Page 5 of Devil's Contract

It's as perfect as it's ever been, and that's scary.

History says this is when everyone else wants to bring it crashing down.

Five

Devil

Looking around, I check out the room one more time. The clubhouse is where everyone gathers, and it gets messy quickly. I'll have to talk to Dani about coming over and making sure it's cleaned up tomorrow.

Dime and I lock eyes. A conversation happens between us without words. There are so many things I want to tell him, want to ask, but now isn't the time for it. It doesn't appear that there's anyone around, but we can't be sure, can never be sure. We're playing with fire, and if we don't watch out, we could very well get burned.

Cocking my head to the side, I listen, trying to discern what's going on inside the dorms. Is anyone listening to us? Are we drawing attention to ourselves? I can hear a clock ticking in the distance, clicking away the seconds - until...what?

"Are you heading out?" Dime asks.

It's the safest thing he can say, and I'm thankful. "Sure am. I'll see you tomorrow?" I put my fist out so he can bump it.

He nods. "Need me at the garage?"

I try to think about what I have going on tomorrow. "Might need you out at the farm, but I'll let you know first thing."

"Be safe." He throws two fingers up.

"You too."

We're the last ones out of the clubhouse. Everyone else who stays there is already in their dorms. I take one last look around before shutting off the main lights and heading out to where my bike is parked. I slow roll it out there and leisurely lift my leg over the bike, sitting comfortably against the seat. My motorcycle helmet goes over my head, because who wants to catch a fucking charge? Not me, not tonight.

I take a few minutes, but when I get out on the road, I let the bike accelerate and enjoy the freedom I have. I don't pay attention to the speed limit, but I admire the night sky. The stars are bright against the inky blackness, making it feel as if I'm flying. This is my favorite thing besides being with Dani.

The difference is here; I don't have to make sure I keep my secrets hidden. This is the only place I can be myself. The only time where I don't have to watch my back, and make sure I haven't done anything that'll cause me harm.

Glancing into my mirrors, I make sure no one is following me, and then make a quick turn to the right, onto a hidden dirt road. Carefully, I pick my way through the brush and look out over the field. I know the person I'm here to meet will be there. It's just about finding him. He's never in the same place, but he's close.

Shutting the bike off, I walk it over to the side and set the kickstand down. Pulling my helmet up, and off my head, I put it on my taillight and blow out a low whistle. I listen for the response. It's coming from the east, so I walk slowly and with purpose until a lighter flicks a flame. "Hey." I give him a grin. "You look fucking sinister the way that thing is casting shadows."

"You know better, though. I only fuck with people who deserve it. What do you have for me?"

I hate the way this feels, as if I'm a traitor, making a deal with the devil. It's why I chose my name to be Devil when I decided to do this. I think of the group of men who I've been hanging out with for over three years, who I'm leading as their president. I think of my lawful wife, who has absolutely no idea what I'm doing after church. The patch and cut I'm wearing right now? If they knew, they'd cut it off of me. The tattoos I've acquired, they'd be gone too. "Here's an envelope of where the weed has gone this last month. Some stolen cars came into the garage, and we've broken them down."

"Any audio?"

"You'll find a link to a Google drive in the paperwork. I've recorded the last five." God, it sucks to say that, but at the same time it feels good. I know I'm making a difference.

"Everything look okay for you?" He questions. "Do you need any support?"

"Late next week we're doing a run to Birmingham. Do with that what you will, but please keep me informed."

"Will do." He nods, putting all the information in his backpack. His SUV is parked where I can't see it, but I have no doubt it's there, waiting for him in the woods. "I'm meeting with Dime next week, so I'll pass the message on if there's anything you need to know about."

He never meets with us together, and neither one of us ever share the times. Sometimes Dime doesn't even meet with the same person I do. "My mom doing okay?" I haven't seen her in two years, haven't dared to call her in the last eight months.

"She's fine after her surgery. We're keeping watch for you. She knows you're doing important work, and if you're needed, we'll pull you out."

"I know. That's all I got." I reach out and shake hands with him.

"You go on and leave before I do. I'll watch your back. It's kinda my thing now."

I roll my eyes, offering him a smirk. "Still can't believe you're in a position of power."

"Yeah, I question it too, a lot. But I'm doing well, so maybe they knew better than I did when they hired me. Be safe out there, Officer David."

It's a shock to hear my given name. I'm called Devil by so many. "Always. You too, Chief Harrison. Tell my mom I love her."

And with those words, I'm back to the role I've been playing for almost five years. The one I'm getting way too close to, and the one that I know will eventually be the end of me.

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