by A. M. Myers
“Okay,” Blaze barks, dragging my attention to him once again. “I understand y’all are concerned about us going out to do this job but one thing we are not going to do is let this animal control us. This club has always helped people and that is what we’re going to do now, Warren be damned. He doesn’t get to control our lives and that includes Fuzz and Piper’s wedding in two days. We are going to fucking party and celebrate them without looking over our shoulder and being scared. Do I make myself clear?”
Everyone nods and he turns to me.
“Streak, did you find anything on the surveillance videos?”
I shake my head. “Only if you’re into complete and total darkness.”
“Fuck,” he sighs and scrubs his hand down his face, the stress of this whole situation shining in his eyes as he turns to Storm. “And what about you? Did Rodriguez have any information for us?”
Storm begins recounting everything he told me upstairs about Warren and the club’s owner and I lean back in my chair, wondering how much hell we’re in for from Warren before this whole thing ends and the one thought that dogs me more than any other is wondering who will be left standing after the smoke clears.
Chapter Fifteen
Warren
I take a drag of my cigarette, the smoke burning my lungs, as I scan the clubhouse parking lot but it is nothing compared to the rage burning through my chest as I watch them all gather to celebrate Fuzz and Piper renewing their vows. All day I’ve sat here, watching them as they set things up, laughing and having fun as they talked about what a special day it is for the happy couple.
How fucking sweet.
So sweet I want to hurl.
When I first heard of this wedding, a part of me hated the idea of letting them take a break from the panic and paranoia I’ve instilled in all of their hearts and minds, especially after how well my stunt at the nightclub went, but after taking some time to think about it, I decided this was better. It’s my little gift to them, the only small instance of charity they’ll see from me in this game we’ve been playing. So, let them celebrate and be happy for this one moment. Let them live and remember what their lives were like before I came to get my revenge and let them get a glimpse of a normal life before I rip it all away.
Brutally.
Violently.
In a pool of blood.
It’s what they deserve. No, actually. Now that I think about it, it’s not anywhere close to what they deserve but it will have to do because if I had my way, I would lock them all away and make them live the rest of their lives in slow, agonizing pain but it’s just not practical. I clench my teeth so hard that my jaw aches as I watch Fuzz step up to the end of the aisle in his cut with Streak and Smith by his side. He rubs his hands together, waiting for his bride to join him as all of his brothers and their wives look on with smiles on their faces.
Not for long, though.
God, what I wouldn’t give to carve those grins from their faces.
It won’t be the same but I’m certain that the wedding gift I got for the happy couple will do a good job of erasing the joy from every face in the room. Except mine, of course. I grin as I think about them opening it. Fuck, I wish I could be there to watch it all go down but sadly, I can’t. That’s okay, though. Just knowing the horror they’ll feel when they see what I’ve given them gives me a little piece of happiness, one that will sustain me for a little while until I can launch my next attack.
I am so close to ending this, so close to getting the one thing I have wanted more than anything else in the world for as long as I can remember - vengeance… justice. There is a pounding in my ears and my hands shake, rage coursing through my veins as I think about what they did to me, everything they took from me. I used to fucking be somebody and then they came into my life, tearing it all apart. My thoughts drift to the plans I still have in store for them and my smile grows. It’s taken me a hell of a long time to put all of this together and most days, I hate how long I had to draw this out. I want action and I want it now but my drive to inflict the most pain, the most suffering possible, keeps me going. Now, this is almost over and when I’m done, they’ll be left with the same thing I have.
Nothing.
The music swells and the clubhouse doors open to reveal Piper in her wedding dress with Blaze by her side, beaming out at the rest of the crowd and I grip the steering wheel in front of me as my smile matches his. They are all happy now but they have no idea what I have in store for them and all I can think is, let the games begin.
Chapter Sixteen
Rowan
“Wyatt,” Piper says, her voice cracking and tears shining in her eyes as she peeks up from the little notecard in her hand at her husband. “The first time we stood up at an altar like this and vowed to love each other for the rest of our lives, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into or just how hard it would be to fulfill those vows. We couldn’t have predicted the trials in store for us or the pain that would follow but, as cliché as it sounds, I would do it all again to wind up here with you now. I’ve loved you with the innocence of a girl and as I stand before you as the woman I am now, that love has only gotten stronger. Now that we’re back together and beginning our life as husband and wife again, I can’t wait to see everything the future has in store for us. I’m certain that it won’t always be easy but I know we’ll always face the storm together, with your hand in mine.”
Blaze, who is officiating this little shindig, clears his throat, dabbing at his eyes and I can’t help but smile at what a softie he is. He nods to Fuzz, who turns to his wife.
“Pip, I think it’s fair to say that we’ve been through hell in the last ten years and I’ve spent a lot of time hating you for the part you played in it all but as soon as you walked back into my life, I finally understood that old saying about there being a thin line between love and hate because even when I hated you, even when I couldn’t stand to hear someone say your name, I still loved you with every single piece of my heart. When you left, you took a part of me and I wasn’t whole again until you sat down across from me in that restaurant and said “Hi, Wyatt”.”
Color rushes to her cheeks as a few chuckles ring out and I can’t help but smile at how adorable they are. There is something so special about their story, which I was informed of last night when us girls snuck out to the roof and polished off two bottles of wine, and I’m honestly in awe of the kind of love survives through everything they’ve thrown at it. Piper drops her gaze to the floor but Fuzz nudges under her chin with his fingers, guiding her eyes back to his before he goes on.
“I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there isn’t anything that can come between us or pull us apart again. Whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with me, Pip, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving you and the family we’re building together… including all of these hooligans,” he adds, smirking as he tilts his head toward the crowd. The guys stand up and cheer loudly before Blaze shoots them all a stern look. They sink back into their seats as Blaze begins his portion of the ceremony and my gaze flicks to Travis as he stands at Fuzz’s side. Our eyes meet and his lips twitch with the hint of a smile that makes my belly flip and my heart skip a beat.
When he turns back to watch the happy couple, I drop my gaze to my lap and take a deep breath to calm myself before glancing up again. The girls and I spent all morning getting this portion of the parking lot set up for the wedding and honestly, after we were done, it was almost unrecognizable. This is the second Devils wedding I’ve attended and just like Lincoln and Tate’s beach nuptials last year, Fuzz and Piper’s wedding is a perfect contradiction, completely unexpected and one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen in my life. It has all the tradition and class of any other wedding I’ve been to but with the added element of the guys decked out in leather and the Harleys parked on either side of the altar. It’s the perfect mix of Fuzz and Piper and honestly, after the incident at the club a few days ago, I think we’re all a l
ittle more appreciative of how special this is.
My thoughts flash back to that night in the club and a shiver runs down my spine as I remember the spotlight coming on and illuminating the man in the mask. I’ve honestly never felt fear like that in my entire life and Warren has haunted my dreams every night since. It’s not even like I’m running from him or he’s chasing me as I sleep but I’ll just be going about my business in the dream when he pops up out of nowhere, staring at me with dark pits of nothingness where his eyes should be and I’ve woken up in a cold sweat more than once. Of course, Travis has been insisting that I sleep in his bed with him and sneak down in the morning before anyone else wakes up but I’m not complaining. The feeling of his arms wrapped around me is the one thing that has kept me from losing my mind.
“By the power granted to me by the internet,” Blaze says, his voice proud as he looks between Fuzz and Piper. “I now pronounce you husband and wife… again.”
Laughing, we all stand, clapping and cheering as Fuzz wraps his arms around his wife and claims her in front of all of us with a possessive kiss that forces my gaze to Travis but he’s already watching me. His intense eyes and signature smirk greets me and he winks before breaking out into a full smile that takes my breath away. God, the boy is too damn attractive for his own good. I shake my head as heat rushes to my cheeks and butterflies flutter around in my belly. Since most of the girls and I got so drunk last night, Travis refused to fuck me no matter how much I begged him and I’m definitely feeling it today. As soon as we get a chance, I’m stealing him away for myself because needy is not a good look on me. Grinning to myself, I remember the lingerie I slipped on underneath the green satin dress I’m wearing and wonder what his reaction will be when he finally gets a chance to see it. I’m going to pray for worshipping my body until the wee hours of the morning but at this point, I might just take anything.
Blaze hollers out over the crowd, telling us to get inside for the after party and we break off into three groups - some of the girls running into the kitchen to check on the food while some of the guys hang back to put decorations away and the rest of us follow the bride and groom into the clubhouse. Streamers are stretched across the entire room and someone moved all of the tables out of the middle of the room so people can dance without bumping into anything. Flutes of champagne are set up on the bar top but I slip behind it, grabbing the whiskey and pouring myself a glass as music begins pumping out of the speakers. As I look around the room and all the happy smiling faces in every direction, it’s hard to believe just four days ago, we were all huddled outside a mob and shaking in fear after being stalked by a faceless man. Maybe that’s the hardest part for me. No one know what Warren even looks like… the man could walk into this club and we would have no clue and yet, he seems to have his fingers in every aspect of our lives.
Like, how did he know we were going to be at that club that night?
“Enjoying the wedding, Princess?”
I smile as I feel Travis step up behind me and press his front to my back. His breath washes over my skin and I shiver as I raise my glass to my lips and nod.
“I did. You?”
He shrugs. “It was all right.”
“Not a fan of weddings?” I ask, watching as some of the couples begin pairing off and dancing in the middle of the room. Emma’s twin boys, Grady and Corbin, dance with their little sisters, Harper and Charlie, and I can’t wipe the smile off of my face as I watch them gently pulling them around the dance floor. Travis’s hand skates up my side, pulling my attention back to him and I suck in a breath as my nipples tighten.
“It’s just not my thing.”
Arching a brow, I glance back at him over my shoulder. “And why is that?”
“Weddings are kind of the polar opposite of casual, sweetheart,” he answers and I turn, leaning against the bar as I search his face. I suppose I didn’t realize he took this whole “casual” thing so seriously.
“Are you telling me that you only do casual relationships?”
He nods. “Yeah.”
“Have you ever had a relationship?” I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me as something I can’t quite name nags at me, demanding my attention. He sighs and shakes his head.
“Nope.”
“Huh,” I whisper, surprised by his admission as my stomach drops. What the hell is that? “And you never want anything more than casual?”
He shakes his head again, peeking up at me as his tongue darts out and traces along his bottom lip. “No… what’s with all the questions tonight?”
“Just curious,” I answer, turning to look out at the dance floor as I take another sip of my drink. “Trying to get to know you a little better and all that.”
Silence stretches out between us and I shift back and forth as I try to think of something else to say but my mind is blank. What happened and why the hell is this suddenly awkward between us? We’ve always been able to be open with each other and we’ve always been on the same page when it came to our relationship so why do I feel let down right now? God, this wedding is messing with my head - that has to be it. He clears his throat and lightly touches my arm, pulling my gaze back to him as he lifts his chin toward the middle of the room.
“Dance with me.”
I arch a brow. “Are you asking me or demanding?”
“Asking you,” he answers before a devilish grin stretches across his face. “Knowing that you’ll say yes.”
“Oh, you think I’m that easy, do you?”
He laughs, trailing the tips of his fingers up my arm as goose bumps pop up in his wake. “Only for me, Princess. Come dance with me.”
“I thought you couldn’t dance?”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I can manage that,” he answers, pointing to Fuzz and Piper as they sway back and forth to the song. Crossing my arms over my chest, I peek up at him.
“Are you sure? People will see.”
“Let ‘em,” he answers, shrugging with that cocky grin on his face that gets me every single fucking time when it comes to him. Unable to say no to him any longer, I set my drink down on the bar and he takes my hand, leading me a little ways into the room as a few people turn to look at us. Lincoln and Tate are on the other side of the room, talking and laughing with each other but as soon as Travis wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into his body, I swear I can feel my brother’s gaze on us.
“Kodiak is staring daggers at me right now,” he whispers in my ear, confirming my suspicions and I fight back a giggle. “Fuck. I think he’s thinking about killing me.”
I shake my head. “Don’t worry. Tate will run interference.”
“I suppose if there is one person you want on your side in a fight,” he replies, looking down at me with a grin. “It’s Tate.”
Laughing, I nod. “She’ll be happy to hear you think so.”
“Yeah, make sure you tell her. I’ll take all the brownie points I can get with that woman,” he says before giving me a mock shudder of fear and I laugh, feeling us both relax a little from our earlier conversation.
“You do realize that Tate is the kind of person that doesn’t give a shit about brownie points if you hurt someone she cares about, right?”
He arches a brow. “Is that a warning?”
“No,” I answer with a laugh, shaking my head. “Just an observation.”
“Mmhmm,” he hums, pulling me closer into his body as we drift across the floor. I smile up at him before narrowing my eyes.
“You claimed you couldn’t dance.”
Laughing, he shakes his head. “I promise you, this is the extent of my abilities. Although, I wouldn’t say no to private lessons, up in my room in oh, ten minutes.”
“Wow… with a proposition like that, I can’t possibly say no. I’m so in the mood that you’re lucky I don’t jump you right here,” I reply dryly and he laughs, leaning in closer as he moves us away from the group.
“Princess, it’s not like I can really do the things I want to
do to you in front of everyone. Give a guy a chance.”
I pull back and peek up at him. “What kinds of things would you do if everyone in this room knew about us?”
“Nothing,” he answers, his eyes heating as he stares down at me. “There is no way in hell I want anyone in this room seeing the look on your face when you lose control. That’s mine.”
“Yours?” I breathe, my heart hammering in my chest as I search his face. The possessiveness staring back at me takes my breath away and I lick my lips, trying to force my mind to work when my body is in overdrive. He nods, leaning in like he might just kiss me before his gaze flicks over my shoulder and he pulls back with a sigh.
“Kodiak is really cramping my style.”
I scoff, patting his shoulder as I tell myself to relax. “You poor thing.”
He nods in agreement before pulling me closer and guiding me around the floor as my mind spins. What the hell is happening between us tonight? Every statement seems to be loaded with meaning and I don’t know if it’s just the emotions of the day or something else but our relationship feels different. Then again, we’ve all had a roller coaster of a week but once everything calms down again, things will go back to normal for Travis and me, I’m sure of it.
The door to the clubhouse opens and we all turn to look as a man in a delivery uniform steps inside with a medium-sized package in his hands. Travis releases me as he cocks his head to the side, studying the man. The delivery guy freezes, his gaze flicking over every pair of eyes staring back at him before he clears his throat.
“Uh, I have a package for Wyatt and Piper.”
Fuzz raises his hand. “Over here.”
“Right,” the delivery man says, walking across the room and setting the package down on the closest table before handing Fuzz a clipboard to sign. He scribbles his name then hands it back with a nod of thanks. Clutching his clipboard to his chest, the delivery man practically runs out of the clubhouse as we all turn to the box. The outside is stamped with the labels “perishable” and “open immediately” but those are the only clues available to us.