Dec's Downfall: (A Brothers of Devil's Comfort Book 5) (Brothers of Devil's Comfort MC) (9 page)

Chapter 14

After Pa’s fall, I had planned to spend time at home with him and Ivy, and then Inferno called. There was more trouble at The Scarlet Runner’s club and Inferno is rounding everyone up. Fuck what a way to spend a Saturday. First at the hospital and now here. It felt as though there was some divine intervention trying to keep Ivy and myself apart. In the last week, I have managed to bed Ivy twice, and so far, it was proving not to be enough to get the witch out of my head.

As I pulled into the parking lot of the club, Twiggy drew up beside me, the left side of his face was swollen, and he was wearing a black eye. The look he threw in my direction told me to keep quiet and with a laugh and a slap to his shoulder as we made our way into the club, not a word did I speak. The thump Twiggy passed my way showed me he wasn’t impressed with my attitude.

“Shit Twiggy, save your aggression. From what I know. You’re going to have plenty of exercise soon enough.”

“Only if we know where the bastards are hiding.”

“They’ll slip up soon enough.”

Inside, the club was packed with both Devil Comfort and Scarlet Runners.

“It must be bad.”

As I turn to Twiggy to answer him, I spot Linc talking to the Vice President of the Scarlet Runners. As I scanned the room further, I realized there wasn’t a vacant chair to be found, and that standing space was limited.

Shit, things must be worse than bad. Instead of answering Twiggy, I follow him as we head over to Linc. Tabby and Fudge join us as we crossed the floor, where we were then joined by Inferno and Sinbad. Sindbad was looking rough; his eyes were red and swollen, causing me to throw a questioning glance in Inferno’s direction.

“Let’s go to the office.”

The office wasn’t large and soon it was packed with the officers from Scarlet Runners as well as Devil’s Comfort.

“This isn’t easy to say, but there’s no other way round it. Last night, Anna-Leigh was involved in a hit and run, and early this morning she died.”

There is no emotion in Sinbad’s voice as he relays his news, and for a moment, the room goes into stunned silence. Anna-Leigh was Sinbad’s wife. They had married before he had joined the navy and had a couple of kids. To break the silence, uncomfortable condolences are passed to the silent widow.

“Any idea who it was.”

Linc asks, his head bent low as he played with his toes.

“Yeah, we think it was The Hybrids.”

Inferno carried on talking, never giving any of us a chance to input our opinions.

“The Runners helped us when we were having trouble with Black County. Now it’s our time to pay the marker we owe them.

I didn’t see this being an issue. If The Hybrids, believed The Scarlet Runners were an open target, especially the old ladies and wives of the club. Then they had a hard lesson to learn.

“Twiggy ring Bastion and tell him we need to bring the meeting forward. Fudge contact Tats and tell him the same. Linc, get Sundance and Trax out on the streets, I want the bastards found by the end of play.”

As I dished the orders, no one has taken exception to the fact I have now taken the meeting over. Occasionally a question or query is thrown into the mix and one of the brothers would answer. Before long, we had a basic plan formulated and everyone was impatient to go and do their bit.

“Tabby, arrange for the brothers to bring their families in, we’re going into lockdown until further notice. I’ll handle Baby Blu.”

“I’ll have to bring Pa in.”

I wasn’t leaving Ivy exposed to The Hybrids. She may not officially be my old lady under my protection, but it was my place to watch out for her. And if Ivy was coming in, so was Pa. It was hard for me to hide the groan at the thought of Pa in the club. Shit, if Ma found out, then we’d know what real trouble is.

“Dec, don’t tell Ma until afterwards, otherwise she and Bridge are likely to turn up.”

Tabby was right, letting him know I was in agreement, I gave him a quick nod of my head, and then I rang Fraggle.

When Ivy arrived at the club with Pa in tow, I was ready to do a runner. Her red hair was flying out of its ponytail and I was having difficulty hiding my smile. As soon as Ivy found me, she made her way over, wading in and out of the throngs of people; Pa is trailing behind her as Fraggle helps him.

“Dec?”

“Hi.”

“Never mind hi. What the hell is going on? Oh, and for the record, your Pa is pissed off.”

Pa may be pissed, Ivy was mad and all I wanted to do was take her in my arms and kiss her lips until she was gasping for more. Shit, The Hybrids were going to have to pay for this. Another night without Ivy in my bed was looming.

“Now’s not the time to get into a slanging match Ivy.”

Ivy studied me for a moment, before closing her mouth and searching the room. I knew who she was looking for and where to find them.

“Baby Blu and the others are in the office. You go there and I’ll put Pa in my room.”

“He’d be better coming with me. The strange room could scare him.”

“Fraggle will stay with him, and then when you’ve caught up with the girls, you can go and relieve him.”

With one more look at Pa, before she nodded her head. Ivy passed me the overnight case she was carrying and stormed off in the direction of the office. Quickly I escorted Pa to my room, which I had already sorted out for him, setting up an old television and DVD player, which I had found stashed in one of the cupboards. After a quick word with Fraggle, I left them and went in search of Tabby.

“Is that everyone?”

“It’s all of whom would come.”

With a simple nod at Tabby, I make my way outside. I couldn’t stay cooped up in the club for much longer. Ivy was too much of a temptation and a distraction and there were just too many people about for what I wanted to do to her. As soon as I reach outside, I lit a cigarette and took a deep swallow of the nicotine, before releasing it into the air.

“They’ll kill you one day.”

Before turning round at the sound of the voice, I let the soft timber soak into my bones. I may have thought of hiding from Ivy. She, however, as other ideas. With a slow spin of my feet, I turn to look at the woman.

“If they don’t, the fucking club will Ivy.”

“Then why not give it up.”

I may have been looking at the red glow of the cigarette, but I knew Ivy was on about the club.

“Because I love it too damn much Babe.”

Ivy’s eyes scanned the area, watching as more bikers arrived. This time it was Bastion and The River Demons. It wouldn’t be long before Tats and his crew arrived. Damn, I could do with a drink; it was going to be a long night.

“Who are they?”

“Just bikers Babe.”

“I guess, while I’m just the girl you’re just fucking, I’m not to be trusted, Dec.”

The hurt in Ivy’s voice, ripped through my body. I needed, no, I had to keep Ivy safe, and I had to keep her out of club business. As the bikers saluted me and headed into the club, I gave into temptation and kissed Ivy on the lips. It was a long, hard, slow kiss. One I would always remember. With a twist of my hand under her butt, I lifted Ivy and pushed her against the wall of the club thrusting my cloth-covered dick into her mound. The moans Ivy released had me reaching down to the zipper of her jeans. Shit, I wanted Ivy. It was only the touch of Ivy’s fingers grabbing on to my wrist and pushing my hand away, which stopped me.

“Ivy.”

“Not like this Dec. Remember, I’m not one of your skanks.”

Thwarted, I pulled my body away, stepping back.

“I’ll not apologize Ivy, I want you, and being near you sends my body crazy. However, I will respect you and your wishes.”

Ivy’s hand came up to my cheek, slowly rubbing against the goatee, which was in need of a trim.

“This isn’t easy for me either Dec. I want you to. It’s just that there are too many people about and you never know who might walk out on us.”

With a gentle tug, I freed Ivy’s hair from its band, watching as it fell around her shoulders. At the moment, this woman was mine and she was with me. I wasn’t going to do anything to spoil it.

“Ma will be back soon Ivy. How about if you and I go away for a few days.”

“I don’t know. I need to get back on the road.”

“Ivy, let you me run our course first. When Ma returns, she’s going to need help with Pa.”

“She has Bridge Dec”

“Think about it Ivy.”

As I was speaking, my cell began to vibrate and Tabby turned up on the porch.

“Meetings about to start Dec.”

“Fine, I’ll be there shortly… Ivy?”

“I’ll think about it Dec. Now go and give me peace.”

Unable to resist, I swooped down and stole another kiss from the waiting mouth. The blood pumping in my cock was a reminder of how much this woman affected me. I had another week to talk Ivy into staying and I was going to do everything I could to get her to remain in Comfort Springs. To hell with her stipulations. We were far from over. Fuck, we hadn’t even broken the surface.

With my new resolution, I head to the room where the sit down is taking place. Inside there were four bike clubs, the walls were lined with bodies. The air thick with tension. As my eyes landed on Tats, I realized that if one word was said out of place, the whole meeting could end up in a fiasco.

Chapter 15

For two days, we were held in lockdown, and they must have been the longest two days of my life. I saw very little of Dec, and when I did, they had been short visits. Damn, I can’t believe he made me cum in the club’s restroom.

When there was a knock on the door, I hadn’t given it a second thought, not until Dec pushed his way in. It had started so innocently. He kissed my lips softly at first, and then he had pushed me up against the wall. In my ear, he had whispered.

“Remember Baby Girl. Any time I want you, you are to be available.”

Unlike the first day of lockdown when we had been outside, I neither resisted nor said no. This time, I willingly wrapped my legs around his waist and thrust against his body. Dec then swiftly dealt with the zipper of my denims. Before I can comprehend what is happening, Dec has slid down my body until his mouth was resting against my pussy. Where he then proceeded to thrust his tongue in between my lips and suckle on the flesh. As his tongue swiped along the flesh, I found myself becoming wet and the pulse in my clit had begun to throb. Just as I thought I was about to have my orgasm, Dec pulled back to undo his own zipper, and after putting on a condom, he had thrust into me, banging my hips against the wall. Each thrust had been hard and deep. Then my orgasm had risen in me, only to fly free. As I screamed into Dec’s mouth, I felt his hard cock thrust into me one more time, before he then found his own release.

The man’s mouth is lethal and even now, I can still feel the impression of his tongue as it flicked against my pussy. With renewed determination, I shake all thoughts of Dec from my head and begin to settle William back into his home.

Those two days away hadn’t helped William either. At times, the noise of the party the MC was throwing, had disturbed him, causing him to fret. The man was using a walking stick, and he still managed to disappear on me for nearly an hour while I was in the bathroom. It had taken both Rayven and myself to find him, finally locating him in the basement, pacing up and down. Now that he was back in the comfort of his own home, maybe he will settle down.

There was still no sign of Dec, and Tabby had sent Sundance over to help out. There are times when I could just belt each of the Gallagher’s over the head. No matter how much I objected, they insisted on having someone with me. I’d like to see them behave like this when Mary returns. Just the thought of their reactions is enough to put a smile on my face.

“Everything okay Ivy?”

“It sure is Sundance. I’m out of the club and William is back in his chair.”

Sundance chuckles as he walks into the kitchen with me. As he switches the kettle on, and grabs the coffee jar, I idly chat away to the biker.

“What about you Sundance, Don’t you ever get fed up with living at the club.”

“No Ivy. It’s my home.”

In all the time, I have known Sundance he has never mentioned his parents or where he was from. Or what his real name is. To me he’s always been Sundance the Ghost Story Teller.

“Where are you from Sundance?”

Sundance looked up from the coffee he was making, the pained expression on his face fleeting, before he hid it behind one of his boyish smiles.

“Baton Rouge.”

As I sip the coffee, I continued with my ferreting, trying to learn more about the biker.

“How come you left?”

“Things didn’t work out how I expected.”

“Your parents must miss you. Do you ever visit them?”

“They're dead Ivy; they died in a house fire over ten years ago, along with my sister.”

“Oh Sundance I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It happened a long time ago.”

There was something in Sundance’s tone that warned me to drop the subject, about to ask for more details. I take a look into Sundance’s eyes and change my mind. If he didn’t want to talk about his family, I had to let the matter go. The air became a little bitter and after an awkward phase, I rose from the table and took William’s coffee through to him.

“Ivy I’m sorry.”

“So am I Sundance. It obviously upsets you to talk about your family. So why don’t we drop the matter.”

Sundance came further into the room and set up the draughts board next to William. While they played their game, my thoughts turned to Dec and his request. I needed to get him out of my system and the way things are going, that was never going to happen. I had a choice to make. It wasn’t really that hard a choice. The moment I agreed to become Dec’s lover, was the moment I practically handed over my life to him. Maybe a few days away is just what we both need.

With no distractions, maybe I would be able to get the man out of my blood. On a unit against the far wall is a selection of photographs and moving from the sofa, I go over. Fondly, I select the one of a younger Dec riding a bike. He must have been about thirteen at the time. Next to this, is a school photo of him. At the other end, there is one of Tabby, and placed between them is Bridget and Joy. All their faces shone with love and hope, placing the photograph back, I reach for my cell and send a message to Dec.

I accept.

I waited for the vibration of the phone, waited for Dec’s answer. After ten minutes, when he still hasn’t replied, I begin to panic. Maybe he’s changed his mind. After looking at the phone for the umpteenth time and there still hadn’t been any response from Dec, I hid the cell at the bottom of my purse and went into the kitchen to prepare tea.

I had committed myself to Dec and he hadn’t answered. The more I think about it the more agitated I become and begin to chop the potatoes with a vengeance.

“Shit, I hope that’s not me, you’re attempting to kill.”

The deep drawl sent a shiver of arousal through me, and I wet my panties. I was so engrossed with my thoughts; I hadn’t heard the bike come up the drive. Not wanting to appear too eager at Dec’s appearance, I carried on chopping the potatoes, a smile playing at the corners of my mouth.

“Why would you think that Dec?”

I still had my back to the biker, and when I felt his arms slip around my waist and his lips briefly touch my neck, I gave a startled yelp.

“Damn it Dec, don’t sneak up on a woman when she’s holding a sharp instrument.”

Dec pushed his hips against me and chuckled into my neck.

“The only instrument you have to worry about Ivy. Is this one.”

Again, he pushed his hips into mine and I had to brace myself.

“Dec I’m trying to cook.”

Dec’s laughter was warm as he sauntered over to one of the kitchen chairs and sat down, his eyes never leaving me. I was slowly falling in love with the man. There wasn’t any loud thunder or a heavy drum roll. But it was there. I finally admitted to myself what I’ve been denying. There wasn’t even the remotest chance I might fall in love with Dec, because I was already there. All I had to do now was to keep these feelings hidden from the biker.

“Did you mean it Ivy?”

Lost in my thoughts, I blinked several times in Dec’s direction. Had I spoken aloud?

“Did I mean what?”

“That you’ll come away with me. Just you and me.”

I had to swallow the laughter, which was building up in my throat. At this moment, Dec sounded like a little boy who had been promised the earth and was terrified of it being taken away from him.

“Yeah Dec I meant it. A few days away.”

“I’ll check with Ma to find out when she’s due back and then I’ll book us into this great hotel I know of in New Orleans.”

I only heard the last part faintly as Dec left the kitchen,

Before taking William’s tea through to him, I went to the kitchen cupboard to fetch a tin of his favorite dessert, only to discover there wasn’t any left. In need of a peaceful night and knowing that if William didn’t have his peaches with his tea, he would be unsettled. I went in search of Dec.

“I’m just slipping to the store. I’ll not be long.”

“I’ll go if you want Ivy.”

“No, its okay Sundance, I’m sure you and Dec have enough to talk about until I get back.”

It's late Saturday afternoon and the streets of Comfort Springs are quiet. With ease, I pull into the parking lot of ‘Open till Late’ and dash in to collect the few items I need. On my way out, I bump into Cassie, who has baby Bella in her arms.

“Hi Cassie.”

“Hi.”

“I thought you’d be at home by now.”

“Yeah, its okay Inferno calling a lockdown, but it has an effect on trade and I was just calling in to see how Trudy managed without me.”

“Maybe you should get the club to compensate you.”

Cassie laughed as she shook her head, passing me by to call into the tattoo studio.

“Linc tells me he’s all the compensation I need.”

At Cassie’s resort, I give my own laugh and climb back into the sedan. Damn, but it was good to be out and see the wide world. Thinking of the lockdown, took my thoughts to Crabby and I wondered how he was doing. Locked up most of the time, must be driving him crazy, I know it would me.

Lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t heard the bikes or the van, until I felt the first soft bump against the rear of the sedan. A quick glance in my rear mirror and I see two faces grinning, as they suddenly spun pass me, only to turn and head for me again. In my panic, I held on to the steering wheel tighter than I needed, preparing myself to swerve if required. As the bikes came closer, I braced myself, yet just as I was about to veer, the bikers went wide on me, passing the car as they yelled.

Thankfully, they had gone, I released the breath I was holding, and with trembling hands, I reached across the seat for my purse. As my fingers touched the edge, the purse skidded across the seat and I released a loud curse. Suddenly there was another jolt to the vehicle, and as I glanced in the mirror, again the van was back. This time, the driver didn’t stop at one jolt, there were several. Each one becoming stronger than the last, and now the sedan was beginning to skid on the road. My stomach was somersaulting and bile was rising in my throat. Another hard jolt and I lost control of the sedan as it veered off the road, smashing into a tree. The van came at me again and another hard push sent the sedan further into the tree, causing my head to bounce as it hit the steering wheel.

I don’t know how much time I lost, but by the time I opened my eyes the roads were clear. With a tentative hand, I reached up to my forehead, feeling the gash with my finger made me wince. Slowly I drew my fingers down to my gaze and saw the blood. I needed to know how much damage had been done and dropped the visor to look into the mirror. The gash wasn’t long, but it looked deep as the blood began to congeal onto my flesh. With legs that were shaking, I climbed out of the sedan to check on the damage. There was no way I was going to be able to drive it.

Unable to delay my call any longer I rang Dec who answered on the first ring.

“Damn Ivy, are you picking those peaches.”

I wasn’t in the mood for Dec or his wisecracks.

“Shut up Dec. Some fucker’s just run me off the road.”

The line went silent, and I thought Dec had hung up on me.

“Where are you?”

After providing Dec with the details he asked for, I climbed back into the vehicle to wait for him. When he did arrive, Fudge and Fraggle pulled up with the Cage, and were shortly followed by the other club officers.

While Dec checked me out, and cleaned my wound, Inferno asked me question after question. My head was beginning to pound and they wanted answers. I did the best I could, describing to them a black SUV, a vehicle which is a common sighting around here. Could I describe who attacked me? My answers were vague and none of the officers appeared to be happy with me. Just as I was about to tell them all to shut up, bile rose in mouth and I vomited all over Dec.

Chapter 16

Ivy isn’t looking too good and she was been stubborn about attending the hospital. The stench of the vomit and the clamminess of the cold goo against my flesh was driving me nuts and I need to change. For two days, we searched for The Hybrid Reapers, two unsuccessful days and now this happens. Over the top of Ivy’s head, I give a quick scan of the area. The Hybrids would be long gone now, but where the hell were they hiding.

After our failure of trying to locate the renegades, and believing them to be out of the area, Inferno lifted lockdown and we were free to leave. Pa was restless at the club and I was eager for him to return to his own home. Shit, we’ve been home less than a day and this happened. Fuck Pa’s peaches.

Another look at Ivy has me wanting to pull her into my arms. I want to comfort her and reassure her, to let her know everything was going to be fine. The agitated way she was pushing her fingers through her hair, was an indication at how frustrated and angry she was becoming at Inferno’s constant questioning. While Ivy answered Inferno, her skin turned pale and she swayed slightly, thinking she was about to faint, I quickly put my arm around her, which she then shook off.

“Ivy.”