“His name, Vi. Tell me his fuckin’ name.”
Chapter Seven
Violet
Again, my shoulders rise and fall. I don’t know if a biker moves in the same circles as the man who raped me. It’s possible. I’m wary what he’ll do once he knows. I’d been so delighted at being called for an interview, I hadn’t looked into the man who was doing the hiring, hadn’t known anything about the man who subsequently drugged and raped me. Then, immediately after he’d abused me, I’d tried to forget him completely. But my eyes had been opened when I had no choice but to take him to court. That dreadful experience where he escaped without a further blot on his black character while mine was forever tarnished. Angry, I’d wanted to know who I was dealing with, and had done my research. Enough to learn I’d gotten involved with the wrong man.
Demon going after him wouldn’t do anything to help, and could make matters worse. The man’s powerful, he comes from an influential family. I’d rather not tell him. If I do and he knows him, I daren’t hope that he’ll have the sense to walk away from a fight he wouldn’t be able to win. I already know that kind of man isn’t him.
There’s a certain lightness, now I’ve told him everything that before only Vicky had known. I’d prefer him to remain in ignorance, but realise, having come this far, I can’t keep the name secret. The court cases are a matter of public record, and he’d soon be able to find out for himself.
My eyes find his. He’s so still, the only movement is his chest rising and falling.
“Demon, if I tell you, please, please don’t do anything stupid.”
“His name, Violet.” His tone is persistent.
I take a breath, and a leap into the unknown, wishing I didn’t have to involve him. “Angelino Silvestri.”
I’d been hoping for a simple nod to register the name and put it into his memory. What I get is far worse. His statue-like posture changes in a flash as he leaps to his feet and starts pacing the room while saying ‘fuck’ repeatedly and increasingly louder. Then, sweeping back his hair, he rounds on me, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.
“What the fuck were you thinkin’, Vi? Even going to him for a job in the first place? What fuckin’ type of a job was he offering?”
Again, I raise and lower my shoulders. He’s probably never been in the position I’d found myself in. Has never known what it’s like to be unemployed or to exist taking jobs that may as well advertise their rates in cents. Having taken over the MC from his father, he’s more likely to have been born with the biker version of a silver spoon in his mouth. His parents and siblings are all alive and healthy. What does he know about dealing with death and loss, and the struggle to put food on the table?
“I was going to manage part of his casino.”
His mouth gapes. “You know what type of place that is?”
“Well, I do now.” Like his, my eyes flare. “I never went anywhere like that when I lived here before. I was too young. You can’t imagine how pleased I was to get an interview. I wasn’t going to be working tables, the job was nine-to-five in an office.” It was only afterwards I’d looked it up, googling and reading old news articles. It doesn’t have a good reputation, though nothing’s ever been proven against the Silvestri family who run it. I continue to defend myself, “It was a chance to at least give a nod to my business degree. A day job, ordering supplies, dealing with staff issues. I wouldn’t have been involved in anything else.”
“Christ, Vi. You can pick ‘em, can’t you? He’s one powerful man in Pueblo. The word ‘shady’ was invented for him. Do you know what they call him?” He shakes his head. “The man you…” His eyes meet mine. “Christ, Vi. You didn’t have a chance. His name makes men shake.”
“Then I’ll go back to Plan A,” I snap. “You think I don’t know that now, Demon? Why do you think I wanted Theo far away from him? A man like that doesn’t want a son, he wants a commodity.”
Suddenly he’s back, standing in front of me, then folding to his knees almost in supplication before me. “Shit, Vi, I’m sorry. Of course you weren’t to fuckin’ know. These are the type of lowlifes that we deal with, not someone like you. And you can put any thought of plans A, B or fuckin’ C right out of your head. You and Theo are now under our protection, and I’ll make sure nothing happens to you, or to him. Okay? I swear I’ll keep you safe.”
I stare at this man in front of me, the man I’d looked up to all my formative years. It’s like seeing Nathan all over again, my big brother who’d tease me mercilessly, but had always been there when I needed him. Could I trust Demon? At least now he knows what I’m facing. “You’ll help me get away? With Theo?” For the first time today, well, in weeks really, I let a little hope creep into my voice.
“Angel Silvestri has got a debt to pay, Vi. He’s not going to get away with hurting you, or with making your life hell. You won’t have to worry about him. I’ll fuckin’ kill him.”
Rapidly I move my head side-to-side. “You can’t, Demon!” I cry out, envisaging him dead or languishing in prison. “Nathan wouldn’t have wanted that. Either I run, or we find the right way to fight him. Maybe a better lawyer…”
“Vi, you can’t treat a sub-human as anything more than an animal.”
But all I can see is Nathan. He fought for this country, believed in the law. Surely, if someone was on my side, there’s a way to do this? A right way. A good lawyer, though, that would cost money. I press my lips together, then back down. “I’m sorry, Demon. Of course, fighting Angelino would be expensive. There will be funds from the sale of the house…”
“You’ve got no money, Vi. Everything is going toward making your mom’s life easier.” He waves his hand. “You don’t have to worry about money again. I’ve got enough for both of us.”
Now it’s me who’s standing, pacing, then turning to face him once more. “Both of us? Demon, there’s no you and me.” But those three words have caused feelings I’ve not had for a very long time, dragging up a memory of him and me together being all I’d once dreamed of. Even in the depths of my despair, drawing forth an admission that I keep to myself, I still desire this man. What kind of father would he make for Theo?
“Of course I don’t mean it that way.” Demon’s also standing, his dark eyes blazing as he dashes my embryonic dreams into smithereens. “I need to make good on my promise to Nathan. You might have lost one brother, but it’s time I stood up and stepped up in his place. Nathan wouldn’t have wanted to see you needing anything, you know that. So you treat me as you would have done your big brother. You want something? You come to me.”
It’s like a bucket of cold water being thrown over me. I’m twenty-five years old. Our ten-year age difference was massive when I was a child; now it’s nothing at all. Yet I’ll never be anything more than a little girl in his eyes. I’m not crazy, I’m not going to throw his offer of help back at him; I’d be a fool to do that, and I’ve my son to think of now, my pride can take a back seat. I need to grab the chance of Theo and I being together, accept Demon’s help to rid me of the spectre of Angelino and his threat hanging over us. I must just never, ever lead Demon to suspect for one minute that I wish he would play a role very different to that of a big brother. He’d only laugh in my face.
Demon’s got his head in his hands. I can almost see the wheels turning as he tries to work out what to do. All I want is to go to my son, who I’d thought never see again after I’d left him earlier today, to seize the opportunity to hold him again, the chance I didn’t expect to have.
“I’ve told you everything,” I start, in clipped tones. “You know everything I did was to protect Theo, not to harm him. Now I’d like to go to my son.” And get him away from the old lady or whatever scantily-clad woman is mollycoddling him right now. My mouth curves slightly. While Theo is too young to be influenced by a nearly-naked female form, he wouldn’t be averse to pulling down a revealing top and trying to find a nipple. Some whore might be in for a surprise.
De
mon looks up, his hands dragging down his face. He considers for a moment, then nods. “Yeah. I’ll take you to Theo. Gonna take a minute to decide how this is going to play out, but for now, Vi, you’re staying put. Told you we’d protect you, okay?” He frowns. “Need to know what the fuck’s behind this. Why you, and why the kid?”
Yes. Questions I’d been asking myself. I’d settled on that Angelino just wanted something he considered his, and only because I’d denied him. Maybe he wasn’t used to being told no. But whatever the reason behind it, he wants Theo.
Now that Demon’s given in, I’m suddenly uncertain about venturing into the clubhouse, remembering the looks of animosity that had been directed at me before. I don’t blame them. Since Angelino had told me he wanted, and was going to get, full custody of my son, I’d been in a blind panic. Relaying my thought processes to Demon has made me see all the holes in what I had planned. My first impulse was to get Theo somewhere safe, and I hadn’t been able to see how I could provide that safety myself. But if I heard of a woman giving her baby to strangers, without understanding her distraught state of mind, I’d be critical of her too. “Your…” What do I call them? “Men. They hate me.”
He pulls himself up to his full, not inconsiderable height, and looks down at me. “Vi, no one hates you. I’m the president. You needn’t fear anyone here. They’ll do what I say, and if that’s to treat you with respect, that’s what they’ll do.”
He seems to have complete control over them. I’m not surprised, he’s an imposing man. Strangely, growing up I’d been more in awe of his father. Now they seemed to have switched places, Hellfire being the more temperate one. My observation leads me to ask, “Are they afraid of you?”
He snorts. “They’re afraid of losing their patch. Now come on. Let’s go find the kid.”
That’s music to my ears. I wait impatiently while he goes through the ritual of locking his door, wondering again who this bitch is who would otherwise take up residence, suppressing the ridiculous instinct to discover just who and scratch out her eyes. By his side, together we retrace our steps back down to what is obviously their clubroom.
The first thing I see is Theo, sitting on a fully-clothed young woman’s lap, twiddling her hair around his fingers. She’s much younger than what I expected, then I stop thinking about her age as I wince on her behalf when I see him give a sharp tug, but admire the way she’s not fazed and competently deals with it, gently prying open his fingers and pulling away the strands with a laugh.
Demon speaks quietly, “That’s Jayden. She’s Pal’s. She’s going to be training to be a nanny or some such shit. Got a lot of experience with kids. I know you’ll want to do everything for Theo yourself, but don’t be afraid to ask her for help. As you can see, she’s a natural.”
My first instinct is to turn any assistance down, but the events of today, the emotional wringer I’ve been through, the expectation I’d not be alive tonight and certainly not with my son, and, not least, the draining conversation with Demon, has taken it out of me. I want to hold my son, but if Jay’s going to be around to help, I won’t refuse.
As I stand by Demon’s side, quizzical and assessing looks are being thrown at me. Demon clears his throat. “Brothers. Need to have church in a few. Violet’s going to stay here with Theo.” He then gives a pointed look toward the taciturn man who’d brought me here. He clearly gets an unspoken message and raises his chin back.
As the other men start to rise and move off in the same direction, I assume they’re following Demon’s strange instruction. I’d never have taken any of them to be religious. The man who’d tied my hands and pushed me into the car, though, he stays put, his legs apart, hands clasped behind his back. His eyes meet mine, brows raised in challenge. Guess I’ve got a jailer. Not that I care or would try to escape. At least here, and at least for tonight, Theo and I can be together, relax and feel safe.
Theo spies me, and his hands reach out. I start moving forward when Demon suddenly shouts, his voice full of panic, “Stop. No.”
Perplexed, I halt, He’s letting me hold my son, surely? Then, with a sigh of relief, I grin. He’s not looking at me, his eyes are fixed on something else. One of the biggest cats I’ve ever seen in my life is approaching Jayden, who’s holding my baby.
“Pishk, get out of here!” Demon urges, flapping his hands, but making no move forward.
Fickle as ever, Theo turns his attention away from me and onto the approaching feline, his chubby hands quickly changing direction as he clenches and releases his fingers in a ‘come here’ gesture the cat seems to understand. It inches nearer, rubbing its back along the side of the couch, idly flicking its tail left then right.
“Get out of here, Bitch.” The young man sitting beside Jay, her man Pal, I take it, slowly, careful to make no sudden movements, gets to his feet and sidles away. Feeling concerned, I wonder why he’s avoiding touching the cat. And why the hell he called it ‘Bitch’. Can’t he see it’s not a dog?
Nothing can hold me back from Theo any longer. As I step forward, Demon’s hand shoots out, but I’m too fast for him to pull back. Two more steps and I’m kneeling on the floor reaching out for Theo, while the cat closes the gap and, purring loudly, starts to rub its face against me.
Jay passes Theo over; he comes into my arms, immediately reaching out and grabbing a handful of fur. There’s an audible gasp from all around the room, a silence as though everyone’s holding their breath, then a general sigh as the cat sits beside us and starts licking her fur, daintily holding up one paw to clean it.
Theo is entranced.
Jay’s grinning broadly, then chuckling up at her man. “Best you scoot along. We’ve got Bitch to protect us.”
Now the name registers. Bitch? Is this who, or rather, what, Demon didn’t want in his room? Doesn’t he like pets? I frown. He helped rescue the squirrel all those years back, so that seems odd.
“See you later, Doll.” Pal reaches over as though to give Jay a kiss. Immediately the feline stands, arches her back and hisses.
Pal doesn’t complete his movement toward the girl, but steps away with his hands held up in defeat and a rueful smile on his face.
Then, one by one, the men disappear.
“What was that about?” I kiss Theo’s head, holding him to me, breathing in that baby aroma I didn’t expect to fill my nostrils again.
“Bitch,” Jay giggles, pointing at the now settled cat. “She hates men. Women, and presumably babies, are fine. She can be really vicious with the opposite sex.” She eyes me for a moment, then her hand moves from Bitch and indicates Theo. “I fed him a bottle, he took it well. Are you still feeding him yourself?”
Her attention draws mine to the dried milk on my clothes, realising I need a clean shirt, but that’s the least of my worries for now. I answer her question, “He’s fine with bottles. I can’t produce enough so he’s used to them.”
“I don’t know where you’ll be sleeping, but I got the girls to get this…” She points over to the other side of the room where there’s a portable crib. “They got blankets, too.”
“Couldn’t find any with motorbikes on, but I’ll have a look online.”
“Oh, Titsy,” Jay addresses one of the women who’s nearly naked. “I doubt he’ll notice as yet.”
“Got to start them young,” Titsy replies with a wink. “He’s an absolute sweetheart.” She nods over at Theo who, blissfully unaware anything significant happened today, is dropping off in my arms.
Apart from Jay, there’s an older woman hovering in a doorway looking at me curiously. The barely-dressed woman called Titsy is standing with two other under-clothed girls. Demon is presumably setting the men straight, it’s up to me to make peace with the women.
“I didn’t abandon him because I didn’t want him,” I tell them, my tone serious. “I didn’t know what else to do.”
“Hey, hon. Demon wouldn’t have let you near him if there was any worry about that,” the older woman speaks, crossing t
he room. “I’m Jeannie, by the way. My old man’s Bomber. You don’t need to explain yourself to us. We’re,” she points to herself and Jay, “old ladies. We don’t need the details. And as for the rest,” now she indicates the other women, “they do what they’re told.”
Titsy leans over to Jeannie. “Not much difference between you and us as I see it,” she says, jokingly.
Jeannie, glares, then gently bats her with her arm, and her eyes fix on me. “Wealth of difference between an old lady and a whore.” Then she winks. “But yeah, we do as we’re told as far as the ‘don’t ask questions’ goes.”
“Club business,” Jay starts.
Jeannie finishes, “isn’t our business.”
Whatever the reason, I’m relieved they’re not going to give me the third degree. Right now I’m too worn out to go through it all again.
Chapter Eight
Demon
My brothers are curious, as they’re entitled to be. I’ve brought Violet and Theo to the compound, and into their home, after all, and under extraordinary circumstances. But I can’t leap as I want to and take Silvestri down without carefully thinking how best to handle him. There’s no fucking doubt Violet has gotten involved with the completely wrong person, and I’ve promised to sort it, and that I will. But in between the time I got the story and now, while I’ve been waiting for the men to leave their businesses and return to the compound, I’ve had second thoughts. As they walk into church and take their seats, it dawns on me I’m unprepared and have called this meeting prematurely.
Tell them all of it, bring in my brothers, and there’ll certainly be a war. One we’re not prepared for.
I should have first considered taking Angel out on my own without getting the club involved, a hit for which I’d take full responsibility. If these men knew I was even considering that option, the club would not let me get away with it, and not just because I’m the president. They’d want to have my back. Nah, I think looking around, the only way I could do it alone is to leave them in the dark.
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