Page 115 of Devil's Due

Demon is waiting to meet us, and he’s not alone. Vi is standing with him holding Theo in her arms, and Jay is hovering behind her.

I don’t have a chance to greet them before a bundle of fur comes rushing across the floor, skidding to a halt just before he knocks down Stevie, and at a slower pace he finishes his approach and brushes against her. Stevie sinks to her knees and starts to cry as she wraps her arms around her faithful companion, the dog who saved her life.

I watch her with an indulgent smile on my face. An expression which changes the moment I recognise who else is awaiting our arrival.

Placing myself between the two having a reunion on the floor and the man approaching, I greet him coldly, “Lennox.”

He’s not stupid. He takes in my demeanour and correctly interprets I’m certainly not pleased to see him. Behind me I hear movement and am not surprised when I feel a hand feeling its way up my back, then Stevie’s arm loops through mine.

“Before you say anything, I’m staying right here,” Stevie says firmly.

She can’t see him nod, but I do. “Words,” I remind him.

“Stevie. I, I’m so sorry. You should have been safe.”

“You found your mole yet?”

“With a little help, yes.” The way he grimaces suggests it was probably Mouse working with Cad and Cara who’d ferreted out the traitor, and not one of his own. “Not saying anything your guys don’t already know, but she was a cousin of one of the Warped Jokers. Wanted to make sure family stayed out of jail. A long-term employee, her original record was clean, but her cousin patched in only a year ago.”

I huff but keep quiet. Fucker patched into the wrong club.

Stevie’s agitated by my side. “What, what happened to Marshal Handson? Is he alive? There was a shot…”

Lennox eyes meet mine.

He doesn’t know how to break it to her, so I say it for him, “Babe, I’m sorry. He’s dead.”

She turns her face into my shoulder.

“Stevie’s safe now, then? The leak’s been stopped?” Giving her a moment, I continue to question him.

“Yeah. Though I don’t know how wise it is for her to stay here.”

“As the lady said, she’s not going anywhere. I’ve got a whole club to keep her safe. Unfortunately, your marshal couldn’t.”

Again his face twists, and I wonder if he was friends with the marshal who died. “I can only suggest, not demand. It’s up to Stevie if she gives evidence. Our offer to give her protection until she does, and beyond that if she needs it. If she refuses to accept our assistance, there’s no pressure I can bring to bear to make her.”

“I’m still going to give testimony,” Stevie speaks up, a little tersely as though annoyed he’s been talking about her as if she wasn’t there. “But I’m putting my protection in the hands of the Devils,” her fingers squeeze my arm, “the Devils' security business.”

A quick grin comes to my face.

He nods, then remembers. “Yes. But I’ll stay in touch. Please use our expertise to get you to court. That’s something we’ve got experience in, and with the hole plugged, I assure you, no one will get to know any of the arrangements.”

“I’d accept that, Beef. We’ll still be there, but as Lennox has said, the marshals have the knowhow,” Demon, still hovering, butts in.

“I accept,” Stevie states. “It’s my decision after all.”

Lennox nods. “I’ll be in touch then. Goodbye for now, Ms Nichols.”

When he leaves, Pyro comes into view. He’s carrying something which he takes out of the bag once he reaches Stevie.

“Thought you’d like this. James told us what to get.”

Stevie feels the object he’s given her, and I mirror the smile that splits her face. It’s a new Service Dog harness for Max. She heaves a sigh full of relief. “He okay to wear this now?”

“Yup. He may get stiff at times, and shouldn’t go for long runs, James said, but he’s ready to do his duty again.”

Kneeling, Stevie calls Max to her. The dog seems to still as his working harness is slipped onto him, going instantly into work mode. I realise it’s the first time I’ve properly seen dog and handler together, that split second as the car was hurtling toward them doesn’t count.

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