Payback (Dueling Devils) Read online

  “Yes, but I’ve never been the type to sit at home and wait.”

  “You’re not. You’re taking care of the most precious things to me in this world. It keeps my head clear. That’s important in this life. I make the wrong moves and I might not be coming home.”

  His words settled in her belly like ice “God, if anything happened to you. “

  “Hey.” He wrapped his hand around her neck and tilted her head back. “Ain’t shit keeping me away from the three of you. Feel me?”

  She licked her lips. “Yes.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “You bullshitting me beautiful? ‘Cause you don’t sound very confident in your man.”

  Your man. The words melted her insides and she leaned all of her weight against him. The hard planes of his body and the heat pouring off him eased her apprehension and made her feel protected. “My man?”

  “You forget I claimed you?” He caressed her throat with his thumb. He moved his other hand up her along waist to cup her breast. He pinched the swollen bud through her clothing and nuzzled her neck. “This is mine.” He slid his hand back down her body and cupped the heated area between her legs. “And this is mine. I’m not doing this shit again Ardy. You run and I’ll chase you. You freak out and I’ll tell you to sit your ass down and chill the fuck out. We can hash it out as much as you need, but that sweet ass of yours ain’t going anywhere. Your place is beside me. You put your big girl panties on and made that decision, so you best believe you’ll be sticking to it.”

  His breath caressed her ears and his words inflamed her. Her panties were soaked, but a part of her wanted to cuss him out. He pressed his fingers into her seam and she moaned. “How do you do that?” Ardy felt more than annoyed with the act of betrayal her body was committing.

  “Do what?” he asked nipping at her flesh.

  “Make me want to slap you and jump your bones at the same time.”

  His body shook and he chuckled. “God given talent. I think I know what your problem is, you need to relax.”

  He removed his hand from her shorts and she whimpered.

  “Don’t worry babe, I’m going to give you what you need. Trust that I always know how to take care of you.” He popped the button on her shorts and slid his hand down into her panties.

  The feel of his calloused fingers on her bare parts had her spreading her legs.

  “That’s it baby. You let me take care of you.” He dipped his fingers into her entrance and retreated, circling her clit. “So wet for me already.” He plunged two of his thick fingers inside and she bit her lips to muffle the cry threatening to explode from her lips. “Knock that shit off. I want to hear it. Every sound you make when I’m pleasing you.” He bit the back of her neck, hard. His stubble brushed her skin, pushing her closer to the edge. “I don’t give a shit who hears.”

  “B—but the kids.” She struggled to maintain some sense of propriety as lust clouded over her brain.

  “Are out back with the boys, now let me hear it.” He adjusted his angle, thrusting hard and fast.

  She moved with him, savoring every ounce of pleasure he created with his talented fingers. Resistance worn down she gripped the arm wrapped around her waist for leverage and rolled her hips.

  “That’s it, baby, let go.”

  Heat swept through her body. Her stomach muscles tensed. Breath stuttered in her lungs and the bomb he’d disarmed detonated. Her pussy tightened around his fingers as she came apart in his strong arms.

  Removing his hand, he cradled her to his body while placing gentle kisses on her cheek. “I got you, Ardy. I will always have you.”

  Her brain began to function properly once more and she caught her breath. “Why?”

  “Why what baby?”

  She tilted her head up and peered into his dark brown eyes. “Why me? Why now?” She shrugged.

  “ ‘Cause from the moment I saw you, you’ve been all I can think about. You treat my kids like they’re your own and you fit me seamlessly. At this point, I can’t remember what life was like without you. I never believed in that bull shit about the one. Not even with Natasha. I wifed her because she was the mother of my child. You were different. That shit is fireworks, magnetism and possession. From the minute that rich fuck tried to push up on you, I knew I was a goner. I just didn’t want to admit it. You don’t belong here. You should be living in some cookie cutter house with some hack, working a nine to five and doting on you every chance he gets. Luckily, for both of us I’m not a good man. “

  “You’re the man I want.

  He grinned and for a moment, she saw the hint of a dimple in his right cheek. “Make sure it stays that way.”

  An expression she couldn’t place moved into his eyes, then it disappeared. Is he worried I’ll change my mind? Guilt about her previous thoughts flooded her. She reached up to run her hand over his scruffy cheek. Seeing a glimpse of the vulnerability, that lie beneath his hardened exterior pulled her deeper under his spell. “I think I know why they named you Demon.”

  He snorted. “I doubt it, but let me hear your theory.”

  “Because you get people to make deals before they know what they’re really offering up and then you hold tight and guard their treasures.”

  His lips twitched. “Only treasure I ever been worried about was yours.” He bent down, connecting their lips.

  Ardy released a moan. A fresh flood of moisture turned her underwear into a pool.

  Demon pulled away and released her. “Stop looking at me with those eyes, baby. We don’t have the time. I need to get you to my place and then get back on the streets.”

  His word brought back the situation at hand. “Right—just let me freshen up.”

  A wolfish grin lined his lips and he sucked his fingers into his mouth and groaned. “I’m not washing this off. I want to take a little bit of you with me.” He smacked her ass. “Get the lead out, we leave in ten.”

  Slightly dazed, she watched him walk out, marveling at his ability to turn her life upside down and then right it in the same moment.

  Chapter Three

  Demon watched the kids play in the early morning sunshine with Ardy and his heart turned over. The woman was healing shit he didn’t realize had been splintered. His heart hadn’t been in it with Tasha, but his trust sure had. With one single, completely unselfish act, Ardy changed that. How did you thank a woman who literally risked her life for that of your children?

  Laughter rang out as Ardy pushed the tire swing, allowing Rocket to help push his sister.

  She’s a fucking natural. He leaned against the porch railing and allowed himself a moment of rest. He’d been on the go since he woke up and as close as he’d come to getting shit set up, it wasn’t close enough. His phone vibrated in his pocket and he turned away from the picturesque scene. When this is over, I’m taking a fucking vacation.

  Gia’s name flashed on the screen. He clicked the green button and brought it to his ear. “Tell me your about to make my day, Gia.”

  “I tracked down Miracle. She’s soberish and realizes the severity of the situation. She’s willing to spill her guts in exchange for a pardon.”

  “A pardon? Do I look like a fucking warden?” He snickered.

  “She doesn’t want you coming down on her for not coming forward.”

  Demon ground his teeth together. “She can have her life, but she needs to find a new job. I don’t want that bitch anywhere near me or mine.”

  “Understood.”

  “She’s there right now isn’t she?”

  “Yep.”

  “Where are you?”

  “The club. I thought neutral ground would be best.”

  Demon grunted. “I’ll be there in thirty. Tell her to get her shit straight and be ready to tell me everything. She leaves so much as one sentence left unsaid and I find out about it, it’s her ass.” He disconnected and looked up.

  Ardy’s hazel eyes were trained on him.

  He strode over and placed his hands on her
hip, bringing her body in line with his. “ I gotta go babe.”

  “You’re leaving, Daddy?” Rocket asked.

  “No leave me, Daddy. Go with me,” Harley added. She poked out her bottom lip.

  He chuckled “You know Daddy has work to do”

  “Are you coming back tonight?” Ardy asked cautiously.

  “Can’t say. I’ll call you either way when I get a moment.”

  “Okay.” Her voice lowered.

  He sighed. “You know this is how it is.”

  “I didn’t say anything, D. I understand okay, you don’t have to coddle me or lecture me. When you care about someone, you worry. The two things go hand in hand. I can hold down the fort and handle anything that comes up while you’re gone, but don’t expect me to pretend I’m not concerned.” She sighed. “Has it been so long since someone cared about you and wasn’t afraid of you… that you don’t remember what the relationship was like?”

  Her words penetrated his mind, blowing it wide open. This is the element she brought to his life that had been missing. “It’s been a long time, baby. I’ll keep what you said in mind. Just know if you ever talk crazy to me in front of my boys, we’re going to have a problem. You don’t have to jump when I say jump. I’m not your President, but you will respect me and be mindful of the burden I’m carrying on my shoulder. Understood?” He gripped her thick hair and tilted it back, adding just enough pressure for her to feel it.

  “How could I forget? You have everyone else chasing their own tail and afraid to look you in the eyes.”

  “But not you?” He smirked. “Why is that?”

  “I’m still asking myself the same question,” she whispered. “I’m not the type of woman who takes risks. I wouldn’t consider myself brave. I mean, this is the farthest I’ve been from home.”

  Demon leaned in, hovering millimeters away from her mouth. “Yet here you are, the old lady to a president of a motorcycle club. How does that work?”

  “When you took me, you changed me. “

  “No baby, I just brought out what was already there.” He brushed his lips against hers and stepped back. She’s too easy to get wrapped up in. “Give Daddy a hug and then I’ve got to go,” Demon nodded to his kids. He always made a point of letting them know how much they meant to him when he rode off, because he never knew if he’d be coming home in one piece, or at all.

  Later on, he pulled up to Taffy’s.

  During the day, it looked like an upper scale restaurant with its black awning, cursive script and tinted windows. They kept it clean, tasteful and exclusive. People who frequented knew the rules and treated the women with a modem of respect. Amazing, how well behaved fuckers got when they knew bad behavior would bring a biker down on them.

  He pulled into the back, parked his bike and walked up to a side entrance, using his key to gain entrance. The place looked like a ghost town saloon. The lack of loud music and flashing lights was downright off putting. The poles looked sad with no one sliding down them. “Yo, Gia.” He boomed, not about to play hide and seek.

  “We’re in the office.” She yelled back.

  ‘Cause the Champagne room would be weird. Shaking his head, he walked into the back.

  The mascara streaked mess sitting in the chair in a pair of faded jeans and a ratty grey t-shirt that had seen better days must be the one. Stick thin with black rings under her eyes and protruding bones, she looked a hot mess.

  Who the fuck was paying her to push up on them? Grimacing, he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Leaning back against the wood, he crossed his arms over his chest flexing the muscles in his arms. Her eyes grew wide and he grinned. That’s right bitch, you need to be scared.

  She glanced down. Bleach blonde strands of hair obscured half her face from his view.

  “I’m not going to act like this shit is civil ‘cause it’s not. I’m here. Start talking.”

  She licked her lips and wrung her hands. “I didn’t know he was serious. Louis likes to drink too much and runs his mouth. I mostly tune him out. He’s always talking about how The Dueling Devils should be his and it was stolen right from under him.”

  “The fuck?” Demon said.

  The bleach blonde hot mess shook her head. “I’m not sure. Something about your old man and his. It was never really clear and I’m never sober long around him. You have to be high to tolerate him for extended amounts of time.”

  “Give me shit I can use. If I made this trip for nothing you’re going to regret it.”

  “He said he’s going to break you first. “Her voice cracked.

  Demon pushed off from the door and gathered a hank of her hair. “Bitch, start flapping those cum guzzling lips of yours.”

  “I don’t know anything else. I just know, he hates you. He’s been watching you for years. He formed The Sidewinders as a way to get close enough to hurt you. That’s why he sent Natasha to you. He knew your type. Her pregnancy wasn’t part of the plan. But he twisted it to use it to his advantage.” Her voice wavered. Tears poured down her face.

  Gia stepped forward. Demon shot her a death glare and she froze. “How fucking long you been sitting on this bitch?”

  “I swear I just found out. He was pissed that they came back from their raid empty handed.”

  He leaned down until they were nose to nose. “Look me in the eyes and tell me that shit again.”

  “I d-d—didn’t know.” Her body shook like a leaf in the midst of a storm.

  Didn’t matter, he didn’t trust her response. Probably coming down from whatever the fuck has her looking three steps away from the grave. He shoved her away from him and stood up straight. “He working with another M.C.”

  She shook her head back and forth so fast he swore she’d develop whiplash.

  “I never seen anyone other than a few guys he brought in to trade guns with.”

  “Of course, he went outside the town. He didn’t want me knowing he was stocking up.” Demon shook his head. What the fuck is this guy’s problem. Tilting his head, he studied her face.

  Her eyes shifted back and forth and she squirmed in her seat.

  “You know something else.”

  She shook her head back and forth. “No, no. I told you everything.”

  “I’m going to give you one more time to come clean on your own.”

  She pressed her lips together, tight.

  “One, two…” He moved to take a step forward.

  “Louis Castile isn’t his real name.” Her words rushed out in a garbled mess almost indecipherable.

  “It’s not his name? What are you talking about?”

  “His real name is Zachary Bell.”

  “Bell,” Demon mouthed. The name sparked a memory and his jaw dropped. Uncle Reef? Once the Vice President, Reef had been a part of the Dueling Devils almost from the beginning until he started to crave a larger than life existence and wanting to take them down a shady path, pops wasn’t okay with. He left, taking a handful of men with him and the shit had been forgotten. Apparently…not by everyone.

  The blonde sat, waiting while trembling.

  “Son of a bitch.” Demon shook his head. “Look, you were actually useful, so I’m going to let you walk scott free. Don’t bring your ass around here no more, you’re not welcome. Cut your ties with the people here. Matter fact, it’d be best for you if you left town altogether. Louis is going to know who the weakest link in the chain was.” Demon glanced at Gia. “Thank you.”

  “Anytime.” Gia gripped the back of the blonde’s chair.

  He spun on his heel and walked out, pulling out his cell phone.

  “Yo Prez.”

  “Lefty, we got a huge fucking problem. I know why Louis has a hard on for me. He’s Uncle Reef’s kid.”

  “Are you fucking serious?” “As a heart attack. Apparently, he thinks Dueling Devils should be his and somehow, I conned him out of his chance. Fucking psycho.”

  “Yeah, just like his father,” Lefty grumbled.

 
; “I guess so. Jesus, that’s a long time to hold a grudge.”

  “He was probably bred to hate us bro. No telling what Reef told him.”

  “We need to dig up all the information we can on Reef now.” Demon walked out with a new purpose. To put the severed part of the Dueling Devils down permanently. This was more than revenge it was betrayal.

  A motorcycle roared in the distance. Ardy set down her e-reader and stood from the comfortable brown couch. Demon’s home. She’d spent the day with the kids exploring their land. A small stream ran through the middle of the woods a few miles down from the house. She’d never expected Demon to have such a rustic side. He seemed too urban. I still have a lot to learn about him. In many ways, he’s an enigma. I feel like I’m dating a spy. Often gone for long hours, doing things he couldn’t share with her, she struggled with the disconnection. It seemed petty to be worrying about something so small when they had the walls burning down around them. She glanced down and forced her concerns into a box to be dealt with later.

  The bike cut off and she unlocked the door, waiting in the doorway.

  He walked up the well lit stairs. “Miss me, baby?”

  His raspy voice washed over her. Her breasts grew heavy and her mouth dried out like a desert. “Yes.” She bit the inside of her cheek and looked away. The intensity in his eyes scorched her.

  He stepped inside, wrapped his hands around her hips and lifted her up to eye level. Leaning in, he captured her lips.

  The masculine spice that belonged only to him engulfed her senses. Warmth from his body seeped into her flesh. Her eyelids drifted shut. When they were together like this, her world narrowed to one point. Demon was the breath in her lungs, the fire in her belly and the center of her universe. The pressure resting on her chest all day eased.

  She brought her legs up to circle his waist and he ran a hand down to cup her ass. He gripped a large handful of hair in his other hand, pulling her face even closer .The meeting of mouths became violent as he bit her lip hard and used his tongue to sooth the sting.