Page 4 of The Devil's Conflict

“Before you freak out, I already looked into them,” he rushes on when I frown. “And they’re a legit club, not like Sons of Anarchy or whatever. They run legitimate businesses so I’m not getting into shady shit. Besides, I miss doing army stuff, and I miss having guys around I can count on. So it sounds like the perfect thing for me. Hey, maybe they’d be willing to hire you too for contract work. You said you’re bored, and it could be something until you find something permanent.” He gives me a winning smile, as if he’s somehow managed to figure out all our problems.

He has a point. I am bored, and sitting around doing nothing all day is getting old fast. I thought I would need the downtime,but clearly I’m not one to be idle. And Theo does seem really excited about this. “What exactly is involved in this prospecting thing?” I ask, still not sold on that part.

“Basically, you do grunt work until they decide you’re ready to be a patched member. And before you give me that look, it will get me out of your hair. When I’m not working, I’ll be there, which means you get this place to yourself.”

“Look, I’m sure it’s great, but don’t be making any decisions until you see how the interview goes, okay? Maybe they’re assholes and you won’t want to work for them. Besides, you haven’t gotten your bike out of storage in forever, so how are you gonna know if it still runs? And I’ll drive you over there.”

“Or you could let me drive us over there,” he suggests with another winning smile. “And my bike will be fine, you watch. That thing is reliable.”

“Uh-huh. And not a chance,” I say with a smirk. “You want to be cool like me, you can get a car of your own.” I grab my keys and wallet, glancing at myself in the hallway mirror. I’ve never been a classic beauty, but I think I look well enough. I actually got up and did my hair and makeup today so that has to count for something. My blue eyes are framed with tasteful liner and mascara, and my hair is up in a clip, small wisps framing my face. I glance at my simple ACDC T-shirt and faded denim jeans. Yeah, that will have to work. I’m not the one applying for the job anyway, but at least I won’t look like I just rolled out of bed.

By the time we roll up to the security office, Theo is practically bouncing with excitement. You’d never know he’s almost thirty-two with the way he’s acting. Then again, he’s always been this way, so I can’t be surprised. I park out front of the older looking building, but I immediately clock the numerous obvious, and hidden, security cameras. I climb out of the car, glancing around, and taking in the sign above the frontdoor that saysDevil’s Security. Interesting name, but I suppose if it’s run by the MC, it makes sense.

“Are you coming in?” Theo asks me.

I shake my head. “No, you go ahead. I’ll wait out here. There’s a couple of shops around that I might check out.” He nods and heads inside, all confident and smiling. And even if I’m not sure about the MC thing, I really hope they’re willing to give him a chance. Not just because I need him to have a job and stay out of my hair, but because I know he’s feeling lost. My brother is good at hiding his emotions, but being his twin, I know things without having to ask. Not that we discuss it. We’re close, but I fully understand he likes to keep some things to himself.

I make sure I have enough money in the meter before I head down the street, glancing around at a few of the shops I’ve never been in before. Though I haven’t lived in the city long, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by that. I always had an apartment or a house provided through the Forces, and considering that most of the time I wasn’t home anyway, that suited me just fine. Which is probably why I feel so lost right now.

I don’t have a job or a reason to go out much, and I’m not the typical girly-girl who loves to shop. Or, at least, not for the typical stuff. I much prefer to shop for boots or workout gear, and sometimes the odd gun. So I suppose today is going to be a bit of exploring while Theo does his interview.

I walk through the shops, taking it all in, until I finally head into a bookstore and smile at the woman behind the counter when she greets me. I head back toward the mystery section and grin when I see the new I. J. Walker book. After the last one, I’ve been itching to get into the next one, which means I have something to do tonight when I get home.

I grab it and head back toward the register. The woman smiles at me when I put it on the counter. “Did you find everything you wanted?” she asks as she rings it up.

“Yes, thank you.” I put her at five-six, and she’s considerably lean, with blonde hair that sports an edgy cut that suits her and ends at her chin.

Her brown eyes are warm and friendly as she says, “I grabbed a copy of this too when it came in yesterday and I’m already done. I think it might be one of their best works yet.”

“I thought that about the last one,” I say as I pay. “But that cliff-hanger was something else.”

She nods her head fast in agreement. “Not going to lie, I about threw the book at the wall, and my boyfriend thought I lost my mind.” She grins. “Then he read it and almost did the same thing, so he understood.”

“And I imagine he already took your copy you just finished last night?” I assume with a smile.

She chuckles. “Yes, but that was after I slapped his hand when he tried to take it from me before I was done. He’s quickly learned that I don’t play when it comes to books.”

“My brother wouldn’t even dare try. He made the mistake of trying to take my things far too much as kids that now he knows I’ll just take his ass down.”

“You guys are close?”

“We are, and happen to be twins,” I reply after a moment’s thought. “We both just got out of the service, and since we don’t have any family around here other than each other, I agreed that he could move in with me until he found a steady job and an apartment of his own.”

She grins. “And he drives you crazy on a daily basis?”

I roll my eyes. “You don’t know the half of it. He’s like an overgrown toddler at times, or he’s in my business about something or other.”

She chuckles. “I have a sister, but she has Down Syndrome and I’m more of a mother to her than a sister, so it’s a bit different for us, but I get that. My best friend and I are likesisters and we lived together for years. She would constantly take my things and do stuff that would drive me crazy until we found our groove. Now it’s Maverick who snoops, or has Ellie take things so he can drive me crazy.” But there’s such love and warmth in her voice, with that final statement I don’t think it’s all that bothersome to her.

“Sounds like they keep you busy.”

“You have no idea. Sorry, I’m talking your ear off. It’s been quiet in here today so I’m clearly starved for conversation,” she says sheepishly and with an apologetic smile.

I wave that off. “No, you’re good. Thanks for the book. I should probably get back to my car before my brother realizes I’ve left it unattended and he tries to take it for a joyride again.”

She laughs. “Yeah, men love to do stuff like that, don’t they? If you’re ever back in and need anything, just ask for Gwen.”

“Thank you.” I head out with my new purchase toward my car. Lucky for me Theo hasn’t hot-wired it and taken it. I glance around but see no sign of him, and no note on my car, so I have to assume he’s still in the security building. And they’re either still interviewing him or given him the job and are showing him the ropes. They’d be stupid not to hire him, despite how biased I am, but Theo is right, this is exactly the kind of place he needs if it turns out to be everything Eric told him.

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