Page 36 of The Devil's Conflict

I look around at the other women carefully. I would have figured that the women would be in hysterics, including the ones that were ripped out of their beds, but no, they’re all calm. Too calm. The only sign of nerves is from Eden, who is mostly just glancing at the stairs, like she’s worried about her son. But thatcould just be a new mother’s nerves considering Sadie filled me in that her role in Archer’s life is a new one. And not to mention, Sadie doesn’t look all that panicked either, mostly just tired from the way she keeps yawning.

Which tells me that they know what’s going on. And they also know who or what might be the cause. I glance over at the door where the men disappeared an hour ago. I can barely make out muffled voices, but nothing that I could use to actually make out what they’re saying. They definitely soundproofed the place, and I would bet everything I have they are discussing who set off the explosions, because if the women know, so do the men.

What the hell kind of MC has Theo gotten himself involved in?

I keep that thought to myself for now though, and instead focus on trying to stay awake and figure out my next move. Which is mainly to get out of here, go home, and somehow convince Theo to give up the idea of prospecting with this group. If he wants to prospect with another MC, fine, but it won’t be this one. This shit is going to get messy.

Rose leans over to me and murmurs, “I know you’re confused and probably pissed off, but I promise it will all makes sense soon.” I don’t answer her, just nod. She pats my hand before standing up and moving to the couch to sit near Syn and pet the dogs who wag their tails when she gets close.

I look away, looking around the room carefully, and I see that outside the main door is a very large man, and from this angle, I’m assuming it’s Crypt. No doubt he’s in charge of keeping us all secure and inside. My resentment for it all grows by the minute, but I’m also trying to remind myself that it’s been a shit day overall, and maybe I’m overreacting.

Then the door to the Church room opens and the MC men pour out, and all of that anger bubbles up again. Sniper is one of the last ones out, and our eyes connect for a moment, and while Ihave an immense satisfaction at the fact that his eyes are already starting to bruise, it’s quickly squashed by anger when he looks away and stalks down the hall after another one of the men, slamming a door behind him.

Someone isn’t in a better mood then. Whatever, not my problem.

“Thea, can I speak with you, please?” Viper asks with a soft smile as he comes my way.

I glance over at Eden, who smiles at me and waves for me to go on. I look back at Viper and nod, getting to my feet and following him out of the clubhouse. I can feel eyes on me as I go, but I don’t pay any attention to them. Once we’re outside, Crypt moves out of the way and back inside, his face hard and unyielding.

I step down the stairs, and I see Theo leaning against my car, clearly waiting for me. I narrow my eyes at him, and he moves away from the car, grinning at me sheepishly. “If you scratched it, you’re dead,” I tell him deadpan, and he quickly looks back at the paint, checking it over in the light from the overhead light above the porch.

“All good,” he declares happily after a moment. “No murdering needs to happen tonight.”

I just stare at him for a moment and then look back up at Viper. I cross my arms over my chest and stare up at him, waiting for him to tell me what he wants to talk to me about.

“I know you’re pissed,” Viper starts. “And honestly, I don’t blame you. But I want you to know that I’m not accepting your resignation.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You’ll have no choice when I don’t show up for work,” I reply coldly.

Viper sighs and puts his hands on his hips as he stares down at me. “Thea, seriously, everything else from tonight aside, do you really hate the job enough that you want to quit?”

I want to tell him yes, but the truth slips out. “No.”

“Alright, well then, I’m not accepting you quitting. We can figure everything else out, but you are a damn good guard for us, and we all enjoy having you around. Hell, you got praise from Crypt the other day and he doesn’t say shit about anyone. So I think it’s clear we need you here.”

I don’t reply for a moment. I’m glad that the guys like me, sure, but that doesn’t change what happened tonight, and what happened earlier. “What I want to know right now is why I’m being forced to stay here when we both know the need for me to watch over the women is bullshit. Because the women in there know exactly what’s up, are cool as cucumbers, and the rest of you are acting like if I leave, I’m going to be in deep shit when we both know the whole explosion had nothing to do with me.”

“That’s—”

“That’s club business,” Sniper says.

I don’t even look his way, keeping my gaze on Viper, who looks uncertain of what to do when Sniper stops next to him. Now that his VP is here, I have a feeling Viper is about to change his tune. So I turn my head to Theo. “What do you think about all of this?” I ask him bluntly.

Theo’s eyes widen, and he glances at Viper and Sniper briefly before turning his gaze back to me. “I mean, I like the club and the job, sis,” he answers honestly. “And I’m okay not knowing things. We didn’t always know things in the Army, right? It’s the same. I’ll be told what I need to know when the time comes.”

He has a point, and Theo has always been one who doesn’t need the extra information. Not like me. “And after tonight? Clearly, they’re involved in some shit, and the last thing I need is to have to call our parents because you were killed in an explosion or gun fight.” It’s cold, harsh even, but this isn’t the time to be careful with my words. Not when my brother’s life is at stake.

Neither Viper nor Sniper say a word as Theo looks at them again for a bit longer this time, before looking back at me. I can see he’s torn. He glances away and then back at me with a serious expression on his face. I already know what he’s going to say before he starts, but I force myself to stand here and listen.

“I get why you’re pissed tonight, Thea, and if I was in your shoes, I would be too. But you go home to your apartment after work every night and I see you the next day. You’re not in the thick of the club, or see the way they are, or hear how they talk to each other. This isn’t just an MC to them, this a family, people who lean on each other. They’re a team, and I fucking miss that. If I hadn’t taken that damn bullet to the leg, I probably wouldn’t even be here but still trying to rise up the ranks in the Army. But that’s not what I got in life, so I’ve been pushing myself to find my spot. And this feels right to me. This is where I want to be.

“Do I know everything? No. I’ve only been here a week. Do I think that there’s something else going on? Sure. But when isn’t there? It wouldn’t matter where I went, something is always going to be happening behind the scenes. Like the club I bounced at before here. They were into drugs and prostitution, not that anyone would know it to look at it. But it’s there. But these guys, they’re good men, and I feel like a part of a team again, and if that means getting my hands dirty, I’m not afraid to do that. So I’m not going anywhere, and I hope that you can accept that and be okay with it.”

I regard him for a long moment. My brother is both stubborn and admirable. He’s a goofball, but he’s also loyal to a fault. And as angry and as frustrated as I am over this whole thing, I won’t let that affect him. I give him a short nod. “Alright.” I turn to Viper and says, “Clearly, you all have something you have to handle and now that you’re done your meeting, the women are your responsibility. I’m going home. Whatever is going on has nothing to do with me, and I’ve been awake close to twenty-fourhours, so I need to sleep. I’ll be in the office on Monday.” Then I turn to Sniper. “You can move your bike, or I’ll do it for you. I haven’t up until now because I know how anal you all can be about them, but that’s about to go out the window very shortly. You have one minute.” Then I turn on my heel and move around Theo toward my car.

“Prospect, you’re on the gate,” Sniper says. “And you are not to let your sister leave the grounds. She and I have some things we need to clear up.”

I don’t even look behind me as I get to my car and open the door. I keep my temper in check—barely—and think to myself that it’s going to be a shame that I have to drive over his bike and probably damage some parts of my car. But sometimes, sacrifices have to be made, and this is one of them that I’ll happily make. Especially because I’m not talking to Sniper about anything. We’ve done enough of that tonight, and I’ve already said too much.

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