Page 38 of Dev

“I love you, too, both of you.” I stroke my hand over her stomach and head out to join them.

Ican’t handle the suspense any longer, so ignoring Dev’s warning, I head straight to the diner after school, grab the bag from my locker, and make my way to the club. I haven’t heard anything from Dev since he brought this money to me and told me to leave town. I have no idea if he’s okay, and I need to know for sure that he is. Returning this money and telling him I’m not going anywhere gives me the perfect excuse to visit the club. The gates are closed, and there’s a guy I don’t recognize sitting on a plastic white chair behind them, smoking a joint.

“Hey.” I smile at him through the mesh. “Any chance you could let me inside?”

“Depends, what’s ya business?” He stands up, looking me up and down.

“I, erm…” I have to think fast and show no hesitation, and when I read the guy’s cut and see the Nevada patch instead of the Long Beach one, it makes the situation a whole lot easier. “I’m a friend of Peyton's, she said it would be okay for me to hang out.” I try to come across as confident while I lie..

“Okay.” Balancing his joint between his lips, he opens up the gate to let me through, and I thank him as I make my way through the arch. There are hardly any bikes or cages parked in the parking lot. There's not even any sign of the mean girlshanging around the ground level of the motel. I move on and open the door to the club, and I’m shocked when I don’t hear any music.

“Millie, what are you doing here?” Freya spots me first and greets me with a welcoming smile.

“I came to check in on Dev.” I look around, wondering where everyone is. The girls are all gathered around the same table they were at the last time I was here, and every one of them is looking worried.

“What happened?” I ask, stepping closer toward them and taking a seat between Lettie and Eden.

“Nothing yet.” Eden's eyes lift up to the clock on the wall as she takes a long, steady breath.

“So, where is everyone?” The atmosphere is so different from the last time I was here.

“They left to raid the shipyard,” Peyton explains.

“All of them?” I check.

“Vex has stayed behind; he’s over at the motel. But all the rest of them have gone, including some members from Nevada. Raze wasn’t taking any chances with this one. Which is why we all need to stay positive.” Alicia tries her best to lift everyone's spirits.

“How long ago did they leave?” I feel myself starting to panic, and I don’t know why. Dev is petrifying. I can't imagine anyone ever being able to hurt him.

“Half an hour ago,” Lettie informs me, trying to stop her little boy from grabbing at my hair.

“Is that all?” Freya looks defeated. “I can’t stand this.” She gets up and makes her way to the bar, gripping its edge and inhaling deeply.

“We just have to stay positive, you saw how they were when they left here. Every one of them was focused and ready for a fight. Those men working for Quinnell are in some serioustrouble,” Alicia explains, getting up from her chair so she can comfort Freya.

“Alicia’s right.” Peyton backs her up. “Our guys all have something pretty special to come home to. We just need to pass the tim–.”

The door opening interrupts her, and a girl I’ve never seen before rolls in like a hurricane.

“What's with all the sad faces?” she asks, lifting her sunglasses up into her brightly colored hair and dumping a pink straw bag right in the middle of the table. “The sun is hot and the sea is cool.” She strips off the scrubs she’s wearing right in the middle of the club, revealing a bright pink bikini beneath them.

“Come on, I came here to have some fun. Work’s beendead.” She rolls her eyes and nudges Anita as if we’re supposed to find something funny.

“We’re not really up for fun right now, Quinn,” Peyton explains. “The guys just rode out to the shipyard.”

“Why do you think I’m here? Raze asked me to come over when my shift ended to be on standby.”

“So why are you so…happy?” Eden asks, looking ready to get up from her chair and knock the sunshine right out of her.

“Because sitting around here and being mopey about it ain’t gonna do any good. When your men walk through those doors, which they will, they don’t want to find you like this…Polly, where’s the tequila?” She steps over to the bar, and Freya stares at her, stunned, as she grabs some shot glasses.

“Come on, Blondie, you look as though you could do with one of these.”

“Shouldn’t you stay sober? The guys may need you,” Freya reminds her.

“A few to steady my nerves will help, Dev taught me that. I’m getting a head start before they arrive.

“Dev?” I turn around when I hear his name.

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