Page 29 of Ink's Devil

“I want to know who’s fuckin’ with us,” Demon says, meeting Hellfire’s eyes across the length of the table. “We find someone, we fuckin’ bring them back and question them.”

“From what you said it’s not someone local,” Thunder observes.

“The Soulz suspect it’s someone from out of town. Some small-time op seizing a chance right here in Pueblo,” Prez confirms.

“You need bodies to stake out Devils’ Pins and Tits Up tonight?” I ask, hoping I can still make dinner with Beth. I’ve actually been looking forward to that, and bringing her back here afterwards, of course.

“I’m in,” says Judge.

“Me too,” Wills offers.

“I want to see what’s going on under our noses,” mutters Rusty. “I’m up for it.”

“Right, Judge, Wills and Rusty are on the bowling alley,” Demon decides. “Now who’s for Tits Up?”

“I’ll go,” offers the sergeant-at-arms.

Pyro waves his hand.

“I want to check the position of the cameras, so I’ll go myself,” says Cad.

I start lifting my arm, but Demon shakes his head. “Three at each location is plenty for now. And this probably isn’t a one-night thing. If there’s any action tonight, we’ll have to think about assigning regular teams to take on the patrols.”

“With luck we’ll run them off tonight,” Ro states, his face set as if he’s already sensing blood. “They could move on and find somewhere less obvious and no Devils around.”

Growls, stomps and fist bumps on the table show our agreement with his words.

“Isn’t that still a worry, Prez? Even if they’re not at our premises?”

Demon sighs loudly. “Yeah, Liz, you’re right. But don’t forget, the Wretched Soulz and Mafia are also looking out. While I’d like to string up the fuckers myself, I don’t mind who catches them just as long as the result is we end their fuckin’ trade. We’ll concentrate on our territory; RIP and the Mafia can watch theirs. With luck, we’ll run them back to the hole they crawled out of.”

Relieved I’m free this evening, when church lets out I make sure to have a word with Beef about making sure my name’s added to the rotation if Pyro and the others aren’t successful tonight. I check the time, then text Beth to let her know if the invitation is still open, I’m on my way.

Her reply comes fast.

Beth: See you soon

I grin, then have a moment wondering what the fuck I’m doing. Have I met anyone’s parents or parent before, or at least since I picked up my prom date? Not that I can remember.

The weather’s kind for riding, so I take my bike, still uncertain why I’m acting so out of character. My Sunday would normally end with maybe a card game or a turn at pool before taking a whore to my room, or letting her suck me off in the clubroom. Until last weekend, I thought I had everything worth having in life.

Beth unsettles me, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. Why should I give up all the good things to go for a polite dinner with a woman in her fucking mother’s house?

I can’t explain why I’m eagerly anticipating doing normal boring citizen stuff. Must only be the thought that if I want to get into her cunt later, I’ll have to play it her way first. Yeah, that’s all it can be.

I pull up on her road and taking out my phone, check the address to make sure I’m heading to the right house, then ride up and park on the driveway behind Beth’s car. There’s another beside it, which is why I’ve chosen to block in hers. She won’t be leaving before I do.

When the thunderous sound of my engine dies, I’m not greeted by the expected silence. No, instead I hear the sound of shouting from inside. Very angry shouting.

Chapter Ten

Beth

“You are not dragging me and Beth into whatever you’re up to.”

The argument has been going on for some time. I step in between my mom and her wayward son, my brother. “Connor…” I growl in warning.

Angrily he pushes me to one side. “Mom, see sense. I’m not dragging you into anything. You’re my fuckin’ mother. All I’m asking is if I can use my old room when I’m working in Pueblo.”

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