Chapter 22:
Kael goes very still.
He's still holding the letter. He hasn't moved. His face hasn't changed. But something behind his eyes has shut like a door, and the air in the car gets thick and wrong.
"Kael," I say.
He doesn't answer.
"Kael."
He reads it again.
"Prez," Jax says, quiet.
"Drive."
"Prez—"
"Drive the car, Jax."
Jax drives the car.
Kael holds the letter the whole way. Doesn't fold it. Doesn't put it away. Just holds it in both hands like it's a snake he's deciding how to kill.
We pull into the lot behind the bar. Jax cuts the engine. Nobody moves.
"Jax," Kael says. "Get everybody."
"Everybody?"
"Everybody. Now. Bar's closed tonight. I want every patch in this lot in twenty minutes."
Jax gets out.
Kael opens his door. Gets out. Doesn't look back at me. Walks
