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It’s been a few days since I’ve returned to the clubhouse. I haven’t felt like being with my own brothers, so instead, I’ve been hiding out in my room, fucking Shawn every minute possible. It’s time for me to finally talk to Atomic. We need to have a serious conversation, and I hate everything about it.
I wish it didn’t have to happen, that we could just move the fuck past it, but I know I won’t be able to, not until my voice is heard and he tells me why the fuck he did what he did, the way he did.
Forcing myself out of bed, I slowly make my way toward his office. He’s exactly where I thought he would be in the middle of the afternoon—behind his desk. I have to give him that. Atomic works his ass off at that desk. I would lose my fucking mind if I sat there as much as he does.
Standing in the doorway, I lean against the doorjamb. Watching him for a moment. I know he senses me. He’s just avoiding me. Something he does just as well as I do. I’ve known him for as long as I can remember. I know every single fucking move he’s going to make before he makes it.
“We should talk,” I state as I move into the room.
I close the door behind me and sink down in the chair across from his desk with a groan. Closing my eyes for just a moment, I breathe. I’m getting better each day, but I really fucked up by leaving the hospital early and reinjuring myself.
Slowly, I open my eyes, and only then does Atomic lift his head from his papers. I watch as he takes me in. When he does, he winces at the sight of me. I’m sure I look fucking awful. I don’t look as bad as I did, but I don’t look good either.
“We should,” he agrees.
“I’m still pissed.”
Atomic nods his head once. “I know. I told you my hands were tied, and they were. I’m still dealing with the fallout.”
“If it was Ryan?” I ask.
I’m fucking pissed that he’s still repeating himself. I want to beat the absolute shit out of him right now. I don’t. Not only would both Doc and Shawn be pissed if I hurt myself again, it wouldn’t be worth it. Atomic is as stubborn as I am.
“Ryan was here recently. Asked for my protection.”
Arching a brow, I watch him and wait for the rest of his statement. It comes. Though it’s not what I expect at all.
“I told her no. She’s not my old lady. She’s not protected any longer. Which is something she knew when she walked away from me.”
Pressing my lips into a thin line, I wonder what the fuck he’s thinking. Ryan is his Shawn. If Shawn left me tomorrow, I’d be hurt, but if she ever needed my protection, I’m pretty sure I would give it to her. Maybe not immediately after she walked away, but it’s been years.
Fuck, maybe he’s still angry.
“Shawn was under my protection, though,” I point out. “She was my old lady.”
He dips his chin in a nod but obviously isn’t going to be issuing any apologies for wrongdoings. I don’t hold that against him because I would feel the exact same way. He made his decision, and he’s sticking by it.
“What’s the fallout from blowing up the Nomad Kings?” I ask, slightly changing subjects.
I don’t want to change the subject, but I also don’t want to get into the shit with him and Ryan. The less I know, the better when it comes to their shitstorm, I think. Although, I make a mental note to check on her after I’m all healed up.
“Their women. Their hookers, all without protection or pimps. What do we do with them?”
“We?” I ask.
He nods his head, “We,” he says. “I got a stable of thirty that I can’t do anything with, plus they got customers, and that fucking club has suppliers for their own little drug sale shit they got. What do I do with all of this?”
“Walk away?” I ask. “Not your fuckin’ responsibility.”
He nods his head, his eyes finding mine as he leans back in his chair. “If only it were that easy. Those bitches got nothing. They were totally fucking dependent on fucking Shade and his group of jackasses. This is what they do. This is their life. They got bills to pay, and they need protection.”
“You’re not suggesting…” My words trail off because I don’t want to think about them.
“I am,” he states simply. “Plus, don’t forget, I got Poison tied up waiting for whatever the fuck you want to do with her, too.”
“That one is easy. She’s dead.”
He dips his chin in a single nod. “We can’t just walk away from those girls. They are counting on protection. They are innocent in this, and the customer base for drugs, that could come in handy.”
