Page 30 of Swan

“What does the rock star want to drink?” Coyote asked.

There was a snort, and I glanced over to see Drake staring daggers down on the counter as he nursed a bottle of beer between both hands.

Was he okay?

Lockland answered Coyote with “Just a soda, thanks.”

Coyote nodded and placed my usual drink on the counter in front of me. “No problem, but ladies get served first. Hellmouth?”

“I’m good, thanks,” Mum replied.

Dad moved in behind Mum and eyed Lockland. He eventually tipped his chin up at him, which Lockland returned.

Could it be that having Lockland walk in here was helping Dad accept him?

“Lockland fuckin’ Humphrey,” Talon called.

Lockland turned to face the president of the club. “Sir.”

There were chuckles.

“You know your fame ain’t shit in our house, right?”

“Yes.”

“You know how we protect our own. We follow our own rules, and if you’re stickin’ around, you’ll be wantin’ to adjust to our ways. No matter what you see or hear, you don’t talk to outsiders about our family.”

Lockland stood taller. “I wouldn’t.”

“Trust doesn’t come easy here. We’ll keep watchin’, and you’d better fuckin’ keep provin’ you’re worth our Swan’s time.”

I went to say something until Mum grabbed my wrist. When I looked to her, she shook her head.

“I’ll keep my mouth shut. I’ll prove myself. I’ll do anything that needs to happen to make sure Swan and I aren’t separated again.”

Talon stared at him.

Heck, I was sure everyone was.

Even I glanced up at him with misty eyes with how brave and sure he was with those words.

He really did want me, and as more than a friend too.

My bottom lip trembled as I happened to glance over his shoulder and straight into Drake’s sad gaze. He forced a smile and tipped his beer up at me before he drained it and walked away.

Talon clapped, making me jolt. Lockland wound an arm around my shoulders as Talon said, “All right then. Let’s get this cook up started.”

Everyone cheered and went about their business.

I smiled up at Lockland and told him, “I think you’ve just passed their test.” Even as happiness ran through me, there was a presence of worry in the back of my mind for Drake. I’d never seen his eyes hold a sadness like that. It was different to when his father, Talon, was nearly killed.

Lockland grinned. “Good.”

I nodded and wound my arms around his waist.

I needed to get Coyote or Maya to check in on their brother.

Lockland and I were sitting on a couch in the corner of the room chatting and watching the people around us. I ducked my head and smiled. I never thought I would get to be pressed up against Lockland like this, with his arm around my shoulders.

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