Avenging Devil Part 1: Satan’s Devils MC - San Diego Chapter #3

by Mellett, Manda

  I continue to stare at his face, then drop my eyes to his leather. I shudder, then slowly, feeling like I’m jerking like a puppet on strings, my hand rises to rest in his.

  He closes his fingers, but only a smidgeon, allowing me to know I can pull away at any time. As he tugs gently, I allow him to encourage me away from the doorway.

  As the bikers I was holding up walk in, I draw closer to him, as though he’s my protector, innately trusting him to keep his brothers away.

  A few seconds later, the final arrival just barges in, shouting loudly, “What’s for fuckin’ dinner? It better be something I can eat!”

  Hearing his voice, a woman emerges from the kitchen. “I’ve pureed yours just like I have Isla’s,” she yells back.

  “Yeah, yeah. Very fuckin’ funny,” the newcomer calls out to her, revealing a mouthful of missing and crooked teeth.

  “Snips has got problems with his teeth,” Niran tells me, quietly. “And he’s scared stupid of seeing a dentist.”

  Grumbler grins. “Last time we had to sedate him to get him there.”

  The aforesaid Snips turns sharply, suggesting there’s nothing wrong with his ears, and catches sight of me for the first time. His eyes meet Niran’s before descending to me still holding his hand. He compresses his lips, then pouts and says in a whine, “See how these fuckers are cruel to me? You’ll be on my side, darlin’, won’t you? You won’t let them cart me off to the dentist again.”

  What would I have to do with it? The Crazy Wolves wouldn’t put up with a woman telling them what to do, or even making a suggestion. Hell, most of the time they didn’t talk to me. I don’t know what to answer, or whether I’m even allowed.

  Seeing my difficulty though he won’t be able to guess the reason for it, Niran steps in and replies on my behalf, “Saffie’s got more than enough problems without worrying about your sorry ass, Snips.”

  And to my utter astonishment, Snips looks chastised, and goes so far as to apologise, with a wink, though, which loses some of the effect.

  Dental hygiene had been the least of the Crazy Wolves’ worries, and if anyone had pointed missing teeth out, there would have been a few more gaps in the mouth of the person who’d mentioned it. But Snips seems to take it in stride, instead, he’d played on my sympathy. He’s more like a big kid than a scary biker, and I have to fight back an actual smile.

  I realise no one’s checking me out. No one’s leering or eyeing me up like a lamb to the slaughter. They’re all being respectful. They’re teasing each other good-naturedly without the use of fists to settle scores, and no one’s trying to be top dog. To top it all, Niran’s not claimed me.

  Maybe Satan’s Devils are different?

  But still, I don’t dare speak. I know a woman’s place in a clubhouse. I only do so when Niran asks a question of me directly. Hungry? Hell no. The loss of my baby coupled with the fear of what I’ve stepped into trumps any desire to eat. But when Niran tugs at my hand, I go with him.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Niran

  Saffie’s here. In my house.

  Only an hour earlier I’d been minding my own business, not daring to hope Prez’s old lady would be able to persuade her to face her greatest fear. I still can’t believe it.

  “Patsy’s fuckin’ worked her magic.” Grumbler approached me, locked thumbs and pulled me in for a man hug.

  My eyes went wide. Well I’ll be fucked if I was interpreting his words correctly. “Saffie’s coming to the compound?”

  The sergeant-at-arms grinned. “Should be arriving any moment now.”

  Hell, I hadn’t expected that. It was great fucking news. Hastily, I looked around, seeing the place as if through her eyes. There weren’t too many brothers around as most were at their jobs or had gone for a ride. Salem was here, obviously having just come over from the adjacent hangar. He still wore his paint-stained overalls which showed his desperation for an after-work beer. They actually softened the appearance of the tall, rugged and often vicious-looking enforcer. His sidekick, Pennywise, was already seated on one of the sofas, his head rested back, and eyes closed. Relaxed, he looked deceptively harmless, but I knew within one second, he could leap into action mysteriously armed to the teeth.

  Bones was here too, sniffing loudly as normal, and deep in conversation with Kink. Apart from Reboot, and one of the prospects, that was all the men who were around.

  Shaking my head, I pondered, I’d never looked at my brothers in terms of how threatening they appeared before. Features that appealed to me, in that they’re the men who I trusted to have my back, would be off-putting to Saffie. Did we resemble who she was running from? We’re bikers, we wear cuts. Wincing slightly, I suspected there were far too many similarities, and hoped that she wouldn’t appear, just to turn tail and flee.

  As if I was expecting an important guest, I ran through, other than the men, who else was in the clubhouse. Patsy, obviously, was out. Mary was resting at home. Eva was in the kitchen organising the rest of the sweet butts and they had dinner under control. Enticing aromas were already filling the clubroom, which should be a plus. On the negative side, none of the club girls seemed to own presentable clothes. I’ve gotten used to the way they’re attired, but to Saffie, it would scream that they were here for only one reason. Could I get them to go? Nah, the rest of the brothers would kill me if I turned them out. Apart from the obvious, the prospects couldn’t cook for shit, and that would be who we’d be left with. Cyn, I noticed, wasn’t in sight. Still, my sister wouldn’t come as any surprise to Saffie, we’d talked about her a lot. Except, perhaps, for the fact she was still here.

  Anxious, just like a man anticipating a visit from his girlfriend’s fussy parents, I eyed the clubhouse in ways I wouldn’t normally, noticing the rings on the tables, and was that dust I saw on the shelf?

  My inspection came to an abrupt end when the clubroom door opened. Expectantly, I’d swung around, and swallowed my disappointment when I saw who was entering. It was the VP with Alex, his adopted son, Tyler, and their daughter, Isla in tow. Tyler scanned the room as though he was much older than his nine years, spied Pennywise, and ignoring that the man was clearly resting, ran over and launched himself, landing next to him on the couch making the piece of furniture bounce.

  Pennywise startled, pivoted, then seeing the boy, put away his knife that had magically appeared like a magician’s rabbit out of a hat, and proceeded to tackle and tickle him.

  Isla, hating to be left out, tore her hand out of that of her father’s and toddled over to her brother as fast as her little legs would go. Unfortunately, the momentum of her drunken stagger had her falling straight into the leg of a table. Bouncing off, she crashed to the floor, and let out an ear-piercing wail.

  As did a number of others, I took a step forward, but Alex was already making a beeline for her. Salem was there first. Crouching down, he righted her, then teased, “What’s all this fuss about?”

  At that moment, there was a gasp from behind me. Turning fast, I saw Saffie standing in the doorway with Patsy just behind her. As though she was a magnet, I couldn’t draw my eyes from her. Wincing, I noticed her face was as pale as I’d ever seen it, apart from the flush on her cheeks. Her hand was over her heart, and the way her chest was heaving, she was hyperventilating. She was terrified, I realised, then following her line of sight, realised it wasn’t just on her behalf. She was staring at the screaming child, her eyes flicking between Isla and the big biker looming over her, and her hand covered her mouth.

  Oh fuck no. She was going to turn and run.

  She wasn’t to know we all had a fuckin’ soft spot for that child and would do nothing to harm her. And as Salem comforted the sobbing child, Saffie’s fear was partly replaced by surprise.

  I made every move with care as I approached and started to introduce her to my brothers, touching her hand as though it was made of fragile glass. I felt I was taming a wild animal which could spook at any moment.

  She was quiet
, I noted, not speaking even when spoken to which made me wonder about the Crazy Wolves, and what her relationship had been with their members. Were any of them her friends or on her side? Probably not, if they’d condoned the treatment Duke had doled out. When Snips asked a direct question of her, I took it on myself to answer on her behalf.

  It’s still hard to process, but she’s here. In my domain. By my side. And I’m going to do everything I can to keep her that way, and vow to look after her. I’m impressed as fuck that she’d been able to set some of her fear aside.

  “Dinner’s ready if any of you want it,” Eva calls out, then steps back to stop herself from being run over.

  “You hungry?” I ask the woman at my side.

  “Not particularly,” she replies, quietly.

  “Well, I am. Come and keep me company. Hey, Grumbler!” I shout out as the sergeant-at-arms hurries off, “Save us a couple of seats, will you?”

  His hand wave in the air is my answer. Tightening my fingers just a little, I pull her with me as we cross the clubroom. Hungry buggers they might be, but many of my brothers are hanging back, mindful of the need to not crowd her. I give them grateful chin lifts as I walk past.

  Our kitchen is large and equipped with industrial scale appliances. In the middle of the room is a long table that’s able to seat a dozen of us. First comers get a place to sit, stragglers take loaded plates into the clubroom itself. I could have sat Saffie down in a quiet corner and brought her something to eat, but I’d decided on a baptism of fire.

  Patsy’s come in behind us, and Kink vacates the chair he was using, allowing her to sit. I notice how Saffie’s eyes widen at that. Grumbler is standing behind one, his hands splayed over two more, and he nods when we enter.

  “Fried chicken, or beef casserole,” Eva calls out. “Grab plates and help yourselves.” She nudges Cindy who comes over just as I’m getting Saffie sat down.

  The sweet butt hurries across. “I’ll get you your plates. What do you both want?” Christ, I wish the sweet butts spent more on their wardrobes. Fashion be darned, some shorts that cover her ass cheeks would be appreciated right now.

  Saffie looks extremely uncomfortable and fidgets. Ignoring Cindy, she leans into me. “Shouldn’t I stand?” Bemused, I raise my eyebrow at her. “The club’s for members, isn’t it?”

  At that moment, Dart comes in. “Hey, who’s going to let my old lady sit down?”

  Quick as a flash, Reboot stands. “Here, VP.”

  Alex ushers Tyler in, pulls up a highchair and places it next to the vacated seat then proceeds to settle Isla in. All this Saffie watches with her eyes wide open.

  Cindy’s still hovering. “I’ll have the chicken,” I tell her, then turn to Saffie. “What do you want?”

  She starts shaking her head, but I narrow my eyes, knowing she’s got to at least attempt to eat. She’s lost so much weight it worries me.

  Seeing my expression, she says quietly, “Beef.”

  I notice Cindy’s looking at her curiously, and hope she’ll keep her claws drawn in. Club girls can get possessive over their bikers, but as I’m making it clear Saffie’s with me, and I never partake of their services, hopefully she and the others won’t see her as competition.

  While Cindy’s getting our food, Saffie’s attention is caught by Isla shoving her fingers in a bowl of food while Alex is patiently trying to get her to hold a spoon. My gut twists as I realise such scenes will not be in Saffie’s immediate future. Maybe I should have taken her straight to the room that’s been prepared for her, instead of shoving kids in her face.

  As if she feels Saffie’s eyes on her, Alex offers a friendly smile her way but doesn’t say anything. What could she? Nothing could make the situation easier.

  “Hey, there’s a piece of shit car outside,” Dusty walks in. “We got a visitor?”

  Saffie blushes bright red.

  “It’s Saffie’s,” I tell him. “Needs a good service. While she’s here, I’ll have a look at it in the shop.” I’d had my brothers change the plugs and replace the filters the day we broke down, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it needed a total engine and gearbox refit. Or sent to be scrapped if she’d let me replace it.

  “You don’t have to do that,” she hisses at me. “I can’t afford to pay.”

  “Club friends don’t pay,” Grumbler rasps, overhearing.

  Patsy nods in approval and states, “I saw in my rearview mirror it was belching smoke on the way here.”

  Again? I was right, it hadn’t been fixed. I raise my chin to her. “Then that’s settled. I’ll take it down tomorrow.”

  “I’ll put Ross on it. He’s handy with that model.”

  Snips, slurping his stew from a spoon, looks up and snorts.

  “You could choose your words better,” I admonish Grumbler.

  He shrugs and grins, and is about to retort, when Pearl, as scantily clad as her fellow sweet butts, drops a plate. She crouches to pick it up, and jumps back with an ouch, cradling her hand while exclaiming, “Son of a fuckin’ bitch.”

  Saffie flinches and presses herself back in her seat.

  “Here, let me take a look.” Eva grabs a clean towel and steps over to the injured sweet butt. Pearl looks away while Eva gently opens her hand. “You’ll live,” she pronounces. “Doesn’t even need stitches. Just keep it wrapped up for now.”

  “Hey, Pearl? I got something that will make you feel better later.” Snips gestures down to his groin and thrusts his hips suggestively.

  I feel like bashing him over the head, especially when Saffie seems to shrink back into herself. “What is it?” I bend my head and speak quietly to her.

  She turns, and says so softly, it’s hard for me to hear, but I get the gist. “Isn’t she going to get hit?”

  “What?” I frown. “Pearl? For breaking a plate and cutting herself?” I jerk my head to indicate where Kink’s now kneeling down, handling a dustpan and brush like an expert sweeping up the bits of broken plate off the ground. Her eyes widen as I point the sight out. “Guess we’re kinda different to the Crazy Wolves, huh?”

  She stares at a patched member doing the work we could have summoned a prospect for, or perhaps instructed Pearl to clear up the damage she caused. Slowly, her body begins to relax, and she sits up straighter. For the first time since she entered the clubhouse, the lines on her forehead start to smooth out. “You are.” She picks up her fork and puts a small piece of beef into her mouth. I grin, taking it her eating has to be a good fucking sign.

  “Saffie, isn’t it?” Lost bellows as he appears from the clubroom. He bends his head and takes Patsy’s mouth in a scorching kiss before looking back up. “Welcome to the Satan’s Devils MC.”

  I nudge her. “That’s our prez.”

  For a second, her fork hovers midair, then drops to her plate.

  “Hey, Prez. You can sit here.” Keeper stands and takes his plate to the sink where he rinses it off.

  Taking the seat he vacated, Lost focuses on Saffie again. “These assholes been treating you okay?”

  Again, looking as scared as potential roadkill, Saffie can’t seem to get a word out. Again, I find myself answering for her.

  “I think we compare favourably to the Crazy Wolves, or at least so far.” I give her a wink.

  “I fuckin’ hope we do.” Lost frowns. “Saffie, my ol’ lady’s going to get you settled in after you’ve finished eating. Let me assure you, you’re safe here.”

  “No one’s going to get to you on this compound, sweetheart.” The VP backs him up.

  “Trust us.” I take hold of her hand that’s lying on the tabletop and squeeze it.

  Saffie doesn’t know whether to resume eating, or whether we expect her to speak. After a second, she decides on the latter. “Thank you,” she addresses Prez. “But I won’t be here long. Patsy said you’d help me get a new ID and relocate.” The last is said hopefully.

  “That’s the plan,” Lost confirms, then with a glance my way adds, “If that’s wha
t you want.”

  It’s not top of my list of things I want to do, but it seems to satisfy her, and she settles back to eat.

  A figure appears in the doorway. It’s Cyn. As I raise my chin in greeting, I see her eyes narrow, her mouth form a pout, then watch as she makes a beeline for me.

  Standing too close to the woman at my side, she sneers down at her. “That’s my seat.”

  “Cyn!” I say, sharply. “Where are your manners? Saffie’s eating.”

  “Saffie? Who the fuck’s she?”

  “She’s my fuckin’ friend,” I tell her, my eyes blazing, and my jaw clenched. I force myself to sound more normal, and I glance to my side. “Saffie, this is my sister, Cyn.”

  I swear I see a pent-up breath leave her body as Saffie gives a little nod. I’m certain that’s a look of relief as I remind her who this is.

  “I always sit next to you, Niran.” Cyn places her hands on her hips and glares at Saffie.

  She does if there’s a seat beside me and we’re eating at the same time, but that’s just circumstance, isn’t it? It hasn’t become a thing.

  “I’ve finished.” Saffie puts aside her almost untouched plate.

  “Stay right where you are,” I growl. “Cyn can sit somewhere else.”

  She does, taking Grumbler’s chair now he’s stopped eating and has stood up. Conversations that had been flowing around us cease as her ill-contained ire puts a damper on the mood. I deliberately keep putting my fork to my mouth, but Saffie has ceased to eat.

  I try to signal to Cyn that I’m going to kill her later, but she refuses to look at me. At Saffie, yes. She keeps shooting looks of disgust her way.

  It becomes a battle between brother and sister. Stubbornly, I refuse to have her think she’s chased us away. So for possibly longer than necessary, I stay at the table, and, of course, Saffie stays with me.

  Thank fuck for Patsy who, for a second time, saves the day. The first, of course, being by getting Saffie here.