Page 43 of Twisted Ruck

"So, we're all working on the same side," Frost concluded. He seemed both relieved and pleased at the idea. Of course he was, this changed everything and made his attraction to Atlas a lot easier to swallow. So to speak. Also may be literally.

"Exactly." Atlas snagged up a bowl of salad and stabbed a piece of lettuce before pushing it into his mouth.

"You didn't think to mention any of this to us?" Storm asked.

"You weren't friendly," Ramsey said. He wasn't accusing, not exactly, just stating a fact.

"And they weren't working with us until recently," Jay added. "We didn't know if we could trust them." He clearly trusted Atlas and Ramsey.

"I'm so glad we don't have to kill you," Frost said, gesturing to all three of them.

"I'mmostlyrelieved about that too," Atlas said. He glanced sidelong at Storm.

Storm glared back at him. "If I haven't mentioned it lately, fuck off. Just because we're on the same side doesn't mean we have to be friends. I haven't decided if I trust you yet."

"Same to you," Atlas said. "You haven't given me any reason to."

Storm grunted. "You can talk. It wasn't a stretch to think you killed Bruce so your boss could take his job. How do we really know that's not what happened?"

"Because I'm telling you it isn't," Atlas said. "If you don't believe me, there's plenty of people you can ask. Daisy Lasalle, for one. Gianni. Hell, go ask Reuben Brantley himself if it'll make you feel better. They'll all back up what I told you."

Storm looked over to me.

"I can check with Daze." I was going to have to, because I suspected he wouldn't believe Atlas until someone like her confirmed it. Otherwise, we'd spend all night going back and forth, both guys trying to take verbal bites out of each other. Or maybe literal ones. Storm had a whole drawer full of sharp knives. For cooking, but it wouldn't take much for the situation to escalate out of hand.

"Do it," Storm said.

I slid my phone over the countertop to me, and tapped on the screen before holding it to my ear. While hoping like hell she didn't mind me calling out of the blue.

"Hey," she said when the call connected.

I waited for her to say more, but she didn't.

I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm here with Atlas Underwood, Jay Lang and Ferris Ramsey." I chewed my lip and waited for her response. People didn't just ring up Daisy Lasalle for a friendly chat. Chances were, I'd owe her favour just because she answered. It might take years for her to ask for payment, but she would. I was very, very certain of that.

She laughed. "Oh, I've been waiting for this conversation."

"You have?" I eyed the guys.

They all looked back at me, wondering what Daze was saying in my ear. My nerves quickly doubled. Maybe we should have gone to see her face to face, instead of calling her. That would have meant arranging a meeting, and doing that would have taken time. Assuming she'd agree to it at all. She was a busy woman; she didn't have to bother with everyone who wanted a few moments’ conversation with her.

She continued. "Atlas told me about the team, and how they didn't trust him and Jay. After Dominic King arrived in town, closely followed by Otis Skinner, it wasn't difficult to figure out how coincidental that would look. It's not. We had plans in place for a long time. Even to the point of encouraging Bruce to retire.What Atlas did pushed things forward a little faster than we planned, but we wanted King where we could keep an eye on him. And we're relying on you to do exactly that."

"And by ‘you,’ you mean—" I winced.

"All of you," she said firmly. "Including you, Chelsea. I know you don't want to be involved, but you are. You're in the perfect position to keep an eye on both of them, Skinner in particular. I know you won't let me down."

I winced harder. "I don't really think?—"

"I'm not giving you a choice, Chelsea," she said, her voice bordering on stone cold. She could be tougher than nails when she wanted to be. "You can do what I'm asking you to do, or we'll find you somewhere else to work. Somewhere you might not enjoy as much as you enjoy working for the Smashers."

I swallowed. There was no doubt in my mind she meant exactly what she said. If I didn't do what she wanted, she'd shove me out of the way. Without a second thought. If doing that pissed off anyone, including my brother, she'd have them dealt with.

"Do we understand each other?" she asked.

"Ye—" My voice squeaked. I tried again. "Yes, we understand each other."

"I thought we did." Her voice softened like she was smiling through the phone. "I know you'll do a wonderful job. You and all of those boys. It looks like you're going to have your hands full."

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