Page 40 of Atlas
“Everyone, this is Rue.”
Kade’s the first to react. Of course, he is. “So, you’re the mystery girl.”
Rue blinks. “I didn’t realise I was a mystery.”
“Hey, if you’re quieter than your sister, it’s good to meet you,” says Grizz, holding out a hand. “I’m Grizz.”
She takes it, shaking it. “Hi.”
“She’s real cute,” Kade says, and I shoot him a look that has him raising both hands. “What? I’m being supportive.”
Kasey hooks her arm through Rue’s. “Let’s grab some food before this lot eat it all. Seriously, they get through tonnes of meat every day.”
Rue glances up at me like she’s checking if that’s okay. “Go on,” I say, brushing my knuckles lightly against hers. “Make yourself at home.”
She heads off with Kasey, and I stay back, watching them.
“She’s sweet,” Grizz says beside me. “You like her.”
“I do,” I admit.
“She won’t last in this world,” says Kade.
I glance sideways. “You don’t think so?”
He shrugs. “Girls like that don’t usually stick around. But maybe she’s not like the rest.”
I look back at Rue, sitting with Kasey, laughing at something, completely out of place and somehow fitting in anyway.
“She’s not.”
Axel joins us. “Damn she’s grown since I last saw her.” he says, watching them too.
“Rue?” I ask.
“She was a kid when she crunched some numbers for the club. She’s a bloody genius.”
“Really? She teaches English now.”
He grins. “Yeah, figures. Accounting would have made her big money, but for some shady people.”
“Pres, what the fuck we gonna do with Kasey?”
“He’s got some mystery biker club on speed dial,” says Grizz. “He’s gonna ask around and find out who’s looking for her.”
“The same one we were checking that warehouse out for?” I ask.
Axel grins at Grizz. “Are you jealous?” he asks in a teasing tone. “Cos you’ll always be my favourite VP.”
“Shut up,” says Grizz, laughing. “I just don’t know why we haven’t met them yet?”
“There’s no big mystery,” he replies. “Once they’re up and running, I’ll make the introductions.”
“I just can’t settle,” Grizz admits. “This is the quietist we’ve been in months, and it doesn’t feel right.”
Axel slaps him on the back, “Brother, this is how it should be. Calm. Quiet. Easy.”
“The calm before the storm more like,” says Fletch.
