Page 178 of Colt

Dad cocked an eyebrow, smirking. “You should know.”

“Come on Freya,” Mom said quietly. “Let’s get your clothes.” She turned, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me toward the corridor to my room.

Shotgun stood from his chair so forcefully, it fell back with a clatter. “Prez said no.”

Mom threw her head back and laughed. “And who’s gonna stop me? You?”

“Touch my mom or my sister, Shot and I’ll slit ya throat,” Kit rasped.

“You’re already on my shit list, asshole,” Cash snarled, head swiveling to stare Shotgun down. “Just give me a fuckin’ excuse.”

The brother lowered his stare and slunk back to his seat.

“She’s not goin’ in that room,” Dad insisted, stomping toward Cash. “Anyone who goes against my orders’ll be dealt with accordin’ to the bylaws.”

“No fuckin’ problem,” Cash muttered as he walked toward the corridor before turning around to address the room. “Need some brothers to pack up Freya’s room. Box everythin’ up then load it into my truck.”

“I’ll help,” Arrow offered.

Reno pulled away from the wall he’d been leaning on. “Me too.”

Fender stood from his chair, his lips thinning at Pop. “I’m in.”

Sophie walked toward the group of men who were about to head to Freya’s room. “I’ll come too. I don’t think Freya wants you guys looking at her underwear.”

Dad let out a snort, watching Sophie and the three brothers disappear down the corridor.

“Oh, grow the fuck up,” Mom snapped, glowering. “Stop being so pigheaded. What do you want with Freya’s clothes and belongings, you stubborn old fool?”

“Should’a known you’d take her side,” Dad muttered, catching my eye, and glaring at me like he hated me. “Ain’t ya a little old to go running to Mommy, Freya.”

“Like you’ve got a right to judge me,” I muttered, my tone cold with fury. “All my life I’ve done everything you asked of me. School, college, med school. I never wanted to be a doctor, but I did it to make you proud, searching for validation from a man who’ll never think I’m good enough. As for running to Mom, why wouldn’t I? Unlike you, she loves me unconditionally.”

Silence fell over the bar again.

“I love you,” Dad bit out. “I only ever wanted the best for you, but you went behind my back for months with my so-called brother. You lied to my face.”

“Because I knew you’d do this,” I exclaimed.

“So it’s my fault?” he demanded incredulously. “You and Colt betray me, and you blame my reaction for the fact you’ve lied?”

“Yes,” I admitted softly. “Because look at your reaction.”

His face hardened to steel. “You knew the rules.”

“I did, Dad,” I confirmed. “So did Colt, but I don’t want to live my life according to your rules. I want to live it according to mine. Colt’s been nothing but loyal for twelve years. He’s everything you ever wanted for me except he wears a Demons’ cut.”

“Not anymore,” he muttered.

“No.” I agreed. “He’ll be wearing an FBI badge soon enough. He gave up everything for you and your club, but you don’t give a fuck about that, do you?”

Dead’s head reared back, his stare slashing to Atlas. “What’s she on about?”

“Dunno the full story,” the SAA conveyed. “But the Feds wanted techno boy to join ‘em, so they got down and dirty and threatened the club.”

Dad’s face turned ashen. “What have they got on us?”

“That’s better discussed in Church,” Kit interrupted, looking around the room at the men who were watching our exchange with undisguised interest. “Let’s just say that Colt joined the feds under duress. He’s made a deal so they won’t come after us.”

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