Page 166 of Golden Atonement

“Uh, Prez,” I blurted. “I wouldn’t...”

“You are no brother of mine!” my woman sneered as she stormed out of the kitchen with Stella and a grinning Remi behind her. “You think you can waltz back in here and everything will be hunky-dory? Well, think again.”

“You tell him, Jess,” Stella clipped while she cocked her hip to the side, daring Reaper to say one fucking word.

Remi chuckled as she walked over to the bar and leaned against it, watching the showdown. “God, I’ve missed you ladies.”

“Uncle Reaper!” Hailey screamed at the top of her lungs as she ran past everyone, damn near jumping into Reaper’s arms. “I’ve missed you.”

“Jesus,” Reaper gasped, taking a step back. “What the hell, Savage? She’s gotten big!”

“Funny how disappearing for over a fucking year will do that,” Jess snarked.

“Is Jesse with you?” Hailey asked, ignoring the hostility.

“No, sweetheart. He and Emma stayed home with Sandman and Sunny. School started for them.”

“Are you staying here forever?”

“No, sweetie. Aunt Remi and I live in California now, but you can come visit anytime you want.”

“Come on, Hailey,” I said, reaching for my niece. “Let’s give Uncle Reaper a chance to catch up with his sister.”

“Momma said she was gonna cut his balls off.”

Remi roared with laughter as Digger and Whiskey hid their own chuckles. Handing Hailey off to Trout, I turned just as my beautiful wife sucker punched her brother in the stomach.

Gasping for air, Reaper hunched over as my woman sneered. “You ever pull that shit again and no one will ever find your body.”

Face red, Reaper simply nodded.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Reaper

Stepping out of the elevator, I looked both ways, seeing the reception desk to my left. Walking over to it, I noticed a pretty blonde nurse sitting behind the desk, typing away on a computer.

Clearing my throat, she looked up at me and smiled. “How may I help you?”

“I’m looking for Julie Moore’s room.”

“Are you family?”

“You can say that. Her husband is my brother.”

The woman nodded. “She’s in room 213. Mr. Moore is still with her.”

Saying nothing more, I walked down the long hallway and stopped outside her room. Taking a deep breath, I lightly knocked before entering. The second I stepped inside, I wished I had stayed at the clubhouse. Savage and the others told me it was bad, but I wasn’t expecting this.

Julie lay on a bed, motionless. Her heartbeat was only visible on the machine next to her as a ventilator slowly moved up and down, breathing for her. Next to her sat her husband, holding her hand, saying absolutely nothing.

Walking over to the woman, I leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Hey, beautiful girl. Thought you could use some more company. Sorry I didn’t come sooner.”

Pulling a spare chair closer, I sat on the opposite side of her when I heard Slaughter speak, “Everyone is giving up onher. They don’t think she will wake up. She’s strong, Reaper. Stronger than everyone gives her credit for. She proved them all wrong with the baby. I know she will again.”

“I hear you have a beautiful baby girl,” I murmured before adding, “Remi is visiting with her now.”

“She’s so little. The docs say there might be complications. How am I gonna tell Julie when she wakes up?”

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