Page 49 of Demon's Angel

“I hear you told everyone they’re coming.” Her voice is bland.

Shrugging, I explain. “When the president of the club gets married, it’s a big deal, Vi. Word gets to Angel we’ve sneaked off as though we want no one to know about it, he’ll be suspicious we’re doing it for all the wrong reasons.”

There’s another factor, too. I want all my brothers there, a show of strength, just in case Angel decides to use violence and take Theo by force. It’s also for that purpose we’ve decided to invite guests from the other chapters.

“He’d be right,” she snaps.

I take a step closer. That fucking cat growls, but it doesn’t stop my rising temper. “We’re doing this for the right reasons, Vi, never fuckin’ forget that. What’s more important than keeping Theo safe and out of the clutches of the Italians?”

Her hand strokes the cat’s fur vigorously. When she looks back up, I swear I see a tear glisten in her eye.

“I know that, D. There’s no other freaking justification why I’d be marrying you. But I always thought I’d be heading toward that altar for love.”

No altar. Just a desk. But still.

“You are,” I tell her. “You’re marrying because you love Theo. Because you want to give him security. That’s what I can offer, babe.” And a home, though I’ll not tell her that part yet. Until the immediate danger is removed, she can’t live off-compound. But I’m already making plans to get us a house.

She’s looking back down at Bitch, her hands moving automatically. “I’ve said yes. You’ve told me your plans. I can see your reasons, and I’ll go along with it. I just didn’t appreciate the extent you’d go to, to make this a mock celebration. I thought we’d sneak down to the courthouse alone. Telling the women to break out their best dresses?” She shakes her head. “I’ve never felt more deceitful in my life, but yeah. Okay. So there was thought behind it. Now you’ve said your piece, I don’t think there’s anything more for us to discuss, D.”

I risk perching my ass at the end of the bed. Green eyes flick my way warily, a low warning growl not to come any closer. When she sees I’m currently not a direct threat, Bitch’s hair around her neck flattens again. Once the cat relaxes, I prepare to tell Vi the rest.

“There’s one more thing. A suggestion proposed, discussed and agreed to. One more level of security.”

Her head dips up-and-down. She’s accepted the inevitable.She’s ready to agree to anything.Anything, except what I’m about to demand.

“We’re going to keep you safe, Violet. I swear that to you. Angel might make a play to get hold of you, may try and prove my claimin’ you isn’t real.”

She flinches as though I’ve hit her. But that’s what we discussed. Though I suspect his desire for the kid will fade over time, we’re still unsure of his motive. If that’s strong enough, he might wait his chance for years. Yeah, my plan is to put him underground, but it’s what happens in the meantime that I’m worried about. So this is just another precaution I’m taking.

“He’ll already know I’m yours by your ring on my finger. I am getting a ring, aren’t I? If not, it might be a good idea to get one. Just something simple.”

She sure is getting a ring.Pyro’s out choosing one now. A good wedding set that’s probably going to set me back a few thousand dollars. But it’s another sign to Angel how serious I am. Nathan, of course, would have wanted her to have the best; I could imagine his disgust if I got her a plain band. Of course, I don’t tell her that, I just settle for, “You certainly are.”

Her head tilts. Her brow creases.What more, Demon?She doesn’t need words to communicate.

Pinching the brow of my nose, I strengthen my voice. I’ll not be making the normal demands on her during our marriage, but this is one time where I’m determined to get my way. The decision’s been made and recorded.

“Rings can be removed, Vi.” Not much of an explanation so far. “You need to wear my property patch too.”

Her facial features relax. “Oh, that’s all. Yeah, I saw Jay’s vest. That’s not much of an ask, D. I suppose as your old lady, it will be expected I’ll have one, too.”

My eyes sharpen, find hers and hold them. “Not a patch on your vest, Vi, though yeah, you’ll certainly get one of those. Nah, a tattoo.”

“A tattoo?” Her voice stretches out the word, starting low then rising an octave on the last ‘o’. There her head shakes rapidly side-to-side. “Not going to happen, D.”

“It is, Vi. I want my mark on you.” I stand and start to pace. “When this club started, it had its own bylaws. When we became Satan’s Devils, we accepted theirs. But kept some of the old club’s too. One of those archaic rules was if a man took an old lady, she was to get a ‘Property of’ tattoo.”

“Angel won’t know that. He won’t know your rules,” she scoffs dismissively.

“They’re not exactly top secret, Vi. Hell says he knows; recalls a discussion once back in the day when he and Lucio were closer. Don’t know the ins and out of it, possibly some discussion about women. But he’s certain they know. If Angel ever takes you, and looks for one, he needs to find it to show how seriously you—we—take our relationship.

“Does Jay have one?”

“She’ll get one when she’s eighteen. She could get one now but needs a parent with her.”

“Jeannie?”

“Jeannie and Sindy have them. Mo has a small one too. Vi. You having the tattoo will cement that we’re permanent.”

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