Page 160 of Dagger

A strangled noise escaped Henderson’s throat. “Ma?” he questioned. “She’s not yourmother.”

“You’re not very bright,” Atlas retorted in a bored tone. “You’re right about one thing, though, she’s not my mother, but she is mymother-in-law.My wife, Doctor Sophie, is Elise’s biological daughter.” He took a step forward and sneered, “You know, the one you ripped away from her.”

My stare rested on the asshole’s features, enjoying the play of emotions crossing them. It took a beat, but eventually, Henderson realized the truth behind Atlas’s words, and all color drained from his face.

“Heard about that,” a rasping voice called out from behind me. “Mindfuck of the century.”

I turned around just in time to see Cash kick Bear in the face, muttering, “Don’t you ever shut the fuck up?”

The Sinner’s nose exploded, and he let out a pained groan.

My fingers slid around the back of Leesy’s neck. I angled her face up, touched her mouth with mine, and whispered, “Go inside.”

Green met gold, and my heart swelled so big it filled my chest.

Elise’s lips tipped up, and she touched my cheek with her fingertips before turning on her heel and walking back toward the clubhouse. “Bye, Robert,” she flung back. “Detested every second of knowing ya.”

Atlas chuckled.

Henderson’s pinched eyes followed her. “Let Bear go,” he ordered. “Untie him, and we’ll be on our way.”

Turning back, I grinned. “That dirty fucking rat’s not goin’ anywhere except back to Hell, and you’re goin’ with him.”

He turned to the head commando. “Spencer, you know what to do.”

The soldier raised his gun again, pointing it at my head. Clicks filled the parking lot as every one of his men did the same.

“You seem to forget I’ve got an army at my back,” Henderson crowed. “We’re evenly matched, Stone. If I go down, so do you. Your kids lose their father, and Elise loses the love of her life... again.”

“And you seem to forget I have, too.” My smirk matched his, and I raised a hand, lifting my index and middle finger in a peace sign. “Or should I say, I have two?”

A puzzled expression slid across his features as he furiously tried to work out what I meant.

The grin that spread across my face must’ve resembled the Cheshire Cat’s. My eyes flicked to the commando leader, then back to the mayor. He could tell by the look on my face that I knew something he didn’t. And it was big. His eyes narrowed, and he stared at me, clearly confused.

I had the upper hand, and something deep inside him knew because he rubbed his palms down his beige Chinos and his breaths became shorter.

That was when he went on the offense.

“Spencer,” he bit out. “Kill him.”

“He’s got a gun to your head, sir,” the commando reminded him. “The second I open fire, you’re dead, and after you and your goons attacked his property and tried to kill the men here, his actions, and the actions of the other men would be considered self-defense in a court of law, especially after my testimony.”

The leader gave a signal, and suddenly, the commandos swerved their weapons to aim at Henderson.

“What the fuck?” Atlas breathed.

“Surprise,” I sang, turning to face my men. “Did I ever tell you boys about my Marine days?” I asked, taking a step toward the commando. “Remember my buddy who I trained with at Sniper School?” My hand went to the commando’s shoulder andsqueezed before turning to stand beside him, facing my men. “Boys, meet Rick Spencer.”

“What the fuck?” Atlas breathed again.

Breaker chuckled.

Bowie looked between us both, gaping.

Cash—the only brother who knew about Spencer—barked a laugh.

Henderson’s shocked eyes skated to Bear, who looked at the heavens and heaved a resigned breath.

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