Page 113 of The Oath We Take

Hearing Catfish say it helps. “Thanks, brother.”

He places a hand on my shoulder. “Look, Butcher was a dick. And for what it’s worth, I think he knows he was. He panicked. But you two are going to have to come to terms. The club can’t function with the two of you not speaking. Plus, he’ll be your father-in-law eventually, right?”

“That also feels like a tomorrow problem.”

Appearing as if we just conjured him, Butcher walks through the armory door. “You two ready to head out?”

Catfish gives me a knowing look. “All set, Prez. See you both outside.”

Fucker.

“I’ll be outside,” I say, walking towards to door, but Butcher doesn’t move out of the way.

“You know we need to talk,” Butcher says, trying to bring the subject up again.

“Not right now, we don’t.”

I don’t have the mental energy to resolve things with him right now. On the way to the clubhouse, I called Wraith. Without Butcher’s go ahead, I also called on King for the reinforcements he said he could send. When I arrived at the clubhouse, I walked straight in and spoke to Catfish and Grudge, who were there. Wraith rallied everyone together and I shared the information from Vex. We discussed this plan.

Butcher tried to make things right in light of the new information we have, but fuck him. He didn’t believe me when it was just my word. He only believed me when there was proof. And now, I’m contemplating asking for a club vote to make Grudge president and Wraith vice president.

It would probably mean I become sergeant at arms, but that isn’t the point.

“Yeah, well, my daughter might never forgive me if anything happens to you, tonight, and we haven’t made it right.”

I look him straight in the eye. “Then, if I die, tell her we did, and she’ll never know.”

Butcher huffs. “It’s fucking Ember. Of course, she’ll know.”

He’s right, she would somehow. My little firecracker would see straight through her father’s bullshit. “Fine. You’re sorry, I’m sorry. Whatever the fuck you need to hear to shut the fuck up and let us get through tonight.”

He shakes his head. “You don’t mean that.”

I huff. “You’re right. I don’t. Admit you were wrong about all the conclusions you jumped to, Butcher. Apologize properly, like a brother, in front of the club. Take accountability. Think about what it says about you that you allowed yourself to jump to that conclusion. Show meyou’refucking sorry, instead of standing there with yourwe need to talkbullshit. Because when it comes to the club, I have absolutely nothing to be sorry for.” I take a breath and study Butcher’s unreadable expression. It only serves to anger me more. “And you know what? I don’t have anything to be sorry about when it comes to Ember either. Shame on you for making us both feel like we were doing something wrong. Shame on you for keeping us from five years of happiness, and shame on me for letting you. I love your daughter. I’m a good man. I’m a loyal brother. I’m wealthy in my own right. And in your eyes, I’m not good enough for her. So, fuck you.”

I shoulder-check him on the way past, ready to head out into the lot and climb onto my bike. And somewhere along the way, I need to take a breath, so I don’t do something fucking stupid like crash my bike or accidentally shoot Butcher where he stands.

“All good?” Wraith asks when I step out of the clubhouse.

“Why does everybody suddenly care if I’m good or not?” I walk by him and climb onto my bike.

Butcher follows me out, then whistles to get everyone’s attention.

“Brothers,” he says. “Before we ride out, I want to offer an apology to Atom in front of you all.”

I blow out a breath, and struggle to swallow. I don’t want it now. I want to focus on what we’re about to do.

“It’s no secret I fucked up today,” he continues. “I jumped to a shit conclusion on limited data, and it’s damaged Atom and the club. You all deserve better than I delivered today. For that, I’m sorry.” He walks over to me and offers me his hand.

I simply stare at it, knowing I won’t be able to just turn off the feelings of betrayal.

“I know,” he says quietly. “This doesn’t fix things. But hopefully, it opens the doorway to making things right. I’m really sorry, Hudson.”

I take another deep breath, then take it. His grip is firm, I match it.

It’s what I asked for. It’s a start, I suppose.

“Let’s ride out,” Butcher shouts, just as the first bullet hits his shoulder. The force sends him backwards to the ground.

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