Fudge's Sprite: (Brothers of Devil's Comfort MC Book 4) (8 page)

“Toby, go back into the living area, I’ll be there in a moment.”

“Mama there’s no cereal.”

Damn, Amelia has now joined us, and was climbing onto the bed, attempting to pull the edging of the covers back, as she climbed in. Unused to any kind of activity like this, I turned onto my stomach, and stretched my hand out searching for my jeans. Jeans, which were passed to me, by Toby.

“Thanks.”

“Amelia, go and join your brother, I’ll be there in a minute. Nick, are you laughing?”

What I was trying to do, was put my jeans on while still under the sheets, and my legs were refusing to go in the correct holes.

“Ellie what the hell am I supposed to do? If I climb out of bed, I’m going to fall flat on my face.”

“Well lover boy, you’ll just have to get used to it.”

Before I can reply, Ellie has managed to get dressed and leave the bedroom. When I finally have my clothes sorted, I join everyone in the kitchen, where Ellie has the coffee started and the kids are drinking water.

“Nick there’s no food in, and the milk is off.”

Hell, I didn’t eat here often, and when I did, I normally ordered from the local Chinese.

“What do you need?”             

“I’ll go. You just watch the kids.”

At first, I thought Ellie was being sarcastic, that was, until she picked up her keys, off the kitchen counter.

“I’ll be quick.”

“Yeah.”

Two pairs of walnut brown eyes looked at me, and I was ready to run. As she left the kitchen, she kissed each child on the head and planted a kiss on my ear, her laughter, trailing after her as the front door closed. 

Ellie’s amusement was still ringing round the room, as three sets of eyes locked together. How hard could it be? Toby was the first to break contact, as he picked up his glass of water and waddled into the other room, followed by Amelia, who did not remove her gaze from mine.

Fudge, you can handle this. I told myself, as I spun on my bare feet, my own coffee, forgot about, when I followed the two small humans. By the time I had reached the doorway, the television was switched on, and Toby was flickering through the channels. Although Amelia had placed herself next to her brother, her gaze is still firmly on me.

“Are you Mama’s boyfriend?”

Not sure how Ellie would want me to answer, I went with the friend routine. This did not appear to be the answer Amelia, was after, as she squinted her eyes, until they were just slits.

“Are you going to marry Mama and be our new Daddy?”

“Hush Amelia. Grandma says he’s a bad man.”

That bitch was ruining everything. As he spoke, Toby took hold of his sister’s hand, and pulled her closer to his body.

“If I was a bad man, do you think your mama would have left you with me?”

The way he chewed on his lip, reminded me so much of Ellie. His blond hair was in need of a trim, and he had the same shade of eye coloring. As I watched him, I could almost see the cogs turning in his head, as he thought about what I was telling him. The staring competition was beginning to unnerve me. However, I was not going to be the one to give in. Wow, both children had nerves of steel, has they continued to stare at me. Okay, maybe this was going to be their round.

Just as I was about to break, Toby returned his gaze to some kind of cartoon, which was playing on the television. Amelia jumped off the sofa, and came to stand beside me. Another set of walnut eyes, looked up at me. It was official, I was a goner, and whatever the child wanted, she could have.

“You okay Ma Beaute?”

“What does that mean?”

“My beauty.”

Toby snorted and rolled his eyes, as Amelia took hold of my hand and led me to the sofa. Where she proceeded to sit between her brother and me. Again, I was in receipt of a running commentary, of what was occurring in the program they were watching.

This was how Ellie found us when she eventually turned up. Grateful for her return, I followed her into the kitchen and began emptying the bag.

“How much do I owe?”

“Nothing. How were they?”

“Okay.”

A quick glance towards the door, showed that Toby and Amelia where still interested in the television. Thus giving me the perfect opportunity, to do what I have wanted to do since waking. As I stepped further into the kitchen, I grabbed Ellie, and although her arms were laden with goods, I swung her into my arms and kissed her. Peppermint invaded my mouth, as I took her breath into mine. Cool and crisp, just like the kiss. Unable to resist, I pulled her body closer to mine, and deepened the kiss as Ellie’s arms looped around my neck, and she returned the kiss.

“Fuck, I wanted to do that when we woke up.”

“Language round the children, Nick.”

Hell, I could not remember the last time I was in trouble for foul language, and had to bite my tongue to stop my laughter from escaping.

“Ivy rang, while I was out.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, she and Quick Draw are going over to my place to help clean the mess. And Baby Blu and Cassie have volunteered to watch the kids.”

“You’re going to need a new mattress Ellie. Let me buy it? After all, it was due to the club’s problems that your home was broken into.”

“That’s nice of you Nick, but I’m going to say no.”

“Come on Ellie. Be sensible about it.”

“I can claim off my insurance Nick.”

“Why should you Ellie when the club’s willing to pay for a replacement.”

“I’ll think about.”

“Yeah, well, just make sure you speak to Tabby and he’ll sort it out.”

If Ellie thought the club was paying for the stuff, which Tats and his crew has damaged, she might accept help easier. All I had to do, is have a quiet word with Tabby, and give him the necessary funds.

The rest of the morning passed without incident. Ellie fed us all, then Cassie turned up to take the kids away. Ellie was adamant that she did not need me to come to the house. However, I refused to let her face the damage on her own.

“Come on Ellie. We can go on the bike.”

The spark in Ellie’s eye was enough to know that I had won.

“Damn it Nick. You’re playing dirty. It’s been years, since I was last on a bike.”

At the beginning of our strange relationship, it never bothered me that Ellie would speak of Carl with that light note in her voice. Her love and sadness for him, always an undercurrent in the way she spoke about him. Now, whenever she made a reference to her late husband, my stomach would clench and I had to stop myself from grinding my teeth.

The house looked worse in daylight, and as Ellie opened the front door, the strong stench of piss and shit hit you. Behind us, was Ivy and Quick Draw. It did not take long for Quick Draw and myself to have the mattress in the Cage. At my request, Ivy soon had a couple of refuge bags filled of the old bedding and soiled clothes.

“I could have washed them, Nick.”

“Washed or not Ellie, there going.”

While Quick Draw and I cleaned the walls, Ellie and Ivy slipped out to the local DIY store and returned with new paint and a few other bits and pieces. As the room fell into place, I began to feel a sense of satisfaction.

Tonight Ellie and I would be sharing a mattress and bed sheets, which her late husband had not used. The bedroom would also be a different color. A quick search of the room showed that the photo Ellie had of Carl, was not in its usual spot. Satisfaction purred through me. Thanks to Tats, Ellie had removed all traces of her late husband from this room.

“We’ll spend another night at my place Ellie. The kids can’t sleep in the house while it stinks of paint.”

Prepared for an argument from Ellie, I was surprised, when she accepted her fate without any objections.

“Sure, I’ll just get some clothes for the kids and their toiletries.”

Mystified at Ellie’s response, I just waited for her at the door. Ivy gave me a wink as she left, followed by Quick Draw.

“Will you be at the club later?”

“Yeah. But I want someone to stay with Ellie at mine.”

“Sure, I’ll drop by.”

“Thanks Ivy. It’s much appreciated.”

When I informed Ellie of my plans to call in at the club, again she was fine and relaxed, and for a moment, I stood at the main door, reluctant to leave her on her own.

“Go Nick, I’ll be fine. And when Cassie returns, I’ll get pizza, and we’ll watch Maleficent.”

DCMC

When I arrived at the club, I collected a bottle of JB, and went in search of Inferno, who was in a meeting with Linc, Tabby and Dec.

“Is this a private party or can anyone join?”

“Get your ass in here. How’s Ellie?”

“Fine, she’s just kicked me out of my own place.”

Flynn’s deep laughter filled the room as he walked in with Twiggy behind him. Nonchalantly, I flipped him the bird, as I pulled my own chair out and we began to discuss what plans we had for Tats and his men.

“The Sheriff’s department will be watching. So be careful.”

As the voices droned on around me, I found my thoughts drifting to the woman, who was at my home, waiting for me. In my head, I began to hum
Smoke on the Water.

Chapter 11

“Ellie is there anything you’re not telling me?”

Since arriving at the Sheriff’s office this morning, instead of showing me the ropes of the job, which I should be doing. Adam has continued with his questioning in regards to the house break-in.

“No. Adam, I’ve told you everything I know.”

“Ellie, if I find out that Fudge or any of Devil’s Comfort are interfering with this investigation. You could end up in trouble.”

Adam’s office was not very large, and is mostly dominated by his desk, which was cluttered with files. On the walls there were health and safety posters and other crime paraphernalia.

Adam is in his mid-forties. His once dark brown hair, now a steal silver gray, which he kept cropped close to his head. Aquamarine blue eyes stared down at me. His leg swinging, as he sat on the edge of his desk, his uniform pants, stretched across his thigh, emphasizing his groin area.

While Adam droned on, I pondered for a moment why it was, that I was unable to become aroused by this man, who I had dated for several weeks. Then an image of Nick came to me. When a frown appears on Adam’s face, I know I have upset him, and he must have realized that I had drifted off.

With a slight shake of my head, I clear the smile from my face, and return Adam’s gaze.

“Sorry Adam, I was just trying to think if I’d missed anything. Only I haven’t”

“If you do remember anything, bring it to me. Not to Devil’s Comfort.”

As I rise from the chair, the censor in Adam’s voice brings me to a standstill.

“Ellie, I’m taking a risk hiring you, while you and Fudge are seeing each other. Don’t let me down.”

There was no point denying that Nick and I were an item at the moment. It would appear the whole of Comfort Springs is aware that we are seeing each other.

“I’ll not let you down. Now is there anything else I can do.”

With a wave of his hand, Adam dismissed me.

“Speak to Frankie, she’ll show you round.”

Frankie is about sixty, and has been working in the Sheriff’s office for as long as I can remember. I spent the morning with Frankie, as she gave me a tour of the offices, explaining what I would be doing. In the process, she also handed me several files that I would have to read.

DCMC

The problem with working and living in a small town, is that everyone knows your business. As I sat in Little Sammie’s, waiting for my brother in law, Scott, to arrive. My fingers tapped on the side of the mug I was holding, I let out my breath. Finally I had time to breathe and the anger and hurt came flooding through my body. Eliza had been on the phone, complaining about what had occurred over the weekend, and now I was meeting Scott for lunch. Nick had not let me think over the weekend. After the attack on the house, we had gone straight to his. Then yesterday, the bedroom had been stripped and re-decorated. All traces of the events, erased. Shit, Ivy and I had even managed to go shopping for a few simple items.

“Hey, it’s not that bad.”

Scott had entered Little Sammie’s without me noticing, and now he was planting a kiss on the top of my head, as he took the seat next to mine. The next moment, the waitress was at our table taking our order. Scott had that effect on women. At five foot eleven with his blond shaggy hair, he was your bad boy made good. Although he was still a member of Devil’s Comfort, he also ran his own security business. The business that Carl was set to join, until he was killed.

“Hi Scott”

“If I promise not to eat you. Will you relax?”

With a weak smile, I sip my coffee, and let my shoulders drop slightly.

“Eliza’s mad at me.”

“Leave my mother to me. I’ll talk to her. Now, tell me what’s going on?”

My weak smile, turns in to a sarcastic laugh.

“I’m sure you know what’s going on?”

“Indulge me?”

For the next thirty minutes I explain to Scot about the weekend, and what had happened at the house.

“I’ll fix you up with a burglar alarm. I have to admit, Tats and his men are good for my business.”

“Eliza say’s you’re going on tour with Sour Mash?”

“I’m supposed to be. But with this mess, I might send Sid instead.”

Sid was another ex-marine. Although he sometimes hung out at Devil’s Comfort, he was not a member. He had also stepped in to help Scott, when he had been needed, after Carl’s death.

“Don’t be daft. Think of all those groupies you’re missing out on.”

Scott has been married and divorced twice, and has sworn, that he’d never marry again.

“That’s why Sid can do this one, and I’ll go on the European tour.”

A quick glance at my watch, shows that my lunch break was over.

“Look, I got to go. Pop over and say hello to your nephew and niece. I’m sure they’ll love to see you.”

DCMC

“Are we sleeping in our own bed tonight mama?”

On a sigh, I dumped the bag of groceries onto the kitchen counter. As Toby and Amelia ran past me, they throw their school bags onto the kitchen table. Yep, tonight we are back in our own home. Behind me stood Sundance, who had met me as I left the Sheriff’s office. Apparently Nick did not want to leave me on my own. Before Sundance would let me into my own home, he had checked the perimeter out. As soon as he had given the all clear, we had tumbled into the house.

“Yes. Now go wash and I’ll start on supper. Sundance, make yourself useful, and put the coffee on.”

As Sundance looked in cupboards, taking what he needed, I began preparing supper. Nick had rung to say he would be over once he was finished at the garage and true to his word. He appeared just as I was dishing the food out.

“Timing Nick. You can do the dishes.”

Unhindered by either the children or Sundance, Nick ambled over to the sink where I was, and took me in his arms. His lips tasted of the cheroot he had been smoking, and instead of being put off by the smell or taste, I took the kiss deeper, twining our tongues.

“Maybe I should take the kids to the park?”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Nick sit down and eat.”

Three sets of laughter, ranging from childish giggles to masculine mirth, rang out in the kitchen, as Nick slapped my ass, before joining the others at the table. The meal was raucous, noisy and full of teasing. With the children having brought the men down to their level of conversation. A nostalgic smile lit my face. It had been a long time, since any of us had enjoyed such a carefree meal, which was dominated by male company.

Below the table, Nick’s hand was stroking my thigh. Slowly gliding under the short skirt I am wearing. No matter how much I shuffled and shifted my leg away from his hand, it always found its way back. Finally, after squeezing the soft, tender flesh of my thigh, causing a spark of arousal to flood my body, Nick settled down and I let go of the breath I had been holding.

As the meal was drawing to a close, Scott strolled in from the kitchen. His glance taking in the domestic chaos. His eyebrow raised as he winked at me. In his hand was a tool kit and the new alarm system. Nick and Sundance rose from the table, greeting their brother. Yet Nick’s shoulders were tense as he turned towards me.

“Ellie.”

“Scott.”

“Uncle Scott”

Two small bodies jumped down from the table, as they ran to their uncle and Nick came up to me.

“Sundance, said you and Scott had met up for lunch. Why didn’t you say anything about him coming over?”

Perplexed at both Nick’s attitude and tone, I turned my attention to clearing the table. Nick followed, closing the kitchen door for some privacy.

“Why did you do that?”

“Ellie I asked you? Why you didn’t tell me Scott was coming over.”

“He offered to put in a new alarm system, Nick. It was no big deal.”

“I could have done that.”

“Really Nick. You, or one of your lackey’s from the club?”

“Ellie.”

“Don’t Ellie me. No one, and especially not a man. Tells me what I can do. Or who I can have over.”

Nick had not moved from the door, his back lent up against the wood paneling, as his eyes surveyed me. The tension in his body, becoming more pronounced as he folded his arms across his chest. After disposing the waste, down the garbage shoot, I slammed the dinner dishes into the dishwasher.

“What is it, Nick. Did I insult your manhood by bringing another man into my house? Did I complain when you set Sundance on me?”

“I’m going to the club, I’ll see you later.”

“Running Nick, is that what you’re doing. You don’t like what I’m saying. So you run.”

For a large man, Nick moved swiftly. His body, pinning mine up against the kitchen counter. Caramel eyes scorched into me, as his large hand cupped my chin. Nick did not kiss me, he ground his lips against mine. His teeth grating the enamel of my teeth, as his hips crushed against my lower body.

Just as swiftly as he had begun the kiss, Nick stepped back. His cheeks flushed.

“I don’t run Ellie. I have a meeting to attend. And since Scott is here, I’ll take Sundance’s company with me.”

The metallic taste of blood, flooded my mouth as I swiped my tongue over my lips. Tentatively, I touched the broken flesh with my fingers, and drew them back to gaze at the droplets of blood on them. Nick’s gaze followed mine. His expression becoming serious as he frowned and lifted his eyes to my lips. His own thumb gently wiping the blood from my mouth.

“Shit Ellie, I’m sorry.”

As calmly as I could, I nodded my head and pointed towards the door.

“Just go Nick.”

“I’ll be back after the meeting.”

With a shake of my head, I close the door on Nick as I whisper.

“No Nick. Don’t bother coming back.”

I know he heard me, because his body went still. Yet he continued walking down the path.

Chapter 12

“Fuck.  Fuck. Fuck.”

Ellie was wrong, I am not a runner. Certainly I was pissed when Scott turned up. All through dinner, she had not mentioned having lunch with him, and she sure as hell had not mentioned, that he was coming round to install a new alarm system. Fuck, I could have managed that. With a kick off the gear and a spin of the throttle, I took the bike onto the road and headed for the club. This meeting was unavoidable.

Hell, I had not intended to be so aggressive with that kiss, and seeing the blood on Ellie’s lips, had been a surprise. Which had only made me more agitated. Hopefully, by the time the meeting was over, Ellie will have calmed down, and Scott will have left. With ease, I pulled the bike over and pulled my cell out of my pocket. Sundance answered on the third ring. I did not bother with the usual greeting.

“Stay at Ellie’s”

“What about the meeting?”

“I’ll clear it with the club.”

“What are you going to tell them? That you’re a jealous bastard?”

“Shut up Sundance, and I’ll see you later this evening.”

Fifteen minutes later, I was at the club with a Jim Beam in hand, as I went in search of Inferno and Dec. The club was full tonight, and over in the corner, I spotted Bear, who was talking to Kitty. Abandoning my search of the club’s president and Sargent at Arms, I made my way over to the smaller charter’s president.

“Hey Bear. What brings you to this neck of the woods?”

“Funny Fudge, that’s a new one on me. I’ll have to remember it.”

“Get lost Kitty and find some other sucker for the night.”

Kitty pouted her over red lips at me, and gave a doe look as she rose off Bear’s knee, before joining the other whores on the dance floor. As I watch her, she must have said something to one of the other girls, as they both glanced over in my direction. As I lost interest in the girls, I dismissed them from my mind, and sat in one of the chairs opposite Bear. With my foot balanced on the lower bar of another chair, I swallowed a mouthful of whiskey.

“She may be a whore Fudge, but there wasn’t any need to speak to her like that.”

I am not interested in Bear’s comment, and give a shrug, as I wave my empty glass at Angel, miming that I wanted the bottle to go with it. Ant, Angel’s old man, brought the bottle over, and placed it on the table.

“Angel is not your skivvy. Next time you want a bottle. You get off your fucking ass and get it yourself.”

The only acknowledgement I give, is a salute of the bottle, before swallowing another mouthful of the amber liquid. Bear’s face scrunches, as he searches my face for something. What? I do not know.

“Are you still mad about what happened at the weekend?”