Page 22 of Ink's Devil

“They won’t.” I reach over the table and take her hand. “This time you’ve got a good man beside you, not that bastard.”

“We’ve all got good men,” Steph observes, and Jay nods.

“Stop,” I tell them, my smile hiding the truth of what I’m saying. “You’re making me jealous.”

“Beth might have Ink from what I just saw,” says Vi. “You and he seemed to be getting on well. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen him actually talking to a woman.”

But Jay’s shaking her head. I tilt my head toward her, seeing she’s looking at me sadly. Then she warns, “Don’t pin your hopes on him, Beth.”

I raise an eyebrow.

She shifts, seeming uncomfortable. “Look, I’ve been around bikers for the past five years. Sure, I saw lots of the men hook up with girls in the Tucson club, take them as their old ladies. I saw brothers you thought would be single for life find their one and end up loyal. But,” she pauses, “I’ve also seen men who you knew would never make a commitment or weren’t ready to do so now.”

She’s the youngest old lady, but she’s the one who’s giving it to me straight. It’s no different from what Mel was just telling me, but blunter. “You’re saying Ink’s one of the latter?”

“If this week is anything to go by, yes.” She tosses me a look of compassion. “I’d want to know, if I were you, so I’m going to tell you. Since the wedding, Ink’s been with every whore that’s here, and has even gone back for seconds.”

“Pal!” a deep and very pissed off voice barks. “Get the fuck over here, now.”

We all jump, swinging around to see a furious Ink standing behind us. His face is bright red.

“What?” Pal’s there in an instant, his eyes widening in concern as he examines Jay closely to see if there’s anything wrong.

“Teach your woman a fuckin’ lesson about keeping her mouth shut about brothers’ business.”

Pal studies Ink for a second, registering his set expression, then glares at Jay. Jay flushes as she looks between her man and Ink who I swear is shaking with rage. “I’d want to know,” she says angrily, standing and pointing a finger at Ink. “It’s not fair to lead someone on…”

“Come on, Jay.” Pal’s expression threatens Ink and he puts himself between Jay and the man she’s told tales on.

“Leave us, Mel, Vi,” Ink instructs.

“I’m going,” says Steph, tapping her thigh to get Max to her side.

“We gotta problem?” Beef’s stepped up and is already helping his wife out of her seat.

“Only as far as these bitches can’t keep their mouths shut,” Ink spits out.

Beef growls and reaches forward, grabbing Ink by the neck and pushing him back. “Never call my woman a bitch again. You got it?”

Chapter Eight

Beth

Ink’s glaring at Beef, both men look ready to throw down.

I stand, grab my purse, and start to head for the exit. Until Jay’s revelation I’d been enjoying myself.Now a fight’s going to break out, and it’s partially my fault. I should never have come. Jay hadn’t told me anything other than what I’d already suspected. Of course, Ink hadn’t spent the week pining for me, he’d been fucking everything in sight.

I’m almost at the door when suddenly I’m lifted in the air, thrown over a shoulder, and while I struggle and beat my fists on Ink’s back, he’s got a tight hold of me and is heading toward a stairway.

“Put me down!” I shout at him, then, from my upside-down view, catch sight of Pyro. Mel’s frantically pushing at his arm, but he wraps it tighter around her, holding her back.

Then the fucker gives Ink a thumbs-up.Well he’s no freaking help.

“Mace!” I scream as I see the enforcer, but my plea gets Ink’s hand slapping me on my ass.

“We’re going to fuckin’ talk,” Ink snarls at last.

“I’ve got nothing to say to you,” I cry out. “Put me down. I want to go home.”

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