Page 3 of Devil's Valentine

“We’re going to get this taken care of,” Cherise insists while pulling away from me just enough to look into my eyes. “You just worry about your business and being the best assistant Cupid has ever known.”

Even though I know it shouldn’t, relief washes over me. The smile I give her is genuine, as is the laugh that bubbles out of me.

I’m not sure if I believe that they can help me, but desperation has me nodding and whisper, “Thank you.”

Now I just need to figure out if these ladies are going to stay true to their word or not. It would be nice to have some backup in this situation, but I never asked. As much as I don’t really want to ask for help, I can’t really deny that I need it.

When they leave, part of me feels relief that I won’t be in this alone. The other part of me wonders what I just got into. The Old Ladies of the DSMC are fierce and protective. I can only imagine the men are the same…or even worse.

CHAPTER 2

FRENZY

The doors to the clubhouse open and the sounds of the Old Ladies reach me as I turn toward them. They all have smiles on their faces as they walk into the common area with a few bags in their hands, including some grocery bags. Wrenley is carrying her and Prodigal’s daughter, Maya, who has a big gummy grin on her face.

She’s a sweet little baby and my heart warms while I push away the flash of jealousy that washes over me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m damn glad that some of my brothers have found their Old Ladies and we have the next generation of Devil’s Saints coming into the world. With how many brothers have settled down, I’m sure Maya and Rain, Heather’s little girl with Bedlam, Viper, and Scope, will be joined by more little ones soon.

Our chapter isn’t the only one where brothers have been finding their better halves. Seattle has been locking in OldLadies left and fucking right from what we’ve been hearing. Next up, if I had to bet, would be Charleston even though they have some wild fucking brothers in that chapter. Who fucking knows; I wouldn’t count out Tampa on the Old Ladies leaderboard.

Prodigal gets up and practically sprints toward Wrenley and Maya. The little princess chaps and giggles while straining to get toward her dad. He tucks her into his chest and smothers her adorable little face with kisses as he wraps an arm around Wrenley’s shoulders and tucks her into his side.

My VP isn’t the only one who has joined the women. Lucifer, who is a man I would never want to cross, pulls Cherise into him and kisses her like they haven’t been together forever and he’s missed her even though it’s only be hours since she’s been gone. Prodigal makes a gagging noise in the back of his throat at seeing his parents make out, but Wrenley smacks his chest with the back of her hand in chastisement.

Apostle and Scythe, two of the club’s enforcers, become fucking big teddy bears when they reach their women. Apostle growls at the kiss Scythe plants on Tallulah, his Old Lady; not that I can blame him considering Tallulah is Apostle’s little sister. Scythe meeting her was entirely a stroke of fucking luck if you ask me.

Sioux, Apostle’s Old Lady, grips the back of the big guy’s neck and pulls him down to kiss her. Or to distract him from what his club brother is up to with his blood sister. The man practically melts into Sioux and doesn’t waste a moment in taking over the kiss.

My heart thumps in my chest and that familiar ache grows. I know what it is, and I know why I’m feeling the way I am. Sure, I’ve spent a lot of years making use of the club angels andrandoms I’ve come across. But it was never anything more than a quick fuck.

I’m ready for something more. I want something more.

That’s why I’m always on the lookout for anyone who might be in my path. I’ve learned from these guys that the woman who is meant to be yours might be coming my way. I’m not a stupid man, I know I can’t force it, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let something pass me by.

Hell fucking no.

I can only hope that when I find my woman, I won’t do anything to fuck it up. It hasn’t happened with all my brothers, but more than a few have made it harder on themselves, and their woman, than need be. I won’t be doing that shit. Hopefully.

“Lucifer,” Cherise’s voice has a hard edge to it that has me paying attention, and I’m not the only one, “there’s a problem that we’d like to talk to you about.”

I perk up, along with the men who are holding their Old Ladies. Lucifer studies his woman’s face, taking in the seriousness written all over her and nods once before leading her over to some tables. The rest of the group is on their heels, and I join them along with a few other brothers including the rest of the club’s leadership.

Brothers pull their old ladies down on their laps which is only comical when Prodigal does it and has both Wrenley and Maya on his lap. The little princess looks thrilled and coos loudly which has us all grinning at her.

Raphael, our road captain, Loot, our treasurer, Tack, our sergeant at arms, and Hacker, our secretary and go-to tech genius, pull up chairs to the large table and get comfortable. I’mnot part of the leadership in the club and I probably shouldn’t be including myself without a second thought, but my gut is telling me to pay attention.

“What drama are you getting us involved with now, woman?” Lucifer’s voice is deep but there’s a hint of tease to it that we don’t hear often. When Cherise glares at him, he straightens up and goes from being her Old Man to the DSMC President in a heartbeat. “Tell us the problem.”

Cherise nods once before speaking. “We’ve been going to a bakery for a while now.” She looks toward Wrenley and Sioux, her face scrunching up slightly. “What? A year now?”

Sioux nods. “It wasn’t long after it opened when we found it. Right after Valentine’s Day last year.”

“Is this the place that you got those cupcakes and little cookie things you’ve been bringing to the club parties?” Apostle licks his lips as if he can taste the goodies he’s talking about.

I don’t blame him. I’ve been known to put down some of those sandwich cookies. They look fancy as hell, but that doesn’t stop them from melting in my damn mouth. Honestly, I never gave much thought to where they came from; I had kind of assumed one of the Old Ladies was making them.

“That’s the place,” Cherise confirms and gives Apostle an indulgent smile, “and those cookies are macrons.”

The big guy shrugs one shoulder, his voice casual, but with a hint of appreciation, “Whatever they’re called, they’re delicious.”

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