THE DEVIL’S BRIDE

by April Lust

  “Look, Robin,” I say softly. “I have something to tell you.”

  “What?” She cocks her head to the side.

  I take a deep breath and then I tell her everything Branden told me–about how she used to go by Laura, and how she’d stolen over three million dollars of heroin from the Helldogs.

  I expect her to deny everything. After all, the claims are ludicrous. So I’m shocked when she gives a slight jerk of her head.

  “It was back when I first became a mama for Blacktop Chaos,” Robin says slowly. “They asked me to help out. I really didn’t wanna do it, you know, but I’ve always liked Blade. His club asked me to help, so I helped.” She nods, as if to say that she still stands by her decision.

  “I’m really sorry,” I say apologetically. “I never would have done that–sold you out, I mean, under normal circumstances.”

  Robin cracks a smile. “I know,” she says. “It’s okay, Vivian. I forgive you.”

  This time, when the tears come, I know that I’ll probably be crying for a very long time.

  After Robin and I have our talk, she helps me into a wheelchair and takes me down the hall to see Landon. It hurts to move from the bed to the chair, and with the giant cast around my foot and ankle, I feel as helpless as an infant. Robin skillfully maneuvers the chair down the hallway, and before I know it, she’s wheeling me through the door to Landon’s private room.

  The thought of seeing him again makes me so nervous. I don’t know what Dad has told him. I wonder if Dad gave him the boot permanently or if he’s still a member of Blacktop Chaos. After all, Landon did save me.

  “Vivian,” Landon croaks from the bed.

  I can’t help but gasp. He looks terrible. His face is black and blue with bruises, and there’s still a little crust of blood on the side of his forehead. His chest is wrapped in gauze, and he’s propped up in bed with a couple of pillows.

  Robin leans down and whispers: “I’m gonna give you two lovebirds some time alone. Just yell when you want me to come back in.”

  And before I can protest, she’s gone.

  Landon and I are alone together. It feels like years since the last time I’ve spoken to him without anyone listening. But now that I have the opportunity to tell him how I feel, the words won’t come.

  My throat is stuck. It feels like I’ve swallowed a huge piece of bread and it lodged itself in my windpipe.

  “Vivian,” Landon says again. “Come here.”

  With great effort, I manage to roll my chair closer to the bed. Landon takes one of my hands and rubs his thumb over the veins, squeezing my fingers. His hand is reassuring and warm and despite the antiseptic smell of the hospital, I’m almost positive that a wave of leather and masculine cologne washes over me.

  “I’m so sorry, Landon,” I say softly. “If it wasn’t for me, that never—“

  “Don’t apologize,” Landon says gruffly. “I’m the one who should be saying sorry.”

  He gazes deeply in my eyes. As always, his sapphire orbs leave me feeling disarmed and vulnerable. But it’s a good kind of vulnerable–not the way I was feeling back in that cabin when Branden, Alan, and the doctor were all advancing on me. Being alone with Landon again feels like I’ve entered a safe place where nothing can hurt me.

  “No,” I say. My voice trembles and I will myself to keep it together. “No, Landon. You did everything right.”

  “I did it too late,” Landon says flatly. “Your father, Blade…they both could have died. And you…Vivian…” He trails off, his voice thick with emotion. “When I think about losing you, it makes me want to die.”

  My heart leaps into my throat and I blush hotly. “And why is that, Landon?”

  “Because I love you. I love you, Vivian.”

  “I love you, too,” I whisper. My voice breaks. When the tears come, I’m ready for them. Landon pulls me close and we embrace as tightly as we can despite the awkwardness of the hospital bed and my wheelchair.

  Landon’s heart is pounding in his chest and all I can think with every pulse is how grateful I am that it’s beating at all.

  “So your dad was in here,” Landon says. He clears his throat.

  “Oh!” I sit up quickly against the back of the chair. “What did he say? He wouldn’t tell me,” I say quickly. “But I told him all about how you saved me.”

  Landon snorts. “You exaggerated,” he says. “But it seemed to impress Steel, either way.” He nods his head slowly. “He’s actually stepping down from Blacktop Chaos. He told me that he’s getting too old. This injury won’t leave him with lasting damage, but I think Steel knows that it’s time for a change.”

  The news comes like a blow and I stare, stunned. “But…Dad loves the MC,” I say. “I don’t even know what he’ll do without it.”

  “Oh, he’s staying in the club,” Landon says. “He’s just stepping down as president. That’s all.”

  I frown. “And?”

  “Well, I’m the new president,” Landon says, tapping himself on the chest. I let out a whoop and wrap my arms around him, pulling him close and kissing him.

  When our lips meet, I feel myself getting weak in the knees even though I’m already sitting down. Landon’s chin is stubbly from days of not having shaved and it hurts my face to be this close, but I don’t care.

  Even the pain from him is good, I marvel to myself as our kiss deepens and grows more intimate. Landon tangles his fingers in my hair and gently pulls me closer. His tongue slides into my mouth and dances with my own as I moan softly into his mouth.

  When we pull apart, I’m breathless and flushed. I want Landon more than anything, but I know that with my leg and his chest, sex is probably off the table for at least a few weeks.

  “I’m so happy for you,” I say honestly. “I’m really glad Dad came to his senses.”

  Landon nods. “Well, I was fully prepared to walk,” he says. “But it’s righteous that Steel appointed me as the new leader. It’s a great honor.”

  Biting my lip, I frown. “What do you mean, you were prepared to walk? What does that even mean, Landon?”

  “It means I could have found something else to do,” Landon says. “I’m not a bad mechanic, you know.”

  “But why?” I narrow my eyes, searching his face. “Why would you give up the most important thing in the world to you?”

  “Blacktop Chaos isn’t the most important part of my life.”

  “What?” My jaw drops. “Landon, I—“

  “Before I met you, maybe,” Landon says. He winks at me. “But you’re the most important part of my life, Vivian. That’s what I told your father. I told him because it’s true, but also because I want his blessing if I’m going to ask his daughter to be my old lady.”

  I’m so shocked that I can’t move. I’m frozen in place, listening to the thud of my heart.

  “Landon..” I trail off. “Are you…are you sure?” I glance down at myself, feeling self-conscious. “I’m just me,” I say plainly. “I’m not going to suddenly become some cool biker chick just because I’m dating you. I’m still in college, and I’m still going to be a teacher.”

  Landon grins. “And I’m going to be proud of you, baby,” he says. “I know what I want. You’re what I want.”

  As we kiss, I can’t imagine a more perfect ending to what has been the most exciting time of my entire life.

  Epilogue

  Vivian – One Year Later

  “Robin,” I groan, turning on my heel and staring at my best friend. “Where the hell am I supposed to put these?” I hold up a box of golden and silver streamers. “There isn’t even any tape around here!”

  Robin bursts out laughing. “I have no idea,” she says, shaking her head. “I just thought you and Landon would want the place prettied up, and I found those at home.”

  I narrow my eyes at her and put my hands on my hips. “Why? What’s going on?”

  “Party. Duh,” Robin says.

  “Yeah, but why would Landon and I want the pla
ce decorated?” I glance around Blacktop Chaos headquarters, trying not to laugh. Even with a good cleaning, it’s still obviously a man cave. Centerfolds on the walls wink seductively at me and the row of liquor bottles along the bar hold the promise of a wild night.

  Robin blushes. “Never mind,” she says quickly, turning around. “Hey, why don’t we dress them up, too?” She jerks her head towards the centerfold posters.

  After an hour, we’ve got the place looking pretty sharp. Despite being the president’s old lady, I still haven’t spent too much time around hq…especially not recently.

  Finals exams were merciless–I barely even saw Landon while I was cramming. But all of my hard work paid off. I graduated summa cum laude and now I was ready to party it up.

  “You did a great job with those,” I say, snickering and pointing to the posters of centerfolds. Robin made little party hat shapes with wrapping paper and taped them over the girls’ heads. The combination of tawdry pin-up with silly party hat is enough to make me giggle every time I see it.

  Robin smirks. “I do what I can,” she says casually, flopping down in a chair. “My feet are killing me.” She rests her hands on her giant belly.

  “How much more time? You look about ready to pop,” I say. Thinking about Robin’s pregnancy brings back the memories of being cooped up in the cabin with Branden and Alan, and I have to suppress a shudder.

  “Four more weeks,” Robin groans. “I’m dying to get this over with. Trust me, it’s like being a prisoner in your own body.” She looks at the row of booze bottles with lust in her eyes. “And I’d kill for a drink. Trust me, you never want a drink more than the day you find out you’re pregnant.”

  I giggle and blush. Thankfully, I don’t plan on finding that out for myself for a long time. After all, Landon and I have basically just gotten started. Between his duties with Blacktop Chaos and my schoolwork, we’ve barely seen each other lately.

  “How’s the job search going?”

  “It’s going well,” I say, walking over to the bar and pulling a beer out of the fridge. I never thought I’d admit it, but after a year as a biker’s girlfriend, I’ve acquired a taste for the stuff. “I’m kind of taking a break right now, though. I just want to relax and have fun.”

  Robin’s catlike smile makes me want to ask what’s so funny, but I don’t get the chance. Just then, the door bursts open and a bunch of rowdy bikers spill into the room. Landon’s among them, and I run over and throw myself in his arms.

  Landon grabs me by the waist and spins me around, lifting me into the air despite my protests and squeals. As he dips me low, he presses his mouth against mine in a passionate kiss. I don’t even care about the other bikers hooting and hollering as Landon’s tongue slips into my mouth.

  Every time I’m with him, every time he touches me, I’m like putty against his body. Pressing myself against Landon’s him, I moan softly into his mouth as his teeth catch my lower lip. Delicious shivers of arousal fill my body.

  When we finally pull away, Landon’s staring at me like I’m water and he’s a dying man in the desert. His sapphire eyes twinkle with mischief and sex, and I can’t help throwing myself back in his arms for another kiss.

  “Can we get away, just for a little while,” I whisper into Landon’s ear, sucking and nibbling on his earlobe. “Please, I miss you so badly.”

  Landon smirks. “That’s what I like to hear,” he says. His low growl makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up, and my pussy pulses with arousal as Landon nuzzles the sensitive skin of my neck.

  “Get a room!” Blade yells cheerfully. The other bikers chime in and start clapping and whooping before Landon turns and silences them with a glare.

  “It’s Vivian’s graduation party,” Landon says. “That means we can do it right here if we want. And no, y’all don’t get to watch.”

  A chorus of mock-disappointed moans rises among the bikers. I can’t help blushing. Even though it’s been a year, I’m still getting used to the culture of the MC. It’s like a tight-knit family, and I feel like all of the men are my brothers. Robin is more than a best friend–she’s practically become a sister to me.

  The party kicks off with a bang when my dad arrives, bearing a crate of champagne. I can hardly believe it as he pops a bottle and hands it to me, telling me to drink with a gleam in his eye.

  “Daddy,” I say, holding the bottle in my hand as foaming champagne spills over my fingers. “I’m shocked!”

  Dad smirks at me. “You’re an adult now,” he says, teasing me gently. “I think you can have a drink on the rare occasion when you feel like one.”

  I blush before setting the bottle down and hugging him. “Thank you, Daddy,” I whisper in his ear. “I’m so happy we’re all here together.”

  Dad nods, looking almost solemn. “And I’m so happy for you and Landon,” he says, turning from me to face Landon. “Y’all are very good together. Landon, you’ve done an excellent job with the club and my daughter.”

  For a moment, I think I see Landon blush. But seconds later, my jaw is on the floor.

  Landon is kneeling in front of me. My heart leaps into my throat as he pulls a small velvet box from his pocket.

  “Vivian,” Landon says seriously, staring into my eyes. “I’ve wanted to ask you this for almost a year, but I had to hold out.” He turns to my dad and nods. “Steel gave his blessing, and now there’s just one more thing to do. I want to ask you to be my wife, Vivian. I love you, and I promise I’ll be the best husband that a woman of your caliber could ever hope for. I’ll always be loyal to you, and I’ll always put you first.”

  Tears fill my eyes and I blink, wiping hastily so I don’t ruin my makeup. Glancing down, I cry out in shock when I see the ring. It’s a diamond, flanked on either side by sapphires as blue as Landon’s eyes. The diamond is pear-shaped, and sits on a shiny band of platinum.

  Aside from Landon, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

  Landon looks up at me and winks. My heart lurches to the side and before I can speak, I throw myself in his arms and cover his lips with my own. As we kiss tenderly, I barely notice the shouts and cries coming from everyone else in the room.

  It’s the happiest moment of my life, and somehow I have a feeling that it’s just the beginning.

  When Landon and I pull apart, I see that there are tears in his eyes, too.

  “Yes,” I whisper. “A thousand times yes.”

  Landon slides the ring onto my finger, squeezing my palm gently when he’s finished. As I stare into his eyes, I know instantly that all of the pain and heartbreak we’ve been though has been worth it.

  “I’ve always loved you,” Landon whispers as he embraces me. “And now I get to love you for the rest of my life.”

  “Just don’t stop,” I whisper back. “Don’t ever stop.”

  “I’ll love you forever.”

  And with every cell in my body, I know that Landon is speaking the truth.

  THE END

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  More by April Lust

  MASON’S BABY: Storm’s Angels MC

  SHE OWES ME EVERYTHING. AND I’M COMING TO COLLECT.

  No one crosses a biker and gets away with it.

  Not even a vixen like Clara.

  She’s got a body to die for, but even if I go, I’ve got a legacy to protect.

  A legacy that starts with the baby in her womb.

  She thought she was smart.

  Crafty.

  Sneaky.

  But she never had a chance.

  I caught the thief red-handed, and if she doesn’t want to talk, well…

  I’ll just have to find other ways to open her mouth.

  As long as she’s chained in my clubhouse basement, she belongs to me.


  I’m the only thing keeping her safe.

  Her boss will kill her if I let her go, and if I say the word, my men will turn her into their filthy plaything.

  So you better open up, princess.

  Because I want to rip the clothes from your body.

  The breath from your lungs.

  The innocence from between your legs.

  And one way or another, I always get what I want.

  REVENGE BABY: Blacktop Chaos MC

  THE BEST REVENGE IS KNOCKING UP MY ENEMY’S DAUGHTER.