Satan's Devils MC Boxset 1

by Manda Mellett

  So that’s a red herring.

  “We ever come across them? Any of you assholes been picked up or questioned by them?”

  Joker raises his hand. “I was pulled over when I first patched over, for having Nevada plates. I think it was Garza who questioned me. If it was, he’s got a hard-on for bikers, I can tell you that. All but took me to the border and pointed me back home.”

  “Why did he pull you over?”

  “He didn’t, but he talked to me once they’d taken me in. I had a Tucson patch and a bike from out of the area. They tried to pin a theft charge on me. Course my documents sorted it out, but they held onto me as long as they could. Fuckin’ pigs.”

  A murmured grumbling around the table shows that everyone here agrees with his views.

  “Let’s get back to the Herreras. I didn’t like that we had to come up against them a few months back, it put us on their radar. Before Slick’s ol’ lady’s problem, we kept to our side of the street and they kept to theirs.”

  Slick looks down. He’ll be feeling sorry he was the reason we got put in their sights, but none of us care. All of us are prepared to lay our lives down for our brothers. And his woman’s sister was saved, but not before she’d been groomed and molested—or so I’d been told. From what I’ve seen of her, she’s on her way back. My eyes go to Paladin, and I see him clenching his fists. He’s certainly got a soft spot for young Jayden. Any mention of the girl and he’s ready to leap to her defence.

  “What happened that night when you met them, Prez?” I’d been in a coma at the time. Oh, I’ve heard the story about the Satan’s Devils being set up as hit men to take the rogue elements of the family out—the men who’d been leading a child grooming ring, the same one that Jayden had been caught up in. Archer’s death had been swept up in that. But I can’t remember hearing the full version, or what happened when Prez, Peg, and Slick met Leonardo Herrera and his lieutenants.

  “Not much to tell, Heart. We met with them, they backed us into a corner and offered us a deal.”

  “Didn’t trust them,” Peg adds. “That’s why we got the women out of here and sent them to Vegas, just in case it all came back down on the club.”

  “Herrera gave me no sign they’d come after us. In fact, what we’d done had gotten the family out of the sights of the cartel. In his view we did them a favour.”

  Slick raises his head and lifts his chin toward me. “Cartel deals in skin, Herrera’s arrangement with them is that they don’t.”

  “But that was Leonardo and his lieutenants. Now there’s a change at the top, things might be different,” Prez takes over again.

  Wraith taps his hand against his mouth. “What if the new head wants to start up the trade for themselves? Fuckton of money riding on that.”

  “They’d be putting themselves up against the cartel.” Peg’s brow creases. “And we need to steer well clear. We don’t have the manpower to put us in the middle.”

  We throw ideas around for a while. Hyde’s been called in twice to refresh our beers. After a while, Road says he’s got to get back to the strip club and get it ready for opening, so Drummer sums up.

  “We keep coming back to the Herreras. Archer was family to them. If it’s simply that they’re putting pressure on the cops to keep his record clean, I think you should persuade your ol’ lady, Heart, to leave it at that. The man’s dead. We know what happened to him.” He nods at Slick who grins, having shot off the man’s dick. “Don’t much care whether they think he’s a hero or not. He’s not in our sights anymore.”

  “What about my sweet mother-in-law?”

  There are sneers around the table. “Wouldn’t use that description for the bitch.”

  I give an evil grin. “Neither would I.”

  “We were waiting to see what you wanted to do with her, Heart. Seems that time might have come.”

  I’m thinking aloud. “As long as I’m living she ain’t got no rights to custody. And now Archer’s gone, no one to help her.”

  “She’s still got to clear her debts.” Prez’s hands link behind the back of his head. “If you die, Heart, or she can prove you unsuitable, she’s next in line to look after the kid if she can clean herself up and convince a judge. That’s what your woman was worried about when we were still wondering whether you’d make it. Marcia wanted to get the kid into foster care to protect her, but obviously we weren’t going to allow that.”

  “Yeah, she seemed to think bikers weren’t good enough family. She tried to take her away, didn’t she, Prez?” Wraith’s eyes crease as he remembers.

  The words register, but for now wash over me. I’m still thinking how to ensure the best provision is made for my daughter.

  Mouse nudges me. “If the cops are involved, you could be picked up and jailed on a trumped-up charge. That would allow Clyde to step straight in.”

  Having survived two attempts to kill me, I’d really rather not think there would be a third. But with my luck, it’s a possibility, as well as a very valid observation by Mouse. I lift my chin at the prez. “I’ll see the lawyer, make a new will. Anything happens to me, I’ll see you and Sam get custody.”

  “Sam,” Drummer corrects. “Put it in Sam’s name. She’s an upstanding citizen.” There are a few smiles. Yeah, when she’s not being the old lady of the president of an outlaw motorcycle club.

  “Hate to say this, Heart, but might be time to go visit with Susie Clyde.”

  My mouth drops open. “Prez, the hatred between us is mutual. Fuck, she even hated her own daughter.”

  “If you’re that afraid of the bitch, take someone with you.” Now people laugh, but it’s no joke. She’s a foul woman.

  Shooter raises his hand. “I’ll come with. Reckon I can hold my own with a drugged-up bitch.”

  All emotion is suddenly wiped off Drummer’s face. “If you get one whiff that she’s not keeping straight, get an inkling she’s still got the hots for your kid, we’ll take her out. I don’t think the world will be a worse place for it.”

  I jerk my head. He’s completely right.

  “Okay. Let’s wrap this up. Mouse. Can you get the contact information for the son who’s taken over from Leonardo Herrera? Not committing right now, but I may need to go have a chat. And everyone, keep thinking. And you, Heart. Talk to Marcia and see if you can find out what else she knows, any little thing that doesn’t add up. We’ll meet again when we’ve got something to discuss.”

  When I stand, I do so carefully, my legs having become stiff after sitting for so long. I exit the room and see Jekyll standing in the entrance to the kitchen, looking bored out of his head. That must mean Marc’s in there along with the other women, and I hope they’re not giving her a hard time. I hadn’t realised I’d be leaving her to have such a long meeting. But as I limp across to find her, laughter soon reaches my ears.

  “So I said to him, if I wasn’t so blimming knackered I’d have dropped my knickers there and then. The pillock just looked at me as if I’d lost the plot. I’d just have soon settled for a cup of char. And that’s how it all went pear shaped.”

  As I enter, I see Marc with her mouth open, and the rest of them doubled up.

  “Would someone please translate?”

  Sandy slaps her on the back. “Stay around and you’ll start to pick up how to speak her language. Then you won’t look so gobsmacked.”

  “Sandy!” Sophie yells in delight. “You’re learning.”

  Fuck me, these women. I get a strange feeling when I see Marc’s settling right in. And then a deeper emotion as Amy, who hasn’t noticed me yet, is running over to her, and Marc sweeping her up into her arms. “Can we go swimming tomorrow?”

  As Marc goes to answer, she catches my eye. “If it’s okay with your dad.”

  “Daddddy!” And now I’m subjected to the full-on force of my daughter.

  I lean down to cuddle her close. “Swimming, eh?”

  “Marcia’s teaching me how to swim.”

  “Is she now?” />
  Marc looks slightly sheepish, and I’m not too certain what I think about her getting so close to my kid. She’s only got a temporary position in my life. I think back on what I hadn’t paid much attention to at the meeting. Marc had wanted Amy out of the club and out of the biker life. Well that’s not going to happen, not even over my dead body.

  But she can’t want to do me wrong, can she?

  As my head’s spinning with so many problems we need to sort out, I park that extra one for now.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Marc…

  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the day interacting with the old ladies and their children. Although, as always, it hurts being around mothers with babies and young children while knowing I’ll never have one of my own, somehow I haven’t felt lonely enough for that to prey on my mind. Amy’s kept me busy, and I’ve been included in all the conversation and gossip.

  Having no family, I haven’t been forced into such close proximity with youngsters before today, and despite my personal circumstances, found I’ve actually loved being around the little ones. As long as I’ve kept my hurt and sadness locked tightly away, it’s true to say I’ve had, on many levels, a surprisingly good time.

  Sandy had helped to put things into perspective. She and her old man, Viper, couldn’t have kids, so made the best of it, ending up delighted when Sam had turned up as Viper’s fully grown daughter he never knew he had. Now they’ve got a grandchild, little Eli. And, my, hasn’t Sam’s got her hands full with that kid? A couple of times today I’ve noticed he’s definitely Drummer’s son, if that can be measured by the way everyone jumps when he demands attention. He’s only just over half a year old.

  Now Olivia, she takes after Sophie, happy and content and seeming to get pleasure in making people smile and laugh.

  And Amy. Well, I was taken by the sweet little girl when I first met her, wanting to make sure she stayed out of the clutches of her grandmother. Relieved when I knew how well Drummer and Sam were looking after her, but still wishing that Heart would end his travels and come back and be her dad. I’m over the moon and delighted to see them together, and no one could miss the love that he shows for his little girl.

  She’s easy to love. Even I’ve fallen for her. Helping her learn how to ride her bike without training wheels and swimming with her in the pool was fun, and I’m glad to be allowed, if only in a small way, to be part of her life.

  Heart’s cuddling his daughter, but giving me an assessing look, his face blank so I can’t read what’s on his mind. Something seems to be different about him, making me speculate just how their conversation went in church. Or is it that he’s regretting what we did last night? Mingling with the women and children had made me forget the problems at my door for a while, but the good mood brought on by my unusually relaxing day starts to dissipate.

  The easy relationship we’ve developed is still strained when we join the others for the buffet-style dinner I’d help to prepare, and then Heart moves away and seems to be in deep conversation with Sam. Their gesticulations make me think they’re formulating some sort of arrangement about his daughter. The discussion ends when Sam takes Amy’s hand and leads her away.

  It’s only then that Heart gives me his full attention, but his eyes are narrowed and his face drawn. I don’t know what to expect as he approaches.

  His hand touches my shoulder and gives a gentle push out into the main room. He points to a table and holds up his hand to Fergus. Almost before we’re seated, there’s a beer and a white wine in front of me.

  “Spit it out, Heart. What’s happened?” He barely resembles the man who I was in bed with last night. “Or are you having regrets about what we did?” Get things out in the open, clear the air.

  “Last night shouldn’t have happened.” He confirms that I’m right. “There can be nothing between us, you know that as well as me.”

  “Didn’t mean anything—” I start to say.

  “No, it didn’t,” he interrupts. “Look, Marc. Even if you weren’t a cop, I’m not in the right place to start anything. I took what you offered, and I’m ashamed that I used you. You’re not a club whore.”

  I’m certainly not, but I treated him the same way. “Don’t let it worry you, Heart. Let’s mark it up to experience and put it behind us.”

  He stares down at his beer. “Thing is, Drum’s got my head all screwed up. Giving you the ol’ lady label was a step too far. Brothers have started thinking that way, and that’s gonna cause trouble in the club.”

  “Because of what I do.”

  “Yeah.” He picks up the bottle, downing half of it in one. “But you’re here for the duration until we get to the bottom of whatever’s going on.” His eyes meet mine for perhaps the first time. “I want to know what you know. See if we can’t kick-start this thing. At the moment we’re going around in circles trying to understand.”

  “What do you want to ask?” I take a sip of my wine, working on stopping my hand shaking. Reading between the lines he’s not going to let what I thought was our friendship come between him and his club. Not that I really expected it, but he’ll be giving me my cue to leave as soon as he can. After today, having seen such a different side to a biker club, I’m no longer sure that’s what I want.

  His hands play with the bottle, picking at the label. “Leonardo Herrera is no longer head of the clan. His son, Javier, has taken over. You aware of that?”

  I shake my head. “If it’s happened recently, I’ve not been in the loop.”

  “Why do you think your sergeant was so adamant about protecting Archer’s reputation?”

  Now that I have thought about it. “Archer’s dead, so it makes no difference to him. The Herrera family might want to protect their name.” I grimace quickly, not knowing how much I should tell him. What I know comes from police reports. “We all know the cartel’s at the top of the chain, everyone below picks up scraps or works for them. It’s they who deal in the skin trade. If Archer stepped into that territory, the Herreras might want to keep that quiet.”

  That doesn’t come as news to him. Suddenly he slams his now empty bottle down on the table. “For fuck’s sake, Marc. You must know who would want to take you out?”

  I reel back, his force startling me. “Heart, I don’t know. The only thing I’ve done is present my suspicions and my evidence against Archer. I haven’t been here long enough to work on many other cases, and there’s nothing else I can think of.”

  “If you’re right, and the Herrera’s are behind the efforts to shut you down permanently, then you’re putting the club up against that family. Fuck knows where the cartel stands in this.”

  “Cartel would have shut them down themselves if they found they were dipping into their trade.” Again, I get the feeling there’s something he’s not telling me.

  Before either of us can say anything more, Sam comes over, her eyes flicking to me then to him. Then her hand rests on his shoulder. “Ten minutes?” she asks.

  “Yeah, I’ll be there.” As the prez’s woman gives me a friendly smile and walks away, he turns to me. “I’m going up to the suite.”

  “I’ll come with you. I could do with an early night.”

  A quick glance my way, and I realise I’ve alluded to last night being a late one, and raised the spectre of our indiscretion in both our head’s once again.

  While I’ve no real reason to go to bed this early, I don’t much fancy the idea of staying in the clubhouse as the old ladies go home and the sweet butts come in to service the men. Add to that, none of these men are particularly friendly and won’t want to talk with a cop in the room. When Heart stands, I get to my feet as well. At least it will save him assigning another babysitter to me.

  But before we can reach the door Drummer gets his attention. “Heart, need to speak to you.”

  “I’ll go on up.” I start walking again, but get a hand forcefully holding my arm.

  “Prospect? See Marc up to her room, will ya?”

  And
there, I’ve picked up a minder again. I bristle. I had no intention of going anywhere else, particularly after this afternoon and my good time with the ol’ ladies. I’m not here as a spy, and it hurts that Heart believes I might take the opportunity to poke around and try to find evidence on the club. It’s another confirmation that we can never mix.

  I enter the suite, knowing Hyde is waiting outside—my jailor until Heart returns. I’ve left my bedroom door open, as instructed.

  I’ve only time to visit the bathroom and freshen up before the outer door opens, but it’s not the man I expected, it’s Sam and Amy.

  “Hi. Heart wanted Amy to sleep in his room tonight. Is he around?”

  “Still speaking to your old man, I think.” So that’s Heart’s plan, to put a buffer between us. That would work.

  “Oh, well, I doubt he’ll be long. I’ll get her settled, shall I?” She appears a little flustered.

  Knowing she’s got a young baby of her own to look after, I cross the room and go to the hallway. “Why don’t you leave her with me for a bit? We’ll be fine, won’t we, Amy?”

  Remembering me as the woman who was playing with her most of the day, Amy grins, showing she’s got no problem with my suggestion.

  Sam looks relieved. “Thanks Marcia. Jayden wanted to get away, so I’d love to get back to Eli.” Then as she turns her attention to the child, her face becomes stern. “Marcia’s going to get you ready for bed, Amy. You be a good girl now, you hear? And don’t play up.” She hands me a book. “It’s her bedtime story. She likes this one. She’ll be tired after the day, and so should soon be asleep. Just don’t get her hyped up or she’ll never go down.”

  I’m grateful for the tip, not having been around children. No boisterous games if I want her to sleep. Got it.

  “We’ll be fine,” I repeat, holding out my hand for the girl.

  “She just needs a quick bath, then here are her night clothes.” Sam turns her tired eyes to me. “Are you sure this is okay?”