegiance now belongs to The Fellowship. My previous employment is nothing but beneficial for our brotherhood."
"You left the FBI less than a year ago. Your father was an agent so you were raised to have respect for the law. Do you really expect us to believe that you have no regard for it anymore?"
Bleu remains cool, seemingly unaffected by Abram's accusations. "I entered into the oath of marriage with the next leader of The Fellowship. I'm pregnant with his children, the future leaders of the brotherhood. Do you really think it's a valid argument to propose that I have sacrificed myself and the lives of my offspring because I have such a high regard for the law? I think not. Furthermore, I'm American. Even if I were still an agent, I would have zero jurisdiction in Scotland. It would be useless for me to come to Edinburgh to infiltrate an organization I can't prosecute. What you're proposing simply doesn't make sense. Not a single agency in the US cares about The Fellowship."
"You haven't addressed your motive."
"I have only one. Love. I love Sinclair and our children, not the law. Is anyone else unclear on this or is Abram the only one?"