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“A couple of days ago.” I open my cupboard and pull out a bag of chips.
“I see. Has she been communicating with you?”
“No, I haven’t heard from her. I . . . I was taking her out on dates and shit, Dad. I think she isn’t sure whether she can trust me or not, and that’s . . . that’s my fault. If I were in her position, I’d be leery about me too. I’m sure she thinks that I only care about getting information, that I never gave a shit about her.” I’m being really vulnerable with my father right now. My plan was never to give a shit about her. I should have used Rebellion to get what I needed and not gotten emotionally invested, but that didn’t happen. I give a shit about her, and giving a shit has complicated the fuck out of this whole thing.
I told her why I was here in Atlanta just to try and patch this. I know it’s the equivalent of putting duct tape over a water main break. She might never trust me ever again, but what kind of man would I be if I didn’t at least try to repair this with her?
“Do you care about her?”
“Yeah, I do.” There isn’t a moment where I’m debating it in my mind. “She’s a good person, Dad. Her father is a piece of shit, sure, but she isn’t. She’s gone through hell because of him. He fuckin’ . . .” I grunt as my blood begins to boil. Control is one pathetic excuse of a man. “He’s put his hands on her. She has a broken arm because of him.”
“Some things never change. Control has thrown women around since he was old enough to do so.” There’s a sadness in my father’s voice. I think he’s finished, but he speaks up out of nowhere. “Life never ceases to amaze me, and not in a good way. The worst people somehow manage to be cockroaches and weather the hardest of storms, while the good ones always die young.”
“It’s pretty fucking sad, isn’t it?”
“The older you get, the sadder it’ll become.” My father pauses for a few moments and then speaks up again. “I’m sending Hades out there with you. I don’t like the idea of you being in Atlanta without any backup. Now, I’m not saying that Rebellion went and told her father everything you discussed with her, but I have to be prepared that he knows something. The best case scenario is she gives a damn about you and isn’t going to put your life in harm’s way.”
“I understand. You sending Hades out today?” Hades can sometimes be a pain in the ass to deal with, so hopefully, he’ll get here in a good mood.
“Yeah, when you and I get off the phone, I’m going to let him know I need him to head out. The Steele family hired us for that job, so regardless, the club is going to be in the area.”
“I’m sure Control is going to love that,” I sarcastically comment.
“Maybe he’ll understand what it feels like for us,” Dad hisses. He’s not just pissed. He’spissed.
“You still want to keep the job with the Steeles, considering everything that’s going on?”
“Fuck yeah. If anything, it’ll send a message to Control and his band of lunatics. I’m starting to get at my wit’s end with his antics. I’m trying really hard not to walk into a war, son, but fuck if it isn’t difficult. My anger is going to get the best of me very, very soon.”
I understand what he’s saying completely. I want to pummel my fists into Control’s face until all I see is his brain matter spilling out.
“I’ll be right behind you.”
“Don’t do anything stupid. I understand you like the girl. The only reason I’m not giving you shit about how this all went down is because I’ve never known you to care about a woman in this way. Give her space, but text her and let her know you’re thinking of her. I’m sure she’ll come around eventually.”
“Thanks, Dad. Tell Hades to call me when he’s here.”
“I will. We’ll talk soon, but until then, stay safe. We don’t know what Control knows, so it’s best to be cautious.”
“Got it.”
I don’t know what the fuck is going to happen, but I know shit is getting real. My father and I hang up the phone, and then I send a quick text over to Rebellion.
To: Rebellion
Hey. Haven’t heard from you in a couple of days. Hope you’re okay.
Rebellion replies almost immediately.
I’m headed to the Heretics clubhouse to get my stuff. I’ll let you know when I’m done.
I’m not angry with her for going back there because I know she needs to get her stuff, but she knows she can’t go back after this time. It’s too dangerous for her.
SIXTEEN
Rebellion
The scent of oil and leather permeates the dimly lit motorcycle club as my fingers brush against the corrugated surface of a worn wooden table, the grooves feeling like ancient hieroglyphs beneath my touch.
