Page 79 of Taming the Demon

Mara clawed her hands up to his hair. She kissed Darrow’s mouth, then bit his lip. She moved her mouth to his ear and groaned over and over, telling him she loved him. Darrow slid his right hand between their bodies, holding Mara’s hip. His thumb stroked at her stomach. Feeling the cuts. He looked down and saw that a couple places were starting to bleed just a little.

That was okay. Cuts would always heal. Even if they scarred, they would heal. There was some kind of romantic meaning behind that, but Darrow couldn’t find it. He preferred to justshut his fucking mind off for once and fuck the woman he’d always loved. In less than nine months she’d give birth to their baby and the next chapter of their wild, outlaw romance would continue.

If life was nothing short of chaotic, was it even worth living?

Chapter Thirty-Three

Dr. Smile Opens His Eyes

The table was quiet and somber. Tension filled the room thicker than the smoke from the joint Custer insisted on lighting. He helped himself to deep hits off the joint while the rest of the outlaws sat there with beer and whiskey. Each deep in thought. Each reflecting.

Cyrus found himself looking at all the empty chairs. The club could not function without a full table. They needed to figure something out.

“Should I start this,Prez?” Linc asked.

“No, I’ve got it,” Cyrus said. He downed his shot of whiskey. “We all know why we’re here right now. It seemed like a quick and easy thing until you actually sit down to talk this out. A vote onDr. Smileshowing up is a vote that changes the club. It’s not something to take lightly. There are other forms of punishment. If we vote this, we have to ensure it’s all or nothing. I’ll talk to the other charter presidents and make sure it works for them too. This is the highest form of punishment.Dr. Smileis bloody. Painful. Worse than torture. We all endure. We all need to be reminded of what this club means and what this brotherhood represents. With that said, does anyone have anything to say?”

Monte raised his left hand. “I’ll let Darrow have my vote. That’s two for what he wants. What he needs. Fitz turned on all of us, but he really fucked up Mara’s life. Whatever you want, brother, is what I want.”

Darrow nodded.

“I second that,” Custer said in a frog-like voice. “Darrow, take mine too.”

“We have empty seats for a variety of reasons,” Cyrus said. “I think we can safely assume what Priest would do here. And we know that Fitz’s chair no longer gets a vote.”

“I give my vote to Darrow too,” Slade said.

“Same,” Linc said, raising his hand. He looked at Darrow. “I trust you, brother.”

Darrow swallowed hard. Now it was just down to Darrow and Cyrus.

“You sure about this?” Cyrus asked. “You’ll never get rid of this weight.”

“I appreciate everything, guys,” Darrow said. He stood up. “I think I should vote myself for a visit fromDr. Smile.”

The entire table exploded with shock. Everyone speaking at once.

“Are you fucking stupid?” Slade growled at Darrow.

Cyrus slammed his gavel down to shut everyone up. “Darrow…”

“It’s okay,Prez,” Darrow said. “I want everyone to know the truth here.” Darrow took a deep breath. “Mara ran to me when she found out Fitz was the rat. I had her with me for a little bit before we came to the clubhouse. It wasn’t just some instant thing. I was keeping her away from everyone here. And the pregnancy wasn’t real at first. She’s pregnant now for sure. But before that… we faked it. Lied. Cheated. Did what we had to do. I would give up my life for that woman. I’ll get a visit fromDr. Smilefor that woman. I just wanted you all to know that. I’m sickof feeling bad around here. This rat bullshit lingering around. I’ll leave so you can vote me first.”

Darrow made it two steps before everyone at the table stood up.

“Sit the fuck down, Darrow,” Linc said. “You think we give a shit about you getting your dick wet?”

“Who hasn’t fucked someone’s inked up old lady, right?” Monte asked.

“Who the fuck have you been fucking?” Slade asked.

“I fucked Ginger many times,” Custer shouted.

“You did what?” Cyrus growled.

“You fuckedJC’s old lady?” Linc asked.

“That’s right,” Custer said. “Never knew for sure ifJCcaught wind of it. She was a pretty thing, huh? Sexy. Fine. Her cunt tasted like sweet watermelon on a hot summer day. Just as wet too.”

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