Page 38 of Raven
“I guess it’s time,” I said to Phantom.
“Go get her,” he returned.
I felt my heart beating rapidly in my chest as I moved across the room toward the table of ladies where Sydney sat. Cheyenne and Claire gave me a knowing smile as I stepped up beside Sydney. She looked up and smiled at me, asking, “Is everything okay?”
I extended my hand to her and her forehead wrinkled, but she gave me her hand and stood from the chair. Without saying anything to her, I began to walk us into the crowd of brothers, who were growing silent as we got closer to the center of the room.
“Caleb?” Sydney whispered as we stopped, and she noticed all eyes in the club were on her.
The music lowered in volume and the conversations around the room stopped as I turned to face her. She appeared worried, so I took both hands into mine and kissed the back of each, hoping to soothe her worry.
“You know I love you, right?” I asked softly, and she nodded, cutting her eyes to the side.
I saw Jigsaw moving around the gathering so he was closer to me. I’d seen this done a few times, but that didn’t make my nervousness any less.
Sydney nodded at me, and I reached back, feeling the leather cut being placed into my hand. Holding it up, I began to speak. “I’m laying claim to Sydney Jenkins and declaring her to be my ol’ lady. She has the full support of the Sinners Revenge behind her, and from this moment forward, she never walks alone again. I will lay down my life to protect you, and I profess my allegiance and loyalty to you, here, in front of my brothers.”
Tears flooded her green eyes as I held the cup in front of her, showing the patch, proclaiming her ‘Property of Raven’. “Do you accept?”
“Yes,” she blurted out with a watery smile.
I made a circle motion with my finger, and she turned to face the table of ladies who were standing on chairs to watch. Pushing the cut up her arms, I made sure it was on her before I reached back again. A small box was placed in my hand, and I lowered to one knee as Sydney turned back to face me.
She looked confused for a moment when she saw me on one knee, holding the black box open as I spoke. Her eyes grew wide and her hand flew to cover her mouth as I spoke. “Sydney, I knew you were the one for me before either of us was willing to admit it. I love you more than I could ever imagine, and it would be my honor if I could be your husband. Sydney, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she responded as tears fell down her cheeks.
I stood and pushed the ring onto her finger as cheers and applause filled the room. Grabbing the front of her cut, I pulled her closer to me and slammed my mouth against hers, feeling the love flowing between us. Pulling back, I smiled at her and let the brothers begin their congratulations.
The ol’ ladies would have their turn, but this was about the Sinners Revenge accepting Sydney as my ol ‘lady. I bumped fists and got pats on the back as the brothers took turns hugging Sydney or offering a fist to bump.
Phantom and Laura walked up and I introduced them to Sydney. “Darlin’, this is Phantom and his ol’ lady, Laura. He’s the club’s VP.”
Laura extended her hand to Phantom, and he shook her hand with a smile. “Welcome to the Sinners.”
Sydney looked at Laura and asked, “When are you due?”
“Three weeks,” Laura responded and began to rub her belly.
I looked at the table of waiting ol’ ladies and waved them over so they could all congratulate Sydney and visit with Laura. They ran across the room, pulling Sydney into a hug as Willowexclaimed, “You have no idea how hard it was to keep this secret from you.”
Sydney hugged her, and I stepped back, giving the ladies a chance to fawn over Sydney while I walked over to Roughstock.
“Congratulations, brother,” he said, and I bumped his fists with mine.
We watched Sydney and the ladies rattle on about something and I couldn’t help but chuckle, looking at how out of place Phantom was with the ladies. But Laura was engaged in conversation, and he was right by her side, keeping an eye on her and their baby.
Warhol stepped up to Roughstock and me and I decided to tell them about what Sydney discovered. Turning to face them, I lowered my voice and explained. “Sydney needs to see Warhol, and I think you should be there too.”
“What’s going on?” Warhol asked as Roughstock gave me his full attention.
“She found something in Nitro’s saddle bags yesterday before Bruce picked them up, and I told her to wait until tonight to give it to you.”
“What did she find?” Roughstock asked.
“It’s a sealed envelope with Warhol’s name on the front.”
“Huh,” Warhol responded then shrugged. “It wasn’t uncommon for Nitro to want me to investigate something, so I’m sure that’s what it is.”
