Page 68 of Golden Atonement

I wasn’t leaving them again.

I’d lost too much already. I didn’t know why they were here and their mother wasn’t, but I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Without their mother, my kids were going to need me and for once in my life, I was going to put someone else first beside me.

“Good, because we need to talk,” Bullseye said firmly. “Now.”

Turning away from the room, I faced my brother and headed back downstairs to find what remained of the California Chapter all standing around in my living room, watching, waiting for me.

Stepping into the living room, I was greeted by Daphne, Ink’s woman, who smiled before hugging me.

“Welcome home, Reaper. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.” I nodded while she scurried away, Ink watching her every move. My brother had a good, gentle woman. I wondered if he knew how lucky he was.

How lucky all of them were!

Seeing Massacre leaning against the far wall, a sense of relief washed over me, knowing he was here and alive. When Maxim handed me his patch back in New York, I thought the worst. That I got another one of my brothers killed because I once again kept a secret.

“Sit down, before you fall, Reaper,” Bullseye ordered as he pointed to the dining room table.

The brothers moved to take a seat themselves.

Walking over to the head of the table, I looked at the chair, then turned back to Bullseye, who stood, arms crossed over his chest, waiting for me to decide something.

I may be the President, but I wasn’t.

Not technically.

I forfeited that when I lied to my brothers and went my own way.

“If you are looking for my permission, you’re gonna be waiting a long time. Just sit the hell down.”

Pulling out the chair, I sat, looking around the table at all my brothers. They didn’t look entirely happy to see me.

I didn’t blame them either.

I went back on my word. Kept another secret from them. Only this time, it wasn’t my secret to tell. I just wanted to keep my wife safe. They couldn’t blame me for that, but the other shit they could.

Instead of coming clean about the alliance with the Soulless Sinners and Maxim Fedorov, I went against my better judgment and left them all out of the loop. Instead of relying on my brothers, I reverted to doing what I always did and it cost me everything that mattered.

My club.

My brothers.

My family.

My wife.

A moment later, Catarina, Player’s wife, walked in carrying a tray of coffee mugs, followed by Daphne, who carried two pots of coffee, placing them at the center of the table before leaving.

The second the wives left, Bullseye took his seat next to me, leaned forward, placed his elbows on the table, and sighed.

No one moved.

No one said a word.

The silence was deafening.

Spoke volumes, considering not one man at this table had a problem speaking their mind. I had put this club through hell over the last several years. We’d lost so much, too much. Somemore than others, but the men sitting around the table were my brothers, my family

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