Page 60 of Devil's Due

Part of me is hoping she’ll be waiting for me in my bed, wearing some sort of negligee, half of me is hoping she’s not. It’s the latter that my head is hoping for, my cock, needless to say, the former. But my brain has to win out.

I’ve had my share of casual hook-ups, but only those where I, or they, don’t hang around until morning. If I thought Stevie would fuck then be happy being kicked out of my bed, I’d be over that like a rash. Problem is, we’re living together for the foreseeable future. I enjoy being around her, life’s easy and comfortable. I fuck her, it could upset what we have. Relief for my cock in exchange for what? Awkwardness, and one of us getting more involved than we should.

I could do her once and walk away without a look back. Not sure I could say the same for Stevie.

She’s got needs too.Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to take care of them?I laugh to myself, confident that I wouldn’t leave her wanting. Except, perhaps, for more.

What if it was me who wanted a repeat performance?Nah, once has satisfied me before, can’t think of a woman who I’d become addicted to. Except for the one I never had.

“Hey, Beef. You got a minute?” a voice hollers. I turn to see Prez standing just outside the door, and mentally berate myself for not escaping when I had the chance.

A prez is a prez. When one queries your availability the only thing to do is make time and look cheerful doing it. “Yeah. Your office?”

His nod is all the invitation I need. Suppressing a sigh, I make my way back across the parking lot, retrace my steps through the clubroom, and enter his domain.

Demon is standing with his back toward me, seemingly studying the Satan’s Devils’ flag hanging behind his desk. If I squint and look at nothing but the image of Lucifer and the three little demons, I could be back in Tucson. The same flag hangs in all our chapters.

He half turns as though to check it is me, and that I’ve closed the door, then studies our insignia again. “You okay with what we agreed?”

Kicking out a chair, I sit. “Fine, Prez.”

“You want anyone up there with you, just in case, now that we know the Wretched Soulz are sniffing around? Boys won’t mind drawing up a rotation.”

I give his suggestion a moment of thought. “Don’t think it’s worth it at present. If something goes wrong and word gets out about where she is, then, yeah, I’d welcome support at that stage.”

“Your call, Beef. If and when you want to make it.”

“Thank you,” I say to his back. It’s becoming habit with Stevie not to rely on chin lifts the whole time.

At last, he turns, propping his hip onto the desk. “What do you make of Skull, Beef?”

I haven’t really had time to get to know him. Again, I take a moment to gather my thoughts. “He’s quiet. Doesn’t contribute, but he takes in everything.”

Demon nods as though I’ve echoed what’s on his mind. “That he does.”

“Still finding his place at the table?” I suggest. “Sometimes it takes time. Particularly after what happened to him.”

“You know about that?” At my nod, he resumes, “We made him hurt. I accepted it when he understood why and said he would have done the same thing were the positions reversed. That nothing is more important than our family. Clues pointed his way, he could see that.”

“He returned,” I state the obvious.

“He did.”

My brow creases. “You think there’s another reason behind it? That he wants vengeance?”

“Wraith warned me to watch him.”

“Bringing this woman on board might steady him.” I hope for Skull’s sake she’s a good fit and they vote to allow him to claim her.

“Took me by surprise, didn’t see it coming. Skull keeps himself to himself.”

“You think he’s got an ulterior motive?” Can’t see it myself. What nefarious purpose could bringing a woman onto the compound serve? “Just get Cad to investigate her thoroughly if you’re concerned.”

“Yeah, that was already my plan. I’m just worried Wraith sees something I’m missing.”

Ah. So that’s what’s behind it. Demon’s still wet behind the ears in his president’s role. They’ve already had one traitor in the club. Is he doubting his own ability to read people? “How long were you VP, Demon?”

My question takes him by surprise. “Um, er, ten years?”

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