Page 57 of The Devil's Conflict

“What I want to know is why she knows they need to be guarded,” Dozer says coldly. “I thought we agreed we wouldn’t bring her into this.”

“Then I suggest you tell Crook to keep his mouth closed, because he’s the one who blurted out the Russians are involved,” I reply tightly.

Dozer’s face tightens as he looks over at Crook. Crook’s face is pinched, unhappy, but he doesn’t deny it. “Fuck,” Dozer hisses.

“So either way, Thea now knows about the Russians and there is no point in hiding anything anymore. However, she has also agreed to stay out of it other than taking care of the women and kids. And if anyone bothers her about it, you’ll be dealing with me,” I add with a steely look around the room.

They must realize how serious I am because I only get nods, though I don’t miss the disapproving looks from a few of the Misfits before they hide them.

“Since that’s settled, let’s get to work on dividing and conquering,” Bullet orders briskly, clearly ready to move on from that topic of discussion. “Who isn’t on rotations over the next six hours.” I, Shadow, Viper, Timber, Hulk, Arson, Whip, Silver, and Sting indicate we’re free. “Good. Then we need to start dividing up and checking out some of these areas. Sniper, I’m going with you to the cabin. See what we can find, and if we have to take the place apart, then so be it. The rest of you, pick one of the other places and check it out. We go to scout only. I want to know what we’re dealing with. Shadow, you go with them and keep us updated.” Shadow nods.

“I say we look at the farthest one on the other side of the territory. Keeps things harder for them to be in two places at once if they spot us,” Arson suggests.

Bullet nods. “Alright. Anything goes south, call and we’ll be there.” With that, Church is over and we head out of the room. Everyone heads to wherever they need to be, and Bullet heads up to his office to grab his gun. I look around the room and see none of the women or kids in sight. A fact Shadow has also locked on to if the frown on his face is anything to go by.

He lets out an aggravated sigh and looks at me. “Why do I get the feeling I’m going to be finding them in the middle of something I don’t want them to be?”

I smirk at him. “Brother, that jail is looking better and better with each passing day.”

“My luck they’d just take it over and start their own gang,” he grumbles as he heads for the kitchen. I follow him, wanting to check on Thea before we leave, and wherever the women are, she’s definitely with them. “And they would probably elect Rose as their lead and Macy as their VP. I really hope one of the babiesis going to be a boy, because I’m fucked if I have a house full of women.”

I laugh at that. “We’d all be fucked if that was the case, man. But we’d be the most feared MC around and not have to do a damn thing. We just sic the women on them and sit back and laugh.”

We head out the back door of the kitchen, which is of course empty, and make our way toward the playground area we set up for the kids. Before we round the corner of the building, I hear feminine laughter, which confirms our suspicions.

We round the corner and both of us stop dead in our tracks, staring at the sight in front of us.

Loki and Ebony are both sitting at full attention as Syn directs Macy and Archer on how to direct the dogs on command. “We want them in a heel position first,” Syn tells them. “And that command isFuss! Go ahead.”

Macy’s voice rings out loud and clear as she yells, “Fuss!” Ebony immediately turns her butt to sit at her side, looking up at her with excited eyes.

Archer is a bit more quiet, but his voice is firm as he gives the command to Loki. Loki immediately complies, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth as he looks up at Archer. “Good boy,” Archer praises with a smile down at the dog.

“When do we send them after Auntie Sage?” Macy demands impatiently, and that’s when I notice the very unhappy looking Sage at the other end of the field.

I bite back a laugh at the sight, and Shadow lets out a groan. “Fuck, I don’t need her knowing how to sic those dogs on us if we piss her off when she’s older,” he mutters.

“Only Auntie Syn gets to do that, honey,” Quinn reminds Macy firmly. “We’re just helping her work their brains a little, right?”

Macy scowls at that, but nods. Rose turns her face away as she tries to hide her laughter. Syn just smiles and says, “That’s exactly right. We want them to know to guard you if you’re ever alone, but we don’t want to attack people. That’s not responsible, is it?”

“No,” Macy pouts. “But it would make the annoying boys at school leave me alone,” she reasons. She gives a sassy flip of her hair before she adds, “It’s really hard being so popular.” More snickers fill the air, and I grin as Shadow leans against the side of the building, watching and looking like he’s not sure if he wants to leave or stay and watch the show.

I glance over at Thea, who is standing with the women, grinning, and seemingly at ease, but I can all but see her senses on high alert, and while she’s not looking our way, I’d bet my next paycheck she’s clocked us.

When we woke up this morning, she joined me in the shower, and I’m feeling far more at ease this morning than I did yesterday. We ate breakfast together in the kitchen, and she didn’t so much as blink when Rose came in and grinned at her knowingly. Though I have a feeling Thea and Rose are going to be the best of friends before long.

I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not, but maybe some of Thea’s common sense will rub off on this group.

I’m pulled out of my thoughts though when Syn instructs both kids to start running up on the play structure, leading the dogs along with them. Archer goes first, but Macy isn’t far behind, and both dogs are barking excitedly as they follow them along the bridge, then up some steps, until finally they get to the slides. I’m sure neither dog is going to go down them, but they follow the kids easily, and go right back into their heel positions.

Syn runs them through a few more rounds, having them go different ways on the playsets, and then weaving their ways through the swings. By the time they come back, both kids arelaughing and out of breath, and both dogs are barely panting. Macy giggles when Ebony licks her cheek, wrapping her arms around the dog. “I want a puppy,” Macy announces. “Mama, can I have a puppy? Please?”

“Macy, puppies are a lot of responsibility,” Quinn says gently. “And with two babies at one time, we’re going to be really busy.”

Macy scowls at that, clearly unhappy with that explanation. “But a dog could help,” she argues. “We just have to train him to get bottles and diapers and stuff. I can teach them!”

“Sounds to me like you’re going to be hearing the argument for a dog for a while, brother,” I tease Shadow.

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