Page 78 of Filthy Savage

“Atomic, what about the woman?” I ask.

He chuckles and adds a grunt at the end of said chuckle. “Woman?” Rim asks.

“The Southern Mafia is giving us a woman every five years. I wanted it taken off. But for whatever fucking reason, he said it was nonnegotiable.”

“We do not do skin,” Guts growls. The men begin to talk, and their volume rises as a collective immediately.

Atomic holds up his hand, his palm facing the club as he pumps it down slightly to get everyone to quiet down. They do slowly, but they don’t turn completely silent. Instead, their talking is nothing but a low roar.

“I haven’t decided on what to do with the girl. As far as I know, the trafficking that happens is consensual. When we receive the girl, whoever she may be, we’ll ask her what she wants. I don’t believe in keeping women, whores or otherwise, against their will.”

I almost laugh because I do believe in keepingmywoman against her will. I’d lock her up, keep her chained to my bed if that’s what the fuck it would take to keep her with me.

Luckily, I don’t think I’ll have to do that. At least not yet. I may have to at some point when I assuredly will fuck up, and she’ll want to run away again. Because I will fuck up. I’m a man, after all.

“So, are we all in agreement that this was the best choice? I know I don’t need your answer, and to some degree, it doesn’t matter, but I do want to let it be known that if you have any moral reservations about the protection run, you are more than welcome to tell Brew, and you will not be scheduled.”

That little tidbit is new, and although it’s even more work for me, I have a feeling the rest of the brothers are greatly appreciative of his offer. Church is released, and the men stand, leaving the room, except Fate.

He sits across from me, his eyes finding mine. His gaze searches my own for a silent moment. Then he clears his throat. “I’ll go on the first round,” he states.

“Yeah?” I ask

Fate is a quiet guy. Doesn’t say too much. He is the muscle of the club when he needs to be, and he is strong inside and out. While he’s physically strong, he also has no issues telling me or anyone else when he thinks something is wrong and he won’t be participating.

He’s a good guy to have on your side, strong in body and will. So, the fact that he is volunteering to do this first run surprises me. I place my palm against the table, thrumming my fingers against the hardwood.

“Why?” I ask.

He chuckles. “Why?” Jerking my chin, I clear my throat and lean back, waiting for an answer. “I think I need a feel for the situation. I don’t agree right now, but if it’s all consensual, then I think it’s fine.”

So, there’s the truth of it. He’s unsure and needs to see it for himself. I can’t deny that now I think I might want to check it out, too. I tell him as much. It’s a great idea and the only way that I’ll feel any kind of peace about it, and I think Fate is thinking the same thing.

“I like that. I’ll go with you. Guess I better start working on a schedule. We leave in two weeks.” I stand from my seat, and the chair scrapes across the concrete floor. Jerking my chin toward Fate, I give him a smile. “Thanks for the idea. I’ll get us scheduled.”

He grins, then stands as well. He walks out of the room but only makes it a couple of steps before he stops. I almost run into his back. He whistles low, then turns his head and looks at me.

“You got problems, brother,” he says with a chuckle, then takes a step to the side.

I see what has him laughing, and it makes my entire body jerk.

Fucking shit.

SPENCER

The men fileinto the conference room, a place where I know I’m now allowed. It’s where they hold their church. Their meetings of great importance, at least to them they are. I still haven’t discovered what exactly they do, and I probably never will.

The prospect behind the bar offers me a drink, but I’m boring and ask for bottled water. It makes him laugh softly, but he delivers the water. As soon as it’s delivered, my phone buzzes in my back pocket.

Taking it out, I frown at the incoming notification. It’s a text from Ophelia. I didn’t even realize she was a texter, so I’m surprised to see it there. Sliding my thumb across the screen, I read the message. There are quite a few emojis that I have to suffer through to get to the actual message.

OPHELIA: (shocked emoji face) Jasmine came by looking for you. (Double red exclamation point—twice). She said she was going to find you. (Double eyes shifting to the side—twice). Just warning you. She seemed pretty P.O.-ED. (Two skulls and crossbones.)

The whole text is annoyingly cute, and I know I’m supposed to be upset about this woman, but I’m not. Not anymore. Not with Ophelia sending me the best warning ever. I don’t leave her hanging with my response, though.

I answer her immediately.

Thanks for the warning. I’ll keep an eye out. I don’t think she’d try anything here, but I hope she does. Because it might be fun to watch.