Stella

Riding in the car I felt sick, ready to throw up from the storm in my stomach.

It's not sickness from the baby, it's from me being about to put a hot iron on a man's neck to brand him. How did I agree to this? Oh right, I am going with 'don't over think his life just go with it till it becomes my world' thought process.

Sure, I have stopped freaking out but now I'm about to brand someone.

Brand!

I can't even watch the scenes in movies when they brand cattle and now I am going to be doing it to Sebastian.

"You going to be okay?" Tate asked glancing through the mirror to make eye contact with me in the back seat. Putting a smile on I nodded, Tate raised a brow before looking back to the road. "You are looking paler than normal."

Rolling my eyes I let out a small chuckle. "Thanks for that? Anyway, I'm fine, looking forward to being a part of a... Sorrentino tradition."

"Yeah, I'm calling bullshit, if you feel sick and don't want to do this then why are you forcing yourself to?" He asked turning into the Sorrentino estate.

Sighing I knew this is where I put on my brave face and be the woman I need to be. "Please don't mention being sick, I haven't stopped throwing up all day. And I am doing it because it's my duty."

Tatt gave an unconvinced hum.

"Hey where am I branding? You have yours on your neck but Max has his on his chest." Watching the mansion get closer and closer, my heart began to beat rapidly.

"Only direct Sorrentinos have it on their chest above their heart, everyone else has it on their neck." Tatt replied.

The car came to a stop in front of the house, one of the Sorrentino men opening the door holding their hand out to help me out of the car. "Thank you, Alek."

He nodded as I walked up to the house followed by Tate, him opening the door to the house for me. Taking another breath, I lifted my head, my spine straightening and made sure I held myself respectably, men nodding when I walked by.

Feeling his presence, I turn to Maximus walking down the corridor, his arms wrapping themselves around me once he was close enough. Kissing my temple, he moved his lips to my ear to whisper. "You can change your mind."

Shaking my head, I lifted on my toes kissing his cheek. "Sebastian deserves his place here, I won't be selfish and deny him it."

There was pride in Maximus's eyes while keeping his arm around my waist and led me to a large parlour room, men already filling it. He tilted his head keeping us walking to go around the corner to some peace. Reaching into his suit he pulled out a small container.

"Vicks vaper rub?" My brows pulled together looking at the Vicks rub he was now unscrewing.

His fingers went into the rub and then he carefully placed it under my nose, the strong smell immediately filling my senses. "It will help lessen the smell, the brand will smell strong but this should help some."

I slowly nod. "Right. The smell."

Max put the rub in his jacket. "I will be next to you the whole time and if you get sick, aim for Lorenzo."

A small laugh escaped my lips. "Yeah, because that will go over well."

"Ready?" Max asked rubbing a supportive hand down my back.

I nodded taking a deep breath. "Let's get to it."

Max kissed my temple and turned, walking us in the direction of the ceremony room where I already hear everyone talking from.

Arriving at the ceremony room, I straightened my spine and walked in with Max, my eyes finding Sebastian's who was bouncing nervously on the balls of his feet.

I gave him a small smile, a forced one sent back from him.

Max leaned down to my ear. "He doesn't know if he's getting in or denied."

My head snapped to Max's to whisper back. "That's cruel."

He chuckled and kissed my temple. "It's what it is."

Looking around the room I felt the magnitude of this formal event. The room was filled with members, all in their usual perfect suits who didn't give any indication on the event's purpose.

My eyes focused on the centrepiece of the room. A small table with a knife and branding iron then beside that is a fire pit, the fire already burning.

Don't throw up.

"Alright." Lorenzo said taking command of the room. "Thank you all for making it in short notice. We are here to decide if Sebastian has proven himself to be a part of the family."

Vinzo cracked his neck, his scared face focused on Sebastian. "Defend your case cugino."

Sebastian nodded, his face void of any emotion. He began speaking in Italian, words that sounded confident but went over my head.

Glancing over to Max, his face was in Underboss mode. His only attention was understanding what Sebastian was saying, hopefully he will give me the transcript later.

Max's arm came around my waist and pulled me into him, his silent way of saying he sees me watching.

Romano asked something in Italian, Sebastian replying in Italian.

Max took a step forward, it was weird watching him Underboss mode. It was like watching a different person; there wasn't a sign of the man who makes me laugh. Instead his presence demanded respect and commanded the room to his attention.

"Sebastian, over a month ago you were undercover." Max said thankfully switching back to English. "During that time, you had to make a choice, stay undercover and keep us in with Carnellio or take a guess on gossip. You trusted your gut instead of staying with the safe option. You saved my woman's life and according to bylaws, she will brand you into the family."

I fought against the urge to squirm from remembering the kidnapping and everyone's eyes on me.

Lorenzo took a step forward to put the branding iron into the fire, the movement making the embers fly up sparks. "Do you remember the oath?"

Sebastian nodded taking a step forward, his hand picking up the knife and slit his palm bringing out blood when he clenched his fist.

Why do old traditional families always have the knife and blood?

The almost new member started to recite in Italian, another translation I will need later.

When Sebastian finished Romano gave a nod and an order in Italian.

Vinzo stepped forward to Sebastian passing him a bottle of vodka. "Chug."

Sebastian took the bottle and began drinking the alcohol, downing half the bottle. Lorenzo turned to me, his hand taking the iron out of the fire pit and turned the handle to me.

My eyes focusing on the handle and not the bright orange end of the iron.

Knowing it was my turn, I took a deep breath getting rid of my emotions and stepped forward.

Lorenzo carefully passed the brand, the iron felt like a hundred pounds but I pushed the weight out of my head. I can't look weak in front of everyone, I must do my duty and get this over with.

Sebastian bared his neck to me, an action that reminded me of an animal show where a dog would bare his neck in submission to their alpha.

Not thinking about it I put the brand on the spot of Sebastian's neck where everyone else's was at. His body immediately straightening in silent agony.

The smell of burning flesh was rancid, my stomach flipping around but I fought every desire to put my hand over my mouth and vomit everywhere. I need to finish this as a Sorrentino must.

I didn't need Max to tell me when I needed to step away, my body took that initiative. With the brand off of Sebastian's neck, someone took it from me.

Sebastian's eyes were bug wide while he gulped hard, taking in deep breaths of air to contain his pain. After a moment he said something in Italian, the entire room roaring in celebration.

Vinzo stepped to Sebastian, his hand gripping his neck to pull into him to say something between the two of them. Taking a step back Vinzo gave Sebastian the bottle of alcohol he was drinking earlier.

Lorenzo stepped forward giving a whistle that silenced the room. "Now, before we get drunk and forget what happened. Sebastian, welcome to the family. You have done yourself proud proved your dedication, honestly and loyalty. To Sebastian!"

More cheers went up and bottles of wine were opened.

Max stepped forward to clasp forearms with Sebastian. "Congrats Sebastian, proud of you for making it in."

The room erupted into cheers again, Sebastian taking a large swig of alcohol though my eyes were stuck on the red, enflamed 'S' on his neck.

A wound that I put on him. Pain that I inflicted on him. A scar he will always have because of me.

I'm going puke.

Noticing that people were with Sebastian and that I had no longer any part to play, I slowly back up out of the room. Slipping between the doors, I headed down a corridor, my hands now on my stomach and one covering my mouth as the feeling of throw up was beginning to come strong.

A whistle made me turn to see Alek standing by a door, his hand quickly opening it showing a bathroom. Wasting no time, I ran to the room, dropped on my knees and threw up barely registering the door closing behind me.

After a moment of throwing up, I felt Max's hand slowly move up and down my spine. My body fell into him for comfort. "Did anyone notice?"

His lips kissed my forehead, my stomach safely settled letting me lifting my head from the toilet bowl, Max brought a cold towel over my lips. "No, did that concern you?"

Shrugging I slowly let Max help me stand on my feet. "Just didn't want to fail my first duty as your woman." He went to say something but I put a finger on his lips to stop him. "I'm okay, I agreed, just don't give me fried food for a year maybe longer."

Max opened his jacket and took out a toothbrush and tooth paste, the sight making me laugh. "You came prepared today."

Taking the items, I walk over to the sink and begin brushing my teeth, Max leaning against the wall watching me. Brushing my teeth I watch something cross over Max's face in the mirror, I stared intently but couldn't name his look.

After a few moments I spit into the sink and turn to Max. "What are you thinking?"

Max shook his head. "It's nothing, come on. Let's go mingle."

Pinching my cheeks to get colour back in my face I check that I look human and not ready to pass out; the action making Max laugh.

Rolling my eyes at him I take his arm and we make our way out of the small bathroom. Walking through the house we entered a large living room, people eating a load of food and drinking to celebrate the induction of a new family member.

Esperenza stepped up beside me, her hand passing me a champagne glass which I took slowly. "It's Ginger Ale. Not bad today, you are starting to fit in nicely."

Max's arm rested comfortably around my waist pulling me close into his side. "She is, isn't she."

Taking a grateful sip of the Ginger Ale, I shake my head at the two of them. "Yeah well my line is branding. Now, what are everyone's names again?"

They chuckled at me but thankfully began telling me who is who. Leaning into Max, trying to remember names I couldn't help but agree to their earlier statements.

I'm fitting in.