Page 2 of Avenging Devil: Part 2

I think Slit wants to shut me up. I sense a taste for bloodlust coming from him as he leans onto my neck, making me choke and struggle for breath. Even in my fight to survive, I feel, as much as see, Saffie’s dismayed eyes burning into me. But I keep all emotion from my face. It’s best if she believes me. Only half an hour ago I’d been devastated to learn she trusted me so little, but hopefully that mistrust I’d tried so hard to assuage will play into my hands now.

While Duke’s processing my words, I try to come to terms that if I die today, the fault lies at only one of two people’s hands. Out of the two, I’d put money on it being the bitch who all but raped me. Cyn? Nah, I can’t believe it was her. Or maybe I just don’t want to.

Sparing one glance at Saffie, my gut clenches as I see the look of hatred on her face. Unable to give her any support or compassion, I turn my attention to the man she’s still, unfortunately, married to.

Duke is looking at Grit—the man who I knew by hearing his name was the Wolves’ equivalent of Token—their computer and information expert. Grit, who’s standing casually with his hands in his pockets, shrugs, not giving a confirmation or denial.

“You want me to believe it was you?” Duke shakes his head, but his pause suggests he’s giving me the chance to prove it.

Taking the gamble that, even if it was Cyn, she hadn’t mentioned me being her brother, I snort. “How the fuck else did the bitch get all the information? The woman gags for my cock. Getting her to do what I wanted was too fuckin’ easy.” I wince again at Saffie’s blatant look of disgust tinged with disappointment, but I can’t offer her solace. Me having a chance to save her depends on getting on Duke’s right side, even if it means I land on the worst side of hers.

I’m right to allude to Susie as a bitch. Duke grins as though I’m speaking his language. “Yeah. Most women will do anything for a good dicking.” He pauses and kicks out at Saffie again, and again I have to suppress my wince and ire. “Most,” he emphasises with a twisted expression.

Mentally apologising to Saffie, I press my case. “Your ol’ lady ran away. Fuckin’ obvious you’d want her back. Heard her fuckin’ sob story, and knew the Crazy Wolves were a club to whom I could relate. I kinda hoped you’d return a favour for a favour.”

“You want money?” Duke raises his eyebrow.

“Nah.” Money would do fuck all to help Saffie. The only way I’ll have a chance of looking out for her is to get them to take me with her. “The Wolves sound a lot more to my liking than the fuckin’ Devils I currently ride with.”

“You want in on my club?” Duke’s eyes widen, while the man pinning me down snorts. Their computer guy covers his mouth and chuckles, while the man who so remorselessly killed Kid laughs loudly, earning him a rebuke. “Shut it, Croak.”

Glancing down at Saffie, obviously seeing she’s in pain and immobile, Duke seats himself on the couch, spreading out his arms over the back. He regards me carefully.

“You fucked my ol’ lady?”

“Fuck a bitch who’s carrying another man’s baby?” I widen my eyes deliberately. “Not fuckin’ likely. That’s not my kink.”

His eyes narrow, as if my words haven’t satisfied him, and says deceptively calmly, “So you encouraged her to get rid of my kid?” Damn, I didn’t realise my words could have had a different meaning.

I inject shock into my voice. “For fuck’s sake, man. Kill a man’s baby? That’s all fucked up. I tried to fuckin’ stop her, but the club got me doing shit and I got there too late. Can’t fuckin’ trust bitches.” I sneer at Saffie. One half of me focuses on this important conversation—one wrong word could end my life—while the other wonders how he seems to know everything. I decide to stick as closely as I can to the truth. “I got to the hospital as fast as I could when our guy got the information she was booked in for the procedure. Only,” I grimace, “I wasn’t in time. That’s fuckin’ shit, Brother. A man should have a say in his kid’s future.”

“You don’t call me brother,” Duke snarls, his face blazing with rage. I file away that information. Then, as fast as the storm arrived, it recedes. “You’re right. That was my kid in her belly, and she fuckin’ killed it.”

“Hospital records show it had anencephaly,” the guy with the info reminds him, letting me have some answer at least. Duke’s had access to her medical history.

“But he still might have been born alive, Grit.” Duke’s hands clench together. “He might have survived on fuckin’ life support or something.”

As Saffie gasps, I try to piece it together. Why should a living child be so important? I don’t take Duke for the caring sort and proposing to keep the baby alive hooked up to machines is absolutely sick when there’s no hope for a positive outcome.

“I tried, man. I tried.” I impress my supposed efforts on him, shaking my head, hopefully sadly.

“You failed!” Duke throws at me in a burst of rage. Then his expression becomes calculating. “Why didn’t you get news to me sooner? It’s been a month since the operation.”

Damn this is hard. Still pinned, I try to give a dismissive shrug. “I’m just a member. I get told shit. Only the officers know deets. I knew she was property, she told me herself, but she wouldn’t say anything about your club. I’m a fighter, I don’t use no keyboard. It took time to learn you ride with the Crazy Wolves. When I did, I got the info to you as fast as I could. I’m just sorry, man, that it wasn’t earlier.”

His narrowed eyes show he remains suspicious. “Why use the bitch? You scared of a fuckin’ phone?”

I let my eyes widen. “Our computer guy has all that shit locked down. I, er, I don’t think they fully trust me. I know they keep track of the numbers I call. Hence, I used her. She’d do anything for cock, man.” I give a lewd sneer. It’s not too much of a stretch. Knowing Susie, she probably would. Could have been Cyn, I remind myself.Fuck, but I hope not.

Duke considers me carefully. “So you got me here, but I’m in no mood to give thanks. Shouldn’t have had to traipse over half the country to get back what I own. Give me one reason I shouldn’t just let Slit kill you?”

At least he’s asked.The stakes are sky high, and it’s time I plead for my life. But I’m not one to beg and know that wouldn’t impress him.

“No reason at all. I suspect your man here is right.” I jerk my head up as I refer to the comment Slit had made about neighbourly concern in Saffie’s apartment block. “Probably no one would give a damn about a gunshot in this building. But there’s a chance they might, and that’s an inconvenience you don’t need if the cops get called and turn up.” I pause for a beat. “Thing is, I’m a man looking for a new club. And I might be just the man you want.”

“You think so?” Duke snorts and sits forward, his raised eyebrow challenging me. “And what makes you think that?”

As much as I can with Slit sitting on me, I puff out my chest. “I’m a Marine. I’d still be serving if I hadn’t lost half my leg. I’m a munitions expert, sharpshooter, and can build a bike from fuckin’ scratch with one hand tied behind my back.”

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