Silas stopped her with a look.
“No,” he said. “It was Elias's.”
“He is dead.”
“Yes.”
“That means the responsibility died with him.”
Silas's eyes moved to Toby. “Not where I come from.”
Sarah's shoulders tightened. “I know exactly where you come from. That is why Elias left.”
Bones shifted uncomfortably.
Silas absorbed the hit without flinching. “Fair.”
Sarah had expected anger. The quiet agreement disarmed her more effectively.
“I spent years being afraid one of you would find us,” she said. “Elias told me your world did not forgive people who walked away. Every time I heard motorcycles stop on this street, I thought somebody had finally followed the trail.”
Silas nodded once. “You had reason.”
“And now you come in here talking about debts of blood like that makes it safe.”
“No,” Silas said. “It does not make the past safe. It means the boy is not paying for it.”
Toby looked at him.
Silas picked up the mortgage notice. “How much to stop the foreclosure?”
Sarah's voice sharpened. “I said no.”
“You said it is not my responsibility. I disagree.”
“I will not owe the club.”
“You will not.”
“That is not how people like you work.”
Bones opened his mouth.
Silas raised a hand and Bones closed it again.
“You are right to be suspicious,” Silas said. “So hear me carefully. No favors. No errands. No loyalty oath.
No claim on Toby. No expectation that he ever wears a patch, rides a bike, walks into the Rusty Anchor again, or says my name after today.”
Sarah stared at him.
Silas continued. “Whatever Elias owed the charter ended with Elias. Whatever the charter owes Elias is our business. I am settling our side of the ledger.”
“You cannot buy back fifteen years.”
“I am not trying to.”
“You cannot bring him back.”
“I know.”
“You cannot make Toby know his father.”
Silas looked at the lighter. “Maybe I can help with that part.”
The anger went out of Sarah all at once, leaving exhaustion behind.
Toby stood between them, ten years old and suddenly aware that he was the only person in the room who did not have memories of the same man.
“Can you?” he asked.
Silas looked at him.
“Can you tell me about him?”
“Yes.”
“Not the bad stuff first.”
Silas's face shifted.