Page 44 of Devil's Due

“She worried me. Suggested how I could be independent, and that I really don’t need you.”

“No?” My lips quirk. Not to be needed? That doesn’t bother me at all.

“I, also, I, er…”

“Spit it out, Sal.”

“In the, er, bedroom. You want more, don’t you?”

I don’t immediately reply. What do I say without making her think she’s a failure? After some deliberation, I decide to be honest. “Yeah. Sometimes, Sal, I need someone to know my needs before I do myself. It’s not me to always be in control. There’s nothing wrong with you, just you’re—”

“Wrong for you?” she replies. Then nods. “I knew, Beef, I knew. But I’ve been relying on people so long, I panicked. That’s why I’m here, to reach you before you started to look elsewhere. I wanted to, I don’t know. Yes, I do. I wanted you to take one look at me and see what you were missing.”

Trouble is. I haven’t missed her at all. I keep quiet about that.

She goes quiet. I keep my face impassive. I fucking hate situations and conversations like this, it’s why I avoid them. Hate disappointing people, not being able to live up to what they want. Exactly why I was a coward and wanted things to just fizzle out between us. My heart breaks for her, almost as much as it would if our situations were reversed.

She watches me, then seems to focus on a handful of birds pecking at the ground, trying to find crumbs left over from a barbeque or perhaps just insects and worms. A glance back at me, then defeat comes into her eyes.

“Can you arrange a motel for us? We’ll fly home in the morning.”

She’s on her own in a strange town. I’ll have to get Stevie settled first, but making this offer seems the least I can do. “Want me to stay with you?”

Her eyes close. She seems to have an internal battle with herself, then she opens them and says with fresh determination, “No, Beef. We’ll say goodbye here. If you can make the arrangements, then point me to somewhere the kids can have some fun. I’ll turn this trip into something about them.”

I regard her before nodding. Her acceptance I’m not coming back to her is welcome, and so too, is the way she’s straightening her back, taking responsibility. It’s what I wanted for her all along.Was I holding her back?Quite possibly.

As to a suggestion for the kid’s entertainment, I’m too new here to know, but I’m sure one of my brothers will have an idea.

It turns out to be easy. Pal knows a hotel close to a pizza parlour and an ice rink. Apparently, that will do. He even offers to give Sally a lift there as Demon, not surprisingly, wants a word with me. It’s not after all, every day that a member almost gets killed in a house fire.

I say goodbye to the kids, who Stevie’s been keeping entertained, then watch the four walk out the door.

I’d love to say I feel some regret as Sally leaves, but I can’t. Instead, I’m filled with relief.

Chapter Sixteen

The door closing behind Sally and the kids makes me feel like I’m on the brink of a new life. One where I don’t see the need for a woman. I give myself a moment to draw in a deep breath, then a hacking cough draws my attention to Stevie, still seated on the couch.

She’smy responsibility now. She’s my job. I suppose, as she’s alive, you could say I’ve been successful doing it, but hell, it was sheer luck we escaped with our lives today. But, in her case at least, not totally unscathed.

“Beef.”

“How the fuck do you do that?” Ink asks, amazed.

She gives that typical shrug I’ve come to expect from her. “He walks a little unevenly. I heard his boots on the floor.”

Well, of course, we all look down and examine my feet. Must admit I’m feeling a bit self-conscious as I complete my journey to her. “You okay?” I didn’t like the sound of that cough.

Ink gets in fast, “I got Rusty to take a look at her. He’s not particularly worried. Just said if her cough gets worse, she may need to get checked out.”

“I said all that without speaking,” she says, drily. “I don’t want to go to a hospital. When they find out I’m not dead, that’s the first place they’ll check.”

Pyro’s eyes meet mine.Who?he mouths.

I shake my head.Fuck knows.

“You okay here, babe? I’ve got to update the prez on what’s gone on.”

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