Page 63 of Golden Atonement

“Um, well... she did exactly as you thought she would. She wasn’t happy about it, but she’s dealing with it.”

“Does she know I told you to tell her everything?”

“No.”

“Good. Keep it that way. She needs to come home on her own.”

“She’s still pretty mad, Reaper.”

I smirked. “What happened to Mr. Reaper?”

“A lot has happened since you fell off the radar, Prez, and I fucking grew up.”

“I guess we both did,” I whispered, disconnecting the call.

March 8, 2024

Remi

Later that night...

“Are you sure about this, Remi?”

“Yes.” I nodded while I watched Delany pace back and forth, waiting for her husband and daughter to return home.

Sypher had already called me and told me that Layla had succeeded in killing George Stone. He also assured me that no one would ever know who killed the man because he had disabled the entire security system. Besides, even if the Soulless Sinners ever did figure it out, there was no fucking way they could ever get to Layla. Giovanni would ensure that. To add to her safety, the Soulless Sinners couldn’t touch one fucking hair on her head without bringing two underworld organizations down upon their heads. As the niece of Maxim Fedorov, head of the Russian Bratva, and the wife of an Italian Mafia Don, Layla was protected for all time.

I just prayed that she found happiness and hopefully someday, we would meet again. As for the men in the cells next to George Stone, I was counting on them keeping their damn mouths shut, knowing what I did about them.

Not a single one of the Retirement Rejects, as they were called, was innocent.

Not by a fucking long shot.

“As soon as I relay the message, I will wait twenty-four hours. If I don’t get a text, you and I will disappear.”

“Maxim said the plane is yours as long as you need it.”

The elevator door dinged while I nodded.

I stood there as Delany rushed over to her husband, taking her daughter from him before she hauled off and slapped him hard across the face. Storm didn’t move an inch. Neither did Malice, who stood next to him.

I grinned.

I was proud of Delany.

I knew in that instant she would be just fine.

“Do you have any idea what I’ve been through today? What your club did to me? I trusted you. You told me to trust you.” With tears in her eyes, she shook her head, holding her daughter tight as she walked away. If the man was smart, he would leave her alone and let her cool off.

Getting down to business, I walked toward the two men and said, “Storm, you should know that George Stone died tonight.”

Malice stiffened when he looked at me.

“Tell Montana to clean up his own mess next time.”

The man gulped, then nodded. “I will.”

“Good.” I smiled. “Your daughter is beautiful. I wish you both the best of luck.”

---