Page 81 of Avenging Devil: Part 1

Our kitchen is large and equipped with industrial scale appliances. In the middle of the room is a long table that’s able to seat a dozen of us. First comers get a place to sit, stragglers take loaded plates into the clubroom itself. I could have sat Saffie down in a quiet corner and brought her something to eat, but I’d decided on a baptism of fire.

Patsy’s come in behind us, and Kink vacates the chair he was using, allowing her to sit. I notice how Saffie’s eyes widen at that. Grumbler is standing behind one, his hands splayed over two more, and he nods when we enter.

“Fried chicken, or beef casserole,” Eva calls out. “Grab plates and help yourselves.” She nudges Cindy who comes over just as I’m getting Saffie sat down.

The sweet butt hurries across. “I’ll get you your plates. What do you both want?”Christ, I wish the sweet butts spent more on their wardrobes.Fashion be darned, some shorts that cover her ass cheeks would be appreciated right now.

Saffie looks extremely uncomfortable and fidgets. Ignoring Cindy, she leans into me. “Shouldn’t I stand?” Bemused, I raise my eyebrow at her. “The club’s for members, isn’t it?”

At that moment, Dart comes in. “Hey, who’s going to let my old lady sit down?”

Quick as a flash, Reboot stands. “Here, VP.”

Alex ushers Tyler in, pulls up a highchair and places it next to the vacated seat then proceeds to settle Isla in. All this Saffie watches with her eyes wide open.

Cindy’s still hovering. “I’ll have the chicken,” I tell her, then turn to Saffie. “What do you want?”

She starts shaking her head, but I narrow my eyes, knowing she’s got to at least attempt to eat. She’s lost so much weight it worries me.

Seeing my expression, she says quietly, “Beef.”

I notice Cindy’s looking at her curiously, and hope she’ll keep her claws drawn in. Club girls can get possessive over their bikers, but as I’m making it clear Saffie’s with me, and I never partake of their services, hopefully she and the others won’t see her as competition.

While Cindy’s getting our food, Saffie’s attention is caught by Isla shoving her fingers in a bowl of food while Alex is patiently trying to get her to hold a spoon. My gut twists as I realise such scenes will not be in Saffie’s immediate future. Maybe I should have taken her straight to the room that’s been prepared for her, instead of shoving kids in her face.

As if she feels Saffie’s eyes on her, Alex offers a friendly smile her way but doesn’t say anything. What could she? Nothing could make the situation easier.

“Hey, there’s a piece of shit car outside,” Dusty walks in. “We got a visitor?”

Saffie blushes bright red.

“It’s Saffie’s,” I tell him. “Needs a good service. While she’s here, I’ll have a look at it in the shop.” I’d had my brothers change the plugs and replace the filters the day we broke down, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it needed a total engine and gearbox refit. Or sent to be scrapped if she’d let me replace it.

“You don’t have to do that,” she hisses at me. “I can’t afford to pay.”

“Club friends don’t pay,” Grumbler rasps, overhearing.

Patsy nods in approval and states, “I saw in my rearview mirror it was belching smoke on the way here.”

Again? I was right, it hadn’t been fixed. I raise my chin to her. “Then that’s settled. I’ll take it down tomorrow.”

“I’ll put Ross on it. He’s handy with that model.”

Snips, slurping his stew from a spoon, looks up and snorts.

“You could choose your words better,” I admonish Grumbler.

He shrugs and grins, and is about to retort, when Pearl, as scantily clad as her fellow sweet butts, drops a plate. She crouches to pick it up, and jumps back with an ouch, cradling her hand while exclaiming, “Son of a fuckin’ bitch.”

Saffie flinches and presses herself back in her seat.

“Here, let me take a look.” Eva grabs a clean towel and steps over to the injured sweet butt. Pearl looks away while Eva gently opens her hand. “You’ll live,” she pronounces. “Doesn’t even need stitches. Just keep it wrapped up for now.”

“Hey, Pearl? I got something that will make you feel better later.” Snips gestures down to his groin and thrusts his hips suggestively.

I feel like bashing him over the head, especially when Saffie seems to shrink back into herself. “What is it?” I bend my head and speak quietly to her.

She turns, and says so softly, it’s hard for me to hear, but I get the gist. “Isn’t she going to get hit?”

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