Page 26 of Ride with the Devil

Another reason why I have to turn this girl onto our side. Because I asked him to let me keep her, Devil’s now in debt toBurns because of the cabin. He might owe the cop, but I owe the boss.

I’ll probably owe Burns, too, since he goes on to tell me that I can help myself to anything I find in his place while I’m there. Since that’s the reason why I’m calling, I ask him about what I should do if there’s something I can’t find.

“That’s easy,” he tells me. “Place an order. Either from a local store or online. It’ll reach you. I mean, unless the snow hits the mountains again, or it’s Christmas, but tip ‘em well enough and you can get everything you need delivered to the cabin.”

“Oh.” I should’ve realized that. I guess, being sleep deprived and way too attracted to my captive has my head all fucked up. “Great. That’s good to know.”

“Anything else you have to ask? Or to tell me? ‘Cause I’m on duty, but you can always reach out again if you need something.”

My upbringing and hesitation to break these rules that both my parents and myself had set for me doesn’t just revolve around sex. That’s a huge fucking issue for me, but it’s almost made it nearly impossible for me to lie. I just… my stomach gets twisted in knots whenever I try, and my honesty was another perk when Devil hired me on.

Which is why, before I even think about what I’m going to say, I blurt out: “Oh. I should tell you… I’m sorry about the chains.”

“Hang on. Hey, Rook. Hold the corner, would you? Let me finish the call.” Through the connection, I hear the winter wind whipping past, then Burns’s voice again. “Okay. Now what’s that about my chains?”

“Um. Well. The girl I’m watching over for Devil… she kind of broke them.”

I don’t know what I expected his response to me. I’ve been around Burns more than a few times, mostly when I drive Devil to meet with the street cop. I can never get a good read on theguy. He seems so charming and good-spirited at times, but I was a disciple of Jack Donovan. I know a twisted soul when I see one, and Burns has a dark side.

Not just enough to sell out the people of Springfield, choosing to work for the syndicate instead. There’s something there. Something I can’t place.

So why doesn’t it jolt me when he starts laughing.

“Well, fuck. I’m gonna have to make it up to my angel until I can get a replacement. Nothing gets her hotter than when I have trapped beneath me. She’s sweet, but when I get the chains on her… Shame, St. James. You could’ve had some fun in that cabin. You still should. You want to make that girl a Sinner? Sin a little with her first..”

Fuck.

My cheeks heat up.

Like I said, my religious upbringing screwed me up. I’ll be the first to admit it. It did a number on anyone who was fucking unlucky enough to have parents conned by Jack Donovan into worshipping his corrupt ass

The first time I kissed Emily, she cried because she thought I just sentenced us both to an eternity in Hell. The way she ran to her parents to confess, how she was so damn scared, allowed us the permission to peck without any repercussions.

In the years that followed, during our long, long courtship, we pushed the boundaries of what we thought we could get away with. Both of us talked endlessly about what our wedding night would be like—until Donovan noticed just how beautiful a twenty-one-year-old Emily was and took her for himself.

And shelethim.

It’s been five years. Closer to six now that it’s December. I was kicked out of the church when it became obvious that I couldn’t even pretend to be happy for the newlyweds. My parents, long sure I was a demon in disguise, made that veryclear the night I broke the seventh commandment for the first time.

Thou shall not steal.

Donovan stole my girl.

I stole a key—and then a car.

It was as fair as I could make it…

I shake my head. Too many bad memories drudged up tonight. All my fault, too. That happens when I feel like I’m losing control over my life. Over my body. Over every-damn-thing.

Sleep, I tell myself. I need some more sleep.

But first I have shit to do. So, after quickly ending the call with the cop, I start looking up local stores that will deliver to the cabin. I need clothes. To fill the kitchen and the pantry up. To provide anything my captive is going to require while I have her here. The clothes are easy. So is the food, and the necessities like pads, a toothbrush, toilet paper, and deodorant.

Now where can I find someone to bring me a game of checkers?

NINE

BORED

---