Page 19 of Property of Quake

“Fortunate? That’s what you fucking think?” I close the distance between me and her desk. “I just met a boy who seemed all too interested in drugs, guns, and killing. That’s not fortunate, Carrie. It’s horrific.”

“Says the gun-running, drug-dealing, killer biker,” she quips.

My arm shoots out so fast, and her eyes bulge as I wrap my hand around her throat.

So much for balance.

“I suggest you start doing your goddamn job,” I snarl. “Or you’ll find out just how killer I can be.”

Shoving her backward so she collapses onto her chair, I turn on my heel and stride out of the building. Carrie has always been a bitch, but I never took her for stupid.

By the time I reach the clubhouse, my rage has simmered. I’m almost to my suite when a voice has me halting.

“Quake,” Lyric says from behind me.

I face my president. “Yeah?”

“Care to tell me why I’m fielding calls about one of my brothers threatening to kill a caseworker?”

“Wasn’t a threat,” I say with a shrug.

“Dammit, brother,” he gripes. “When you left, it was to go to Sacred Haven. What the fuck happened?”

“Oh, I went to Sacred Haven,” I confirm. “Got more than I bargained for.”

“What’s that even mean?”

An image of Sister Emiliani rises to the surface, and I shake my head to clear it.

“Nothing,” I lie. “They’re struggling, and fucking Child Protective Services keeps putting more kids there because Carrie puts her, and I quote, time and resources into those who aren’t fortunate enough to land at the home.” I take a deep breath. “All because she knows we won’t let kids go without when there’s something we can do about it.”

Lyric tilts his head, staring at me as if trying to figure out a complicated puzzle. “You’re surprised?”

“I’m pissed,” I snap.

“Yeah, okay. Makes sense considering…”

He doesn’t have to finish his thought for me to know what he’s referring to.

Makes sense considering my past… My family’s history.

“It’s bullshit.”

“Well, unless you want to take on the state of Washington, there’s not much we can do about it other than what we’re already doing.”

“Making sure that Sacred Haven has everything they need,” I state unnecessarily.

“Exactly. Speaking of, how’d it go with Sister Beatrice?”

I avert my gaze. “It went. She pawned me off on another nun.”

“You don’t say.”

I snap my eyes to his and shake my head. “No. Jesus, Lyric, tell me you had nothing to do with me being forced to work with Sister Emiliani.”

“I thought she was just another nun,” he replies with a smirk.

“What the fuck?”