Page 92 of Avenging Devil: Part 1

Going back, I pick it up, but fold it over my arm. Just one word from her, and tonight will be the last time I wear it.

A sound in the corridor has my head turning, but before I can investigate, Saffie speaks again.

“Niran… I do appreciate you.”

Sure. That’s what I want from her. Fucking appreciation. I raise my chin, and exit the room, hearing her close the door, engage the lock then shoot home the bolt.

I check the hallway, but except for footsteps on the stairs, there’s no one.

For a second, I lean back against the door, my eyes closed, and my head shaking.Why did I fuck it up?

Could I really leave the club?

I straighten and shake out my shoulders. If that’s what it takes, that’s what I’ll have to do. The alternative of not knowing where she is, and that she’s safe, is unthinkable.

To never know if she’s happy, or even alive? To think of her finding a new man eventually?Hell, I’d go mad.

I take a few breaths, my momentous, impulsive decision not settling easily. Then my sixth sense warns me, I’m not alone. Snapping my eyes open, I turn my head and see someone approaching.

“The fuck you doing here?”

“I was looking for you.” Cyn bites her lip. “I didn’t know where you’d gone.” Her eyes widen, and her mouth forms an unattractive smirk. “Were you with her... Saffie?”

“What the fuck has that got to do with you?”

“I’m your sister. I don’t like her. She’s no good for you.” She postures as though she’s got rights in the matter.

Hell to the no on that. Putting my hand on her chest, I start pushing her back toward the stairs. “Just get out of here, Cyn. I’m your brother in name only. You’ve got no claim on me other than blood.” To make it clear, I add, “You’ve got no say in what I do, or who’s going to be my ol’ lady.”

“Old lady?” she gasps. Her pretence at being soft and nice disappears. Her nails come up and she launches at me scratching. “You can’t take an old lady. I won’t let you do that.”

I’m more of a match for her, catching her hand and holding it. “The world doesn’t revolve around your wants and needs, Cyn, and it’s time you learned that.”

“But Niran…” She pouts. “You’re my brother.”

“And you’re my sister, God help me. I’ve got nothing for you, Cyn. I’ve given you a place to stay, my time, I’ve been there for you. But now someone else needs me.”

She casts a look up the corridor behind me. “Don’t you dare try and talk to Saffie, you hear me? You try and come between us, then you’re fuckin’ dead to me.”

Turning her around, I push her toward the stairs. With one backward glance toward me, she huffs out a breath, and at last seems to get the message and leaves.

I watch until she disappears, hanging around a few minutes more in case she tries to come back. Then when I’m sure the threat’s abated, I swing on my heel and take myself off to bed.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Saffie

Niran had completely overwhelmed me, making my head spin until I didn’t know which way was up.

I’m indignant, how dare he say in that off-handed way that he’d claimed me, when he knew I never wanted to be property again. Sure, Niran’s not Duke, or not on the surface, but who knows what would happen if I allowed myself to be claimed? Bikers live by their own code, and from what I know, it certainly doesn’t appeal to me.

Even if Niran’s views of an old lady are different to the experience I’ve had, I’ve had enough of controlling men and being kept under the thumb. I didn’t escape from Duke just to go back to another dominant man.

Maybe if he’d spoken to me, explained his reasons before claiming me in front of his prez… No, not even then. If getting help from the Devils involves me tying myself to a man, then I’d rather take chances and do it on my own. From what I gather, my new papers are already coming along and shouldn’t be tied to any agreement or otherwise I have with Niran. My only option is to take them and run, and this time, try to disappear completely.

Even with the lock on the door, I know I won’t settle here. However much I try to tell myself the Satan’s Devils are different, the sounds they make, the clothes they wear are too reminiscent of what was my life for the past few years. One part of my brain tries to tell me I’m better off staying, while the other, and larger side is acting purely on instinct, and telling me I’m a fool to seek sanctuary in a lion’s den. What didn’t help was Niran acting like a Neanderthal, and proving by his words, that underneath, he was just like the men I’d been running from.How dare he claim me?

I’m scared, on edge, and even staying here a couple of days will be too much for my already stretched nerves.

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