Page 72 of Avenging Devil: Part 2

Chapter Twenty

Niran

She’s doing this for me,and I have to admire the hell out of her for it.

As Rascal wheels me in through the door of the Utah clubhouse, I glance over my shoulder at the woman walking behind. She’s shaking like a fucking leaf and she’s pale. In fact, she stops on the threshold.

“Come on in, honey. We don’t bite,” a rough voice calls out. It makes her jump.

A pregnant woman comes into sight and walks up to us. “Hey.” She stretches out her hand to me. “Welcome.” Her attention on me is brief, she seems more interested in the woman hesitant about entering. She steps closer. “I’m Cat,” she introduces herself. “Were the clothes I sent for you, okay?”

Saffie’s voice sounds forced when she responds, “Thank you. They fit well.”

Very well.I hide my grin. Those jeans she’s got on hug her ass to perfection. Perhaps it’s lucky I’m in no state to do anything about it.

“You coming in or going out? Will ya make ya fuckin’ mind up?” a gruff voice yells, making me wince. I’d hoped the brothers here would all be on tiptoes as I’d explained the situation to Bolt.

“Calm your tits, Grinch,” Rascal shouts back. Then to Saffie, he says, “Apologies, sweetheart, he’s one of the old-timers. They didn’t learn about manners.”

“Well?” Unrepentant, the voice shouts again. Then its owner appears.

He’s the epitome of an old biker—grey shaggy hair, long beard down to his chest, a pot belly hanging out over his jeans. He puts his hand on Saffie’s shoulder, moves her aside, then squeezes past the wheelchair.

Halting, he stares down. “So you’re what we’ve had to widen doors for.” He looks me up and down, and for a moment I hold my breath, hoping he’s going to say nothing to upset Saffie. Then a wide grin splits his face, and he stretches out his hand. “Welcome, Brother.”

I reach mine up to take his, but I don’t keep his attention for long. His eyes narrow, then open and sparkle as he focuses behind me and on the woman he’d just moved out of his way.

“Well, welcome to you, little lady. Been a long time since we’ve had someone as beautiful as you grace our clubhouse.”

“Ahem.” Cat coughs loudly beside him.

“Ah, honey, you don’t count. You’re taken.”

“So’s she,” I say fast. “This is Saffie, my old lady.”

Ignoring me, he reaches out his hand. Saffie shoots me a look. I notice she’s even paler. I try to transmit to her that he just wants to shake her hand. So, at my nod, Saffie takes his politely, but he seizes advantage, gripping it and pulling her inside. Once in, he doesn’t let go.

“Hey—” I start.

“Shush,” Bolt, who’s obviously followed the man in from outside, hisses.

“Mystic, Goofy?” the old biker yells out. “Lookie what we got here.”

Hearing a squeaked, scared protest from Saffie, ignoring the pain that goes through me, I try to raise myself up. Now it’s Rascal who catches my eye and shakes his head.

“Hey. You going to introduce us?” Another older biker steps up, quickly followed by a third.

Grinch puffs out his chest. “This is… er?” He looks at her for help.

When she doesn’t respond, or is incapable, I speak up for her, growling, “Saffie. My ol’ lady.”

“Saffie,” he repeats proudly, as if he’d worked it out for himself. “I’m Grinch.” He points to himself, then adds, “And this here’s Goofy, and Mystic.” He glances down at her and grins. “I’m thinking of adopting her. She looks just how I’d picture my daughter would have had she lived. Pretty as a fuckin’ picture.”

I see Saffie stiffen, then she turns her face up to his, her eyes wide and full of compassion. “Your daughter?” she asks hesitantly, adding as we’re all prone to do when we hear of a bereavement, “I’m so sorry.”

“Nah, don’t worry your little head about it. It was way back. She was only given to me for five years, but that time was precious. More than the docs gave her when she was born.” He reaches out gently and touches a strand of her hair. “She had dark hair, just like yours.” He shrugs. “You’re how I imagine she would have turned out.”

Saffie seems to be at a loss for words, but more than anything, his words have reassured her as the rigidness of her stance begins to relax. She’s not being treated like a prospective whore.

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