Demon devils fury mc 6, p.4
Demon (Devil's Fury MC 6), page 4
I stopped at the clubhouse and went inside for a cold beer. I’d have preferred something stronger about now, but I knew I needed to keep a clear head. Farrah needed me. I’d failed her once. I sure the fuck wouldn’t do it again.
Grizzly hadn’t called Church, which meant he wasn’t telling everyone about Farrah. Not yet at any rate. I didn’t know if he wanted to wait for Venom, or if he hoped she’d magically appear all on her own. He’d said he’d been busy earlier. I hadn’t asked with what and I honestly didn’t give a shit. If it had been club business, he’d have told me. Assuming I needed to know.
“You’re quieter than usual,” Dingo said, sliding onto the stool next to me. “Shouldn’t you be busting heads or something?”
“Only head needs busting right now is mine. Fucked up. Bad.”
He shrugged. “Can’t be all bad. Grizzly hasn’t ripped you apart.”
“Think he’s waiting to let Venom do it.” I glanced at him. “Slept with Farrah but didn’t realize she was a Reaper’s kid.”
He nodded as if it made all the sense in the world, which meant he’d already heard something. Did the club already know what I’d done? Were they aware she was missing? I glanced around the room and noticed nearly everyone was present. It wasn’t a common sight, especially in the morning.
“Grizzly sent out a mass text to everyone,” Dingo said. “He left out the part of you fucking up, in case you wondered. We know Venom is coming and his daughter is missing.”
“Chased her off by being the bastard I am. Should have done better.”
“So she was a notch on your bedpost and nothing more?” he asked. I glowered at him and he grinned. “Didn’t think so. You acted like a caveman, didn’t you? Barked orders at her and expected her to obey.”
“Maybe.”
He snorted. Yeah, there was no maybe about it. I’d done exactly what he’d said and look how it turned out. Had I been too damn hard on her? I didn’t understand why she’d run. She had to see I was trying to do the right thing. There was no fucking way I’d let her leave if she had my kid in her belly. She’d been around a club her entire life. We might not be the Dixie Reapers, but Griz ran things close enough to the way Torch handled shit for her to have an idea of how this all worked. Had she been so sheltered she didn’t realize what I’d been trying to do?
“The Reapers should be here soon. You up for facing her daddy?” Dingo asked.
“Not like I have a choice.”
“We should probably have the med kit handy. I have a feeling he’s going to tear you apart. Not only did you deflower his precious daughter, but you scared her off. Now she’s gone and he’s mostly likely losing his damn mind.”
“I know the feeling,” I muttered. When I got Farrah back, we needed to have a talk. Obviously, I’d terrified her, or pissed her off. Whatever I’d said to make her run, it seemed like I needed to clarify a few things. We weren’t on the same page, and we needed to be. She’d stayed in my bed all night. No woman had ever stayed the night. Hell, I didn’t take them back to my house, but she’d been different. I needed her to understand I wasn’t letting her go. Not now, not ever. She was mine, plain and simple.
I’ll find you, Farrah, and I’ll bring you home where you belong.
Chapter Four
Farrah
The trunk felt like it was a million degrees and sweat soaked my clothes. I felt every bump in the road and wondered where the hell we were going. Too much time had passed. Were we even still in Georgia?
The car finally came to a halt and I tried to gather my strength so I could break free. My mouth was dry as cotton and I ached from head to toe. Not a good combination, and it meant I was probably dehydrated. I heard the murmur of voices before the trunk opened. I struggled to get out, but only succeeded in collapsing on the ground.
“What the fuck is this?” a man demanded.
I squinted up, my vision blurry. I blinked a few times before denim-covered legs and the bottom of a black leather cut came into view. My gaze went higher and I couldn’t help the rusty laugh I let loose. This idiot. The moron who’d decided to kidnap me had brought me to the Devil’s Boneyard. Fucking priceless.
I gave Havoc a little wave.
“Motherfucker,” he muttered.
My eyes slid shut as the world around me tilted and spun. I heard the sound of flesh hitting flesh and had no doubt Havoc was pounding on the man who’d snatched me from the motel. Served him right. What the hell had he thought would happen? The Devil’s Boneyard didn’t deal in human trafficking. Hell, they saved women from assholes like this one.
A strong hand gripped me and the next thing I knew Havoc had cradled me against his chest.
“What the fuck were you doing in that idiot’s trunk?” he asked, striding through the gates and up to the clubhouse.
“He kidnapped me,” I said. “Duh. Did you think I volunteered?”
“Smart ass.” His lips twitched as he fought not to smile. “Your daddy know where you are?”
“What do you think?”
“Right. Think I’ll let the VP handle this one. No way I’m telling Venom some junkie just tried to trade his kid for drugs.”
“Thought y’all didn’t deal in the hard stuff anymore,” I said.
“For the most part, we don’t.” He shrugged as he carried me into the cool air and eased me down onto a chair at a nearby table. “Can’t help it if everyone knows you come to us for the good shit. He could have easily gone to Devil’s Fury for a fix.”
I rolled my eyes before letting my head rest on the table. Whatever energy I’d had seemed to have disappeared. Being locked in a trunk was no joke. A chill skated over me as the air conditioning cooled my wet clothes.
“Why exactly were you in their territory?” Havoc asked.
“Know that asshole a little too well if you know where he’s from,” I mumbled.
“He’s come around before. Several times. Had him checked out. Now answer my fucking question, Farrah.”
I sighed and looked up at him. “I left home. I’ve been working at the diner in Blackwood Falls and staying at the motel until I save enough for an apartment or something. If I hadn’t been so pissed, he never would have gotten the drop on me.”
“Why were you pissed?” he asked.
“Demon.” I figured the name alone would make him understand.
“Venom know you hooked up with the Devil’s Fury Sergeant-at-Arms?”
“Nope. Or rather, he didn’t. If someone’s noticed I’m missing, he probably knows by now.”
Havoc sighed and pulled out his phone. I heard him talking to Scratch. A cold bottle of water pressed against my cheek and I smiled at Jin. He popped the top for me and I tried to sip it so I wouldn’t get sick. I wanted to drain the damn bottle and ask for another, but I also didn’t want to puke all over the floor.
“Scratch is calling your dad, and he’s going to send Janessa over with a change of clothes for you. She’s probably the closest to your size.”
Yeah right. Last time I’d seen her, even post-baby weight, she was skinnier than me. I hoped like hell she brought something stretchy or it would never make it over my fat ass. My cheeks warmed when I remembered Demon’s reaction to me calling myself fat. He seemed to like me the way I was, until he’d discovered I was a Dixie Reaper’s kid. Maybe I should have told him up front, but I’d known he’d never touch me.
“So much for getting to use those skills my dad taught me,” I said. “I wanted to take the guy out myself. Prove I’m not helpless.”
Havoc folded his massive arms. “Uh-huh. He might have been strung out and jonesing for a hit, but I don’t think you’d have been able to take him down. Not without a weapon. Start carrying a fucking knife, Farrah. Mace. Anything! Jesus, girl. You know better. Hell, you want a gun? We got plenty. Take your pick.”
“Won’t happen again.”
“Damn straight it won’t,” a new voice said. I turned to look over my shoulder. Jackal. Fucking awesome. “I can’t believe your dad let you leave without making sure you could handle yourself. I know for a fact Tank has worked with you, your sister, and Torch’s daughter to make sure you could take down any handsy boys. Did you even try to fight him off?”
“He caught me by surprise.” I was starting to feel like a broken record, but it was the best I could do. I’d fucked up. I could admit it.
Jackal narrowed his eyes. “You need to have your ass beat.”
I winced. “Please don’t. It still hurts from…”
I clamped my lips shut and felt my cheeks burn. Oh hell. I’d done it now. The last thing I needed was anyone hearing what had happened between me and Demon. Admitting I’d slept with him was one thing, but how rough he’d gotten? Probably best I kept it to myself. I didn’t know what sort of reaction I’d get from this crew, but it wouldn’t go in my favor either way.
“From what?” Jackal asked.
Havoc snickered. “My best guess? Demon. Is that it, Farrah? Demon spank your ass when you didn’t shut your sassy mouth?”
I shrugged and refused to give them an answer. Wasn’t any of their business anyway.
“This is fucking priceless,” Havoc said. “Does Bull know you and Demon have a thing?”
“Why would Bull care? And I never said I had a thing with Demon. It was the one time. Won’t be happening again.”
“Uh-huh.” Havoc didn’t look convinced. “You know, I heard Bull gave your daddy hell when he claimed your mom. Then your mom gave him shit for claiming Darian. Can’t wait to see how this one plays out.”
I flipped him off, then finished off the bottle of water. The more I thought about the man who’d grabbed me, the more I realized things weren’t adding up. He’d come all this way with me for what? Drugs? Why me? There were plenty of single women in Blackwood Falls, and I knew for damn sure a lot were prettier than me.
“Hey, Havoc. Where’s the man who kidnapped me?” I asked.
“Being detained,” he said. “Why?”
“You don’t find it strange out of all the women he brought here, he picked me?”
Havoc shared a look with Jackal, then stomped out of the room. I might not have protected myself, but it seemed I’d figured out something before the Devil’s Boneyard, so I’d call it a win. I drank three bottles of water, and managed to keep them down, by the time Irish arrived with a change of clothes for me. Janessa must have known her stuff wouldn’t fit because everything in the sack was brand new.
“Thanks,” I said, taking it from him.
“You can shower in my room,” Jin offered. “It’s clean. I don’t take women in there, but I keep the place picked up.”
I stood, bracing myself on the table until I knew my legs would hold me. The heat from the trunk must have sapped all my energy. I followed Jin to his room and went into the bathroom, shutting the door. The space was tiny, but it would do for a quick shower.
I left the water on cold while I scrubbed my hair and body, then pulled on the brand-new panties, sports bra, tee, and leggings. It wasn’t stylish, but at least the clothes were dry and clean. There was even a pair of flip-flops in the bottom and I quickly slipped them on. I shoved my dirty stuff into the sack and contemplated throwing it all out. I wasn’t sure I’d get the smell out. Not just from my sweat, but the trunk as well. It hadn’t exactly smelled like roses.
When I went back to the main room of the clubhouse, I saw more Devil’s Boneyard members. Scratch made his way over to me, pulling me in for a hard hug.
“Girl, you know how to get into trouble, don’t you?”
“At least I didn’t cause it this time,” I said.
He chuckled and released me. “True enough. Don’t guess your daddy will care either way. He’s already heading into Devil’s Fury territory so he’s not about to turn around and come get you. Looks like one of us will have to take you home.”
“My dad went to Blackwood Falls?” I asked.
Scratch nodded. “Devil’s Fury called him. Said you were missing. I’ve let him know you’re okay, but he’s not going to rest easy until he sees you.”
“I’ll just end up in another trunk. His.”
Scratch smiled and shook his head. “No doubt. He’ll do his damnedest to get you back home to Alabama, but you’re a grown woman now, Farrah. Think he’s learned by now you’re too stubborn to hold in one spot if you don’t want to be there. You just need to convince him you’re really okay.”
I licked my lips and looked around before dropping my voice a little. “The man who took me. Did he say why he picked me?”
All traces of humor were wiped from Scratch’s face. “Not for me to say, Farrah. Club business.”
I had to bite my tongue. I wanted to call him out on his bullshit. It wasn’t just club business. The asshole had snatched me, stuffed me in a trunk, and brought me here. It was pretty fucking personal. I didn’t know why he couldn’t see it. Being carted across state lines and being traded for drugs gave me a vested interest in what the man had to say, or what would happen to him.
I’d never been one to keep quiet, but I wasn’t with the Dixie Reapers right now. Scratch was the VP here and he deserved respect. Didn’t make it easy. I sat at a nearby table and waited to see who was taking me back to Blackwood Falls. I already knew it wouldn’t matter what I wanted. Bikers were more caveman than anything else. They’d do what they wanted and in this instance it would be whatever they felt was the safest thing for me.
Magnus came over, nudging my chair with his boot. “Come on, girl. Time to go home.”
“You drew the short straw?” I asked.
He smirked. “Something like that. Your dad is fit to be tied. Let’s get you back to him so he can see you aren’t hurt.”
“Just my pride.”
I’d always said I’d never been one of those women. The ones who go without a fight. What had I done? Not paid the fuck attention to where I was going. It was the number one rule when I became a teenager. Always pay attention to my surroundings. I’d known the motel wasn’t the best place to be, had seen the criminal element lurking there. Should have checked before opening the door. I knew better, I’d screwed up just the same. I had no doubt Demon was pissed as hell right now. I only hoped he kept his mouth shut around my dad.
I got up and followed Magnus out of the clubhouse, my dirty clothes left behind. I didn’t want to see them again. Even if I didn’t have much money, and couldn’t afford to replace them, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to wear them again. The club could wash and donate them, or toss them into the trash for all I cared.
Magnus helped me up into a large SUV parked outside, then cranked the AC when he started up the engine. He didn’t fill the silence with idle chitchat, and I didn’t feel the need to either. I rested my head against the window and eventually closed my eyes. The day caught up with me and I managed to fall asleep, only to jolt awake when I realized the car was no longer moving.
I looked for Magnus, but the driver’s seat was empty despite the fact the SUV was still running. Rubbing at my eyes, I stretched and got out of the car. My feet no sooner hit the ground than I found myself pressed back against the vehicle. I stared up at Demon and my heart skipped a beat. Beyond the fury I could see how worried he’d been.
“You’re in trouble, little girl,” he said, his voice nearly a growl.
“Demon, can we not do this? I’ve had one hell of a day and I just… I need to get something to eat and sleep for a while.”
He backed up a step right about the time my knees gave out. Demon caught me easily and swung me up into his arms. He carried me over to a truck and eased me down onto the passenger seat. When he got behind the wheel, I wanted to bail out of the truck. Last thing I wanted to deal with right now was an angry Demon. My ass still hurt from the last time. Was it really this morning? Seemed like longer.
He drove straight to his house. It seemed there would be no avoiding him, or the confrontation I could feel brewing. I waited for him to open my door, then he lifted me once more and took me into the house. Instead of going to his room like I’d expected, he sank onto the couch and held me in his lap.
“Do you have any fucking idea how I felt when I realized you were missing?” he asked.
“It’s not like I asked to be kidnapped.”
He framed my face with his hands, forcing me to hold his gaze. “If you’d stayed put like I’d told you to, then you wouldn’t have been at the damn motel to get snatched. I can’t protect you if you aren’t here, Farrah. Not knowing where you were, who had you, or why you’d been taken… it about tore me up inside.”
“We barely know each other, Demon.”
“For starters, we’re past the point of you calling me Demon when it’s only us. Call me Cody. Second, we’re going to get to know one another real damn well, Farrah. I cleaned out your motel room and moved your shit here.”
I took a moment to process everything. “Does my daddy know?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. I wanted to wait until I knew you were safe before I said anything. I know he’s going to kick my ass, and I’m going to let him. To a point. Man has a right to defend his daughter. But, Farrah, you’re mine. Don’t even think of fucking walking out the door again. I’ll tie your ass to the bed next time.”
“I need to see him.”
Demon nodded. “I know. I’ll ask him to bring you some food. You can eat while he takes his frustrations out on me.”
I cocked my head to the side and stared at him. “You’re really not going to fight back?”
He shook his head. “I’ll let him get some hits in, then deflect whatever he sends my way. But no, baby, I’m not going to hit your daddy.”
I leaned against him, resting my head against his shoulder. I didn’t have a clue how this would even work between us. He was so controlling, and I liked being able to do what I wanted when I wanted. After being on lockdown my entire life, I wasn’t ready to jump right back into the club life. I’d come here to spread my wings and experience life. Not shackle myself to the first biker who came along.
