Page 41 of Monster Mania

“Then stop acting like it,” she spat.

Ghost reached for her hand, and she looked down at their joined fingers. “I watched my foster brother, Levi, die,” he said. Hammer went still because he knew that Ghost rarely talked about Levi—almost never. Angel looked up at him. “I lost my foster brother.”

“I know,” she breathed.

“How do you know about him?” Ghost asked.

“You said his name in your sleep, and called him your brother,” she said. “I didn’t know he was your foster brother. I thought that he might be one of your club brothers.”

Ghost's chest tightened. He hadn't known that. “We grew up together. I held him while he bled out.” Angel squeezed his hand. “I spent years thinking if I didn't care about anybody, I couldn't feel that way again.”

“What about Hammer?” she whispered. “You seem to care about him.”

“He’s the only stubborn bastard who wouldn't let me push him away,” Ghost said.

“Damn right,” Jackhammer said.

Ghost almost smiled, and then he looked back at Angel. “And now there's you.”

Her eyes filled. “That's exactly why you should walk away.”

“No,” Ghost breathed.

“Why not? It would keep you both safe,” she said.

Ghost didn't have a clever answer. He didn't have a joke. He didn't have some dark biker line that would make everything easier. So, he told her the truth. “Because I don't want to.” Angel stared at him. It was the simple, terrifying truth.

A knock sounded at the door, and Hammer opened it. Monster stood outside in the hallway. “Church is done.”

Ghost released Angel's hand. “What'd you decide?”

Monster looked at all three of them. “She stays here until we know what the hell is happening.” Angel groaned, but Monster ignored her. “There will be two brothers on the gate at all times. Nobody rides alone. Prospects rotate perimeter.”

“We need to go to Raven’s Hallow,” Ghost said.

“Ghost,” Angel shouted his name.

Monster's tone carried a warning. “That’s Nomad Knights’ territory,” he said. “Why the fuck do you need to go there?”

“Viper left Angel a key right before he died,” Ghost said.

That got his attention. “What kind of key?” Monster asked.

“Don't know,” Ghost said.

“Where is the key now?” Monster asked.

“Her father's house,” Ghost said.

Monster looked at Angel. “You still have access?”

“Yes,” she breathed. “But it’s still not a good idea to go back there.”

“Do you think this key has something to do with the missing club records?” Monster asked, ignoring her warning.

“I don't know for sure,” she admitted. Ghost knew though. He might not have known the exact connection, but his gut was screaming at him.

Monster rubbed his jaw. “When are you planning on going?”