Atlas replied to that one in a graveled voice. “Not your problem, sweetheart. We’ve got it.”
“I should have listened to you all when you told me to stay away from him. But he was always so good to me, so charming and... well... genuine, or so I thought. I never expected everything to come crashing down the way it did. I’m still in shock myself, especially after last night.”
My chest ached at the remorse lining her voice. “Sis, if you want to give him another chance and see if there’s something redeemable in him, then go for it. There’s no shame in giving second chances. It’s not like he strictly cheated; you weren’t his ol’ lady, and your relationship wasn’t exclusive. We’ve all serial dated in the past. As much as I hate to say this, I wasn’t very different from him a few years ago.”
“It wasn’t just about what he did, Donny, it was how. He didn’t even wait for me to leave the fucking building before he got Saskia to kneel. It shows me he has no loyalty, and that makes him a hypocrite because it’s his favorite buzzword. He expects total loyalty, but he’s shown me he’s not prepared to give it, or at least if he does, it’s on his terms. I admit there arefeelings there because the side he showed me, I liked, but the other sides of Pagan, like last night’s, aren’t what I want in a guy. He went after Rosie and Maeve, all because he couldn’t get his own way. I could never trust him.”
I could tell by her steely tone that she meant every word.
My sister was brilliant but spoiled, thanks to Dad. She was used to everything falling into place without much effort. Aislynn hadn’t had many relationships purely because she had an idea in her head about the kind of guy she wanted, and after last night, I knew Pagan had shown her he wasn’t what she’d envisioned for herself.
Honestly, it was a relief that Ash had chosen her sanity over Pagan’s slick lies. My sister was a strong girl, and even though I had no doubt she was feeling the breakup deeply, I also knew she’d get over it and come out the other end even stronger. Ash and Mam were both the same way, and so was Rosie, which was probably why I felt so fucking much for her.
“Thanks for last night, Sis,” I murmured. “Appreciate the way you stepped up for Rosie.”
“It was the least I could do,” she said softly. “Saskia would’ve slapped Maeve if Rosie hadn’t stepped in. I never even saw it coming, so I’m just grateful Ro was there.” She paused and then said, “Look, I have to go. Mammy needs me. I’ll forward those numbers to you.”
We said our goodbyes, and Callum ended the call.
“What do you think?” Atlas asked.
“What I think is that we can’t trust Pagan Sinclair an inch,” I declared. “Last night proved that.”
Callum sat back casually in his office chair. “At least the drama showed us who Pagan Sinclair is. When the chips are down, it’s KOA all the way, and I get it, but did he have to play games with Rosie and Maeve? What he did to Ash was shitty, but I would’ve kept my nose out of it if he hadn’t pulled that stuntlast night. Maeve’s really hurt by him. She thinks he chose Saskia over her, even though she’s always spoken up for him. I won’t forgive him for that. As far as I’m concerned, the friendship’s done. We won’t be inviting him or his crew to big nights at the bar anymore.” He paused briefly before stating, “In fact, he’s not welcome in my bar at all.”
“Cash wants to distance the two clubs,” Atlas confirmed. “Prez ain’t happy with what went down, and the fact that Pagan did it on our turf shows blatant disrespect, which ain’t a good move in biker circles. We won’t stop ‘em comin’ to town, and they can wear their colors when they ride through, but no more friendly visits to our clubhouse. Last night’s shenanigans proved they’ll throw us under the bus for their own gain. No honor in that, so fuck ‘em.”
“We’re all in agreement then?” I asked. “Professional but not friendly.”
Callum jerked a nod. “Fucking with my sister’s bad enough; like I said, none of my business unless Ash makes it that way. But fuck with my wife, and Imakeit my business.”
“He fucked with Rosie, too,” I concurred. “I won’t entertain his ass now.”
“Ro’s my sister, but I could’ve put up with him for the good of the club. Luckily, Cash thinks the same way as me. We can’t trust KOA, and we won’t put ourselves in the position where we have to.”
My stare slid between the two men. “Decision made?”
“Decision made,” Callum muttered.
Atlas nodded his agreement. “Yip. Decision made.”
“If I had a gavel, I’d bang the motherfucker,” I joked.
“Nah, bro,” Atlas protested. “Between us three, I’d obviously be the man in charge.”
Callum chuckled just as my cell buzzed in my pocket.
I dug deep and pulled it out. “It’s Rosie.” Clicking the green button, I held it to my ear. “You okay, babe?”
“Kennedy just called,” she said. “The court date came through.”
“That was quick,” I noted.
“Ned thinks he’s pulling strings, which worries me. I wasn’t aware he was that well-connected.”
I glanced at Atlas. “I’m with your brother, baby, so I’ll put you on speaker.” I clicked the microphone icon and placed my cell phone on Callum’s desk, announcing, “Kennedy got the court date already, and Rosie’s worried that Evan’s pulling strings.”
Atlas pulled his phone from his pocket and started messaging. “Don’t worry, Ro. I’ll message Colt now and get him on it. He hasn’t gone into detail, but Kennedy’s PI’s been stakin’ Evan out, and he’s already got some juicy shit. But you’re right, we don’t wanna get blindsided by that fucknut.”
