Page 178 of Golden Atonement

“What if all the ghost files have nothing to do with anything? Think about it, this mystery fucker Malice look-alike, the Oracle, and Ace disappearing, what do they all have in common?”

Groaning, Vladmir clipped, “Just tell us what’s going on in that fucked-up head of yours.”

“The old guard is dead. The release of those files makes no sense. But the files from the Trick Pony, now those are different.”

“Because several of the members are still alive and can be brought to justice. We know this, Reaper.”

“Exactly.” I smiled deviously.

“Fuck,” Vladimir groaned. “You think the ghost files were a smoke screen? You think Ace disappearing, Malice’s twin, and this Oracle are all trying to protect us?”

“Yes.” I nodded. “Because it was Ace and his team who found the files at the Trick Pony. I know Ace. Fucker may hate the club life, but he would never do anything to intentionally harm his brothers. Malice, his twin, Ivy, and now Aksana all have the same father.”

“And the Oracle?” Maxim asked, walking over.

“You heard Aksana. They work for Mr. Ess. I’d bet my clubhouse that Malice’s twin is also working for Mr. Ess because, whoever he is, he doesn’t want the information from the Trick Pony to get out into the open.”

“And Max, Katiya, and York?”

“Children of three major players?” I said before reluctantly adding, “Leverage to bring you to heel.”

“Then we need to have a talk with that bitch,” Vladmir sneered. “Because my daughter is not leverage.”

Walking into the bunker with Vladmir behind me, I took off my cut and placed it on a hook, before saying, “Get the fuck out of here, Savage. My wife and sister don’t leave your sight.”

“Sure thing, Prez,” my brother replied, quickly leaving.

“You too, Dmitry,” Vladmir added, removing his suit jacket. “Aksana’s been taken to Rosewood Memorial. If you wouldn’t mind.”

“Sure thing. I’ll call when there is news,” the big Russian assured before leaving, closing the door to the bunker behind him.

“You want the honors or shall I?”

I grimaced, looking at the whore. “Bitch looks like a spitter. She’s all yours.”

Sighing, Vladmir rolled up his sleeves and walked over to the bitch. “My name is Vladmir Ivenok. What is your name?”

“Fuck you!” the woman shouted, spitting in his face.

Yep. Just like I said.

A fucking spitter.

Taking a step back, Vladmir wiped his face before he threw his arm back and punched the bitch in the mouth.

Seeing a chair in the corner, he dragged it over to the middle of the room and sat down. “Now. Let’s start again. Your name?”

“Candy-Pop.”

“What was that?”

“My name is Candy-Pop,” the bitch sneered, spitting blood on the floor.

Chuckling, I clearly said, “Well, Candy, let’s hope the information you give us is as sweet as your name, ‘cause if it isn’t, you won’t be walking out of here alive.”

“I ain’t talkin’ to the Russian. Only you.”

Vladmir turned and stared at me as I pushed off the wall.