Page 38 of Demon's Angel

Right now I don’t know which is worse. If it comes down to it, I’d far rather be explaining my plan to my brothers than trying to convince a woman to tie herself to me in a loveless, platonic marriage.

Cad and Thunder disappear. Hell stays with me while I try to work through the mire of legalities, getting everything straight in my head. We could marry today, it would seem, not too much formality. I’ve a phone full of notes that will override any objection she has by the time Cad reappears.

“Car’s clean, Prez. If she has anything on her, I’d put money on it being in her purse. I’ve just seen her in the clubroom. She has the kid with her, she’s engrossed with the women. Couldn’t see she had any bag with her except for the kid’s stuff. If we’re going to search her purse without her knowing, what about now?”

“Good call. Let’s do it.”

Chapter Thirteen

Violet

“He’s gorgeous, Violet. You can see Nathan in him, he has his nose.”

Frowning, I respond, “Not sure that’s a compliment, Mo. Poor kid.”

“Nathan was a handsome man, Violet.”

Now I’m laughing at Demon’s mom. “He was my brother. You’ll have to excuse me if I don’t think of him that way.”

She smiles, and leans over, smoothing her hand gently over a sleeping Theo’s head. “He grows up like your brother? I assure you, he’ll be fighting all the girls off.”

“Or not.” Jayden slumps down beside us. A grin accompanies her next words. “If he’s anything like the men here, he’ll be lapping all the attention up.” Reaching over, she pulls down the blanket that is covering Theo, so she can get a good look at him. “Seems he’s out for the count, Violet. Want to put him in his stroller and I’ll watch him for you? Give you some time to yourself?”

I’ve just changed him; he’s been fed.I could use a few moments to myself.

Moira’s been bombarding me with questions since she arrived. Does he feed well? Sleep well at night? Had his shots? Any issues? Her friendly concern and interest isn’t anything I haven’t experienced before, but coming from Demon’s mother, a woman I knew well in the past, makes me wish it was my own mom making such enquiries.

It doesn’t seem right that my mom wouldn’t remember him being born. She isn’t able to understand she is a grandmother. I’m torn between guilt that I should check in and see my mom for myself, and the knowledge even if it was safe for me to go see her, it wouldn’t do anything but upset me. Even if I could go visit, I don’t know what I’d achieve.

The last few days have at least given me a chance to catch my breath, to concentrate on being Theo’s mom, putting the rest to the back of my mind for a moment. Theo’s benefitted from my less-anxious state; he’s sleeping better at night. Of course, I haven’t stopped worrying. Angelino won’t have given up, but he doesn’t know where I am. This has become my safe haven.

No one seems to be in a hurry for me to leave, but I won’t be able to stay here forever. Sometime soon I’ll need to speak to Demon and work on my future plans.

I put my hand to my mouth to cover a yawn. Theo’s sleeping better, but that still means he wakes early for his first feed. Jayden’s suggestion of some time to myself is very welcome, and something I haven’t had much chance to indulge in since Theo’s birth. I’ve no qualms about leaving my son with Jayden, and Mo’s hovering around, desperate for him to wake up, if I’m any judge.

A long soak in the tub?Yeah. Maybe. Perhaps, first, some fresh air. I’ve been cooped up inside for days.

“Thank you, Jayden. He should be down for a while now. Mo, it was lovely catching up with you again.”

“You go and relax. I’m happy to watch him with Jayden.” Demon’s mother’s eyes have a maternal gleam to them. For a second my stomach clenches. What would it have been like if Theo were Demon’s son, and Mo his real grandmother?Don’t go there, Vi.Theo’s yours. It doesn’t matter who his sperm donor was.But it does. I force my mind away from the immensity of problems his parentage has caused.

Nodding to them both, I stand, then, with one last glance back, reassuring myself that he’s in good hands, I walk across the clubroom to the kitchen, and out through the back door. I haven’t had a chance to explore outside before. The ground is damp, but steam is rising as it’s heated by the sun, which has reappeared after a sudden heavy downpour of rain. Seeing the area with a mother’s eye, I notice the grass, but also dangerous lumps of concrete lying around. Spying picnic benches, I wander across, worried when I see a huge, deep pit. Inside there are grills, which must be for when they have barbeques. I doubt I need worry; I’ll be long gone before Theo starts running around, but it seems dangerous for a youngster.

Was this where Demon and his brother and sister played?Or didn’t they come here as kids? I only remember their house off-compound. Whether children have run through these grounds before is nothing to do with me. My future is starting over in another state, not here.

The industrial history of the buildings housing the club is more pronounced from the outside. I spend a moment looking around, intrigued, as well as enjoying the sunshine and the solitude.

“They used to melt down trains in there,” a deep voice sounds from my side. Looking around, I see the man they call Thunder.

“It’s not big enough for a train,” I scoff, thinking he’s pulling my leg.

He walks closer and looks down into the pit. “They’d saw it in half first. It’s true. What you’re looking at is the furnace.”

I look at the pit again. Yes, perhaps half a train would fit. Seems he could be telling the truth. “How long since it was worked?”

He shrugs. “Getting on forty years now. Steel mill closed when the industry crashed.”

“And the club’s been here since then?”

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