Page 19

Sypher

March 8, 2024, in a hotel room somewhere in New York City,

True to his word, Vladmir snuck Remi into the city with no one the wiser. Holed up in a hotel that Vladmir procured for her, I spent the next several days going over everything Reaper and I had learned. I had to give her props. She took it all in her stride, listening intently, only asking questions when she needed clarification.

Now, with all the information, she had a choice to make and as much as I needed her to jump on board, I refused to force her to do anything she wasn’t comfortable doing.

The woman had been through enough already.

“Are you sure, Sypher?” she asked, looking out the window, down at the city below, from the expensive room Vladmir rented for her.

I had to give the man props. He made sure she was protected, well cared for, and had everything she needed. After making damn sure she was safe, he left the room to check in with Maxim, leaving her alone with me and Vicious, who Reaper sent to watch Montana because of his familiar association from his nomad days.

“I’ve double and triple checked everything. Even Ace ran a search and came up with the same information. It’s legit.”

“And she has no clue?”

“No,” Vicious confirmed, shaking his head.

Turning, she looked at the man sitting next to me, waiting for Vicious to explain further.

“After Storm learned the truth, he called Mercy and a few others. We were all there when he married her. He’s determined to protect her and his daughter.”

“That’s says a lot about him.”

“Yeah.” Vicious smirked. “He’s either the smartest man on the fucking planet or he’s begging for Montana to take his brand. Either way, Montana isn’t backing down. He refuses to have a Golden Legacy in his club. He wants no ties to the Golden Skulls.”

“And what does Storm want?”

“Storm wants Delany and Harlow. He doesn’t care. He also doesn’t want Reaper to kill him, and he’s hoping you might be able to sway your volatile husband.”

She smirked, shaking her head while she turned back to the window. “I’d have better luck winning the fucking lottery. What do you need me to do?”

I sighed, jumping in. “Well, we were thinking of branding her in a way so that Montana can’t touch her. Kind of like what Reaper did to Layla.”

“I’m not a club brother, Sypher. I can’t claim Delany.”

“No, but Sypher can,” Vicious stated, leaning forward. “He’s a patched brother and can administer the tattoo while you and Layla swear the Golden Oath, claiming her as your sister. With that, Montana’s hands will be tied. Delany would be untouchable and because she would bear the Soulless Sinner brand, Montana would be club bound to protect her.”

“This only works if Reaper agrees to the marriage.”

“Not necessarily.” I grinned. “My mom was always good at telling my dad what he was going to do when it came to the women of the club. He never told her no. You are the wife of the president of the Golden Skulls, Remi. You have dominion over the women. The buck stops with you and Reaper knows it. If you claim Delany as your sister and she bares the Golden tattoo, Reaper would be club bound to protect her.”

“Whatever you decide, you need to do it fast, because I just got word that Giovanni picked up Delany. Montana kicked her out of the clubhouse and refused to let her take Harlow,” Vladmir said, rushing back into the room.

“Shit,” Vicious cursed, getting to his feet. “That stubborn son of a bitch never learns. If he’s not careful, he is going to lose everything. I need to get back. Remi, it was good seeing you again. Sypher, keep me updated.”

“Will do, Vicious.”

Vicious left, and Vladmir added, “I’m going to go pay Storm a visit and see if I can get a good read on him. I know he will check the penthouse first. I don’t want you interfering if the man isn’t on the level.”

“Don’t really have a choice. I won’t allow Montana Stone to hurt an innocent woman just because she has ties to the Golden Skulls,” Remi stubbornly said.

“Be careful, moi malen’kiy lev . Montana Stone can either be your best friend or your worst adversary.”

“What does that mean?” She frowned, curious. “You’ve called me that a few times already, moi …”

Vladmir smiled. “ Moi malen’kiy lev. It’s Russian for my little lion.”

“I like that.”

Walking over to her, Vladmir whispered, “You are the strongest woman I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. But having you as my daughter has been my greatest achievement. I want you to know, that no matter what happens, I will never abandon you again.”

Nodding, she leaned up on the tips of her toes and kissed his cheek.

“Thank you, Dad.”

Vladmir stiffened a split second, then smiled down at her, before leaving the hotel room.

Left alone with me, she turned and asked, “So, where can we buy a tattoo gun?”

I smiled broadly.

The second it was done and Delany was Golden, I sent off a text.

Me: Remi gave the order.

I knew he wouldn’t respond. If anything, he was standing in shock as he stared at the damn text. Reaper may be confident in many things, but regarding his wife, his guess was about as good as anyone else’s.

Remi was her own person with her own mind.

No one could force her to make a decision unless she was damn good and ready. It was one thing Reaper loved about her and respected. It didn’t matter how much he wanted her back, he would never force her to choose.

With Remi, Vladmir and I escorted Delany back to the city. Layla and Maxim took off for the Soulless Sinner clubhouse, while Giovanni headed for the airport to ready his plane. The second Layla killed George Stone, Giovanni would whisk his wife away to the island until it was safe for them to return.

In the meantime, Remi and Vladmir needed to pay Storm a visit and let him know that George Stone was murdered tonight. While they did that, I sat waiting in the SUV, going over the plan once more, making sure I left nothing to chance when I received a text from Maxim.

Scary Russian Dude: It’s done. Stone is dead. Heading to the airport now.

After making a quick call to Remi to let her know the news, I sat back in the SUV, unable to help myself, as I brought up a feed to Dante’s apartment. Yeah, I knew it was wrong, but I didn’t give a fuck. I needed to know he was okay. He may hate my guts right now, but I wasn’t taking any chances where he was concerned. Scanning the cameras, I brought up the one I placed in his bedroom to find him sleeping peacefully on his stomach with his arms wrapped around a pillow. On another feed, I spotted Malice and Storm, who carried his daughter in his arms as they entered the Harbor on 5 th .

Just then, I received a call from an unknown number.

“Yeah.”

“Need a flight. Tonight.”

“Reaper?”

“Yeah, it’s me, Sypher. Get me and Sandman the fuck out of here fast.”

Opening my computer, I started typing and asked, “How fast can you get to JFK?”

“On our way now.”

“Head to hangar twelve at JFK. There will be a plane waiting for you.”

I didn’t have to wait long before I saw Vladmir and Remi step out of the Harbor on 5 th , quickly getting into the SUV.

“How does he do this?” Remi asked, closing her eyes while she leaned back against the headrest.

“Heavy is the head that wears the crown,” her father replied.

“Reaper’s leaving the city with Sandman. They are heading back to Purgatory.”

“He better fucking stay there too,” his wife sneered just as I saw Malice rushing from the building.

Gathering my belongings, I reached for the door handle and stepped out into the cool early morning air. Standing there, I watched the SUV pull away. When it was out of sight, I headed inside and got ready for the storm that was about to befall.

And wouldn’t you know it.

I didn’t have to wait long.

March 9, 2024, in the early morning hours.

I had just entered Ace’s apartment when I heard the alerts going off. Groaning, I dropped my bags as Ace turned around and looked at me.

“They’ve been going off for the last couple of minutes. They found George. Montana is losing his shit.”

“Why?” I groaned. “He knew his fucking dad was dirty. He had to know someone would take him out.”

“It’s not George. It’s Shame. Reaper killed Shame.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” I sighed, plopping my ass down on the couch. I was so fucking tired. I just needed a few hours of sleep before I started losing my mind.

“No. I watched the whole thing play out. Layla was leaving the clubhouse when Shame appeared behind her. Reaper didn’t waste any time and threw his fucking sword. I may hate that fucker, but damn is he fucking proficient with those blades. Hit Shame right in the heart. Poor guy never felt what hit him.”

“Yeah well, Reaper’s not gonna be happy when he learns that Shame was hiding Carly,” I muttered. “Fuck it. I’ll worry about that later. What’s Montana doing right now?”

“Ranting and raving like a fucking lunatic.”

“So, all is normal at the Soulless Sinners’ clubhouse.”

Ace chuckled.

“I need to sleep.”

“Go on, little brother. I’ll monitor the feeds.”

Not needing any more encouragement, I drifted off to sleep, only to be woken up what felt like minutes later with Ace standing above me.

“Sorry, little brother, but you need to get your ass over to the Soulless Sinners’ clubhouse fast. Montana is losing his shit, and Remi’s on her way there now.”

“What the fuck for?” I jolted awake, grabbing my phone and jacket before rushing for the door. “Reaper will fucking slice my ass in half if anything happens to that woman.”

Knowing I would only waste time waiting for a cab, I sprinted like my life depended on it, and it did. Running out of the Harbor on 5 th , I hauled ass toward the waterfront, and it didn’t take me long to hit pier 81. Passing the small diner, I beat feet, only to slow my approach upon hearing Montana’s loud shouts from all the way out past the gates.

Seeing a black SUV slowly make its way down the pier, I stepped into the shadows, listening to the irate man blow his fucking fuse while the SUV slowed before driving through the gates. The second the car stopped in front of the clubhouse, I stepped around the corner as the back door opened and Remi stepped out.

“He’s really pissed, Remi. Been shouting so loud I could hear him all the way out here.”

“His temper will get him killed if he’s not careful,” she muttered.

Virginia Stone, along with her son Dakota, also stepped out of the vehicle. The second he saw me, I watched his eyes widen for a fraction before his face went void and his shoulders stiffened. Something about his reaction to seeing me set off several alarm bells. Whatever it was, I didn’t like it and moved closer to Remi.

Sighing, Remi looked at the clubhouse. “Let’s do this. I am so ready to leave this fucking city.”

Heading for the front doors of the clubhouse, we all heard Storm.

“Because, as of yesterday, she also bears the Golden Mark. You can’t touch her.”

“What the FUCK?!” Montana roared, grabbing him by his shirt, hauling him close. “Who the fuck marked her?”

“I did.” I stepped forward, making my presence known.

No one said a word as they all took their seats in the boardroom.

“I’m going to make this quick,” Remi began, glaring at Montana. “Delany Calloway is Golden. If I hear that you or anyone in this club has threatened her again, in any way, the Golden Skulls will retaliate.”

“You can’t make that claim, Remi.”

“No, but I can as a patched brother of the Golden Skulls,” I clearly stated.

“I’m not fucking around,” Remi added. “Maxim Fedorov has offered her protection as a favor to me for his part in this whole fucked-up mess you three fucking morons constructed. So whatever hiccup you have regarding her, get over it. Fast. She is innocent of this life.”

“Got balls coming into my club and ordering me around, Remi. Any other person and I would gut you where you stand.” Montana grinned.

“You don’t even know how big my balls are,” she clipped, getting to her feet. “Think of Delany as Switzerland. She’s off-limits.”

“Fair enough,” Montana relented, smiling. “Won’t touch the bitch.”

“Legacy,” she growled. “Her name is Legacy, and you will show her the fucking respect she deserves.”

Montana reluctantly saluted as she held her head high, walking out of the boardroom while I followed behind her.

“Hey, kid,” Montana spoke, halting me as I turned to face him. “You step into my club again. For any reason, I will keep my promise. Understand?”

I nodded, closing the door behind me.

Walking out of the club, I slid into the waiting vehicle behind her, when Vladmir asked, “Where can we drop you, Sypher?”

“The Harbor on 5 th .”