Page 54 of Dutch

I scoffed. "You trying to say I've gone soft or something?"

"Not soft, human is more the word I'm looking for. It's like you remembered there was more to life."

I wanted to deny Saint's words and tell him he was full of shit, but deep down, I knew he was right.

"Makari… our story is… complicated. Our history, it's?—"

"I know," Saint cut me off. "That's not what I'm asking. I'm asking how you're doing with all of this. The Dutch I knew a year ago would have burned shit down to get what he wanted, but now…"

I felt exposed. "Now what?" I questioned.

"Now you're actually thinking about the consequences. Weighing the risk for all of us."

I was silent, soaking up his words." He was right, but admitting it scared the shit out of me. "Yeah, I guess she's changed me."

"Sounds solid, boss."

Saint held my glare and then nodded. "All right, I'll hit you up when everything is in place. All you have to do is show up."

"Got it," I replied, feeling gratitude. I leaned forward. "I need you to do something for me, though, while I'm dealing with this shit."

Saint's eyebrows arched. "What up?"

"Hold down the fort. I'm taking a leave of absence and appointing you in charge while I'm gone."

Pride flicked Saint's face. "You got it, boss."

"No, 'you' got it, boss," I corrected him.

Saint cracked a smile. "We've been through some shit, haven't we?"

"And we aren't done yet."

I stood, signaling the end of our meeting. Saint followed, and I walked him to the door. There was so much more I could say, but the words were lodged in my throat. How do you thank someone who'd been your right hand for years?

Saint stepped on the porch, turned back, and clapped me on the shoulder. This silent gesture spoke volumes of support and brotherhood. I returned the sentiment. I watched him disappear as he mounted his bike and peeled off, but I was at peace, knowing the club was in good hands.

I shut the door, and I was alone with my thoughts. The silence around me was deafening.

I sat on the couch and passed out for about two hours. I woke up confused about what day it was. When I pulled myself together, I headed to the kitchen, washed my hands, and made myself a sandwich, which I demolished in four bites. I made another for Makari, needing to make sure she ate.

I put hers on a plate, cut it in half, grabbed a soda from the fridge, and headed upstairs. At the door, I balanced the sandwich in one hand as I pushed the door open and held the soda in the other. When I entered the room, Makari sat up.

"Hey, I made you a sandwich in case you're hungry." I set the items on the nightstand.

She nodded, avoiding my eyes. I set my phone on the bed and pulled my shirt over my head. I entered the ensuite bathroom, washed my face with a washcloth, hit my armpits, and brushed my teeth, hoping to hear back from Saint soon.

Back in the room, I noticed Makari had barely eaten. I grabbed a clean shirt and pulled it over my head. I picked my phone up from the bed, noticing the text from Saint with an address and time, so I shoved the phone in my pocket.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I'm going to figure out a way to clear my name and show you I'm not bullshitting you."

"It's not that deep," she stated.

"Apparently, it is. For this to work between us, we need full transparency."

"I don't want you going out there getting hurt. Darian is dangerous," Makari warned.

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