Page 81 of Fanatic

“Recovery is shit, ay?” Sunny asked as the couch dipped.

“Wasn’t even my fuckin’ fault.”

“I know. Still sucks.”

“You need anything?” I sought hopefully.

“Nah. I had to speak to Olivia’s professor. Damn girl has a mind of her own. Liv’s got no respect for someone who evidently needs to go back and re-earn his degree. And apparently, he thinks it’s okay to call my girl a bitch,” Sunny said, shaking his head.

I paid attention. Sunny rarely mentioned his daughter or brought her around. It was strange, but Sunny’s choice. Liv, as Sunny called her, was a little-known entity here.

“You gonna start bringing her round?”

“Yeah, she’s coming in a bit. But I sent her shopping as a reward,” Sunny replied.

“Huh?” I questioned, confused.

“Yes. Turns out Liv was correct, and the asshole was wrong. The dean made him apologise.”

“How old is she now?”

“Liv’s twenty-one, and boy, does she have a mouth on her,” Sunny answered with a grin.

“Be nice to meet her,” I said pointedly.

“Yeah.” An awkward pause fell. “Sometimes circumstances ain’t what we assume, Fanatic, you’d know that better than anyone.”

“You think the club has filth somewhere in it? I figured that out a long time ago, Sunny,” I replied as he sat up sharply.

“What makes you say that?” he demanded.

Amused, I snorted. “What’s the most precious things in your life? Liv and the club, yet you kept them apart. Don’t take a genius to understand that you don’t trust the club. Why wouldn’t you? Chance took it back and got it clean. Which means you believe someone dirty remains. There ain’t. But you’re not going to accept my word for it.”

“There are reasons for my thinking. You told anyone your suspicions?”

“Nope. No point causing further trouble between you and the MC.”

“Kid, I could order you to keep quiet,” Sunny stated.

I laughed. “Don’t bother. My loyalty is to my parents and Uncle Chance before anything else. I’d break any command you gave me, get kicked for doing so, and throw a fucking party afterwards.

“Hellfire means a shitload to me, it’s what I want and work hard for. The brotherhood, acceptance, bonds. But that won’t ever come before my family. So, remember that before trying to threaten me,” I retorted.

“You’re a damn good kid, Fanatic. I hope you are right, but I know I’m not wrong. There’s a dirty fucker in Hellfire still, and I will dig him out,” Sunny promised.

“Go for it. But don’t be surprised when you end up with egg on your face.” We both sat up as the doors flew open and Lio entered.

I glowered as I took in Lio’s appearance, his hair was messed up, and his tie askew.

“Fuck,” I said to Sunny, getting a gut feeling.

“What do you want?” Sunny demanded.

“Get Fanatic out of here. April Brown has disappeared, and Hope and Morris think you’re involved. They’re coming to question you,” Lio blurted.

“Why are you here telling us?” Sunny boomed as I typed an SOS to Mum, Chance, and Adeline. Adeline texted back she was local and would be there in ten minutes.

“Because they are on a witch hunt. They’ve not checked your alibi’s properly and have decided it’s you they’re fingering,” Lio said.

---