Page 104 of Avenging Devil: Part 1

He meets my eyes, and without hesitation, says, “If the woman I’m with wants them, I’ll move heaven and earth to fulfil her dreams.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Saffie

Oh my God. What am I doing turning this perfect man down?

Curling my fingers into my palms, I convince myself to think of my options. I can’t stay while he’s a member of his club, and he can’t leave, not without it changing the person he is.

What if I stay, give it time, see if a relationship could evolve between us? But with Duke closing in, without the club, it won’t just be me that’s unprotected, it would also be him.

Best I should keep to my plan and leave. Alone.Damn Duke. It’s him that’s forcing my hand.It’s he who’s making me give up maybe the best thing to ever happen to me in my life.

Maybe I could enjoy Niran’s presence for the days or maybe just hours until Token gets me my new papers and it’s time to go.

“Is there news of Duke?” I bite my lip.

“Nah. Not yet. Token’s still trying to find out how much he knows. But so far there’s nothing to say the Wolves are on the move.”

“How would you know?”

“Token’s got his fingers on the pulse, checking all the electronic methods which Duke could use to find you. And we’re utilising old-fashioned methods as well. It isn’t foolproof, but we’ve got our Vegas Chapter and friendly clubs ready to alert us if there are signs they’re heading this way. It’s a five-hour ride or so, someone should pick them up en route and in enough time to give us some warning.”

Five hours.Not much notice to run for my life.

His mouth twists. “I’m not going to lie to you. If you were at the club as my old lady, the brothers would be standing guard and ready to defend you and the compound. As you’re not, and if you don’t want me with you, you’ve got to accept that you’re on your own. Should we get word Duke’s in the wind, then you’ll need to move on. Utah will send us instructions, we’ll set you on your way, then you’ll be met, just like with the Freedom Trail.”

I shudder and look around me. I want to retract all previous statements. I want Niran to come with me. Though even as the thought enters my head, I know it would be wrong to use him that way. Steeling myself, I take a breath, and reply, simply, “Okay.”

He grimaces. “I’ll fuckin’ hate saying goodbye.”

So will I.

As we reach an uneasy impasse, Niran gets to his feet and goes into the kitchen. “Christ, woman, what d’you eat? You’ve nothing here.”

There didn’t seem much point in stocking the cupboards, not when I’m going to be leaving, so I don’t answer him.

“Can I borrow your phone?” he asks as he reappears.

“Sure. Yours dead again?”

He gives a twisted grin. “Fuckin’ battery just dies when I don’t expect it.” He takes mine and dials a number. “Kid?... Yeah… Can you pick up a couple of pizzas, bring them to Saffie’s… Yeah, that’ll do. Thank you.”

“There was no need for that.” My eyes widen. “I could have gone out and gotten something, or we could have ordered in.”

“Saffie,” he says, tiredly, staring at his phone once again as if it’s offended him by being dead. “You’ve packed shit. If you’re leaving, you’ve got to decide what to take with you. As I said, you might not get much notice. As much as you can fit in the car is all you’ll be able to take. Kid can help you get shit ready, carry it down the stairs. I need to go back to the clubhouse and get my charger and speak to Token to get an update. Kid will be here while I’m gone.”

I stiffen. “I don’t need babysitting.”

“He’s not a fuckin’ babysitter. He’s your resource for you to direct.”

A prospect doing my bidding? Never heard of that before. “I’m fine doing it alone,” I insist.

He sends me a look that speaks volumes, that I’ve done such a good job of it already. “I’m sure you are, but humour me, okay?”

In my heart, I know I don’t want to move on. But he’s right. I could get the signal any moment. One thing him turning up has done is focus my mind about Duke and jerk me out of my state of lethargy. It might not be Niran, but in time I could have a future with someone, even another baby perhaps. Duke’s stolen so much from me. I don’t want him to take my future too.

Noticing my sad expression, Niran closes the gap between us, resting his hand gently on my cheek. “The boys know where I am if something urgent comes up, but I’d like to get a feeling for what’s going on.”

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