Page 40 of Golden Atonement

“Are you happy here?”

He shrugged. “I’ve got Joan and my sisters. I’m happy.”

“That’s not what I asked and you know it.”

“I know,” he said, looking at me before he added, “But I’m where I need to be at the moment.”

Narrowing my eyes, I looked at the former enforcer for the Golden Skulls and wondered what it was he wasn’t telling me.

More lies and deceptions.

It was all too much. I didn’t know what to believe anymore. Nothing was what it seemed, and I was beginning to suspect I really knew nothing at all.

Looking down at my hands, I whispered, “I saw Vicious on my way back here from seeing Sunny.”

Shadow smirked. “And how is my old friend?”

“Good. He told me some things.”

“I’m sure he did. Vicious never could keep his mouth shut when it involved people he cared about.”

“But you can?”

Shadow looked at me and smiled. “I know when to stay quiet.”

“He was right, wasn’t he?”

Shadow said nothing as he slowly got to his feet and snubbed out his cigarette in the dirt. Looking around the desolate area, he groaned. “I miss the ocean. Maybe someday I will see it again.”

Watching him head back into the clubhouse, Vicious’ words came rushing back.

He sent me to watch the Soulless Sinners.

From around the corner of the clubhouse, I saw Kansas, Dakota, and Arizona talking. All in a deep conversation when Dakota looked up and saw me. Instantly, all three men stopped talking and smiled. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled.

Something wasn’t right.

I fucking knew it.

I was missing something. Something big.

All three men walked off, disappearing back into the clubhouse. I tried to make sense of everything when Shadow came walking back outside.

“Remi, you have a visitor!”

“Remi, would you like me to stay?” Kansas asked as I stared at the man sitting across from me.

“No.”

“Alright then.” Kansas got up from the table. “Mr. Ivenok, you are welcome to visit with Remi, but you will need tomake arrangements to stay somewhere else for the night. Got no problems with the Bratva, but my clubhouse is full at the moment. I hope you understand.”

“I do,” my father politely replied, never taking his eyes off me. “In fact, I had hoped to take Remi to lunch if she doesn’t have plans.”

“She’s not allowed to leave the compound.”

Slowly turning, I clipped, “I’m a grown ass woman, and I can do whatever the fuck I want, Dakota.”

Dakota sighed. “Remi, we’ve gone over this. You are still in danger.”

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