Family

*Joseph*

Henry left to head for the peak while we were all preparing for the meeting. We had to drive to the city. I didn't want the girls to go but was quickly scolded. "If you want me to be your queen you can't hide me away all the time," Sandra said running her hand over my face. I closed my eyes breathing in deeply. The magic in her hands always made me want to take her, but this wasn't the time. I looked down at her shaking my head. "You don't understand darling. These meetings sometimes get heated. Everyone doesn't always agree with each other, or with me. Sometimes it breaks out into full-force brawls. We set them outside and let them go, or if they want to challenge me they can. It's the way we have done it for years. I also don't like for people to know you mean so much to me that I don't completely trust, like Ark, they can try to use it against me." I tried to make her understand. She shook her head looking up at me sweetly, "LIsten Smoke, if I love the king, I stand beside him. I have faced so much in my life this far, a bunch of Alphas doesn't scare me," she paused tilting her head a little bit and smiling, "if they try to use me against you, then you kick their ass and fix it." She giggled leaning up to kiss me softly. "Yes, my queen," I said rolling my eyes and following her towards the front door. Everyone was packed and ready to go. Zeus decided to even bring Tanya, so we didn't have to come back to the country before the poker game. I watched Sandra reach her hand out and grab Tanyas, noticing her anxiety. I have the best queen. She was right, I need her by my side. I leaned down and kissed her forehead. The guards started carrying our bags to the car with Jay's help. I don't think the guard in him will ever quite go away. I respect him greatly for that. A great leader works just as hard if not harder than his followers. Zeus Grabbed Tanya and put her over his shoulder, crutches in the other hand. I watched as they laughed together all the way to the car. It was fascinating to see him like that with a woman. Sandra grabbed my hand as we walked to the car, and I realized they had probably been shocked by me for a while. I could spend my every day right here with this woman.

We had to take two SUVs because we decided to come in strong. Four guards, Jay and I, and the girls. Jay, Sandra, and I rode in one SUV with 2 guards. Zeus and Tanya rode in the other with two guards and all our stuff. I leaned back in my seat with my arms wrapped around Sandra, wishing I could just take her straight to the room when we got to the city. I leaned down whispering in her ear, "I want you." She shifted against me and breathed in deeply. Just my words could heat her, and I loved that. I looked back at Jay who was watching out the window. I leaned down again, "I want to be inside of you." I made sure the heat from my breath hit her ear. She closed her eyes and dug her fingers into my hands. I kissed her neck softly and sat back up now exciting myself a little too much. She turned her head up and looked at me. "You are not very nice." She said rolling her eyes at me which I also knew was intentional. I licked my lips and leaned back down biting her neck before whispering, "I can be not nice." Into her ear. Suddenly Jay was cursing at his phone. "What's wrong?"I said jerking around to look at him slightly frustrated at the interruption. "Henry, brother, Henry." He said shaking his head. Sandra jumped up and looked back at him, "What's wrong with Henry???" She almost yelled at him. I knew she cared for all the guys but Henry had marked a special place in her heart. I think it was because he was younger, and more open than the others. I watched as her eyes teared up knowing she was thinking the worst. I grabbed her hand and told her it was okay, "Calm down baby, I am sure he is fine." Jay shook his head yes at my words before telling us what he did. "He told her." He said putting his hand over his face and running it back through his hair roughly. He is mad AT Henry. "He told who what?" I knew my voice had deepened and was no longer as soft and raspy as it had been in her ear moments earlier.

Jay shook his head and practically threw his phone toward me. The message was from Henry.

Hey J, I told the package we were coming to take it. I told it Elizabeth sent us to pick it up. NO worries, it was happy and ready for the trip. It will be prepared for it. I know I changed the plan, it was unavoidable. -H

"Are you FUCKING kidding me? Why would he do that? Why would he use that name?" I looked at Sandra confused. She told me she didn't want anyone to call her that. "Who is Elizabeth?" Jay asked because he didn't know. I looked to Sandra who had her head in her hands. "I am." She said not looking up. Jay didn't say anything looking at me still confused. "Look at me," I said deeply as an order. She looked up at me instantly, eyes wide and misty. "How does he know that?" I said not backing down. She said she had told him once while they were cooking and he told her his real name as well. They had promised not to repeat it. She looked almost hurt but shook her head and smirked. "I know what happened." She said now almost giggling. "This isn't funny Sandra." I said toughly, but not completely immune to her smile. "He saw her," she said shrugging. I was confused and she looked at me and laughed out loud this time. "Like you saw me Smoke, he SAW her." She said again. At that moment, I understood. Like me and my Sandra, and Zeus and Tanya, He wants to protect her. He wants her. I smiled and shook my head. "Perfect, another girl," I said kissing Sandra on the forehead. She looked up at me gleaming. I am sure she was happy to have more women around. Mrs. J was around but we never hardly saw her. She preferred it that way. I haven't even told Sandra where her room is. We saw her more when she did the cooking and cleaning in the kitchen but our little brother took over and now she works mostly while we are gone. She told me it was easier that way. I leaned into Sandra to ask her if she was mad at Henry for repeating the name she was trying to leave in the past. She shook her head no, telling me we were her family. I smiled and kissed her softly on the top of the head.

When we got to the city house Zeus got out just as mad as Jay was. Henry must have messaged him as well. I hadn't checked my phone but I am sure I have the message as well. While the guards carried things into the house to our rooms, Sandra explained why Henry did what he did to Zeus. I decided to look. The message made me proud of him. Mine was different from the others.

Hey boss. I get it now. I thought I did before. Then Zeus and her. Now I do. I'm sorry. -H

He put his whole life at risk telling that girl we were coming. What if she was loyal to Luca? He took the risk to save her. What if she tells him anyway, despite the name drop? What if she loves Luca, what if she stays because she wants to? I know why he did it. I just think it was stupid. I watched as Sandra walked around outside saying hello to guards, playing her part as queen. When I looked at her something inside me completely understood his stupidity. The moment I knew she wasn't safe in her marriage, I knew Ryan would die at the hands of the brotherhood, and that I would never allow anyone to hurt her again. God only knows what Takara has gone through. He will save her or we will lose him, and I won't lose him. This could start a war. I walked up to Sandra, this time not trying to be cold and distant towards her. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and proudly escorted my queen through the group of leaders. When we got inside there was a table set up with a meal, and enough chairs for an army. I sat down in my chair and offered the one beside me to my queen. She sat down and placed her hand in mine. I watched as my number two pulled out the chair beside her for Tanya before sitting in the chair across from her. Jay sat across from Sandra. After minutes the table starts to fill up. I saw Pan sit down with Candy. I watched as Blaze sat down, looking excited. I watched as their inner circle guys sat down as well. The rest of the table was filled within minutes. I knew the leader's names, but not all the names of the ladies, or the fellows. Pan took over the South not long after Mason was killed. Blaze, we threw into leadership of the north after Ark fucked us. The east leader's name was Hector. He has been a leader for years and I have never had to go for him. He and I share most of the same values. We grew up in much the same way. He was accompanied by his long-time wife, Sofia. The western territory was run by a young guy named Nick. He was a good guy, still learning. I think I have received emails full of questions from him daily since he took the position.
For the most part, the leaders were respectful, intelligent, and motivated.

I put my hand up to silence the family before speaking. "Let's eat and enjoy the company before we start comparing dicks, eh? It's nice to see you all. For those who don't know, this is Sunshine." I said thinking of how nicely to put don't fucking bother her. "She is my queen."