Page 89 of Devil's Due

Chapter Thirty-One

“They’ve told us everything they can,” Demon throws back over his shoulder as we make our way out of the Colorado chapter’s basement-come-torture-chamber. Once the door is closed behind us, the sounds of partying in the clubhouse reach us, along with the aroma of cigarette smoke and stale beer. A stark contrast to the begging and pleading, and odour of fear and pain we’d left behind us.

“I agree.” It’s up to Cad now to investigate and find out what he can. “Be useful if we know anyone in the pen with Mad Bull.”

“I’ll ask around.” He pauses outside his office. “You going ahead with this plan, Beef?”

“It’s not that I want to, Prez. But with the Wretched Soulz breathing down your neck, can’t see any other option but to take Stevie away.” I’m still in the clubhouse but already I’m feeling the loss.

“You’ll let us save face. But you need to be in the loop. Keep your burner phone with you so I can keep in touch.”

Cad gave it to me. He’ll be certain no one can trace either it or Stevie’s. If they could, the Jokers would have been at the cabin long before they had. I’m glad Demon wants to stay in contact. I’ll be off the grid, but not entirely. If someone’s coming for us, I’ll want to get a head's up.

“You going to let them go?”

“Yeah. Don’t want to pile up the dead bodies. Now the tracker’s removed from the dog, they won’t be able to find Stevie that way. Looks like they don’t have anything else.”

They might not. Doesn’t mean anyone else won’t.

“I’ll keep them on ice until you get clear tomorrow.”

Having heard what they’d planned for Stevie, I would have preferred that they shouldn’t be breathing. But it’s Demon’s call, and this is his clubhouse. As long as Stevie and I have a chance to get far away and can’t be followed, that’s all that matters to me.

I’m anxious to get back to Stevie, we’ve got a lot to discuss. I’ve got to persuade her to put her life in my hands rather than that of the marshals. As Demon indicates I should follow him, I sigh, regretting yet another delay. Turns out though, it’s worth my while as he leads me over to Cad.

Animatedly Cad turns his screen around to face me. There’s a driver’s ID on it, my picture, with the name Ben Carter on it.

“Ben?”

“Closest I could get to Beef. If Stevie fucks up, it might be close enough to pass scrutiny or give you a chance to come up with an excuse.”

I shake my head, it’s going to be hard getting used to a new name. At least my surname’s close to my original, Carter instead of Carson.

“I was going to go with Wayne, but that would be even more alien.”

To me too. I can’t remember the last time I used my government name, Dwayne. Always hated it, was glad to stop using it.

“What about Stevie?”

“She’s going to be Sophie. You’re newlyweds. So if she slips on the surname, it will be put down to the recent change.”

I’m not going to remind him Wraith’s old lady is called Sophie, and Stevie and she are about as far apart as you could get. He’s gone to the trouble of getting everything organised. It will have to do.

“You’re getting these printed?”

“As we speak. Got a man I use to make them authentic, he’s got a stock of the right paper and ink. You’ll have them first thing tomorrow. Oh, and Mouse is helping me set you up with a decent history. Once we’ve done that, I’ll let you know the details. Keeping as close as we can to the truth.”

A hand lands on my shoulder. “Had to stop Mouse putting your previous career as an exotic dancer.”

I swing around fast, then slap my hand on Paladin’s back, pulling him to me. “Asshole,” I tell him.

He returns my man hug then pulls away. “Pole dancing was going to be your speciality.”

“Yeah?” I grin back. “Like to see a pole that could take my weight.”

“Thatwas the reason you gave it up. You took too many steroids.”

“Steroids my ass,” I snarl, punching his arm. “Hard work in the gym more like.” But he’s made me laugh for the first time today.

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