Devil's Due: Satan's Devils MC Colorado Chapter #3

by Manda Mellett

  “You got it, Prez.”

  By the time we’ve finished all the discussions, it’s late in the evening. Violet informed me that the events of the day had caught up with Stevie, and she showed her the bed in my room. I resign myself to an uncomfortable night on the sofa, can’t intrude or ask if she wants to share. We’re barely friends, and far from lovers.

  The lack of accommodation here makes me long for Tucson. The clubhouse is quieting down but still a few brothers are talking and drinking. Knowing there’s no point in trying to get my head down right now, I grab a beer and take myself outside into the pleasant warmth of a Colorado summer evening and place a call to my prez. My real prez.

  “You got Drummer.”

  Knowing him of old, I don’t introduce myself. He’d only tell me my name’s displayed on his phone. “Sorry to call so late, Prez.”

  “Nah, I was still awake. Zane’s got a cold and don’t we all know about it.” I don’t hear complaint in his voice, just sympathy tinged with pride. In the background I can hear a baby wailing, and Sam’s voice soothing him. “What you got for me, Beef?”

  Pleasantries over, I get right down to business. “First off, Prez, my situation has been resolved. Sally was here.” When he stays silent, I go on, “Did what I should have done in the first place. Told her how it is.”

  “She accept it?” When I reply in the affirmative, he continues, “So, you telling me you already want to come home? You haven’t been there five minutes.”

  “Got a job to do here, Prez. Not plannin’ on lettin’ you down.”

  I believe I hear a sigh of relief.

  “How’s it going? You have a sit-down with Demon yet?”

  I shift to get comfortable on the hard wooden bench. “I can see his problem. At least one man here could do the job from what I’ve seen, but no one possible has any desire to step up. I’ve made a few suggestions, but nothing positive has been decided about a new VP yet. I’ve, er, I’ve been distracted.”

  “Tell me it doesn’t involve a woman. You only just got rid of one bitch.”

  I laugh, as I’m meant to. “Nothing like that, Prez. But yeah, there is a woman involved. And a dog.” I raise the beer bottle and take a long swig. Then, my throat wetted, I explain what’s been going on, and what Demon has proposed.

  “You go off the grid, that means you’re not doing the job I wanted you to do.” Drummer’s not so much complaining, as stating the facts. “Demon should have run this past me, not you.”

  “I expect he’ll make contact, Drummer. But I’m sort of doing this on my own. I was there, he wasn’t. Can’t walk away from this, Prez.”

  “Knowing you, I’d expect nothing less.” He goes quiet for a few seconds. I’ve no worries he’ll object, he’s just thinking it through. When he speaks again, as I thought, he gives me his blessing. “Yeah, you do what you have to, Beef. You need any help from this end? Need somewhere else to go? You come back home. Bring this woman with you if you need to.”

  I explain the Satan’s Devils connection. He agrees to warn the other chapters too. They all might get visitors trying to find where Stevie could have gone. As the national president Drummer takes the protection of all his chapters seriously.

  I promise to let him have the number of my burner, then end the call.

  In the end my night turns out not to be as bad as I feared. Due to the explosion that destroyed a lot of the clubhouse, the sofas are new and not lumpy, just short for my tall frame. The ability to catch a nap anytime, anyplace, was honed when I was a soldier, and this is far from the worst I’ve ever experienced. But as I try to get comfortable, I hope there will be more than one bed in the cabin. I’m getting old and prefer my creature comforts.

  The next morning we get an early start, leaving immediately after we’ve grabbed some breakfast. Driving the club’s SUV with darkened windows out of the compound, I decide to take the opportunity to discover the back streets of Pueblo, to ensure I haven’t picked up a tail. Leaving the clubhouse, I thought I saw a truck pull out behind us, but I lost him a while back, then a white Chevy seemed to be getting a bit close, but after a few twists and turns and a short stay in a parking lot out of sight of the road, he disappeared as well. Eventually when it’s all clear, I start following the instructions that Demon had imprinted onto my mind.

  Stevie’s quiet in the back seat. A precaution we’d taken so she wouldn’t be visible as a passenger. Beside her is a bag crammed full of essentials that she and I might need over the following days. Luckily it’s summer, so lightweight tees, shorts and jeans, don’t take up much space. We’ve also both got a couple of sweaters, having been warned the nights can get chilly. Both Violet and Jay contributed to Stevie’s haul. She’s also got shampoo, conditioner and other, what the girls called, essential stuff. I’m no stranger to living with a woman, so suspect that includes tampons, the item they didn’t want to discuss. Like I hadn’t told them about the condoms. Hey, I’ve been a boy scout.

  We’ve both got burner phones—hers fancier than mine. She’d been holed up in a corner with Cad for a while, why she got a brand-new model we haven’t discussed.

  I know she hates leaving Max, hates that she can’t keep checking up on him. Demon’s promised a brother will find out how he is every day and let her know if there are any problems. The other worry she must have is that she’s literally putting her life in my hands. She’s only known me a few days, knows nothing about me at all except I’m a biker.

  What would I have done in her place? Part of me is pleased it’s me she’s decided to trust. Not that she’s got much choice, the authorities haven’t done a good job to date, and if they found her, they’d whisk her out of my life. She would lose her dog, and I’d never see her again. That thought bothers me causes me to wonder whether that would be for the best. Still, I’ve agreed on this plan, now I’ve got to go along with it.

  It’s less than an hour’s drive to get to the cabin, though with the backtracking I’ve done it takes a good sixty minutes more. While Stevie’s content to be alone with her thoughts, I use the time to think. No one should have discovered where she was. If she moved on, what guarantee is there that the same rat won’t resurface? She’s escaped two attempts on her life. Would she survive a third? I doubt it. Unlike a cat she probably doesn’t have nine lives. Three is a stretch for any human.

  She’s blind, and while I know that doesn’t make her completely helpless, the thought that there’s someone after her must be terrifying, but at least she hadn’t seen the car heading toward her. She might have smelled smoke, felt the heat of the flames, but hadn’t seen how close her escape from the fire had been. On the other hand, I had. Maybe watching her face death twice explains the strange urge I have to protect her. I’m glad Demon hadn’t suggested anyone else. Or maybe he just thought I would have a better chance of getting her to open up.

  If I’d been back in Tucson I could have reassured her any of my brothers would look after her. Here? I’m sure the brothers are good men, but I can’t personally vouch for them. Not yet.

  Did Demon take the opportunity to get me out of the way? So I wouldn’t be able to do the job I was sent here for. Hmm. Something to ponder.

  Then it hits me. Sally and I are over. There’s no longer a reason for me to stay away from Tucson. I could go back.

  But I can’t. For starters, I haven’t done what I came here to do. Have been so tied up with the woman in the back seat, I haven’t had a chance. Need to get that sorted for Drummer.

  Then there’s Stevie herself. What would happen if she contacted her handler? Something tells me they wouldn’t give a damn about her dog. While we haven’t discussed it, there’s a chance he might not make a full recovery, that he won’t be a working dog any more. Would the marshals just put her in line to get a new service animal? Would they understand the bond that’s grown between woman and canine? To them she’s not a person, she’s a commodity, her only use the information she carries with her, the evidence that will maybe
break their big case. What would they care of her mental wellbeing? Their job simply to keep her alive, until she has her day in court.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The road has been fairly flat for a while after we left Pueblo, but then it starts to climb. I follow the directions, a couple of times checking what’s written on a piece of paper I have resting on my lap. As I turn off the freeway, it’s like I’m driving into a different world.

  I’m no stranger to mountains, Tucson is surrounded by three ranges, but here the vegetation seems different. Evergreen trees start to close in rather than open desert. I begin to anticipate some time to simply chill out. Since moving in with Sally I’ve had a tension inside me, it would be nice to enjoy some down time and relax. I crack the window an inch, breathing in the smell of spruce and pine.

  “That’s nice,” Stevie murmurs from the back seat. “Are we in a forest?”

  “Getting there,” I reply.

  “Is it much further?”

  “Don’t think so. Looking out for the track now.”

  Demon warned me it wasn’t particularly easy to find. He was right. When the milometer shows me I’ve clearly overshot the turning, I find a place to manoeuvre the car around and go back. I’m not surprised I missed it. There are tire tracks from the vehicle the prospects had brought, but the gate is almost invisible with a fallen tree in front of it, and only possible to spot if you’re watching for it. I stop the SUV.

  “Just got to open the gate,” I explain, remembering to voice everything.

  The barbed wire fence and gate are hidden by the dead branches of a tree. It looks impossible to move but is actually easy. Taking a leaf from the prospects’ book, I drive through, stop, relock the gate, and swing that tree in front again. Anyone passing without knowing it was there would never notice it. I’m pleased with this first level of security.

  The road climbs steeply for another mile or so, and around us the forest becomes dense. The road divides, but I’m prepared, taking the right-hand fork. Another few hundred yards and there’s another gate. I’m surprised to find it opens automatically on my approach, then closes behind me.

  Cad’s standing on the other side, nodding with satisfaction.

  I hang my head out of the window. “Didn’t expect to see you here?”

  “I came up with Sparky to check everything out.”

  “That gate electric?”

  He both nods and shakes his head. “Yeah, solar powered. This time of year should work okay, as long as the panel’s kept clear. That SUV you’re driving has the trigger to open it. It’s easy enough to pull aside manually if needed though.”

  I’m surprised at the sophistication, it’s not what I expected.

  “Mind if I hitch a ride?”

  “Be my guest.”

  “Hi Stevie.”

  “Cad.”

  That she recognises his voice doesn’t surprise me.

  It’s about a quarter of a mile from here to the cabin. As Cad points out the potholes to avoid, I mention my surprise, “Thought this was going to be a primitive escape.”

  “Yeah, it would have been in the past, but this is Sparky’s and my baby. We both like to hunt, so use it as a base. Fixed it up with some surprises. You know the history?”

  I nod, conscious of Stevie in the back.

  Cad raises his chin back. “Let’s just say, your woman there is not the first to need somewhere to hole up.”

  The Colorado MC, before Hellfire patched the club over to the Satan’s Devils, had had a bad rep. I have my suspicions this cabin was used more than once to provide refuge for someone to lie low.

  “It’s also a good retreat for the club. Bigger than you expect, I think.”

  “Electricity?”

  “Via solar panels again. Sparky put that in. Provides enough for the basics. Cooking and heating is via the wood-burning stove.”

  “Water?”

  “We’ve diverted some from a stream that keeps a tank filled. Toilet is a porta potty though. Prospects have brought plenty of bottled water for you to drink.”

  “I’m looking forward to this.” Stevie’s voice actually sounds excited. “How old is the cabin?”

  “The original frame must have been built a couple hundred years ago. It’s been added onto since.”

  I smile to myself. It could be a lot worse. She could be complaining about the lack of facilities. Glancing in the rearview mirror I notice her brief spell of delight has gone.

  “What is it?”

  “I was just thinking how much Max would have loved it here.”

  Cad replies for me, “Won’t be long before he’s here with you. May not be running around quite how he used to yet, but he’ll enjoy sniffing out the squirrels and deer.”

  A cabin, indeed larger than I was expecting, appears ahead. We’re here. Cad directs me to a lean-to where I can park.

  I help Stevie out as Cad grabs her bag.

  “Ground’s flat, but a little uneven.” She nods and grips my elbow. I lead her slowly up to the front door. “There’s a step.”

  Once the door is opened, various smells greet us. Disinfectant, polish, and an underlying mustiness as though the place has been shut up for some time. I nod at the men finishing cleaning up.

  “Who’s here?”

  Damn. Forgot again. “Wills and Dan, the prospects. They’ve cleaned it for us, Stevie. Done a fine job too.”

  “Clean sheets on the beds.”

  “Thanks Dan.” Beds. Plural. Good. I won’t be sleeping on that very uncomfortable-for-my-size looking couch.

  “I’m Sparky.” He comes up and introduces himself. “You’ve got lights, hot water, fridge but that’s about all. No AC I’m afraid. Fixed up a charging point for your phones and shit.” He points over to a corner. “Got a TV but you won’t get a signal. There’s a DVD player and a stack of DVDs.”

  “Board games in the cupboard,” Cad adds. I ignore that. No use for Stevie.

  “Wi-Fi?”

  “Nah. Not out here. And to be honest, haven’t tried to put it in. Too tempting and too fuckin’ easy to slip up.”

  Guess I don’t have to worry about her posting to Facebook.

  “Any chance I could get something I could listen to books on?” Stevie asks. “I love to read.”

  “I’ve got something back at the club. I’ll ask the girls what they recommend.”

  “In the circumstances, a good MC romance series would be good.” Stevie nudges me. “I could get an idea of what I can expect from you and your brothers.”

  “Fiction, woman, those authors have no fuckin’ idea, ‘cept for the handsome part. We’re all handsome as fuck. Except for Beef that is.”

  I growl deep down in my throat as I glare at Sparky. And what’s he got to talk about? Yeah, he’s okay, a bit rough around the edges, but handsome? Not my type.

  “We’re finished.” Dan and Wills reappear. “We’ll be back on Saturday to empty the porta potty, and we’ll bring more water. Any particular food you want? We’ve stocked up with the basics.”

  While Stevie gives them a short list including the brand of cereal she likes, I muse it’s a shame the hunting season hasn’t started just yet. I could see myself being the man and shooting a bow and arrow to bag some fresh meat.

  With the excuse they’re just showing me where it is, Sparky and Cad grab themselves beers, and drink them fast. Then, they’re gone.

  As the sound of the engines fades into the distance, quiet, apart from the sounds of nature outside, descends. We’re alone. Two virtual strangers who are going to be living together for the foreseeable future. The strangeness of it hits me with a force I didn’t expect. I can’t remember a time when I’ve had no brothers around. Despite the woman standing close, loneliness floods through me.

  Stevie clears her throat. “Um, could you show me around, Beef?”

  Her request gives me something to do, something to focus on. It’s no problem, I want to explore too. Get to know where everything is. Make sure I
can reach the hidden weapons when I need to and where the spare ammunition is kept.

  The cabin has a main living area, its focal point a huge fireplace with a log-burning stove. Off to the side is a kitchen area, sink, fridge, cupboards and a pantry. Off that is a small bathroom with a rudimentary shower and sink. There’s a double bed curtained off to the opposite side of the living area, and steep rickety stairs leading up to the loft which has been divided into two rooms, each with a queen-sized bed. All beds have been made up, so we have a choice.

  Even though it was warm, verging on hot in Pueblo, though nothing like the temperatures I’ve been used to back home, up here in the mountains it’s pleasantly cool. The prospects have opened the windows presumably to air the place, and I’m pleased to see screens have been installed to keep out the worst of the bugs. A nice breeze is blowing through. I make a note to close them later, when the sun goes down. I expect it will grow chilly.

  Stevie’s counted the stairs and is feeling her way around the room. She’d asked me to place her hand on the furniture, and there’s a little frown on her face that suggests she’s mapping it out in her head.

  I’m trying to work out sleeping arrangements. It must be easier for her to sleep downstairs, but then that’s my place, where I can be the first obstacle anyone would face if they came to the cabin.

  “I like this room.”

  “You gonna be okay with the stairs?” I’m thinking about her needing to use the outhouse in the night.

  “I’ll be fine. Might take me a short while to get my bearings, but I’ve got this, Beef.”

  Her confidence continues to surprise me. I wonder whether it helps that she lost her sight gradually, rather than suddenly, or whether she’d have been the same if she was born that way. I close my eyes, trying to experience the world as she knows it. Immediately I feel unsafe, and don’t want to move in case I forget where the stairs are and fall down them.