Satan's Devils MC Boxset 1

by Manda Mellett

  The shudder she gives shows she knows exactly how the chat’s going to go down, and that she’s seen far too much of how we do business already today. Seeing she’s going to be looked after, I wander off to find some quiet, and place my call to the VP of the Satan’s Devils San Diego chapter, then move back.

  “Slick, Mouse. Ready to roll?” At their twin nods, I turn to Drum. “We’ll have to take the truck.”

  “Yeah, just let us take the trash out of it first.” Peg and Blade step up without being asked.

  Once our unwelcome passenger has been removed, I get into the driver’s seat, my brothers take their places, and then we’re off. It doesn’t take long before we’re heading into a parking lot about ten minutes away from the club. Lost’s sitting on his bike, pulling at his beard. He gets off and comes over as soon as he sees who it is getting out of the truck.

  Slick slides the gun he’d taken off Fang out of his cut and holds it down by his side. Lost’s eyes open wide when he notices. Mouse also has a Glock in his hand.

  Lost doesn’t go for a weapon, a smart move on his part. He approaches with his hands held open. “What’s all this Dart? Don’t know of any problem between us. And where the fuck have you been? Come to get you out of the safe room and you’d all disappeared.”

  I give it to him straight. “Snake’s defected. Along with Poke, Gator, Shark, DJ, Crow, Rattler, Tinder, and Bastard. Turned on the club, man. You any part of that?”

  The expression on his face would be difficult to fake. “What the fuck?”

  “Truth, Brother.” Slick backs me up. “Gator and Fang kidnapped us, Alex, and Tyler. We managed to get free. Snake turned up, and they were obviously acting under his instructions. Gator dropped the names, with a little persuasion.”

  “Fuckin’ Fang? He that Demon you’ve been chasing down?”

  “He was.” Slick gives an evil grin.

  “What the fuck’s Snake doing dealing with the likes of him?”

  “Long story, Brother. One we don’t know all the ins and outs of yet. But we’ll be questioning your prez. We got a problem we need some help with.” I continue to tell him Tyler’s escaped and is hiding somewhere in the clubhouse, and that we need to find him and get him back to his mom.

  Lost strokes his long beard again. “Can’t believe what you’re saying.” He’s still stuck on Snake. Then his expression changes from disbelief to anger. “If what you’re telling me is true, I’ve been played like a fuckin’ fool. The sergeant-at-arms and the prez? Fuck! Motherfuckers!” For a moment he seems to find the truck fascinating, but then turns back. “Ain’t got no problem with the mother chapter myself. I’ve got your backs, brothers.” He pauses to think. “Crow, Rattler, and Bastard aren’t in the club. Poke’s hanging about, and I think I saw Shark and DJ too. But Grumbler and Smoker are there as well. I’ll give them a call and see if I can’t get Shark and DJ out on a job. You need a bit of space to search for the boy.”

  If Grumbler is straight, he’d be a good man to have on our side.

  “Even if there’s still question marks over the others, I’d stake my life on Grumbler and Smoker being loyal.” After he’s answered the question I didn’t ask aloud, he breaks off and clears his throat, and I wonder whether he’s thinking that just a few minutes earlier he’d have trusted his other brothers too. At last he begins to speak again. “What you’re driving is a club truck, won’t be no surprise to anyone it turning up. Park around the back and we’ll go in the same way as it seems you were taken out. I’ll go in and distract any of the other fuckers we’ve got doubts about if Grumbler doesn’t manage to get them all out.” He pauses and wipes at his eyes.

  I step forward, half to thank him, half to warn him. “Ain’t no doubt in my mind, Lost.”

  “Shit.” He looks at me sadly, correctly reading I’ve every belief in what I’d been told. He then takes out his phone and places a call, not giving details, just asking Grumbler to arrange for Shark and DJ to investigate another reported sighting of Fang up in Escondido. Even though they’ll be laughing their heads off, thinking they know exactly where to find the rogue Demon, it will get them out of the club. Then that will just leave Poke we’ll need to avoid.

  That settled, Lost passes out his smokes to give some time for them to get gone.

  At last we’re able to go get Alex’s boy.

  Last time I was in the San Diego clubhouse, I thought I was surrounded by like-minded brothers who all bought into the same cause as me. This time I feel enveloped in betrayal, a feeling I never expected in any Satan’s Devils’ club. Feeling sick to my stomach as I walk in through the doors, I nod at Lost as he goes to run interference and leaves us to our search.

  “Drum said he was hiding under Alex’s bed in the room she was staying in. Let’s get there first.”

  We make our way up the stairs, weapons drawn, not knowing what we’ll be walking into. I’m hoping I don’t have a need to fire on any man that, up to now, I’ve happily called a brother.

  There’s no one around as we reach Alex’s room. Hardly daring to breathe, I fold to my knees, then lie on my side to look under the bed. There’s no one there. Fuck! Have they found him? Where could he be? For a second, I envisage returning to Alex without her son in tow, and then realise there’s no way I can return without him.

  As I jump to my feet, shaking my head, my expression showing how gutted I am, an unwelcome voice intrudes.

  “Dart! You’re back. Come with me.”

  Narrowing my eyes at Eva, I give a short laugh and shake my head. “Not hanging with you darlin’. Been there, done that. Caused enough fuckin’ aggravation.”

  She looks taken aback. “No, no. I’m not suggesting we fuck.” She pauses to toss her hair back over her shoulder. “You weren’t that special, Dart.” She looks at Slick and Mouse, and then lowers her voice and adds conspiratorially, “It’s the kid. He’s in my room.”

  What? Stepping forward I put my hands on her shoulders, my fingers biting into her skin. “What you talking about? Why’s he with you?”

  “I’m not stupid, Dart. Alex and Tyler went downstairs and didn’t come back. Found Tyler under her bed. He was shaking and crying, obviously scared. He thought Snake was coming for him. If that was true, this room would be the first place he’d have looked. Not so much mine. So I took him to be safe. Gave him my phone to use when he asked.” She studies our faces for a moment. “I don’t like Snake. And lately he’s been acting really strange.” And with that, she shows she’s more perceptive than some of the brothers here.

  If it wouldn’t cause yet more problems with Alex, I’d kiss her. Instead, I resort to thanking her profusely. Just as I’m turning my thoughts to how to sneak Tyler out of the clubhouse, she puts her hand on my arm.

  “Alex needs to know. He had an episode, probably brought on by being so scared. I got him through it okay, but I don’t know if she’s keeping track of them.”

  I wipe my hand over my eyes. Poor kid. Thank fuck it was Eva who found him. Being a nurse, she’d have known what to do. “I’ll tell Alex. And, Eva…”

  “It’s alright, Dart. I’m just glad I was there and able to help.”

  Footsteps sound on the landing outside. Mouse glances quickly around the door and gives the all clear just as Lost appears. “Found the kid?” When I nod he continues, “Poke’s with a club girl. Knowing him, he’ll take his time. Grumbler got rid of the other two. I’ll keep an eye out if you want to sneak the kid out the back.”

  “I’ll get him.” Eva’s not asking questions. That, and the fact she looked out for him makes her go up in my estimation.

  Lost is looking tired and older than I’ve seen him. “You’ll keep me informed, Dart?”

  “Prez will want to speak to ya.” I don’t need to clarify it will be our prez not his. He’s unlikely to ever see Snake again. “Lost. Club will need its VP when this all gets out.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” he mumbles.

  “Keep our route free, then yo
u and Grumbler better come with us. Drummer’s on his way.” I don’t explain he’s ready and waiting.

  Lost nods at me sadly.

  “Dart!” Tyler runs in and hugs my legs. Without thinking, I swing him up into my arms, knowing I’m almost as pleased as Alex is going to be to find him safe and unharmed. The brave kid clings to me as we start to make our way out. We meet Grumbler guarding the foot of the stairs. He gives me a sharp look as I pass, doubts that anything could be amiss in his club written in his eyes, but also a promise of retribution for those he finds that have done wrong.

  The return journey to the warehouse is uneventful, and I stand to the side watching as Alex has a tearful reunion with her son.

  As she gazes adoringly at Tyler, refusing to let him go, I wish she’d have even one tenth of that emotion in her eyes when she looks at me.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Alex…

  I’ve already seen how they question men who’ve gone against them, so when Road leads me away, I’m more than happy I won’t have to watch what they do to Snake. I’m still stunned that he’s turned against his own club, but what do I know about the dynamics of an MC? Perhaps it’s not so unusual for them.

  “Here, darlin’. Take a load off and sit before you fall down. You’ve been through a lot today.”

  Yeah, a lot over the past few days. Kidnapped twice in a week must be a record for anyone. I’ve been hurt and left for dead, threatened with rape, and lost my son for a second time. It all catches up with me, and before I know it, I’m bent double as I sob. Each indrawn breath pulling at my newly healing scars. A strong arm comes around me and gently draws me into a leather-clad chest.

  “I got ya, darlin’. Just let it all out. Dart will find your boy for ya.” He pauses and rubs his hand up and down my back. “Soon this will be over, you’ll come home to Tucson, and be back at the Satan’s Angels before you know it.”

  Wiping my tears away with the back of my hand, I turn to him incredulously and scoff. “Well that’s not going to happen.”

  “Why not? The customers are missing you.”

  It’s then I realise that as he’s just a prospect, he probably doesn’t know. It almost hurts as much to explain as it did when I received the wounds, but it’s not something I can hide. “Ron, my ex, well, he cut me up, Road. There’s no way anyone will ever want to see my body again. He’s scarred me for life.”

  Road looks shocked. He lets me go and paces away. By the rigid set of his shoulders, it looks like he’s trying to get himself under control. I don’t bother watching him. I’ve already accepted I’ve got no job and no way of earning money to put aside for Tyler’s treatment. And if I’m no longer an employee, will the club still want to offer me help? I’m nothing to them now, just a damaged woman. And I’ve lost any connection to Dart.

  Lost in my thoughts, I don’t realise Road’s come back until he clears his throat. When I look up, it’s to see this huge man standing in front of me, studying me closely. Then he sinks to his heels. “You’ve got blood on your top.”

  Glancing down I see that he’s right. “I think my stitches have pulled open.”

  “Can I see?”

  As I nod, he carefully lifts up my t-shirt. Looking down, I see blood seeping through the dressings.

  “Don’t want to touch this, but fuck that must hurt. We’ll get someone to look at this as soon as we can. Hold on a minute.” He goes to his bike and gets something out of one of his saddlebags. When he comes back, he’s holding out a bottle of water and a couple of tablets. “Here. They’re Tramadol.” As I raise my eyes, he says, “I’ve got them from when I last came off my bike.”

  I’ve taken them before, the first time Ron had hurt me, so thanking him, I swallow them down with the water, hoping they’ll soon take effect. Simply to pass the time I ask, “Last time? Do you make a habit of falling off?”

  He grins. “I race trial bikes. Comes with the territory to take a few spills.”

  There’s a short period of silence, then I can’t help myself asking, “How long do you think before Dart is back?”

  “It’s hard to say. He’s meeting with Lost, the VP first. Depends on how that goes.”

  I presume he means if he’s turned traitor too. And if he has, how will Dart know? What if he makes the wrong call? Now I’m worrying about him as well as my son. Road can’t give me the answers I want. Slowly the Tramadol starts to take effect. Tired with the stress of the last few hours combined with the pain having drained my strength from me, despite my worry, I close my eyes and doze off, only to be woken by the sound of bikes and the truck entering the parking lot. Woken with a start, I pull myself straight and gaze across, hardly daring to breathe.

  The doors open, and oh my God! There’s Tyler! Dart’s spotted where I am and has pointed me out. Tyler comes running over and throws himself into my arms. I don’t want to let him go, but as I hold him so tightly, I can’t smother my gasp of pain. Dart’s there and pulling him off gently.

  “Careful, young man. Your momma’s still hurt, remember?”

  This time he’s more careful. Tears are once again running down my face, but this time they’re happy ones, not sad.

  Dart looks at Road. “Drummer inside?”

  “Yeah. I’ll stay with Alex and the boy if you’re going to join them.”

  “Thanks, Brother.” Dart runs his hand over my hair, gives my shoulder a squeeze, then disappears with Slick and Mouse, and two other men who’ve turned up on bikes.

  I’ve got my son in my arms and that’s all I need. Tyler’s updating me on what he’d done, and I’m so proud of my boy and how he summoned help. I get a blast of envy when he tells me it was Eva who looked after him and lent him the phone, but if I ever see her again, know I’ll have to bury my jealousy and thank her. Tyler’s exhausted, and after talking himself out, drifts off in my arms in the warmth of the sun. I’m content to just sit here and hold him.

  Sometime later, the men wander out of the warehouse. They’re not particularly quiet, so I can hear every word that they say.

  “We’ll take him back to Tucson. Deal with him there. Want the presidents from our other chapters in on this to see what happens when one of our own fuckin’ turns on us.”

  “Still can’t believe this shit.”

  “Should have expected something when he dumped that cocky fucker Buster on us. Reckon he was placed as a spy.”

  “What about Marvel? I like the man, but…”

  “Yeah, Wraith. Hate to say it, but we need to be suspicious about any fucker who comes from this chapter.”

  A man coughs.

  “Yeah, Lost, Grumbler. I reckon you’re straight. Not that I have much trust in the fucker, but Snake confirmed you weren’t a part of what was going on.”

  “Here’s Snake’s phone.”

  “Thanks, Dart. Right. I’ll send them all a text, get them here. We deal with them once and for all, then get Snake—fuckin’ lived up to his name, hasn’t he?—back home. We’ll take Poke along too. He being another officer, he deserves more than a bullet to the head.”

  “What about her?”

  My ears prick up even more as I assume they’re talking about me. I am the only female here after all.

  “I’ll come and talk to her.”

  As footsteps approach, I turn my face and try to pretend I hadn’t been listening at all.

  “Alex.” Drummer raises his chin in greeting. I nod back. He lifts his leg and plants it on a crate and then leans forward with his hands clasped over his knee. “Fuck, Alex, I’m so sorry you got dragged into our business. ‘Specially after what happened to you.”

  There’s no point in me ranting and raving about what can’t be undone. At least I’m alive and haven’t been raped, and Tyler’s unharmed. I sigh, unable to bear any animosity. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be breathing. “It’s all good, Drummer. Scary while it was going on, but it’s behind me now. I owe you a debt. It was your club who rescued me from the cabin.”

&
nbsp; His eyes seem to narrow as I remind him. He glances down to my bloodstained t-shirt. “How you feeling, darlin’?”

  “A bit sore. Better after the painkillers Road gave me.”

  “I’m going to be sending you and Tyler back to Tucson. You’ll be staying on the compound for a while, where you’ll be safe.”

  Now it’s my turn to frown as I brush back the hair on my son’s now wide-awake face. “Tyler’s got school. And after the past few days, getting back to normality would do him good.”

  But Drummer shakes his head. “Too easy for Thompson to try to take you again. Both you and he need to stay somewhere secure. Can you tell the school he’s unwell or something?”

  “You really think Ron will try again?”

  “Thompson was with the cops in the club. He’s looking for the boy.” Drum rolls back his head and then fixes his stare on me again. “Apparently, Fang fucked up by taking the boy. He should have left him locked up in the panic room for Snake to find and hand him over to his dad.” His eyes grow cold. “We’ll be sorting your problems out on a permanent basis, but you need to give us a while to get something arranged.”

  I don’t want to know what they’re intending to do, but expect the worst. I can’t bring myself to care. Ron left me for dead. I’ve no difficulty with anything they plan. And if it’s only for a short time, Tyler can stay out of school. It’s the thought of Ron getting his hands on him which fills me with dread. “Okay, we’ll stay on the compound.”

  “Good.” I watch as he smooths his hand over his beard. “Before you go, there’s a favour we want to ask of you.”

  I cock my head to one side in question, unsure of what I can do for them.

  “Mouse’s fingerprints were found at your old house. There’s an APB out for him in connection with your disappearance.”

  Oh no. They’d been trying to find me, and Mouse has gotten into trouble because of it. I can’t allow that. I’m sore, hurting, and really have had more than one woman should have to take, but I pull my shoulders back straight. They returned my son to me, unharmed. If there’s any way to help, I must do it. “Drum, what can I do?”