Page 47 of Demon's Angel

Jeannie’s narrowed eyes follow them out of the room. When they disappear and their voices fade, she theatrically mimes taking something off her head and holds out her empty hand to me. For some strange reason mine automatically reaches out as though she really was giving me something.

My hand hovers in mid-air. “What?”

“I’m passing it over. Seeing as you’re the Prez’s old lady.”

My face scrunches up showing my confusion. “What? And I’m not, yet.”

“Responsibility for them, the club girls. I’ve been chasing their butts for too many years now, I’m more than ready to hand them off. And that, my dear, comes with being the club’s first lady.”

Still confused, I jerk my head toward Mo. “She was the prez’s old lady until recently, yet you say you’ve been doing it for years.”

Mo shrugs, Jeannie answers for her. “Well, Mo didn’t come to the club much, and someone had to keep their asses under control. But now I’m ready to pass the baton over.”

“I’m not his old lady.”

“You soon will be,” Jayden says with a grin. “Bet they’re agreeing it now in church.”

“Yup.” Jeannie sees my confusion. “Even a prez’s old lady needs to be voted in by the club.”

“Especiallythe old lady of the prez,” Mo confirms. “Everyone’s got to be happy with it. You’re going to be Queen Bee, dear. You think you’re up to it?”

No, no.This marriage is just for show. It isn’t for real.Yet they seem to be sitting here taking it seriously. “You mean there’s a chance someone might object, and I won’t have to marry Demon?”

“Have to?” Jeannie says sharply.

My eyes close.Damn.Poor choice of words.

“Knew there was more to it. Spill.” Mo sits forward. When I stay silent, she lowers her voice. “Prospects aren’t listening, it’s just us here. We’re all old ladies, we know how to keep our mouths shut. You and Demon getting together? Can’t say I think there’s anything wrong with the idea. But something tells me there’s something not right about it, either. In which case, bottling it all up isn’t going to help. You need women around you.” She breaks off, glancing at Jeannie. “Jeannie’s kept secrets for me for many, many years. Secrets which no doubt you’ll be hearing, but not from my mouth, so don’t bother asking me. Owner of the secret can decide whether to tell it or not.”

“Mo’s right.” Jeannie narrows her eyes. “I know how to keep my mouth shut.” She indicates first Mo, then Jayden. “You can tell us shit you don’t want others to know. And she’s right again, isn’t she, Violet? This isn’t some crazy-fast lovefest come to its conclusion. Tell us or not, as you want. But there’s something that’s not so straightforward about how you came to be here, and what Demon’s achieving by marrying you.” She stops for a moment. “He hasn’t forced you to do anything you don’t want, has he?”

“Hey, Jean. You’re talking about my son.”

Before Mo and her friend come to blows, I blurt out, “Of course he hasn’t, and won’t. That’s part of the problem.” Christ, I should be watching my tongue. “Look, the short story is I was raped. The man who got me pregnant wants Theo. He’s Angelino Silvestri, part of the Mafia family, and I wouldn’t trust Theo with him, even for a visit. Demon thinks marrying me, saying Theo is his, not Angelino’s, will keep him off my back.”

Mo’s face has gone tight as if something’s pained her. She seems to be at a loss for words.Something’s wrong.That’s confirmed when she stands, her body jerking as if she’s a puppet being raised by strings, and then she walks off.

Jeannie’s watching her carefully. When I go to ask what it was that I said, she shakes her head, then, as if to distract me, “Why is Demon stepping up?” she asks, her brow furrowed, “Why not someone else? Someone a bit younger, perhaps.”

I can’t explain I wouldn’t want anyone else. Wouldn’t be pushed into a sham of a marriage even if someone else had offered. It’s only ever been Demon. I’m saved by answering when Mo comes back, carrying a glass of water. I notice she seems to have gotten herself under control.

She sits, sips from her glass, then leans forward, clearly having overheard Jeannie’s question. Her brow, which had been creased, begins to smooth as she finds her voice. “It’s because of your brother, isn’t it?” Quickly she fills them in on what happened. “Those boys were as thick as thieves. Demon’s doing it for him, isn’t he? Taking on Nathan’s nephew and his sister.”

I glance around. Mo I like, always have. Jeannie I’m coming to respect. Jayden’s already a friend. I need women in my corner, so I confide in them. “And that’s what’s wrong,” I supply. “He’ll never think of me as anything other than Nathan’s sister.”

“Do you want him to?” Jayden, who’s been quiet for a while, asks.

I put down Theo’s empty bottle and settle him on a mat on the floor. Jayden reaches over behind the couch and the baby gym appears. He starts to kick happily.

“I’ve always liked Demon,” I admit, realising it’s his mother I’m speaking to. She’s grinning, probably remembering how I used to embarrass myself, it’s impossible to hide much from parents. “I’ve grown, but he can’t get the image of Nathan’s annoying little sister out of his head. He doesn’t seem to see me as I am now.”

Mo still has a smile curving her lips. “Presumably his intention is that you’ll stay married until he’s sorted out this Angelino for you.”

“It might take years,” I glumly agree.

“Then you have time to change his mind, Vi. No need to rush, take things slowly.”

Jeannie laughs. “That’s one thing the whores said right. Demon’s enjoys a good…” she breaks off as Mo’s frantically signalling her, grins, then resumes, “Shall we just say he has a healthy sex drive.” At that, Mo nods primly.

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