Page 114 of Devil's Due

I must have dropped off sometime during the night as I wake to a loud bang on the door and a shout from Thunder telling me to get my ass in gear as we’ve got to get to the airport in time to catch our plane.

“I suppose that means I’ve got to move.” Stevie rubs her eyes.

“You slept well.”

“Because you were here, Beef. I haven’t been able to relax since I left your side.”

That’s a nice thought to hear, as she’ll never be leaving my side ever again. I’ll chain her to me if I have to.

“Time to get up and fly, babe.” Still unsure of her reaction, I content myself with a peck on her cheek rather than the devouring of her mouth I’d prefer.Take it easy, steady, man. Let her lead.

Stinger’s got one of his club girls to lend Stevie some clothes to change into, they’re remarkably respectable considering who owned them. We shower, dress—me in yesterday’s jeans and tee—then head to the airport.

Due to Stevie needing to keep her head down low, Devil’s hired another private plane to fly me, Stevie and Thunder back to Pueblo, accompanied by RIP and Charmer. Who’s going to end up paying for this, I’ve no idea, but Devil mumbled something about laying the cost on the feds as they’ll be the ones to benefit if they get their RICO conviction. From what I know of him, if anyone can get them to cough up, he will.

It’s at the airport that we part company with Drummer, Wraith, Chaz and Bull, as they’re taking a commercial flight back to Tucson. Devil is staying in LA for a while to help sort out getting the girls who want to return home back to their folks. I clasp hands with Drummer before leaving him.

“You sure?” Drummer’s hand smooths down his beard in that familiar gesture, and his eyes focus on me. “I can have that nomad patch off in a moment.”

I glance at Thunder waiting for me, and then at Stevie. “I’m sure, Prez.”

“Ain’t your prez for the moment, Brother. That title belongs to another man.”

I nod. Yeah, for now Demon’s my prez. Strange how that’s starting to settle with me.

“You need somewhere to relocate Stevie, we’ll always have room,” Wraith assures me. “And keep us up to date with the court date. Reckon you might want support there.”

Yes. I can hide Stevie until she’s called to give evidence, but at that point, there’ll be no getting away from everyone knowing exactly where she is and when she’s going to turn up. That hurdle I’ll face when I have to.

“Appreciate that, Wraith.”

A flight number is called, a last call to get to the gate.

Drummer looks upward and then back at me with a slight smirk. “Guess that’s us, got to get moving.”

“Drum, Wraith. Look, give my love to Rock and Becca, okay? To all the old ladies and kids. And a hug to my cute little niece, Rose.

“Damn it.” Wraith slaps his forehead. “Forgot to tell you. Heart and Marcia are pregnant again.”

My brows rise almost to my hairline. “Another miracle baby?”

“Seems that way.”

“Well, I’ll be fucked.” Good on Heart. I examine my thoughts about yet another baby on the Tucson compound, or it might be another set of twins the way my brother’s luck goes. While I’ve nothing against children, it is nice to be in a clubhouse where you’re not constantly stepping over toys. Do I regret that Stevie and I won’t have children? Nah. I’ll just be a favourite uncle to the kids of those who have. I’ll be quite content to give them back when they poop or cry.

Another final call sounds over the loudspeaker, Drummer snarls impatiently as if telling the plane it can wait for him to be ready. We slap backs, hug and shake hands one last time, then I stand for a few seconds watching my long-time brothers stride off to their gate before returning to where Thunder is sitting with Stevie.

As if knowing the turmoil going through my mind, Stevie’s hand rests on mine and squeezes gently. Then she leans in. “I can’t wait to be back on the compound. Since leaving home, that’s the safest place I’ve been. I was stupid to leave it.”

“Hey. You did what you thought was best,” Thunder reassures her, a pointed glance my way to make sure I agree.

I grin and raise my chin. Water under the bridge now. She went, and I have to admit I didn’t like it, but now, she’s back by my side where she belongs.

I’m tense during the journey. I hate riding in a cage, and a plane is a hundred times worse. On a bike you’re in control, you can see what’s coming and take action to avoid it. In a plane your life is in someone else’s hands. At least it’s a private plane and I don’t have to bump shoulders with all and sundry.

With RIP and Charmer beside us, conversation is a little stilted. They don’t want to talk about their business, we don’t want to talk about ours. Stevie takes the journey in stride like just about everything else she does, but I notice she’s quiet, lost in her head, and I don’t know the words to bring her out of it.

On landing I’m happy to see my bike where I left it. We say goodbyes in our biker way to the Wretched Soulz, then, having situated Stevie behind me, Thunder and I head our bikes back in the direction of the clubhouse.

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