Page 86 of What Lies Within

Can you even quit an outlaw club?

Fucked if I’d know.

"Mean's he's given up his membership," Harvey helpfully clarifies. "The story Kane refers to would be why he did."

I glance at the door to Tyke’s office, still closed. What the hell went down that one of the senior members would do that? “Do you think he gave it up willingly? Or do you think it was taken from him?” I ask.

“Don’t know,” Kane says. “But either way, it ain’t any of your business or your right to ask.”

Fuck me.I can’t with this place. With the rules that some—Kane—seem hellbent on sticking to, and some—Digger, Tyke—seem okay with bending.

Doesn’t make it any clearer for a newcomer like me, that’s for sure.

Harvey’s attention flicks over my head, his face lighting up like the fourth of July. “Hey. How is she?”

I take it as a sign Jamie has emerged from Tyke's room and twist to kneel on the seat, my arms leaning on the back of the sofa. "Is she okay?"

Jamie glances behind herself and dashes across the room to crouch behind the furniture. "She fuckin' spoke," she whispers. "Maddie talked."

My heart swells with joy and relief, yet there’s a distinct barb between my ribs from the regret that I wasn’t the one she decided to open up to.Not about you, Rae.“That’s great,” I say instead. “What did she have to say?”

“Nothing important.” Jamie rises to her feet. “She’s havin’ a shower while I get her something to eat.”

“I’ll help.” Harvey’s out of his seat like a shot, hips swaying as he weaves through the furniture to accompany Minion’s daughter.

I wait until they've left the room and then rise to check on Maddie.

“What you doin’?” Kane’s low question chills the blood in my veins.

If I’m to make this old lady thing work, I’ve got to get along with this fucker. But damn, I understand more and more every day that he’s a product of his mother, not his father, no matter how much he looks like Tyke.

"I'm going to check on Maddie," I say, folding my arms over my chest. “Do you have an issue with that?"

“Seems she’s doing better without you there.” He doesn’t afford me the fucking decency of looking at me as he talks. Nope. The asshole stares down at his hands—resting back atop his stomach—as he delivers the insult.

It angers me that he's managed to mainline his way into my insecurities.

"Didn't see you there snapping her out of her trance, either."

His head turns slowly, a scowl carving deep lines between his eyes. "You're a cunt. You know that?"

“Takes one to know one.”

“Jesus.” He laughs, sliding his lithe body around to sit properly on the seat. “You’re so pathetic.”

“Again.” I lift an eyebrow. “Seems an observation you can make from recognizing the same quality in yourself.”

“What do you want with him, huh?”

"Which one?" I sass, well aware that mentioning my connection tobothhis father and uncle will rile him up.

“My old man.” He glares from beneath a hooded brow, leaning forward into the same position his brother had. Only, unlike Harvey, Kane radiates pure aggression in the flex of his biceps and the strength of his tattooed hands.

“I want happiness,” I growl.

“To take it from him?” He leans back, slinging an arm over the back of the seat. “I’d say you’re doin’ a good job of that already. Keep at it, Rae.”

“Fuck you.” I advance on his position yet have the foresight to pull up short outside his reach. "What the hell have you done to make your father smile lately, huh? What do you give him that provides him some fucking relief from this bullshit?" I huff a bitter laugh. "You dare to sit there and question me like you're some fucking savior of this place. Like you’re the glue holding it together. Yet you’re nothing but a scared little boy who doesn’t know his place in this fucking world. You’re a goddamn child still hiding behind the wall of his father’s legs while he throws stones at the bullies.”

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