Page 89 of Avenging Devil: Part 2

Don’t be stupid. What man would?

If I want Niran, I’ve got to be prepared to go all the way. I’m not sure I’m brave enough yet.

I look up as I hear men coming my way, and smile as I see Niran, then frown. His mouth has set into a thin line, and there’s a tick at the side of his jaw. I can’t tell if he’s angry or upset.

I still don’t have a clue when he says, “Saffie. Can I have a private word with you, please?”

I get to my feet and follow as he wheels himself in the direction of our room. Leaning past him, I open the door, then close it again, after we’re both inside.

“Is everything okay?” He’s worrying me.

He bows his head, wipes his hands down his face, then glances up. “Sit, Saffie, please.”

Had something happened to Grumbler and Mary? Is Niran going to tell me he’s fed up with playing this game, that he no longer needs me?Questions start racing through my head, but as he patiently waits for me to obey, I hesitantly perch on the side of the bed.

He brings himself closer, and reaching out, takes my hands. “Saffie,” he starts, then swallows and shakes his head. “I don’t want to scare you.”

I wait for more. When he doesn’t continue, I tell him, “You are scaring me. Just tell me straight.”

“Duke wasn’t in the compound when we killed the Crazy Wolves.”

What?“Duke’s alive?” If my voice squeaks, who can blame me?

Pulling my hands free, I get off the bed and pace to the window. Thoughts, all resulting in questions, slam into me, and I try to sort out what’s the most important to ask.

In the end I settle on, “Does he know where I am?”

“Absolutely not,” Niran assures me. “We don’t think he believes you’re alive. He’ll think you died when the clubhouse was attacked. We were registered in the hospital under fake names. There’s no way for him to trace you or me.”

I snort. “I didn’t even realise you were.”

He shrugs. “I’m Niran Simpson, not Nigel Rogers. That’s what’s shown in their records.”

Suddenly I’m angry. I round on him. “I should have known not to trust you. You’re an expert liar, Niran.”

“I didn’t lie, I just didn’t tell you the truth—”

“That doesn’t make it right.” I feel like bursting into tears. There I’d been, just thinking about how to make this relationship real, and now he’s showing me what a fool that would make me.

“I can’t trust you,” I repeat, my voice sounding weak.

Niran drops his head into his hands and rubs at his brow. After a second, he raises his eyes. “What can I tell you, Saffie? I’m a man, we fuck up. It’s what we do. But I didn’t hold back the information for anything other than giving you peace of mind.”

I look down at him. “How long have you known?”

The grimace tells me everything. Shaking my head, I turn back to the window again. He’s known the whole time. Ever since our rescue. “Why tell me now?”

“I should have told you before.” He sighs.

“But you thought I’d fall to pieces.” I have to admit, maybe he’s right. It’s hard enough for me to deal with now, but I am stronger since I’ve grown to have friends in this club.

“We’ve been trying to find him. I thought we could take him out and you’d never have to know. But he’s gone to ground.”

Rolling my head back and circling my shoulders, I wonder why the news hasn’t triggered a panic attack. Then, I’d lived months knowing he was out there somewhere, and managing to get by on my own. Nothing’s changed, except I’m no longer alone.

“Was he the only survivor?”

He grimaces. “Grit and Duke were out on a run.”

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