Page 165 of Golden Atonement

“No,” Whiskey solemnly replied. “The latest news wasn’t good, brother.”

“How bad we talkin’?”

“The doc asked Slaughter to sit down with a woman from the hospital regarding organ donation.”

“Fuck,” I muttered.

“Yeah,” Dig sighed just as the front doors opened and in walked the man of the fucking hour with a damn smile on his face. However, the second he looked at us, his smile fell. “What the hell happened now? Who died?”

No one responded as they stared at our president.

“Yeah, Reaper, maybe curb the death talk while you’re here.”

“Is it Julie?” Remi asked, looking concerned.

Whiskey nodded. “Yeah. It’s not good news.”

“Where are Stella and Jess?” she asked.

“In the kitchen,” I informed when I walked over to greet Reaper. He looked good. Happy even, as he watched his wife disappear from the room before he turned back to me.

“How bad are we talking?”

“They’re talking organ donation.”

“Shit,” he cursed, then asked, “Where is Slaughter?”

“At Rosewood Memorial. Visiting hours are over at eight tonight. So don’t expect him anytime soon.”

Reaper nodded when Bayou walked through the doors, talking to a club prospect I hadn’t met before.

“Take them straight upstairs, Romeo.”

“But how will I know which room is whose?”

Bayou rolled his eyes. “How about reading the nameplates on the doors?”

“Oh yeah.” The prospect grinned goofily as he hurried upstairs, loaded down with bags.

“Not sure about that one, Reaper. He’s dumber than a box of rocks.”

“Fine.” Reaper grinned. “Then you can tell Axel his baby brother ain’t living up to the Golden Standard.”

“Fuck that,” Bayou groaned. “I tell him, then I’ll have to deal with Player and Massacre, and that’s not mentioning Maria. Hell, if it means we get to keep Maria, I’ll deal with the idiot.”

Slapping Bayou on the back, I asked, “When did you get back, man? I didn’t know you were coming.”

My brother glared at Reaper, thumbing his finger toward our Prez. “Never make a late-night phone call to him. It won’t end well.”

“Not my fucking fault you found a Russian woman on the side of the road that had information everyone wanted.”

“Huh?” I muttered.

“Long story. Needless to say, Viper and I are home,” he replied, looking around the main room. “Where’s Jessica and Stella? Thought for sure they would be here to greet us.”

“Uh,” I gulped, side-eyeing Reaper. “About that.”

And as if on cue, Reaper shouted, “Jessica Doherty Keller! Get your ass out here and welcome home your brother!”

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