“Yeah, well. We’ll keep trying.” Rock raises his chin.
“Yo, Rock. Beef tells us you’d like to try your hand at cards.”
Oh fuck. I glance at my best friend and see his mood has risen, laughter twinkling in his eyes as he calls back, “Yeah, Ro. Deal me in.”
I start shaking my head. “I live here,” I hiss.
“Aw, come on Beef. I won’t rob them. Too much.”
“Better fuckin’ not,” I rasp out under my breath. Then, throwing up my hands, walk over to join them, feeling I need to keep an eye on what’s going on.
Different clubhouse. In many ways, just the same.
Then I lean back against the bar watching my old world meet my new. And doesn’t that seem right?
Rock catches my eye, grins, then mouths, “Shiny side up, Brother.”
I raise my beer toward him and my lips form the words, “Dirty side down.”
Acknowledgments
I have to admit I loved writing Devil’s Due, loved finally getting to know Beef and how his near death experience had affected him. I hope you were pleased to read his story at last, and for him to end up with a woman of his own.
Sometimes stories are kicked off by just a comment. I can’t remember who is was, but someone, after reading Blade’s Edge, commented, ‘Please don’t let Beef end up with Sally, she’s not right for him’. Hmm. Cue author’s brain. I had originally thought that instead of writing Beef’s book, I could just mention him playing happy families as I intimated in the previous book. But could he be happy with Sally?
The idea he had to extricate himself from that relationship, while carrying the guilt he hadn’t been able to make it work, was intriguing. But who could he end up with? Then I thought of Steph, and her guide dog, Max.
I hope you liked Steph as much as I enjoyed writing her. I love her sense of humour and teasing of Beef. She was exactly who he should be with. It was also great to write about a well behaved dog, I don’t have much experience of those. There, I definitely needed to use my imagination. (I have two Irish Setters. Enough said.)
I’ve got some great ideas in my head for the next book in the Colorado chapter series, but first I’ll be returning to Tucson to end the main series with Truck Stopped. It might be the final instalment for the mother chapter of the Satan’s Devils MC, but you won’t be losing sight of the characters as they will be turning up in other books.
If you’re wondering, at some point I’ll be returning to San Diego to see how Lost and Dart are managing, finding out more about Red’s crew in Las Vegas, as well as discovering what goes on in the mysterious chapter in Utah. I’ve so many ideas in my head and am trying hard to write them.
Getting the book from the very rough first draft to the finished product is a team effort.
I love working with my editor Maggie Kern. I love reading her comments, especially when they read, ‘That made me laugh out loud’—luckily in parts I meant to be comedic. Her encouragement and support, as well as her great editing skills, helps me keep writing. Thank you, Maggie, once again.
At the same time as the draft goes off for editing, I also send it to my poor beta readers who have to read something unpolished. Someone always spots something everyone else has missed, so having a team is really helpful. So, in no particular order, these are the people I need to thank. Tami (my location advisor), Danena, Sheri, Terra, Zoe, Nicole, Alex and last but not least, my husband Steve.
I hope you’ll agree Lia Rees has come up with another outstanding cover. Thanks Lia, always love your work.
Grateful thanks to Melanie Darrow for proofreading.
Again, I’d like to thank Tracy Wood my PA who makes my life run smoother, taking some of the burden off me so I can get on with writing.
Readers. What can I say? Without you buying my books I wouldn’t be writing them. I do love hearing from you about what you thought.
The best way of telling me is to leave a review on Amazon, Apple, Nook—wherever you read, or on sites like Bookbub. I appreciate every review good or bad. Reviews help authors make sales, sales allow authors to pay editors, models and photographers, cover designers etc, and put food on the table.
Well, it’s goodbye for now, but there’ll be another Devil along very soon.
Other Works by Manda Mellett
Blood Brothers – A series about sexy dominant sheikhs and their bodyguards
Stolen Lives (#1) Nijad and Cara
Close Protection (#2) Jon and Mia
Second Chances (#3) Kadar and Zoe
Identity Crisis (#4) Sean and Vanessa
Dark Horses (#5) Jasim and Janna
Hard Choices (#6) Aiza
Satan’s Devils MC - Arizona Chapter
Turning Wheels (Blood Brothers #3.5, Satan’s Devils #1) Wraith and Sophie
Drummer’s Beat (#2) Drummer and Sam
Slick Running (#3) Slick and Ella
Targeting Dart (#4) Dart and Alex
Heart Broken (#5) Heart and Marc
Peg’s Stand (#6) Peg and Darcy
Rock Bottom (#7) Rock and Becca
Joker’s Fool (#8) Joker and Lady
Mouse Trapped (#9) Mouse and Mariana
Blade’s Edge (#10) Blade and Tash
Heart Mended: A Satan’s Devils MC Novella
Truck Stopped (#11) Truck & Allie
Satan's Devils MC Boxset 1 Books 1-5
Satan’s Devils MC Boxset 2 Books 6-8
Satan’s Devils MC Boxset 3 Books 9-11
Satan’s Devils MC - Colorado Chapter
Paladin’s Hell (#1) Paladin and Jayden
Demon’s Angel (#2) Demon and Violet
Devil’s Due (#3) Beef and Steph
Devil’s Dilemma (#4) Pyro and Mel
Ink’s Devil (#5) Ink and Beth
Devil’s Spawn (#6)
Satan’s Devils MC - Next Generation
Amy’s Santa (#1) Wizard and Amy
Hawk’s Cry (#2) Hawk and Olivia
Satan’s Devils MC - San Diego Chapter
Being Lost (#1)
Glossary
Motorcycle Club – An official motorcycle club in the U.S. is one which is sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). The AMA has a set of rules its members must abide by. It is said that ninety-nine percent of motorcyclists in America belong to the AMA
Outlaw Motorcycle Club (MC) – The remaining one percent of motorcycling clubs are historically considered outlaws as they do not wish to be constrained by the rules of the AMA and have their own bylaws. There is no one formula followed by such clubs, but some not only reject the rulings of the AMA, but also that of society, forming tightly knit groups who fiercely protect their chosen ways of life. Outlaw MCs have a reputation for having a criminal element and supporting themselves by less than legal activities, dealing in drugs, gun running or prostitution. The one-percenter clubs are usually run under a strict hierarchy.
Brother – Typically members of the MC refer to themselves as brothers and regard the closely knit MC as their family.
Cage – The name bikers give to cars as they prefer riding their bikes.
Chapter – Some MCs have only one club based in one location. Other MCs have a number of clubs who follow the same bylaws and wear the same patch. Each club is known as a chapter and will normally carry the name of the area where they are based on their patch.
Church – Traditionally the name of the meeting where club business is discussed, either with all members present or with just those holding officer status.
Colours – When a member is wearing (or flying) his colours he will be wearing his cut proudly displaying his patch showing which club he is affiliated with.
Cut – The name given to the jacket or vest which has patches denoting the club that member belongs to.
Enforcer – The member who enforces the rules of the club.
Hang-around – This can apply to men wishing to join the club and who hang-around hoping to be become prospects. It is also used to wom
en who are attracted by bikers and who are happy to make themselves available for sex at biker parties.
Mother Chapter – The founding chapter when a club has more than one chapter.
Nomad – In an outlaw MC a nomad is typically a member who’s been given permission/instruction by the national president to enforce the laws of the club at other chapters.
Patch – The patch or patches on a cut will show the club that member belongs to and other information such as the particular chapter and any role that may be held in the club. There can be a number of other patches with various meanings, including a one-percenter patch. Prospects will not be allowed to wear the club patch until they have been patched-in, instead they will have patches which denote their probationary status.
Patched-in/Patching-in – The term used when a prospect completes his probationary status and becomes a full club member.
President (Prez) – The officer in charge of that particular club or chapter.
Prospect – Anyone wishing to join a club must serve time as a probationer. During this period they have to prove their loyalty to the club. A probationary period can last a year or more. At the end of this period, if they’ve proved themselves a prospect will be patched-in.
Old Lady – The term given to a woman who enters into a permanent relationship with a biker.
RICO – The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act primarily deals with organised crime. Under this Act the officers of a club could be held responsible for activities they order members to do and a conviction carries a potential jail service of twenty years as well as a large fine and the seizure of assets.
Road Captain – The road captain is responsible for the safety of the club on a run. He will organise routes and normally ride at the end of the column.
Ronin – A biker who travels alone, sometimes wearing a patch denoting he’s Ronin. Not affiliated to any club, but often bearing a token which will help ensure safe passage through territories of different clubs.
Secretary – MCs are run like businesses and this officer will perform the secretarial duties such as recording decisions at meetings.
Sergeant-at-Arms – The sergeant-at-arms is responsible for the safety of the club as a whole and for keeping order.
Sweet Butt – A woman who makes her sexual services available to any member at any time. She may well live on the club premises and be fully supported by the club.
Treasurer – The officer responsible for keeping an eye on the club’s money.
Vice President (VP) – The vice president will support the president, stepping into his role in his absence. He may be responsible for making sure the club runs smoothly, overseeing prospects etc.
Stay in Touch
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mandamellett.com
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About the Author
Manda’s life's always seemed a bit weird, starting with a childhood that even today she’s still trying to make sense of, then losing her parents in the late teens. Going from the tragic to the bizarre, who else could be unlucky enough to have had two car accidents, neither her fault, one involving a nun, and another involving a police woman?
There isn’t enough space to list everything that’s happened to Manda, or what she’s learned from it. But by using the rich fabric of her personal life, psychology degree, varied work experiences, and amazing characters she’s met, Manda is able to populate her books with believable in-depth characters and enjoys pitting them against situations which challenge them. Her books are full of suspense, twists and turns and the unexpected.
Manda lives in the beautiful countryside of Essex in the UK, the area’s claim to fame being the Wilkin’s Jam Factory at nearby Tiptree. She can usually find jars of jam which remind her of home wherever she goes. As well as writing books and reading, Manda loves walking her dogs and keeping fit. She lives with her husband of over 30 years, who, along with her son, is her greatest fan and supporter.
Manda is thankful that one of the more unusual, and at the time unpleasant, turns her life took, now enables her to spend her time writing. Confirming, in her view, every cloud has a silver lining.
Photo by Carmel Jane Photography
Satan's Devils MC Colorado Boxset 1 Books 1 - 3 Page 109
