Page 3 of Devil's Contract

"Nothing, because he really wants me to go on a date with him. He knows this girl is a terror, and halfway agreed with me, but when the mom came in, he had to do something. The daughter texted her after class and complained about what I said." Allison shrugs. "I expect more out of her because she's smart. She shouldn't be using the need to have all eyes on her to get recognition."

I smile, thinking back to our days in high school. "We were the same way. We wanted everyone around us to know who we were."

"We were." She agrees. "But we didn't disrupt other people to make that happen."

"No, you're right. We weren't obnoxious."

She takes a drink of her wine. "I caught her last week exposing part of her breast to another student. It was a boy who was speechless. Pretty sure it was the first pair he'd seen, and he was uncomfortable or excited, not sure what to call it. I mean, how in the world am I supposed to deal with that? I had no idea what to do. I was pissed at her for putting me in that situation."

"I can't imagine. I see women doing it to the guys a lot. They'll glance at them while they're on their bikes, and then pull their shirts lower. Even when I'm riding with Devil. They put me in a situation I don't want to be in. It's obvious I'm with him, like why make me stake my claim?" I'm annoyed thinking about it even now. He's my husband, and there's no reason I should have to watch other women come on to him." I grumble before taking a drink of my wine.

"At least you know yours won't cheat."

My heart aches for my friend. Divorce was never the plan for her, but what was she supposed to do when she found out her husband was talking to other women online in a way he shouldn't have been? Since then, she hasn't started dating again.

"I know he won't cheat, and you know that Dime won't either."

Her cheeks get pinker and she plays with the rim of her wine glass. "I don't know if I'll ever say yes to him or not."

I've been trying to push them together for more than a year, but she's been resistant, which I can understand. However, I want her to be happy. She's my best friend in this world, besides Devil. I just know that Dime would be the person who could do that. "Maybe one day you will." If there's anything I've learned, it's not to push her too hard. As soon as I do that, she'll completely pull back.

"You keep hoping." She grins.

That, I definitely do.

Three

Devil

The group is loud. Laughing and joking, giving each other a bunch of shit as Ghost and I head into the meeting room. We both take a seat at the front of our table. It was a gift from Ghost when the charter was established. It's got our patch carved in the middle, and there are removable plates for names in front of where everyone sits.

I glance around, taking it in. When I started as a prospect, I never thought I'd be sitting where I am right now. It was a dream, but not reality. At least not mine. I was brought up in a family that was so far from where a MC president would come from, it would be laughable now if they knew what I was doing. Right or not, some of these men have become my family.

They notice that we're sitting there and one by one everyone starts to quieten and pay attention. When I have all eyes on me, I bring the meeting to order. After going over a few of the pertinent issues, I do the one thing Dani's dad never did. "Anyone got anything else they'd like to talk about or ask?"

"I do." Dime raises his hand.

The most important thing to me is to let the guys feel as if they're a part of a family, that they have a voice. It allows us to feel closer, and lets them know they have a say so. It's why they never question me when I ask them to do things for me. I have their loyalty, and there's nothing I will give for it. "The floor is yours."

"We need to hire some more workers at the garage." Dime passes out a few pieces of paper. "I'm dying over there. What started as a way for us to do shit under people's noses has become a legitimate way to make money. We're booked out for three weeks."

I groan. "So you're suggesting bringing in non-members?" The more people we bring in, the more I have to juggle situations. No one knows those situations like I do, but the more bodies we put near us, the slicker I have to be. I have to protect myself and the club. This is going to be harder than anyone realizes, but I can't let them see. This is my responsibility to bear, and I will. Being president is the most important job I have right now, besides being Daniela's husband. I can't let any of them down, and I refuse to.

"If that's what we have to do. I don't see you coming to help any more than you already are. We need non-members to do the garage so the rest of you can continue working on the grow op."

He's got a point, and the silence in the room says more than anything else does. There are nods of agreement. "Where do you propose I get these people? Want me to put a job ad in the paper? That feels like we'll be inviting anyone and everyone to apply."

Ghost speaks up. "I'd much prefer this to be a situation where you all suggest friends or vouch for someone you know. I don't want strangers. We have secrets they could learn and use against us if they so chose to."

I hear what he's saying, and I don't disagree. "So before we hire, we need to set up a process. There has to be vetting. We don't want someone in here we don't trust, but I firmly believe Dime should be the one who does the actual hiring. He runs the garage."

"I agree with that." Ghost nods. "Set this up to your satisfaction and we'll approve it."

"Alright. Moving on, who all is riding with us on Friday? I need fifteen." Hands go up around the table, along with murmurs of acquiescence. I make note of everyone on a piece of paper. Moving my pen up and down the page, I count the amount. "That's seventeen, so I have some alternates if I need 'em." Turning my attention to Storm, the member in charge of our grow operation, I tilt my head to the side. "Are we on track to deliver everything they wanted?"

He nods, before taking a drag of his cigarette. "Yeah, we might have a bit more we can throw in for good measure. Dani's soil is killing it. This is some of the best product we've ever had. As soon as we have a few buys with this quality, we'll be able to increase prices."

"My wife is way smarter than she gives herself credit for. Be sure and let me know what sales look like, and we'll consider raising." I situate myself in the seat, and glance around. It's late, and it's apparent the guys have had long days. I'm losing their interest quickly. "Does anyone have anything else they'd like to talk about? If not, I think we can all agree that we're ready to get outta here. Let's head home."

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