Addicted to You (Devils Right Hand MC #3)

Chapter 22

Hey babes! My friends are out of town and I have the day to myself, which always means A LOT of writing. I've been in a little bit of a writer's block phase but I woke up today and it was completely gone. Hope y'all enjoy my writer's unblock hahaha.

As always, I don't own rights to the song used in this chapter. The name of it is Strangers by Maddie & Tae.

Axe's POV

My whole life, I've just wanted to fit in. I never fit in with family I was born into. I didn't fit in at school. I always felt like an outcast, like I had an evil in me that no one would ever understand. But, for some reason, I was lucky enough to find my place in life. I found the place and the people that I can be myself around.

The club gave me everything. It gave me a purpose. It gave me an outlet for my rage and skill set. It gave me a family. And most importantly, it gave me Gabby. I never would've met her if she didn't run into the bar one night to escape the rain. I never would've spoken to her again if Grace didn't hire her as a bartender. Without my crazy overbearing family, I never would've had the nerve to face my feelings for her.

This club is the reason I'm alive. It's the reason I'm sane. And it's the reason I found my forever at the ripe age of 19........ well, I guess 20, now.

Today is my 20th birthday which also happens to be the day I officially patch into the club. I've been a prospect for three years now, which I've loved, but this feels different. Now, I'm a permanent fixture in our chapter. I've found the place I belong and the person I belong to. It's a damn good day.

Everyone is packed into the small room we hold our club meetings in as Blade gives the same speech he does at every patching ceremony. Our club, the old ladies, and some of the Smithville chapters are piled into this room. Even Gabby, who technically shouldn't be in here since she isn't an official member yet, is here because Blade made an exception. Actually, he said no at first but then Gabby called Grace and he called me ten minutes later to say Gabby could attend the ceremony.

This whole thing is a lot more formal than one would think. We joke that it feels like a high school graduation ceremony, but it's the way we've always done it. It's a part of our history and in this club, traditions run very deep.

"Alright Axe, you know the drill," Blade says as I stand up. He holds a bible out to me as I place my right hand on it, ready to take the oath. Legend has it that whoever started this tradition did it as a reaction to the oath Sheriffs take when they swear in. Police officers promise to protect and serve, and so do we.... among other things.

I've been practicing this oath for weeks. It's a requirement that we memorize it and recite it at this ceremony. Which isn't that hard because it's really short.

"I, Axe, promise to uphold the code and conduct of the Devil's Right Hand. I promise to protect and serve those who can't protect themselves by any means necessary. I will put my own needs aside for the good of the community and my club. So help me God." As I recite the oath, I glance over at the girls and realize that Gabby had a huge grin on her face, a grin of pride. Amber is wiping away tears, but the girl cries at everything now.

"Grease," Blade says and Grease stands from his seat and walks over to me. We get to choose who puts our new cut on us and I chose Grease. He's the whole reason I found this club. He's the reason I'm alive. Grease takes off my prospect vest and then helps me into my new vest. My permanent vest.

"Well, it is my honor to announce the newest member of the Franklin chapter, Axe Anderson," Blade says and everyone claps. I never graduated high school. I've never done anything anyone can be proud of. But now, I've done this. I can be proud of this. Gabby, can be proud of this.