Page 9 of Devil's Valentine

“Get with Hacker in terms of cameras or whatever else you might need and keep me in the loop,” Lucifer grunts at me.

When his eyes shift toward his woman and heat, I stride across the room and toward where Hacker is relaxing on a couch. I’ve seen my brothers fucking and engaging in all sorts of sexual acts out in the open, but I’m not interested in seeing that shit when it comes to Lucifer and Cherise. No fucking thank you.

“I need your expertise with something,” I tell Hacker as I sit on the couch.

He looks at me, giving me his full attention, “This about the baker?”

My eyes narrow at him and it takes a lot of fucking effort not to bite his head off. The only thing that stops me is knowing it won’t do me any damn good and I need his help. He’s not only the secretary of the club, but he’s the go-to guy when it comes to tech.

He’ll be able to help me get Crescent Sugar wired with cameras. The possessiveness that wants to overtake me won’t do me any favors. Not yet at least.

“Yeah, Scarlett’s the owner,” I tell him, hating the thought of anyone else getting the chance with my woman, especially one of my brothers. “She doesn’t have cameras because she couldn’t afford it. There is an alarm, but I have a feeling that won’t stop anyone from fucking with her bakery.”

“I can pull up the plans for the bakery and see how many cameras are needed to cast a nice wide net. I have some equipment I can use. I’ll put whatever is needed on the club’s tab.”

“No,” I bark, and his eyes go wide, the surprise clear to read on his face. “I’ll be paying for whatever is needed to get the bakery covered.”

He leans toward me and studies me in a way that makes me want to stand up and run the fuck away. “This is about more than the Old Ladies wanting to help out their friend and protect where they like to get sweet treats from,” he asserts.

“Yes,” I admit and slump back in the couch while running a hand down my face. “I went to talk to her today, to get the full story. She’s mine and I knew it the moment I saw her.”

Hacker whistles, the sound sharp and loud in the room. Even though there aren’t a lot of brothers in the room, the ones around all look over at us. I’m sure they can hear our conversation, but I don’t really give a fuck. They should know now because when I bring Scarlett around, I want them to know she’s off fucking limits.

“Fuck off,” I hiss at him which makes him throw his head back and laugh loudly.

“You got struck by cupid’s fucking arrow, huh?” Hacker teases me.

I shrug one shoulder, knowing what he’s saying is true. Hacker might go through women like water and is more than willing to fuck the club girls, usually with Tracker, but I can see the longing in his eyes as well. He’s just not the guy to settle for just any women, not when he knows he can find the right woman since it’s been happening in front of us for a while now.

I’m the same fucking way.

With a smirk, he stands and motions toward his room which is decked out with his computer shit. “Come on then, let’s go make a plan to keep your woman safe.”

I follow behind him, a lightness in my steps that I’ve never felt before. My woman. Scarlett doesn’t know it yet, but I’ll be exploring every inch of her and showing her just how a goddess should be treated very soon.

Very fucking soon.

My cock throbs behind the fly of my jeans to echo my thoughts. The club girls hanging out are making eyes at me, but I ignore them. There’s no way I’m going there, not now.

I’m sure I’ll fuck up, but it won’t be because I mess with free pussy when I know it’s only a matter of time before I have the woman meant to be mine in my bed.

I’m coming for you Scarlett. Brace yourself.

CHAPTER 5

SCARLETT

I’m exhausted as I finish closing up the bakery, flicking the lights off being the final task. Soaking in the accomplishment of the day, I take a deep breath. It was another good day which has my heart soaring.

I wasn’t sure Crescent Sugar would be a success when I opened. It’s not like it’s the only bakery in New Orleans; far from it. Why would anyone take a chance on my bakery? There are many more to choose from and some of those have bakers who are renowned and lauded for their skills. That’s not me. It’s not even like I went to culinary school.

I’m just a normal girl who has a deep love for baking and recipes that I’ve worked on or have been handed down to me. I guess it’s good enough because every day I step into the bakery, I can see my dream coming true.

If only Mom was here to see it. In so many ways, she is herewith me, but it’s only in spirit. Every time I make one of her recipes, it’s like she’s standing right next to me and encouraging me to keep going and enjoy my dream coming true.

But it sure as hell isn’t one of my mom’s hugs.

When I walk out the back door of the bakery, part of me wants to slump against the wall but I know I can’t. I need to keep moving because once I get home and sit down, I won’t be moving for a while. My back is aching, and my feet are screaming at me.

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