Page 5 of Devil's Valentine

My brothers know they can rely on me for anything that needs to be done. I don’t shy away from the hard jobs and I’m always willing to mix it up and draw some blood, if need be.

That’s just the way it has to be when you put on the DSMC cut and I accepted that shit a long time ago.

“You need to head over to Crescent Sugar tomorrow, Frenzy,” Lucifer’s grin is dangerous as fuck and has me swallowing hard. “Find out what’s going on and then come to me with a plan on securing the bakery for this girl. I won’t have my woman, my daughter in law and my granddaughter going to some bakery that’s being targeted.” He murmurs, “And if you think I didn’t know exactly what my wife and those women were doing, you’re wrong.”

With that he stands up and stalks out of the room, no doubt going after his woman.

My head drops back on my neck with a groan. Even though I’m not sure if I’m thrilled about this assignment, I am curious as fuck. If nothing else, I’ll be able to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Something tells me I’m going to get more than a treat when I head over to the bakery tomorrow.

CHAPTER 3

SCARLETT

“Scarlett,” there’s a nervousness in Valerie’s voice that has me looking curiously at where she’s sticking her head into the kitchen area of Crescent Sugar.

I was very happy to see that our newly painted wall was not covered in graffiti again this morning. Honestly, in my head there was a 50/50 chance that everything Andrew covered yesterday after school would be greeting me again like a bad neon sign. It wasn’t.

Not being greeted with more vandalism has made today a better day. I was feeling kind of silly all morning that I even mentioned it to the Old Ladies of the DSMC who came in yesterday. I had thought about texting Cherise, since I had her number from an order, and telling her to forget it.

But I knew what she’d say. The determination on her face yesterday and the way she wouldn’t let me get away withsweeping what was bothering me under the rug was evidence enough that she wasn’t going to let it go.

I can only hope that her man didn’t think it was a priority or didn’t want to get involved. Not that I would blame him.

I’m not family to the club. I’m nothing to the club.

It’s very clear how close they all are and the love they have for their club family practically radiates from the women I’ve met. That doesn’t mean that the men will put their necks out for someone they don’t know.

Even if they did devour everything Cherise has taken to the club for family days; at least, that’s what she told me happened.

I love it when people enjoy the things I bake. Nothing gives me more joy and pleasure.

Food should be enjoyed, and there’s nothing quite like a sweet treat to finish off a meal or to turn a bad day around.

I’ve been known to indulge in more than my fair share of sweets. It’s one of the reasons I have the curves I do. While I haven’t always been okay with the weight I carry, especially when I was a teenager with how cruel other kids can be, I’ve learned to love my body. It’s because of my body that I can do what I love.

I work hard at my bakery. I’m on my feet all day and there are times when my arms get quite the workout. Kneading dough is no fucking joke. Then there are all the steps I take to make sure my bakery is stocked, and all my customers are taken care of.

At the end of the day, I’m exhausted and it’s not only because I get up and to the bakery before the sun is even thinking about peeking over the horizon. It has everything to do with how muchenergy I use to make sure every day my bakery is open and is a success.

I’m reminded of just how much I enjoy what I bake when I slide my hands over my hips, wiping away the suddenly sweaty hands I have from the slight panic in Valerie’s eyes. My eyebrows pull together in confusion as I make my way toward her.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure,” she cocks her head toward the front of the bakery which tells me exactly nothing. “There is a very good-looking man out here wearing a leather cut like the Old Ladies wear. He says he’s looking for you.”

I squeak out with surprise, “Me?”

“That’s what he’s saying,” she confirms. “Didn’t Cherise say that she was going to get the club to help with the vandalism problem?”

“I wasn’t sure if she really meant it,” I mumble.

Valerie chuckles softly and shakes her head. “Then you were trying to ignore the determination written all over her face,” she teases me and she’s not fucking wrong.

“I guess, more so, I didn’t think the club would take the issue seriously. I mean, it’s not like I’m anything to them.”

Valerie’s eyes soften and she reaches out to squeeze my shoulder. “Maybe you don’t see it, but the people who meet you fall in love with you, Scarlett. They see the light in you, and they want to help keep it shining. Don’t over think it and accept the help being offered.” I nod at Valerie’s advice, and she gets a mischievous smile on her face. “Now go out there and try not to drool on the hot biker.”

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