Page 130 of Ink's Devil

They still, hardly daring to breathe. “You’re letting us go?”

“We’re not going to be sold?” one asks wide-eyed.

Ink looks surprised it was ever in question. “Of course, you’re fuckin’ not. If you’ve got a place to go, then yeah, we won’t stop you leaving.”

The young teenager holds up her hand. “My family is in Denver.”

“We haven’t got family,” the older woman says. “But we’ll find our way on the streets.”

Ink closes his eyes for a moment. “We’ll get you back to your family,” he tells the younger girl, then regards the other two. “Finding your way on the streets is probably what got you into Phil’s clutches. Look, we’re from Pueblo. You can come back with us if you want. We can get you to safety. Sort you out while you find somewhere to go.”

The two women look at each other, then at me, then spy the house burning down behind us.

I see their reluctance. Remembering Ink’s words on the phone, I tell them, “No pressure, but we’ve got to get going. Phil, the man who was holding you, well, he might be on his way back.”

They put their heads together, then the older one who seems to be the spokesperson says hesitantly eyeing me, “Do you trust these men?” When I give a heartfelt yes.They’d come for me.She adds, “Getting out of town sounds like the best idea. We’ll go to Pueblo.”

Cad’s on his phone now, but only for a moment. Almost as soon as he’s ended the call a truck is driving up with the prospect Karl at the wheel.

“Sorry, ladies. Gonna be a bit of a squash until we get back to the bikes,” Cad explains, bundling the women into the back. Ink, Cad and Pal indicate they’ll go into the rear compartment normally reserved for transporting motorcycles. I go to squeeze in with the women, but Karl waves to the passenger seat.

“Thought it would be easier than folding yourself up in the back.” I appreciate his thoughtfulness.

They discuss the women for a second, and Karl agrees to drop the teenager home before heading back to Pueblo. Ink, Cad and Pal will be left to come back on their bikes.

I sit during the short journey, trying to process my swiftly changing fate. Trying to work out how Ink is here and free, wondering if he’s got a twin brother I hadn’t known about who was here instead, then dismiss that. There’s no doubt it was Ink. Which begs further questions.How the fuck is he here?Did he get bail after all? Were the charges dropped?And, most important, what does that mean for him and for me?

Chapter Thirty-Six

Ink

Yesterday I’d gone through the best and worst of times. My release from jail is about up there with one of the happiest moments of my life, but I’d crashed down to earth when I found out Beth was gone. When I’d seen her on that drone camera footage, looking unharmed, I’d felt relief, but urgency to get this job done and bring her home safe.

There had been a propane tank around the opposite side of the house. I’d fired the rocket launcher with an incendiary head straight at it, the explosion had taken out half of the building, and the fire spread faster than expected. We’d wasted no time approaching and picking off the men who’d come running out, more intent on saving themselves than anything or anyone inside.

I’ve found Beth.The relief that sweeps through me is overwhelming. There had been moments when I doubted ever seeing her again, in jail, of course, but even after I was released.

In the rush to get out alive, including those poor bitches kept imprisoned in a burning basement, then all of us away and safe, I hadn’t had a moment to talk to her, nor even a second to read the expressions on her face.

She’s safe. Alive.Unwilling to spend another minute apart, I’m determined I’m going to be feeling her arms around my waist as I ride back to Pueblo. In the back of the truck, I thank fuck I’d put that double seat on my bike before I’d gone inside.

The moment I’d seen her again, I knew I’d not exaggerated my feelings for her. If I have my way, from now on, she’ll never be out of my sight.

If she’s got doubts, if she doesn’t want to commit, I’ll just have to tie her to my bed and fuck her until she admits I’m the man she wants for the rest of her life. Maybe, if she’s willing, put my baby inside her. I’ll use every trick in the book to tie her to me. She’s mine now, she’s going to have to accept it.

Hey, if nothing else works, I’ll play on her guilt. I could have gone inside for thirty years of my life, she should be prepared to give me thirty of hers.

Yeah, I’ll find some sneaky darn ways to make her see sense. As long as she ends up agreeing to be my old lady, I don’t care what the fuck I have to do to get that result.

Pal and Cad are talking, Pal nestling that fucking drone in his arms, the technology that had so impressed me and enabled us to carry out our mission successfully. As the two men discuss its performance, I tune them out. It’s not long before we pull up to where our bikes have been parked, a relieved Beaver standing guard.

“Mission accomplished?”

Having jumped out of the back, I nod at him. Then go to the passenger side of the truck and pull open the door. Reaching over her, I undo Beth’s seatbelt.

At her wide eyes, I explain, “You’re coming with me.” Then I grab hold of her hand, firmly, so she has no choice.

Glancing around, she sees there’s no other mode of transport. “On your bike?”

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