Thank you for the birthday love! I hope you enjoy this chapter I know everything that happened came as a shock, I love it that way lol. Enjoy, stay safe, and I love you and ma grateful for all of you.
Three hours later, Sam walked into the basement holding Mercedes's hand; everyone was already down there waiting on them. Stacey and Puck had called every member of the Family to attend. Mercedes noticed Seth tied to a chair on a tarp glaring at her. She looked away, feeling Sam hold her closer to him.
Upon further inspection of the area, it looked as if it were a gathering spot. The tan walls gave off softness in the area. There was a stage in which one lone throne chair stood, and on the other side of the conference area was a boxing ring, full bath, and eating area.
"The stage is for the Boss, aka Me. It's where I talk to everyone, more delicate conversations. This place is soundproof and is rigged to corrupt any listening devices and cell phones. This place is sacred, and we live or die right here."
Mercedes exhaled as Sam led her over to the plush seats next to the stage. Sitting here right below him. Where Quinn and Puck were currently sitting.
Puck stood looking at her. "I am very sorry for everything I did to you; Quinn has spoken of you often. I am shocked I didn't put the two together, though she never used your name."
"I understand you were protecting your best friend like I was protecting mine." She said, smiling at Quinn. "But if you do it again, I will cut you." She looked back at Sam before turning back to Puck. "You should also know your services are no longer needed. Sam has found his forever, and I think you have too."
Sam pulled her close, kissing her forehead as Puck mirrored his actions with Quinn.
"I think we have to." Puck smiled.
Quinn beamed, taking her hand. "We got her, Sam. You go ahead up there."
Sam nodded, leaning in and kissing her neck. "I love you." He breathed before walking to the stage. As Mercedes sat down, Quinn leaned into her.
"This is huge, Sam bringing you down here. I have only been down here once when I got the first part of my tattoo." She pulled down her shoulder, showing angel wings. "I will get the other half soon."
"Will I have to get one?" She asked.
"Everyone has the mark of the Evans Mafia Family. Its wings with EMF inscribed. And should you want in, then yes, but Merce, this place is Blood in, and no out. You have to be sure."
"And you're sure? It's not been that long."
Quinn smiled, looking around. "We never felt we belonged anywhere, you know that. Well, I feel like I belong here. I can't explain it."
"You don't have to explain it because I get it. I feel it too." Mercedes said as she looked around. Seth caught her eyes and smirked; it was scary to see him like that, with him and Sam being twins. She turned away and caught Sam's eyes. He offered her a small smile before nodding towards Puck.
Standing Puck moved to the side of the stage. "I call this meeting to order. The first agenda is the matter of Seth Evans; how many crimes did he commit? Let us count them."
All eyes were on Puck as he continued. "So Seth has decided to try his hand at a coo in which he has failed miserably, and I mean epic fail on his end, which, considering he looks like Sam, is just pathetic; who fails at a coo when he looks like the Boss? Then we have the fact that this pig tried to force himself onto not only Quinn but Mercedes as well."
Mercedes looked around, seeing confused faces. "For those who don't know, Mercedes is the Boss's girl." Puck said and was met with a few gasps and shocked faces.
Mercedes leaned into Quinn. "This is like a courtroom, and Sam is the judge."
"Judge, jury Sam is all of it. He rarely lets anyone other than himself, sometimes Puck and Stacey reign down judgment." Quinn whispered.
Sam sighed. "Bring him up here."
Biff and Jake grabbed Seth from the chair and dragged him in front of everyone.
"Remove his muzzle."
Seth sneered at Sam. "You can't do this! I am your Blood, and you are weak."
"Seth, you have been charged with attempting a coo and assaulting two women, one right under my fuckin' roof, in my room. How do you plead."
Seth smiled towards Mercedes and Quinn. "Not guilty; Quinn wanted me, told me I was everything she needed, craved. And Mercedes, well, just look at the way she's looking at me. It's not my fault all your women want me; it's not my fault I am better than you."
Sam nodded. "Okay, let's hear from her. Mercedes. Please come up here with me." Sam reached his hand out and helped Mercedes to climb up to the stage. "Mercedes, did you want Seth's hands all over you?"
"No, hence why I kicked his ass." She spat at him. "You had no right to put your hands on me; you better be lucky all I didn't use my full strength. Calling Sam weak, you crumbled like a bitch."
A few laughs could be heard as Sam looked at Quinn. "And you, Quinn, did you want Seth?"
"God, no. I made sure he knew I wanted to wait to be with him, only because I knew I was there to do a job, and I didn't want him to touch me at all, but that didn't stop him from trying to put himself on me; He didn't do harm, but the thought that he felt he could, makes me sick. I also know I wasn't the only one."
"Stacey, please present your evidence," Sam said. Mercedes went to walk off the stage, but Sam stopped her and had her sit on his lap. "I need you with me. Please stay." He whispered.
"Always." She said softly.
Sam wrapped his arms around her as Stacey spoke. "After seeing the evidence, I called the other families and found out that just like he said with Sergi, Seth had promised each of them half the cut of whatever he earned by this new deal. Needless to say, they are both out for Blood Sam. If we don't send a message that this is unacceptable, we may lose dealings with the Russians. I did, however, let the Irish know that it was their willingness to go behind your back that fed this foolishness."
Sam sighed, and Mercedes took his hand as he spoke. "I want a summit meeting with Sergi and with Patrick. Puck and Stacey, I expect you to be in attendance, We can even have it here, but I need to know if we should keep our dealings with the Irish or cut ties."
Stacey nodded. "And Seth?"
"As you, Stevie, and I agreed, having family deal with this is messy, so seeing as Mercedes was harmed by him, I feel she should choose his punishment for taking advantage of women and the family."
Mercedes stared at him as gasps came around the room. "Me? But I…"
Sam stood with her. "I believe you can do this. I trust you to make the right decision."
"I object! She is not Family; she should not get a say." Seth said, and a few mumbled their agreement.
Sam stood tall. "Oh, do some of you dare question my judgment?" There was silence in the room. "I said what I said, and Mercedes will give her ruling; what she says goes."
"Wrong move, big brother; this bitch can't handle any of this. Pathetic." Seth spat.
Mercedes glared at him as Sam's hand rested on her back. "You can walk away. I wouldn't blame you; there are a lot of eyes on you." He whispered. "But if you are in this with me, then you have to be in this. Show no fear. I believe in you."
She stood tall, looking out into the crowd. Eyes fell on her questioning if Sam was crazy or smart for this. "Seth has harmed innocent women with his need to prove he's the "man," and he has harmed the Family and has put you all in danger with his dealings with the other…umm…."
"Families," Sam whispered.
"Yes the other Families. I don't know much about Mafia law, but I know wrong is wrong, and since I am sure he can not be imprisoned here for his crimes…and because you need to make a big move to fix what he broke…" she hesitated for a moment. "Now, this could be wrong, but I suggest to make things right with the Russians, you could offer Seth to them to do as they please. It can be a peace offering, and you three don't have to see his punishment."
A hush came over the room; Mercedes looked out, unsure if they were stunned because she was right or wrong.
Stacey stared at her shaking her head with a smug look on her face. "Well Fuck, now she's never leaving; she can't have my spot."
Mercedes looked at her, confused. "What I do?"
Sam smiled proudly. "I am pretty sure that was the exact plan Stacey was going to suggest. It's diplomatic, and it's smart. All in favor of handing Seth over to Sergi and his Family, say, Aye."
A round of Aye sounded, and Sam nodded. "Put him in the cell until the meeting, and then Sergi can do what he wishes."
"No! Sam! I'm your brother! You can't do this! Stacey, Stace, come on, you love me! Stevie, don't let them just hand me over."
"Seth, you know EFM Law, and you broke it. You brought this on yourself." Stacey said. "Get him out of here." She spoke barely above a whisper.
Mercedes could see banishing her brother was hard on Stacey, and she walked over to her, pulling her into a hug. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Stacey said, hugging her back. "Sam was right; I was going to suggest the same thing. We all knew the rules when we agreed to form the Family."
"It still can't be easy."
"No, it's not. But thank you."
Sam cleared his throat. "Before we adjourn this meeting, we should discuss new members. Quinn."
Mercedes watched as Quinn and Puck stepped forward.
"Quinn Fabray, you stated a few months ago that you wanted to join The Family. Is that still true?"
"It is," Quinn said, nodding.
"No matter how you came to be here, the work did with Seth is telling; you've proven yourself worthy and valuable to us all. Are you ready to take the oath? To give your Blood? To gain your wings fully?"
Quinn took a deep breath looking at Mercedes, then back at Sam. "Yes."
Sam looked at Puck. "Give her the oath."
Puck walked to the wall and came back with a big book, and he kissed her forehead and pointed to where she should read.
Quinn looked at Mercedes and nodded her forward. Mercedes walked towards her and linked her hands with Quinn's as Puck stood on the other side and Sam stood above them.
"I, Quinn Fabray, due here by pledge to honor, support, and loyalty to Evans Mafia Family and no other. I promise to live and die by the code of the Family ruled with an Iron Fist. I pledge my life today to the Family. Live by the Blood and die by it. Blood In and No Out."
Sam stepped forward, holding a black and gold box. Opening it, he pulled out a gold blade. "Do you Evans Mafia Family pledge to protect Quinn, honor and support her, show her loyalty to our Family?"
A chorus of we do rang out, and Sam nodded to Puck, who handed her a pen. "Sign your name here, as this is your contract."
Quinn signed her name, and Sam moved to cut her finger,
"Place your bloody fingerprint over your name."
As she did, Sam smiled. "Let us all stand and welcome our newest member to the fold. I am certain we can see great things from her and a wedding if Puck plays his cards right."
Puck smiled, and Mercedes stepped aside as everyone hugged Quinn; Sam stepped behind her. "So, have I scared you off?"
She leaned back in his arms. "This is your family, and it's beautiful, Sam."
"Can we talk about how you were both diplomatic and perfect in handling Seth? You fit right in."
She turned. "Does that mean you want me to have my own ceremony in joining the family?"
Sam stared at her. "I know that we haven't known each but 6 months, and I know that you and I still have much to learn about each other, but if you want a home here, with me. I would love that."
"Really? You aren't just saying that.
"No, when and if you are ready, I will bring it to the family, and I am sure they will agree."
"They have to agree?"
Sam nodded. "Because you and I are together, I can not just invite you into the Family; another member has to. If they see I have found a suitable mate, someone who makes me better, makes the Family better, they will bring it up in front of everyone, and the house will vote."
"Well, then, I guess I better work on impressing your family so one day I can join you."
Sam kissed her softly. "Easy job for you."
"Excuse me." Stacey said. "Yo, everyone shut the hell up. I have something to say."
Everyone hushed, and Sam held Mercedes as Stacey spoke. "I think the Family should extend membership to Mercedes."
Another round of gasps could be heard as she continued. "I know she is new; I know this is our first time meeting her, but Sam is in love, real true love. I have seen a difference in him these last few months. We all have. He's become a stronger leader, more aware, and dedicated to the Family. And well, after seeing her beat the hell out of Seth for harming her." Stacey walked over to Mercedes and took her hand, leading her to the book. "After seeing how you protected Sam, Stevie, and myself when handling Seth. I think you would be the perfect addition."
Mercedes was shocked at his. Sam looked at Sam, who looked just as shocked, and back out to the crowd. Stacey squeezed her hand. "Will anyone second my motion for Mercedes to join?"
"I do," Stevie said, standing from his seat.
"I do as well." Santana said. "She's badass, and we love us some badass women." She added as a few people whistled.
Stacey looked over to Puck. "Well, do the honors second in command."
Puck smiled, standing on the stage as Sam moved beside Mercedes. "With three Ayes, I formally bring this to a vote. All in favor of Mercedes joining the Family; speak up now."
"Aye." Came from all over the room.
"Those opposed."
Silence fell, and Sam squeezed her hand. Puck smiled. "With no objections, Mercedes Jones, you are formally invited to join our humble Family; this is a lifelong commitment you can not take lightly. If you need time, we can grant you a day."
"I don't need time. I accept." Mercedes said with no hesitation.
Sam stared at her. "Are you sure?"
"Quinn's here, my sister. You are here, the love of my life, and it's a no-brainer."
"Sam, want to do the honors?" Puck said, and Sam smiled.
"No. Today I am a support system. You can do it. If she doesn't mind, of course."
"As long as Sam is the one who cuts me, I am okay with everything else." She said.
Puck stood tall on the stage as Mercedes looked at the book. "Mercedes Jones, please pledge your loyalty to the Family."
Mercedes closed her eyes for a moment as Sam and Quinn squeezed her hands. "I, Mercedes Jones, due here by pledge to honor, support, and loyalty to Evans Mafia Family and no other. I promise to live and die by the code of the Family ruled with an Iron Fist. I pledge my life today to the Family. Live by the Blood and die by it. Blood In and No Out."
Sam stepped forward, the gold blade from the box that Puck handed him as he spoke. "Do you Evans Mafia Family pledge to protect Quinn, honor and support her, show her loyalty to our Family?"
A chorus of we do rang out; Quinn handed her the pen as Mercedes signed her name and then handed her finger to Sam, who cut it and kissed her softly as she placed her finger over her name.
Puck smiled. "Looks like I am not the only one who hears those wedding bells, now am I?"
Sam smiled, and Mercedes allowed herself to be congratulated. She stared and smiled as she and Quinn were brought onto the stage.
"Would you two ladies like to say anything?" Sam asked.
Mercedes smiled. "For as long as I can remember, Quinn has been my only Family. The only one I trusted with my life. And who knew her meeting Sma would lead us to all of this. I promise to live the rest of my days making this Family proud. And making Sam happy."
"Mercedes is right. We went through so much together that it seems only natural this be the next step."
Sam and Puck stood beside them, and Sam cleared his throat. "A dinner celebration is being prepared as we speak, but first, Quinn needs to finish her tattoo, and Mercedes needs to get her wings!"