Page 37 of Hammer

Lavender rose with as much dignity as she could muster, brushing leaves from her jeans.“Hammer, it’s not what you think --”

“Save it,” I cut her off.“You can explain to my face instead of sneaking around like teenagers.”

“Technically, Iama teenager,” Atlas pointed out, then immediately held up his hands in surrender when I turned my glare on him.“Right, inside.Going now.”

I waited until they’d trudged up the steps, Amelia stepping aside to let them pass.The flush of embarrassment hadn’t left her face, and she wouldn’t look at me.This was exactly what she didn’t need -- more people knowing the private details of our arrangement, especially the parts about my aging equipment.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured to her as I climbed the steps.“I’ll handle this.”

She nodded stiffly, arms wrapped around herself protectively.“How much did they hear?”

“We’ll find out,” I promised, holding the door open for her.

Inside, Atlas and Lavender stood awkwardly in my living room, the movie still playing on the TV while Aura, Sam, and the boys stared at them in confusion.Aura raised an eyebrow at me in silent question.

“Everyone out,” I commanded.“Except these two.”I pointed at Atlas and Lavender.

“Dad?”Aura started.

“Not now, sweetheart.Family movie night’s over.”My tone left no room for argument.

Aura’s eyes narrowed, but she nodded.“Come on, guys.Let’s get you back to the duplex.”She ushered Chase and Levi toward the door, Sam following behind with a curious backward glance.

When the door closed behind them, I turned to our unwanted audience.“Sit.”

They sat on the edge of my couch, looking about as comfortable as prisoners awaiting sentencing.Which, in a way, they were.

“Start talking,” I demanded, remaining standing to maintain the advantage of height.“And don’t bother lying.I want to know exactly what you heard and why you were listening.”

Atlas exchanged a glance with his mother before speaking.“We heard the Devil’s Minions were looking for someone new in town.Wire -- Dad -- asked us to gather information.He figured they were looking for Ms.Decker and her sons.When we saw you and Ms.Decker go outside for a private talk, we thought…” He trailed off.

“You thought you’d stick your nose where it doesn’t belong,” I finished for him.I hadn’t thought to call Wire when I’d gone to pick up Amelia.Although, I had told the Pres and I’d assumed he’d tell whoever needed to know.

“It’s our job to know things,” Lavender said, her voice steady despite her clear discomfort.“Information keeps the club safe.”

“So how much did you hear?”Amelia asked quietly from where she stood near the door, as if ready to bolt at any moment.

Atlas had the grace to look down.“Pretty much everything.”

My stomach knotted tighter.Everything.My admission about erectile issues.Our agreement about her being my old lady for protection.Everything.

“That information doesn’t leave this room,” I said, my voice deadly quiet.“Not a word.To anyone.”

Atlas nodded quickly, but something in his expression set off warning bells in my head.The kid was Wire’s son, after all, with all of his father’s hacking skills and his mother’s flair for drama.Worse, he had none of Wire’s discretion.

“I mean it, Atlas,” I pressed.“Not a whisper.Not a text.Not a hint on any of those computer systems you’re so good at breaking into.”

“I wouldn’t --” he started to protest.

“You would,” I cut him off.“Without even realizing it.You think everything’s a game, kid.This isn’t.This is Amelia’s life.Her boys’ safety.”

Lavender placed a restraining hand on her son’s arm.“We understand, Hammer.This stays confidential.”

But the damage was already done.These two knew about our arrangement -- knew it wasn’t a love match, knew about my physical limitations, knew everything.And in a club like ours, information was as valuable as currency.Not to mention, bikers gossiped worse than little old ladies.

“Go,” I said finally.“And if I hear one word about this circulating, I’ll know exactly where it came from.”

They left quickly, Atlas casting one last curious glance at Amelia before his mother hustled him out the door.When they were gone, I turned to find Amelia staring at me, her face a mixture of embarrassment and concern.

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