“I know my sister has issues. I thought the club had higher standards than that. She needs help, not to be surrounded by potential triggers, if she hasn’t relapsed already.”
Before I could think about it, I was out of my chair, and my fist was colliding with Atlas’s stomach. Match was close behind me, only staying back when Atlas hunched over in pain. All eyes swerved to the back of the room, where Scythe had burst out laughing—a sight far scarier than any physical attack.
“We talking about the same woman? The straight-laced accountant who gets drunk off two beers? What in the hell is this clueless twat talking about?”
Atlas looked confused as he clutched his midsection. I was breathing heavily and wanted to get at him again. Reaper stood up and put his arm on my shoulder, holding me back.
“You are clearly incredibly misinformed about the woman you claim is your sister.” He led me back to my seat, his expression unwavering.
“Fiona is under club protection. She wants to be left alone—something you’ve done quite well in the past. So you’re goingto stay away from her. That’s a direct order—one that Dagger is aware of as well. As not only President of this charter, but founder of this club, I will personally strip you of that patch if you try to get within 100 yards of her.”
“Fiona is MY sister! My family. I need to talk to her. I didn’t just leave,” Atlas started, only to get cut off by a seething Match.
“You are not her family! You forfeited that role when you abandoned her without a backward glance. She doesn’t need you for a brother. She has me for that. Go back to what you do best. Run away like a little bitch.”
“She doesn’t know the whole story. If I could justtalkto her...” Atlas sputtered, looking more upset and bewildered by the moment.
“Tell me one thing you know about her. Her major, where she works. Hell, what’s her favorite color? Can you answer any of that?” Match demanded.
Atlas visibly deflated, biting his tongue at his lack of answers, but Match wasn’t done.
“You got a cellphone?” he asked.
“Yes?” Atlas replied, taken aback.
“A computer?” Match continued.
“Yes…”
“And what about Pen? He still working surveillance for your charter?”
Atlas nodded, sensing the frosty tone in the room.
“Any of those things could have been used before today to check on your sister. You lost your chance.”
“Please, I have to explain,” he started again, and I’d had enough. I pushed my chair back and stood up, walking over to where Atlas was seated.
“You do not have the right to try to explain yourself now. You weren’t there when she needed you then. She sure as fuck doesn’t need you now. Believe me when I say that the only thingyour sister wants from you is for you to disappear again.” He looked up at me, his eyes pleading.
“Look, I’ll even throw you a bone. Ipromiseyou that you don’t have to worry about Fiona. Not that any of us really thought you were actually worried about her.” Atlas dropped his head at that, but I forged ahead.
“Either way, as soon as she’s wearing my cut, nothing can touch her. You go near my Old Lady, and I will decimate you, then I’ll sit back and watch as everyone waiting in line behind me gets their turn.
“Now, do as Prez told you and get gone. We only hear from you if it has to do with the safe house. Unless Fee says differently, you come around here, and we won’t be nearly as accommodating.”
Atlas stormed out of the room, and the rest of us stayed frozen.
“What in the fuck bullshit was he spewing? Does he think Fiona is on drugs?” Match asked, looking horrified.
“It doesn’t matter. She doesn’t want to talk to him, so he doesn’t get to know anything about her. I don’t know what story he had to tell himself to make it okay to walk away from her, but that’s a delusion he’s gonna have to work through on his own,” I said.
As we left the room, I saw Keys hovering nearby—a rare sight, since he typically ran back to his lair as soon as possible, reluctant to come out unless forced to for something like Church.
“Bash, you have a minute?” he asked, seeming nervous.
“Yeah. Can we talk in my office, though? I’ve got to grab a few things before I head to the garage,” I said as he stepped in line with me to head down the hall. Once inside my office, Keys closed the door, then stood awkwardly in front of my desk.
“I’m sorry, Bash. I should have dug deeper on Fiona when Charlie asked, should have known she was related to Atlas. Since it wasn’t for club business, my search was purely cursory. Just the bare bones. Charlie wanted eyes on the parents, so that’s where my focus was. It won’t happen again. Any search you guys ask for will get the full treatment. It wasn’t for me to decide how deep to run her.”
