Page 20 of Golden Atonement

“And that is?” Maxim asked.

“Reap souls.”

August 3, 2023

Remi

I heard them before I saw them.

Peeking out the front window, I watched with bated breath as their vehicle slowed to a stop. Dakota and two of his men greeted them when they stepped out of the vehicle.

“Remi, come sit down. I made coffee,” Angelica said sweetly as they turned to look at the house.

Closing the curtain, I sat in my chair, pulling my legs up to my chest while I waited for whatever they wanted.

“Why are they here? I’ve told them everything I know.”

Placing a hot cup of coffee near me, she stood and looked at the door. “I don’t know. But if they’re here, it’s for a reason.”

Biting my thumbnail, I tried to think of anything I may have left out that would account for this unexpected visit.

“Take a deep breath for me, Remi. They won’t hurt you.”

“I know,” I muttered. “They just make me nervous.”

The front door opened and in walked Dakota, followed by his brother, Montana Stone. What shocked me was that Mr. Stone wasn’t alone. With him, walked in Maxim Fedorov and his right-hand man, Vladmir Ivenok. Both men I met when they came to Tennessee to help the Golden Skulls end theSociety. Bringing up the rear was the last person I ever thought I’d see again.

Rushing to my feet, I ran to him and jumped into his strong embrace as he hugged me tightly.

Holding onto him like he was my lifeline, I whispered, “You’re here.”

“I promised you long ago. If you ever needed me, I would be there for you, remember?”

Nodding, I sniffed as tears ran down my face.

“Remi, we apologize for the late visit, but we needed to talk with you,” Montana Stone said, taking a seat once Sandman lowered me to the ground, refusing to let go of me.

Looking at the men gathered in my house, I noticed they didn’t look happy to be here. That what they wanted to talk with me about worried them, upset them.

Curious, I took my seat again as Sandman stood next to me.

Protecting me as he always did.

“Fuck, this is harder than I thought,” Montana cursed.

“Tell her,” Dakota growled, crossing his arms over his broad chest angrily as Angelica stood next to him, confused but worried.

Whatever he was here to tell me, his brother knew and wasn’t happy about it.

Mr. Fedorov leaned forward and sighed.

“What we are about to tell you is going to be hard for you to understand, Remi. Neither of us is proud of our part, but it’s time we set the record straight.”

“Okay?” I said, my heart picking up fast.

“Where do we begin?” Montana asked, looking at Maxim.

“How about at the fucking beginning, asshole?” Dakota sneered.

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