Page 32 of Suit

“And you don’t mind helping?”

“No, I like to be useful in some way. Everyone has been so nice to me, and I’m more than happy to help with anything they need,” she replies lightly.

“You know you don’t need to do anything you don’t want to,” I say, not wanting her to feel like she has to do everything asked of her. She is my wife. Her being here secured the alliance, so she’s already earned her place here. She didn’t have a choice, but she’s taken it all in stride.

“You haven’t spoken to your family. Do you want to see them? We can organize something if you do.”

She shrugs. “No. I’m treated better here than I was there. They haven’t even bothered to reach out to me.” She says it matter-of-factly, but I know it hurts. I like that she prefers it here. At least something good came out of this arranged marriage.

“Was it your father who gave you those bruises?”

She stays quiet, but I think her silence is answer enough.

“Come on, let’s go get something to eat.”

We sit outside at the restaurant overlooking the ocean.

“Do you know what you want?” I ask her.

She’s been looking at the menu for a few minutes now. “I can’t decide between the steak and the seafood pasta.” Her brow furrows while she’s deep in thought. She looks fucking cute.

The waitress comes up to us, smiling widely and batting her lashes at me. “Hello. Are you ready to order?”

Shit. She came to one of the clubhouse parties before.

“Can we please get the steak and seafood pasta?” I order, keeping my eyes on Elena.

“What would you like to drink?” I ask her.

“Just water, please,” she replies, studying the waitress, whose name I can’t even remember.

“And two bottles of water.”

The waitress leaves, and I quickly decide to change the subject. “You and the old ladies seem to be getting along well.”

She beams, her lips tilting up in a soft smile. “They have been so welcoming. I never thought I would ever fit in here, but they accepted me right away, as have your club brothers.”

Everyone did, except me. Although I suppose no one else had the responsibility of being married pushed onto them. To everyone else, they were welcoming a new friend. A friend who helped them all get what they wanted.

“You’re happy at the clubhouse? I am building a house for you, but it’s going to take a few months. It’s on the property close to the twins’ houses,” I explain, wanting her to know that no matter what, I’m going to take care of her.

“I am happy at the clubhouse,” she murmurs, a shadow passing through her eyes. “Tell me about your work.”

I tell her about my criminal law career and how I represent the Serpents of Chaos MC, but not just our chapter. I warn her that during certain cases, I might work long hours. She hangs on to my every word.

“Do you like being a lawyer?” she asks, playing with the end of one of her plaits.

“I do. I always wanted to be a lawyer, but it was being a biker that I never saw coming.” I grin, and she laughs. I can’t look away. “Not many people know this, but my brother passed away when I was just a teen. He was murdered, and I always felt like he never got justice. The man who killed him only got a few years and was then let free.”

Not that he’s alive now. I made sure of that.

“I’m sorry to hear about your brother. What was his name?” she asks, reaching over and touching my hand. I know I should move it away, but I don’t.

“Elias.” The name sounds foreign on my tongue. I should say it more.

“So you became a lawyer because of him.”

I nod, suddenly feeling a lump in my throat. “I did.”