Page 118 of Golden Atonement

“That kid is a Soulless Sinner.”

“Not branded. According to Sypher, he just got intern status. Sypher thinks we can poach him before he gets the brand.”

“What do you think?”

“I don’t know,” the woman sighed. “I’ve looked into Pippen’s past. It’s fake. Kid wiped his existence from the net.”

Narrowing my eyes, I asked again, “What did you find?”

Phantom smiled. “His real name is Dante Sharp. Has one older brother named Silas.”

“Burning daylight, Phantom. Get to the good stuff.”

“Pippen’s brother, Silas, works alongside a man named Crispin Sinclair and another, Rowen Shay. All three men are products of the Trick Pony.”

Leaning back in my chair, I shook my head. “That isn’t good.”

“No, it’s not,” Phantom agreed, adding, “To make matters worse, I reached out to a friend of mine on the dark web, and he told me this Crispin Sinclair person is looking for someone. A woman named Thena Hartley. Apparently, she is the daughter of Steven Hartley, but you know him as Popeye. One of the Retirement Rejects in the Soulless Sinners.”

“And why does this Sinclair want her?”

“Because, like them, she is also a product of the Trick Pony.”

“So, the skeletons are coming out of the closet.”

“It seems so.”

“Does Montana know any of this yet?”

“No. According to Pippen, Montana’s hands are full with his bartender, Silver. It looks like Malice claimed the woman.”

Grimacing, I asked, “Jesus. Is the woman alive?”

Phantom nodded. “Yeah, but she’s black and blue. Montana has all his chapters on alert. He wants Malice back in New York. It seems the asshole took off.”

Sitting up, I leaned forward and sighed. “Alright. Tell Sypher to make the offer. Kid has my full backing. If he can get Pippen, then we patch the kid in fast. Also, I want you to reach out to this Sinclair. See if he’s willing to sit down with me. In the meantime, keep working on those damn files. Until I know what we’re dealing with, we will play everything by ear.”

“Sure thing,” Phantom replied, getting to her feet and smiling. “Also, I thought you’d like to know I have a lead on flowergate.”

Sitting up straighter, I was just about to ask who when I received an incoming text.

Looking at my phone I froze.

Massacre:Remi’s on the warpath!

“Shit!”

“What’s wrong?” Phantom asked.

“I think I’m about to be a dead man again.”

Chapter Fourteen

Remi

Pacing the bathroom, I tried not to look at the stick laying on the counter. It was impossible. I mean, I knew it could happen, but not this fast. Then again, it wasn’t like the asshole ever used protection. I was certain the bastard had never even owned a fucking condom.

God, I was not ready for this shit.

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