Free Sinner: Devil's Sons MC by Kathryn Thomas

edge of the sofa. "Why did you miss family dinner last weekend?" He had a suspicion he couldn't put his finger on, knowing she was up to something.
     
    "I told Maman. I had to help the professor grade some papers and file some things. Why is it such a big deal?"
     
    "That was the second time this month." Rashad called Rayan's name, and Afia looked in the direction of her father's voice with relief. Rayan's mouth set in a firm line, and his jaw hardened. "This isn't over. We'll discuss this later."
     
    He went off in search of their father, and Afia stared down at the carpet, wondering why her brother was suddenly interested in what she was doing. She blew out a breath in exasperation. Surreptitiously checking her phone, she answered a text from Sam asking if she wanted red or white wine for their picnic later that night. She typed back, "Red." She was smiling when she looked back up. The smile froze, however, as she paid closer attention to the gradually increasing volume of the conversation between her parents and Rayan.
     
    "...again, Rayan! Not again!" Fatima sounded disappointed.
     
    Rashad raised his voice. "Be honest with me, Rayan. What did you do with the check? That's all we want to know. Produce the check, and we can settle this."
     
    "I told you," Rayan shouted. "I took the check to the bank! Maybe they made a mistake. Maybe there was a computer glitch. I don't know! All I know is I took it to the bank. What-what are you accusing me of, Baba? You think I'd steal from you? You think I'd stoop to that level."
     
    Rashad cut him off. "Listen to yourself! Have you been drinking?"
     
    "Baba!"
     
    Afia strained to hear as her mother's voice came back softer, "....gambling?"
     
    "Maman!" Rayan sounded angry and wounded.
     
    "Answer her," Rashad commanded.
     
    "No! I'm not gambling again. Heaven help me! You can't make one mistake in this fucking family. I haven't gambled since—"
     
    "Drinking?" Fatima asked in a tremulous voice.
     
    "I don't have to stay here for this. You call me when they find that check so I can tell you I told you so!" Rayan stomped through the living room to the front door, Rashad in pursuit. Rayan forced the door open, though Rashad tried to keep it shut with a large, heavy hand pressed against it. The older Amini male grunted in pain as the door pushed his wrist back uncomfortably, and he released it.
     
    "Rayan," Fatima pleaded. The door slammed behind him. Fatima and Rashad shared a look.
     
    "Is everything alright?" Afia asked fearfully. She had never seen her brother so angry, and never in all her life had she seen him be so disrespectful to their parents.
     
    Rashad flapped a hand in her direction. "This doesn't concern you. Fatima, call the bank again."
     
    "They're closed, Rashad."
     
    "Then, leave a message!" His voice boomed. Rashad never yelled at his wife. Afia stood in alarm and put herself between the two.
     
    "Baba! Maman?"
     
    Rashad flushed and growled, pushing past both women and marching back to his office. Afia stared after him and then turned to her mother with confused eyes. "What happened? Maman, what did Rayan do?"
     
    "No, it doesn't concern you." Fatima stood firm—although she was obviously shaken by Rashad's behavior toward her. She pulled out of Afia's grasp and fluttered away to the kitchen to find something to do with herself. Dinner was cooked, but there had to be something, some busy work. It didn't look like anyone was in the mood to eat.
     
    Afia stood in the middle of the yellow and blue tiled kitchen, watching her mother wipe and re-wipe the counters while muttering to herself in their native language. Afia crossed her arms, wishing someone would just tell her something, but neither of them spoke to her. At length, she finally decided to leave.  She had a date with Sam anyway.
     
    He took her back to the desert by nightfall. With the canopy of the stars above them, the landscape was transformed. He let her ride the bike by moonlight and