Page 132 of Ink's Devil

It’s a two-hour ride give or take, and I just want to get her home. I take the lead then open the throttle and pick up the speed, Cad and Pal easily keep up. We’re about half-an-hour from the compound when we reach the arranged waypoint, not having to wait long for Karl to catch up. He collects what we need from the back, and quickly I slide into my cut, welcoming its weight on my shoulders again.

“Drop the kid off okay?”

“Yeah, no problem. Saw her being hugged at the front door and took off,” Karl reports.

Then, due to the decided chill in the air, we get straight back on our bikes. Soon after, I’m forced to slow. Red and blue flashing lights ahead warning me there’s been an incident or accident.

Well, fuck me. Cars are queued up on the road and they’re not moving. Being on bikes I cockily wave at Karl as we go past the truck and the rest of the cars and make our way to the front. A firefighter approaches us.

“Can we get past?” I can understand why they’d stop cars, but it looks like there’s room for bikes to pass. “Fuckin’ cold to hang around.”

The firefighter views us carefully, and I swear it probably helps having a shivering bitch on the back as he appears sympathetic. “There’s been an explosion. There’s some sort of chemical on the road.” I realise the mask he’s wearing isn’t to protect him from the cold. “We don’t know what it is yet, probably not dangerous but there’s always a risk. Keep your nose and mouths covered and don’t hang around to gawk.” Then he stands back and,thank fuckwaves us past.

I spare a grin for the cars waiting who haven’t been so lucky.

Of course, I look. There’re two trucks, or what’s left of them. The one in front has disintegrated entirely, looks like some kind of explosion to me. The one behind burned out on its side, the front smashed in as though it couldn’t stop and drove into the first.

There are firefighters hosing down the road with some sort of foam, and a dust still blowing in the air.

What the fuck is it?

But I heed the firefighter’s advice and pick up my speed, leaving the clearly fatal accident site in my rearview. An idea is forming in my mind, and I only hope that I’m right. An idea that’s confirmed when we reach a turn off and two bikes come down from the hillside and join us.

Pyro raises his hand in a confident salute as he falls in by my side, allowing me to know while Beth doesn’t know it, but she’s just ridden past the remains of her dad.

When we reach the compound, she’s still unaware of the implications. I tap her leg, then turn. “Off, babe. Then I’ll park.”

She puts a hand on my shoulder, then stiffly eases herself off. Having cut the engine, I hear her groan, and she balances herself on me for a second. When she lets go, I waste no time paddling my bike back into my space.

She’s shivering, so I wrap my arm around her, and lead her straight into the clubhouse as fast as I can. Which is slower than normal.

“My legs have seized up. And my ass is numb,” she hisses. “I can’t feel my fingers or my nose.”

I slide down her bandana, her nose is such a delightful red, I can’t resist leaning forward and kissing it. Then quickly I take her hands and start rubbing them vigorously.

“You’re as cold as me,” she complains, pulling away, and briskly brushing one palm against her other.

“Bethany!” Patsy’s voice sounds shrill and more than half-disbelieving as she comes running over. “Oh, Bethany. Are you okay?” Her arms go around Beth’s waist, and Beth bends to cuddle her mother. For a moment there’s silence, then Patsy pulls away. “You’re a block of ice,” she says, her accusing eyes coming my way.

I’m unrepentant. I’ve had my old lady up behind me. Wasn’t going to let her come back with anyone else.

“Mom, I’m fine. I survived Phil and the ride.” Her eyes, I notice, are shining with excitement. “Yes, I’m cold.” She nudges me so hard I stumble. “But it was great.”

“What did Phil do? Did he hurt you?” Patsy’s concerned questions come fast.

I lean in anxious to know myself but have only time to hear Beth answer that she really is okay, when my name is called.

“Ink!” Demon’s loud shout interrupts us. “Church, now.” I notice Pyro and Lizard are already heading that way.

Damn. Can’t get out of church and I think Demon might notice if I took her in and sat through the meeting with her on my lap.Think my cock would too.I’m reluctant, but I’ve no choice about it. Fucking vowed not to spend one moment without her and breaking it already.

“Babe…”

She catches my eye. “We’ll talk later. You go do your stuff. I’ll stay with Mom.”

“Don’t go anywhere,” I warn, but it comes out almost pleadingly.

“I won’t.”

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