Page 25 of Demon

He chuckles, and for once it sounds pure.

Sammy looks up at me with big puppy dog eyes. “Can I get a tattoo?”

I scoff. “Not until you’re eighteen.”

She pouts, making me smile.

“I’ll be out here in the truck if you need me.”

“Thank you,” I reply. My voice is emotional.

Once Jett goes to his truck, I bring the groceries inside. In the first bag I find a one-hundred dollar bill tucked away, wrapped in a rubber band. This is too much. I have to get Sammy to sleep, but tomorrow I plan to give the money back, though I have a feeling he’s not going to take it.

NINE

DEMON – SHE HIT ME LIKE A LETHAL INJECTION

Demon

I reclinethe driver’s seat of the truck.Why do I care what happens to Ivy?That is the question I keep replaying in my head over and over. Maybe it was Ivy’s scream... It must have triggered me. That harrowing pain of a woman, it’s forever embedded in my skull, especially when I think of what my mother and sister went through on that night that traumatized us forever.

I couldn’t ignore the compulsion to keep Ivy safe. Last night, those men’s backs were to me. I approached them silently, without hesitation, as Ivy helplessly fell to the floor, blood pouring from her nose. So I did what I do best. I pulled out my knife and slammed it into the first man’s neck, making sure I hit the carotid artery. With blood gushing, he dropped to his knees. His body flopped to the floor, and bled out in a river.

The other man turned in shock, but I grabbed him around the shoulders, immobilized him, and did the same to him. He clutched at his throat in a fatal attempt to save his own life, but his throat rained blood until he dropped next to his friend. The blood pooled around them, soaking the floorboards.

I had no choice, really... I chuckle to myself. They needed to meet my switchblade, and it slices like a bitch. A tinge of disappointment flickers through my body. It wastooquick. I should have tortured them, cut off their balls like I did with Elena’s boss who nearly raped her. These men deserved that too. For some reason, I think Ivy wouldn’t approve.

Once I saw the life drain from the men’s eyes, I stepped over to Ivy, gently picked her up, and moved her to the lounge. I called Bomber, and he sent the cleaners to Ivy’s house while I took Ivy to the clubhouse.

I watched her sleep, wondering what my infatuation with this woman is. No lobotomy can get Ivy out of my head. Just being with her is the closest to heaven I’ll ever get. For once I didn’t mind spending time with a woman even though every molecule in my body was warning me that she’s getting too close.

When I’m with Ivy, there are these flickers of emotions that creep on in. I feel human. As much as I want to force those emotions down, my obsession with Little Bird, has me enthralled. I have to keep reminding myself I’m too broken. I break everything I touch.

I grab my phone and watch the real-time video footage inside Ivy’s home. Ivy’s sitting on the couch, watching TV. She hasn’t moved for hours. Sammy walks into frame with a book in her hands and passes it to Ivy. They sit together. Ivy opens the book to the first page and begins reading to her daughter. She’s a good mom. She worries, she protects, and she’s attentive... present. I respect her for looking after Sammy by herself. I clench my fist; I’m dying to get my hands on Ivy’s ex.

Ivy and I are worlds apart. She’s empathetic, she cares. I have no conscience about the men I’ve killed. She wears bright colors that represent her personality. I wear black to hide any blood that soaks my clothes. The strong, metallic scent of blood doesn’t affect me. I’ve become used to that smell from my teenage years. My job requires me to detach myself from humanity. My existence is a sin, whereas her soul is fucking pure.

My phone rings. It’s Bomber. I answer, “Yeah,” but a silver Lincoln Continental with dark-tinted windows slowly creeps past Ivy’s house. I sit up. I can see the men in the driver’s and passenger seats through the half-open window. As soon as the driver and I lock eyes, he floors it and it speeds away, but not before I’ve memorized the license plate. “They have a death wish...” I mumble to myself.

“Is everything okay?” Bomber’s voice filters through. “What’s going on?”

“Another two men just went by Ivy’s house; she’ll have to come to the clubhouse with her daughter.” The MC already offered its protection. I know the men would never reject providing safety for a woman and child, anyway.

“Whatever you need. I’ll see you soon.”

“I’ll leave it until tomorrow.” I’d rather not stress them out by moving them at night. If Ivy doesn’t want to go, then that’s fine too. I’ll stay and watch over them. At this point there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep them safe.

TEN

IVY – LORD HAVE MERCY ON MY SOUL

Ivy

My life is crumblingaround me. I didn’t get much sleep last night. I peer over at Sammy, who’s still asleep, her breathing a light purr. I get up, go to the living room, and look out the window. The MC truck is still there. My chest warms. He’s been there all night, protecting us.

I go to the kitchen and make him some toast with butter and honey and a coffee. I carry the plate and cup through the entryway and walk onto the driveway. He opens the door wide; I pass him his breakfast. His mohawk’s a little messier than normal, his eyes darker underneath. I frown. I should’ve invited him to sleep in the spare room.

“Thanks,” he says and takes a large bite of his toast. There’s a twitch in his jaw. “Two men drove by your house slowly last night.”

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