Page 35 of Property of Fire

“Yeah, to know what the fuck was going on with my little sister,” Heat growls.

“I’m fine, Heat. Now, will you calm the hell down before you give yourself an aneurysm?” Evelin remarks, moving toward her brother and, kid you not, hugging him. “I don’t need my big brother getting all pissed-off on my behalf. I can do that all on my own.”

Heat wraps his arm tight around Evelin, dips his head down, and murmurs something for only her to hear. She nods and visibly presses herself that much tighter to him.

The two of them stick like that for a bit longer before pulling apart. I move in and reclaim Evelin at my side. Herja steps forward and looks between both her children.

“I’m sorry. Both of you. If I could share things with you, I would, but things have to be revealed as they’re supposed to, not before.” Herja looks at me with a sad smile. “I wish more than anything I could have told you about your real mother. She wanted to be there for you and your brother and sisters. However, the prophecy that was read the day you were conceived wouldn’t allow her to do so. She did what she had to, just as I do what I must for my own children.”

I nod, not about to have this conversation. I’ll deal with my issues at a later date. Turning my attention to Heat, I ask, “Were you filled in on Holstein?”

“Yeah.” He nods. “Part of the reason I was calling you last night. Wanted her ass back at the clubhouse on lockdown.”

“Think I can’t protect her on my own?” I demand, partly joking but mostly in all seriousness. If he doesn’t think I can protect Evelin on my own, then he’s got no trust in me to protect the club as I’ve done for years.

“Know you can,” Heat remarks, straightening. “Don’t think I don’t, brother, but this shit is serious. We can’t take the chances of you two being caught off guard.”

I can see his point of view on this. It’s nearly the exact thing I told Evelin the other night.

“What I was also calling to tell you was we’re having church. Now.”

Fucking hell.

TWENTY-TWO

EVELIN

“Don’t leave the clubhouse,”Fire commands before joining the rest of the members of the club behind closed doors.

Without everyone in the room, it feels just what it is . . . empty. Not that it’s exactly empty. My mom is still here, though she’s moved to the bar and at the moment was pouring herself a drink. Scotch was also sitting on one of the stools.

“What are you still doing here?” I ask, making my way toward him.

“Was waiting to make sure you were good before heading back,” Scotch remarks, holding a beer in his hand.

“You’re drinking a beer? Now?” Not that there’s anything wrong with it. Okay, so maybe there’s a little something wrong with it. I mean, it’s barely noon.

“Yeah, you know it’s five o’clock somewhere.” Scotch shrugs.

“Oh, give me a break,” Mom snaps and looks at me. “He’s not looking forward to getting back to the clubhouse and filling Irish in on the fact you now know the truth.”

“It’s not something he wanted out there,” Scotch admits and takes a sip of his beer, eyes on me. “You gotta understand, the woman who birthed you both started out as one type of woman, got what she wanted, and ended up being another type. No one knew she was pregnant with you until Herja came and spoke with Irish’s pops. The club was dealing with some serious shit at the time. Now, with Pops gone, Irish just wants the past to stay in the past.”

“Great, so my biological brother wants to keep his past in the past, and that includes the fact I was born,” I say a bit harshly. “I can’t blame him though, I’m not?—”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence, Evelin,” Mom snaps, her hand coming down on top of mine with a stinging swat. “You’re wanted, and you’re more special than you realize.”

“On that note, I’m heading out,” Scotch announces, sets his empty beer bottle on the bar top, and gets to his feet, eyes on me. “You be careful, darlin’. You need anything, you know my number. Same goes for Irish. He might be pissed the info is now out there, but he’s loved you all your life.”

Scotch leans in, kisses my cheek, and walks out of the clubhouse without so much as a glance backward.

I wait a long moment for the door to close behind him before looking at my mom. “What do you mean more special than I realize? I don’t understand.”

My mom takes a moment, like she’s deciding her words, and leans down on her elbows. “You know, once Fire claimed you, you became his. Not just with this club, but in life in general. The moment you two connected, his life sealed itself to yours. More so than just that, the child you’ll carry within your body will be about to weld the gifts of not just his father but Freyja herself. Twins, if I remember correctly. Each set of twins will have a set of their own.” She waves a hand nonchalantly and continues. “Each twin will hold the gift of the father or mother and that of their grandmother, but not all of Freyja’s. Each child will share one of each of hers.”

“Okay, it’s freaky, you talking about one child, let alone twins, Mom, but that’s not happening right now. I’m on birth control, and we’re nowhere near ready for something as important as being parents. It also doesn’t say anything about why I’m so special, I might note.”

“Don’t you get it, sweetheart?” Mom doesn’t wait for me to answer. “What makes you special is that you were meant for Fire. To be by his side. To carry the children you will carry. But more importantly, that you are who you are. Just being you is what’s special. Fire has always seen you as special, just like your brother and each member of this club who has watched you grow into the woman you are. Just as I knew the moment I held you in my arms the first time.”

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