Chapter Fifty-Three
Isabel
Rem brought me back to the clubhouse after his proposal. I was so happy that I had been completely unprepared for what came next. We walked in to find all of members waiting at the bar. Donny, Sam, Max, Hawk, Jordan and Greyson.
None of the women or prospects were there. I hung my head in shame as Rem tugged me along. “It will be all right,” he said.
I wasn’t so sure. The men who had once greeted me as a friend now looked at me with disdain. The Aces were not the type to forgive easily, and they wouldn’t make an exception for me.
Jordan pulled out a chair from one of the tables. Rem led me to it, and I sat down. He kept a hold of my hand and stepped behind me placing his other on my shoulder. He wasn’t going to let me face this alone. His support gave me the strength to look up. Greyson was standing in front of me, and the others had moved around us forming a circle.
“Isabel. While we understand the position you were put in was difficult, we can’t let your betrayal go unpunished.” Greyson’s face was much like the last time we’d seen each other, cold and resolute.
I simply nodded my head.
“Since you are an old lady, we had to think creatively.”
“What were you thinking?” Rem asked.
“A branding.”
“No fucking way.” Rem stepped out from behind me and stalked toward Greyson.
“It will be small.”
“I don’t care.”
I was confused. Duncan told me that a branding was just a tattoo. “What do you mean?” I said, stopping their fight.
Greyson’s eyes turned to me. “The letter A will be burnt into your skin. It needs to be somewhere visible.”
That kind of branding would hurt, a lot. “But if I do it, I’ll be forgiven?”
“Yes.”
“Let me do it,” Rem said to Greyson.
“No,” I shouted as I stood up. I couldn’t let him take my punishment for me. I needed to earn the respect of the club again, and this was the place to start. I loved Rem for wanting to protect me, for wanting to take the pain away.
I went to Rem’s side and wrapped my arms around his bicep. “I can do it,” I whispered.
Rem turned his head to look down at me, his eyes concerned. I smiled gently and squeezed his arm, before turning to Greyson. “I’ll do it.”
He nodded. “Hawk already has everything prepared in the warehouse.”
Everyone headed for the door, and Rem wrapped his arm around me as we followed.
My determination was tested as we came through the door and went to the back. The same place where Breaker was tortured. There was no plastic this time. Instead there was a grill with flames burning high. Skinny was stoking it as we came closer.
Hawk approached him and said something quietly. Skinny walked past us, leaving only patched members.
“Arm or back, Isabel?” Greyson asked, the fire lighting half of his face.
“The arm,” I responded. “Right here.” I pointed to my left upper arm right between my shoulder and elbow. It seemed like the obvious choice. Greyson said it had to be visible.
“It’s best that you sit on the floor,” Hawk said. I did as I was told.
“Rem, you should sit behind her. Jordan at the front.”
I looked at Hawk. “I won’t move.”
“Your instincts will make you pull away, and to do this cleanly I need you to stay still,” he explained. Rem kneeled behind me and brought me against his chest by wrapping his arm across my shoulders. He gripped my left forearm to hold it in place. Jordan kneeled in front of me putting my legs between his and holding my right arm.
Rem’s lips were by my ear. “Are you sure about this?”
I swallowed the fear rising in my throat. “Yes.”
Hawk approached the grill, and I closed my eyes. I couldn’t watch it coming or I’d freak out. “Don’t count or anything. Just do it,” I said.
Suddenly, I felt the pain in my arm. I didn’t even hear Hawk’s footsteps come near me. It was poignant and intense. I screamed, louder than I’ve ever screamed before. My bruised vocal cords managed to produce a shriek that echoed off the metal walls of the warehouse. I struggled as Hawk had predicted, but Rem and Jordan held me down.
The searing pain was agony, and it seemed to go on forever.
“It’s done, Isabel.” I heard Rem’s words, but it couldn’t be true. It still hurt. My skin was still burning.
They released my hands, and I immediately reached for my arm.
“No, don’t touch it.” My wrist was held down again. “Skinny has the doctor outside.”
I slumped against Rem, sobbing. I could smell my flesh in the air, and my arm was throbbing, the pain jumping with every heartbeat.
I opened my eyes to see Rem looking down at me. He was cradling me in his arms. “You did it, Isabel. It’s over.”
I closed my eyes thinking, It’s not over. It’s just the beginning.