Dec's Downfall: (A Brothers of Devil's Comfort Book 5) (Brothers of Devil's Comfort MC) (6 page)

Chapter 8

“Ivy will be livid Dec.”

Frustrated by Tabby’s remark, I rub my hand over the top of my head.

“There’s no reason for her to find out.”

Unconcerned about Ivy’s reaction to how I’ve duped her into returning to Comfort Springs, I stroll into the club and search the room for Inferno. His message had been vague, and made reference to The Scarlet Runners and Sinbad. When I finally locate the club’s president, I notice he is talking to another club member. With a slight nod of my head, I indicate that I’m going to make my way to the room, which we use for chapel.

As I wait for Inferno, and the other officers, I cast my mind back to Ivy. After a long battle with Ma about my plans, she and Bridgett had finally made their goodbyes. Ma fretting about Pa, had begun to wear me down, and satisfaction rolled over me, when I finally see the SUV drive down the road. I’d promised Ma that nothing bad would happen to Pa, and that Ivy was capable of looking after the old man.

The only guilt I felt, was leaving Ivy with Pa so soon after her arrival. Thankfully, Rayven had said she’d stay over, and keep Ivy company on her first night back in Comfort Springs. The thought of Rayven and Ivy together, plotting and maybe Rayven letting it slip what I had done, that did scare me. As fond as I am of my little sister-in-law, she has been the most vocal about my plan.

“Someone looks pleased with himself.”

“Oh, I don’t know Fudge, come back in a couple of days after Ivy finds out what he’s been up to, and see if Dec still has that same silly grin on his face.”

Tabby was looking at me in disgust as he walked through the doorway behind Fudge the club’s Road Manager. As they took their seats, Inferno, Twiggy, and Linc strolled in, closing the door behind them.

“I’ll call church later, but for now we need to sort out this mess with The Scarlet Runners.”

Whilst taking his place at the head of the table, Inferno hasn’t wasted any time on greetings as he spoke. For the next half hour, Inferno quickly brought us all up to date. A new biker gang is attempting to move into The Scarlet Runner’s territory. From what Sinbad could find out, a few of them were ex-members of Black County Stewards, intending to take over The Scarlet Runner’s patch, and maybe part of Black County’s old turf.

“Has anyone spoken to Tats?”

“I’m going down tomorrow.”

Fudge responds to my question. The frustrated tone in his voice has me looking over at him, his eyes firmly on me.

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“It might be a good idea if you do Dec. And while you and Fudge are visiting Tat’s, Tabby and I will visit Sinbad.”

“Sure, but I’ll need one of the prospects to sit with Ivy while I’m gone.”

“I’ll send Quick Draw over, she’s familiar with him, and your dad knows him”

Although Inferno didn’t question me about using one of the prospects, he did shake his head, while attempting to hide a smug smile from me. I don’t know what was going off in the heads of my brothers, but it almost felt as though they were ganging up against me. As though they knew something, which I didn’t.

“Fine. What time do you want to head out Fudge?”

“Early. The quicker we deal with this the better as far as I’m concerned.”

“What about you Twiggy, when are you going back on the road.”

“Not soon enough if you ask me.”

Unsure, if the rest of the room heard Fudge’s comment as he muttered under his breath, I turned my gaze towards him. Surprised by the killer look he was sending in Twiggy’s direction.

“Not yet, I thought I’d hang around until we know more about the new MC.”

The low vibrating growl, which came from Fudge, has me both frowning and smiling.

“What’s got your shit Fudge?”

The glare, which had been directed at Twiggy, was now aimed at me. Unfazed by Fudge’s scowl, I leaned against the back of my chair, swinging on the rear until I was balancing on the two hind legs, and smiled innocently at the road manager.

Although I’ve just spent ten days on the road with Twiggy and Yvette, I was doubtful if anything had occurred between them. All I know is that Twiggy is more protective of the woman than Fudge was. As much as I would have enjoyed watching the drama pan out. At this particular moment, I had my own problems with a certain redhead. Itching to be away from the club and in Ivy’s company, I was surprised at how ready I was to call it a night.

“Rayven and Baby Blu are organizing a homecoming party for Ivy this weekend.”

Tabby threw the remark out to the room, which received a snigger from Inferno and Linc. Yeah, their old ladies enjoyed a party and it appears they weren’t letting parenthood hinder their lives.

Shit, if they were throwing a party, who was going to watch Pa? Damn, another obstacle I was going to have to sort out. There was no way I was letting Ivy come to the club on her own. Fuck the other brother’s may think she was available and although, I wasn’t ready to put Ivy under my protection, neither was I ready to let any other fucker mess around with what was mine.

“Did you say something Dec?”

Tabby’s little dig made me realize that I had emitted a growl of my own.

“I was just confirming with Fudge that I’ll be at his place at eight. Are you okay with that Fudge?”

“Yeah man.”

“Time to get out of here boys, let’s wrap this up. The ladies will be here soon.”

As soon as Inferno calls the meeting to a close, the room quickly emptied and I followed, tagging along with Twiggy. The club was busy and the usual informal party was in full swing. Since the other brothers had settled down, there was more pussy available. Yet I wasn’t in the mood to take any of them up on their offer, and neither was Tabby by the looks of things, as he continued to stroll over to the pool table with me. Soon we had a game under way and instead of playing for pussy, which was the usual currency when playing, we played for money. As the game progressed, Tabby came over and joined us, and it wasn’t long before money was passing back and forth. When I glanced at my watch and discovered that it was eleven, I decided to call it quits and head back to Ivy.

“Let Rayven know, I’ll be back at about four.”

DCMC

When I entered the house, the lights were off, and as I quietly helped myself to a beer, I head up the stairs, gently tapping on Ivy’s door. Only to have it answered by Rayven. Shit, what was she doing in Ivy’s room?”

“Rayven.”

“Dec.”

“Collect Kavan, and go sleep in the room next door. Tabby will be here later, and I ain’t sharing a room with him.”

While I was speaking to Rayven, Ivy came to stand behind her, her head popping over the top of Rayven’s.

“Dec what do you want?”

“To talk.”

While Ivy and I were having our little exchange, Rayven’s head kept spinning back and forth between us.

“Look Ivy if you don’t want me to go. I’ll stay here.”

“Rayven, there’s no way I’m letting Tabby sleep in that room with you and Ivy.”

“What are you afraid of Dec, that Tabby might let me play with Ivy while he watches?”

Ivy’s shocked gasp brings a smile to my face, and blood pumping to my cock at the image, which Rayven has unwittingly brought to my attention. Annoyed with the dark haired woman, I throw her my best Dom face.

“Maybe Tabby will let me watch, while he spanks your ass.”

Although I know it is an idle threat, I can’t help teasing the young woman. Since hooking up with Rayven, Tabby had become a one-man woman and there wasn’t a prayer in hell that he’d let me watch while dealing with Rayven. Yet this didn’t prevent Rayven from quickly collecting her things and my nephew, before skirting off into the room next door, leaving the door ajar.

“Close the door Rayven.”

The woman was a minx and thankfully, she was Tabby’s problem.

“Dec.”

Ivy’s sharp tone brings my head spinning back towards her. Her hair all tousled from where she had been lying on her pillow.

“Invite me in Ivy.”

“No”

“Why not?”

“Because your Pa has been restless and he might need me.”

For a moment I wondered, if it was too much, trying to seduce Ivy while she looked after Pa.

“Has he been a problem tonight?”

“No, Rayven was able to handle him. But he has to get used to me Dec.”

Brown eyes stared up at me, and I wanted to take a hold of the woman and hug her. Offer her all the support she needed. Maybe it was time to bring in more help for Ma. I know Bridgett and Iain helped out and recently, Rayven has started to pop round to give a hand when she could. Just maybe Ma did need this holiday after all.

“While Ma’s away, I think it’ll be best if I stay here with you Ivy. Okay?”

“Fine Dec, but I do know what I’m doing.”

In the distance, I heard the church bell as it began to strike twelve, yet I wasn’t tired. I was enjoying the time I was spending with Ivy, standing between the doorjamb, playing with a loose curl. Through her nightshirt, Ivy’s nipples were hard and erect, poking through the cloth. Yeah, Ivy wasn’t unaffected by my touch or my presence. Yet tonight wasn’t the night to talk her into my bed. The walls were too thin for what I wanted to do to that delectable body. Reluctant to leave Ivy just yet, we spent the next hour casually chatting. A first for us and most definitely a first for me. When Ivy could no longer hide her yawns, I said my Goodnight, leaving Ivy with a long slow sweet kiss.

A kiss, which had started slow and as Ivy hadn’t put up any resistance, I slid my hands under her T-shirt, gliding them up until I was cupping her breasts and flicking the hard nipples. Ivy’s groan and the thrusting of her hips against mine, wasn’t helping my control and it was with reluctance, that I finally broke the kiss.

“Night Ivy.”

Fudge and I made it to Tats’ late afternoon. He was still holed up in the woods, near Bear’s, where Fudge and I planned to stay the night before returning to Comfort Springs.

When we finally locate Tats and the few men who had remained with him, he was looking tired. In their camp, they had brought in a couple of RV’s which they were using to sleep in. And although the sun is high and warm, there was a campfire burning with a pot of something boiling away. At the sounds of our Harleys, Tats and another man, exited from one of the RV’s, stepping down onto the ground to wait for us.

“Fudge.”

“Tats.”

Recently it had become known that these two bikers, from different tribes, were blood brothers. There main connection was Yvette, the girl presently holed up in my apartment.

“What can I do for you gentlemen?”

“What Intel do you have on the new bikers who are riding through here?”

Chapter 9

When Dec finally left to go to his bed, I had found sleep elusive, and I blamed it on the kiss we had shared. My body was burning with unsatisfied hunger and my mind was cluttered with images of Dec and I in his bed. The temptation to join Dec on the couch was strong and several times, I paced to the bedroom door, only to return to the bed. With a final whimper, I climbed into my bed and quickly whipped off my nightshirt. To ease the ache between my legs, I began to stroke my pussy. Yet this time my hand was unable to bring me the satisfaction, which I had received when Dec had spanked my pussy the night before. Defeated and with a groan, I rolled over burying my head in the pillow, where I fell into an agitated sleep. A sleep, which was broken when William woke up during the night to discover Mary, was missing.

With Dec’s help, we eventually managed to settle his father. However, instead of returning to my room, I decided to sleep in the armchair, which was in the master bedroom, just in case William woke again. This was after Dec and I had a heated debate about my new sleeping arrangements. Eventually I told Dec to use my room and he had finally stomped out of the room when he realized I wasn’t going to budge. Neither William nor I found a peace that night, and shortly after five, William gave up on sleep and settled in the living room to watch his favorite John Wayne movie.

Dec had risen at around seven thirty and after one look at me; he had taken pity on me and cooked breakfast. Soon after, Tabby and Rayven joined us in the kitchen. When it was time for him to leave, Dec casually mentioned he wouldn’t be returning until late the following day. At this news, a part of me is disappointed at the length of time he will be away. Especially as we’ve only just returned to Comfort Springs. It also surprises me, at how much I have come to rely on Dec’s company in the last week. More so, as after the last couple of days I was becoming used to Dec’s company.

While Dec was leaving, Quick-Draw arrived and Tabby had taken his father upstairs for a shower and shave.

“Ivy I hate leaving you like this.”

Rayven was busy collecting hers and Kavan’s things as she was speaking.

“No problem Rayven. Besides, I’ve Quick-Draw to help me. And William has to become used to me, otherwise there’s no point in me being here.”

With Kavan in her arms and Tabby behind her, piled high with all of the baby’s paraphernalia, she dropped a kiss on my cheek, whilst whispering welcome home. As the Gallagher’s left, I wondered if this was my home, did I belong in Comfort Springs.

If Quick-Draw hadn’t been here to help me, I don’t know how I would have managed. As soon as the Gallagher brothers left, William had begun to fret. Now, an hour later, he has finally drifted off to sleep, and I’m utterly drained. Exhausted, I lean my head against the chair and close my eyes. The lack of sleep finally catching up with me and I promised myself five minutes.

No sooner were my eyes closed, than I felt a hand touching my arm, only to discover Quick-Draw standing over me, with a cup of coffee. Grateful for the liquid refreshment, I willingly removed it from his grasp. Like a lifeline, I took a deep smell of the chicory aroma. The strong scent, waking up my taste buds.

“You’ve almost lost you limp, Quick-Draw.”

“Yeah, I’m keeping up with my exercises, which are helping and I rarely need my cane now a days.”

Quick-Draw gave a flick of his leg, almost as if he was demonstrating his flexibility for me. Through the scraggly black fringe, Quick-Draw, threw me a sheepish grin.

“I never did thank you for putting up with me and my bullshit.”

It seems such a long time since his attack, and so much has happened and changed within Devil’s Comfort. Idly, I threw Quick-Draw my own smile and shrugged my shoulder.

“It was work Quick-Draw. Anyway, how’s life as a prospect?”

I may have hung around at the club and be friends with a few of the old ladies. Yet I didn’t know much about the workings of the clubs, just that Quick-Draw appears to have been a prospect for a while now.

“It’s great. Because of the attack and the time I lost due to my injury and recuperation, the club extended my prospecting period. But, hey fingers crossed; maybe soon they’ll accept me as one of theirs.”

I liked Quick-Draw, from the moment he was my patient, he has always been a sweet guy. He may have been bullish and mule-headed for a while, but he had soon come round.

“And Emily, how is she doing?”

Quick-Draw had the ability to make you relax, and soon he was bringing me up to date on the local gossip and what everyone has been doing. The morning soon flew by and as thanks for keeping me company, I made Quick-Draw and William lunch.

By mid-afternoon, I had more callers in the form of Baby Blu, Cassie, and Ellie. While I was entertaining my guest, Quick-Draw sat with William, keeping him occupied. It was both good and fun to have the ladies to chat to, and again the afternoon was spent catching up on their gossip. Like Kavan, Little Bella was no longer the tiny baby I remembered her to be, as she sat on her mother’s knee, gurgling away to herself.

“So are you coming to your party on Friday night?”

Party, what was Baby Blu going on about? The question thrown at me has me scrambling my brain, trying to recollect what the conversation had been about, before I had begun to wool gather.

“I will if Dec can find someone to sit with his dad.”

Three sets of heads all nod at me, as little knowing smiles spread over their faces.

“What?”

“Never mind what, Ivy Rose. You know exactly what it is we want to know.”

The spark is back in Ellie’s eyes and she is more relaxed than I remember her being. Been with Fudge has lifted a burden off the widow and it was good to hear the undertone of laughter in her voice. These women were as bad as Rayven and I should have known that they wouldn’t let it rest until they had the full facts. As with Rayven, I skimmed over what had actually happened and told them the bare essentials. What I didn’t tell them was that I was deeply contemplating on letting Dec turn our one nightstand into something more.

I had missed having him beside me in bed last night. The warmth of his body, cocooning me. The strum of his fingers as he had played with my nipples, delaying me from my sleep. Even now, thinking about Dec, was making me all hot and bothered. With a shake of my head, I dispel the image of Dec, and bring the conversation back onto a mundane track, like the party.

“Who’ll look after Bella for you Cassie?”

It hadn’t taken long for Linc’s nickname for the baby to catch on, and now everyone was using it.

“Emily, she helps out part time and is a godsend. I’m thankful that Rayven recommended her, and I don’t know what I would do without her now.”

For such a young girl, Emily, like Quick-Draw has been through a lot, thanks to Black County Stewards. However, apart from her crush on Crabby, she appears to be doing fine.

Shortly afterwards, Quick-Draw made his way into the kitchen to let me know that William was becoming distressed again and was looking for his tea. The ladies took this as a sign to leave and quickly they were saying their byes, apart from Baby Blu.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Thanks Baby Blu, but I’ve got this. You go home.”

Well, I will have as soon as I get Dec on the phone. Hopefully his voice will soothe William. As I watch Baby Blu, standing unsure in the kitchen, I thought she wasn’t going to leave. When suddenly she nodded her head and kissed me on the cheek, telling me to ring her if I need help.

With all the fuss everyone was making over my caring of William, I was beginning to wonder why Dec had asked me in the first place. After all, it was starting to appear as though there were enough friends and family to have done the job. With this thought churning in my mind, I saunter into the living room, pulling my cell out of my pocket.

Two minutes later I have Dec on the phone, who as I hoped, was soothing William. By the time William’s dinner is ready, he has somewhat calmed down and was chatting away to Dec on the phone. Relieved at the way Dec has managed to appease his father, my opinion of the man went up a notch, and I put that quality on the pro list, which was fairly growing in favor of Dec.

“Would you like me to stop the night Ivy?”

Quick Draw’s question has me lifting my head up from the dishwasher as I gazed at him. Silently thanking him for his offer as I ask.

“Don’t you want to go to the club?”

“Tabby rang, he’s coming over for a couple of hours before hitting Tie me Down, with Rayven, I’ll pop into the club then and call back afterwards.”

Did these men fuss around Mary as much as they were fussing around me? If so, no wonder she has taken this break, if it meant just getting away from everyone.

“That’ll be great Quick-Draw.”

Tabby’s voice has me gazing over Quick-Draw’s shoulder; I hadn’t heard the door opening or him coming in.

“Hi Tabby.”

“Leave that till later Ivy and go take a bath while I watch Pa.”

I don’t need telling twice and quickly I switch the dishwasher on and head upstairs.

As the tub fills with water, the bubbles from the scented bath oil I have dropped in, invites me for a deep long soak. Just as I settle with my head back, my cell rings. Tempted to ignore it, I check who the caller is, and when I see Dec’s name, I answer. The sound of his deep drawl, welcoming.

“How was your day?”

“Busy, I think I had everyone from Comfort Springs visit me.”

“If it gets too much, tell me.”

“I will.”

Yeah, Dec’s voice was soothing, and soon the muscles in my neck began to relax.

“Ivy?”

“Yes?”

“Nothing, I thought I had lost you for a moment, you went silent.”

On the side of the tub is a glass of wine, and I take a long sip, closing my eyes again before I answer.

“I was just thinking Dec.”

Did Dec realize I was in the tub?

, naked, as I had been when he had left my bed the other morning?

“Dec”

“Yeah.”

“How was your day?”

“I missed you Baby Girl. And I’m going to miss you tonight.”

Wickedly I decide I want Dec to miss me and in a whisper, I ask as I splash the soapy water.

“Do you know where I am?”

Dec’s groan is loud and clear as it comes over the cell.

“Ivy, please tell me you’re not in the shower.”

With a giggle, I answer with another whisper.

“I’m not in the shower, but you are warm.”

“Warm Ivy. I’m fucking hot, imagining you naked in the tub.”

As I listened to Dec’s voice, I now fully understood why Baby Blu raves about the phone sex she has with Inferno. At first I had thought it was a little one sided. Now, as I lay in the tub, becoming turned on by Dec’s voice, craving his dick, realization dawned on me. If I didn’t end this conversation soon, I would be cumming in the tub

. I also realized that Dec was a step closer to having me as a playmate. Maybe later, when William has gone down for the night, I’ll surf the net and gather as much information as I can about BDSM, and what Dec’s wants from me.

Chapter 10

What was it about the woman, which both infuriates me and has me eager to see her?

The meeting with Tats went without a hitch and he willingly handed over the names of the new biker gang. Information, which was passed on to Inferno late last night. Tats also confirmed that the new biker club consisted of several former Black County Stewards, and a few renegade members from The River Demons. They were using the handle The Hybrid Reaper’s MC, and their new president, was Clipper.

As much as I was itching to return to Ivy, Fudge and I had a meeting, which we needed to attend. By the time we arrive at the club, everyone is already in church and Fudge and I make ourselves comfortable in our seats. With the drop of the gravel, Inferno opens the meeting.

“Let’s get started. What do we know about The Hybrid Reaper’s?”

Inferno was looking towards Fudge and myself for this information.

“From what Tats knows, there are about a half dozen of them, plus a prospect. And not all of them are ex-Black County. Tats believes they’ve picked up a couple of strays from another club. His money’s on River Demon’s. I know Damian had a run in with a couple and ex-communicated them.”

The other officers nod their heads as I pass on what we have learnt. Damian Lafayette, the president of The River Demon’s was well known to us. An MC, which operated on the other side of the river.

“Do you think it’ll be worth having a sit down with The River Demon’s?”

This time it was Fudge, who answered Inferno’s question, although his gaze was on Twiggy.

“Yeah, I also think we should have Tats attending. I know we’ve had our beef with Black County, but he knows the bikers.”