Page 4 of Devil's Contract

I watch the guys as they leave. Today it was hot as fuck and they all worked hard. I need to get with Dani and plan a night for everyone to hang out. We can have some food, get the pool opened, and get the family together. Morale is lower than I would like because we've been so busy. Letting our hair down and having a fun night needs to be our top priority.

As I walk through the great room, shutting off all the lights, I meet up with Ghost again. "Be careful." He says. "There's a strange current running through this place. I can't quite put my finger on it."

Reaching over, I put my hand on his shoulder. "I feel it too. Laurel Springs PD is getting closer. Some of our sources inside have told us."

He sighs heavily, the weight of being the person in charge an enormous burden to bear. His responsibility is the entire club, not just one charter. "That's what I'm worried about. We'll try to get some information gathered and get it to you."

"I'll be doing it on my end too, Ghost. Thanks for everything."

He sighs. "I'm headed out. Got a long trip back."

"Be safe. I'll be in touch."

As I watch his bike leave, I can't help but wonder if what I'm doing is going to blow up in my face.

Four

Dani

"I'm telling you." I giggle as Allison and I continue talking. We're sitting out on the back porch, with fresh glasses of wine. "I wasn't expecting Dime to be that ripped. It was that day where I was like, I gotta get them together."

"I appreciate you looking out for me. Sometimes I look at him and wonder what it would be like to date him. I'm just not sure if I want to put myself back out there like that. I'm still hurt, still healing."

I hate she was put in this situation, and I wish I could take this away from her. She's been my best friend since middle school. We've been through so much together, and all I want is to see her happy again. Our friendship is important, and she deserves the best. Dime is one of the best, and I know he'll treat her right.

"While I understand it's going to take you a while to want to date again, there are worse men to practice on, if you get what I'm saying."

She giggles, throwing her head back on her chair. The red-tinged hue shines in the muted light of the porch. I've always been slightly jealous of that hair. Mine is dark and only gets lighter if I put products in it. One year I went blonde, and it was the worst decision I ever made. Took a few years to get my hair back to where it started.

"I know." She sighs. "I wish I had a crystal ball that would tell me how this all ends. If I choose to accept his date offer, will he break my heart? Will I end up marrying him? Will it be the best love story in my life? I want answers to this before I say yes or no. The one thing that's bothered me about the divorce is how wrong I was, Dani. I was so wrong about the man I married. Aren't you worried about that with Devil?"

This question surprises me. "No." I answer immediately. "I trust Devil, he's never lied to me. There's no reason for him to do so. If I can't trust him, then who can I?"

She takes another drink of her wine. "I thought I could trust my husband too, and you see where that got me. I understand what you're saying, Dani, but if you don't protect yourself? Who else is going to?"

In my head I answer Devil, but it's obvious she doesn't want to hear it right now, and I'm not willing to argue with her. "You know how I am."

"I do. You're like your mom. She'll ride or die for your dad."

"She is, and that's how I was brought up. The minute I met Devil, I knew he was my future." Those words are the absolute truth. I remember seeing him that day as I was coming out of The Cafe, on the back of his bike. New in town and looking for others to ride with, he'd eventually met my dad and the members of Saint's Outlaws. It took me a few months to meet him, but the second I did, when we touched to shake hands, I saw it all. In the blink of an eye, our future. The man who would stand at my side, who would sleep with me every night. He'd tell me he loves me, and he'd take over for my dad. I'd do all the things my mom has taught me.

I wanted it.

And I got it.

Not to say we haven't had our issues. Every married couple does. Things aren't perfect, but I trust him. I have to.

"I just want you to keep your eyes open, Dani, and your heart safe. I worry about you because you trust so wholly. I'm not saying that you shouldn't be confident in your husband, but I am saying you should always have questions. I didn't, and it bit me in the ass."

Rolling my wine around in my glass, I take the last drink. "I love you, Allison. You've always looked out for me, and you were here before Devil. You've been with me through it all."

"I have, and who knows? Maybe I'll go out on a date with your husband's best friend."

I squeal, excited that she's entertaining the idea. "From your lips to God's ears, Al."

And as I look at her, and gaze out at the property Devil and I own, I can see the light from my parents' back porch shining brightly. This is everything I've ever wanted. A marriage, a piece of property, a nice house, and my parents up the road.

If someone were to ask me how my life is right now?

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