Page 53 of Demon's Angel

Demon, though, looks like it’s not going to be as easy as that. But he’s wise enough to wait for a better time and place for our argument.

Strangely, now we’re both adjusting to the thought that we have tats of each other’s names on our skin, it makes the next part, getting the marriage license, just a formality. The soreness of my back is a reminder of what I’ve gone through today. But I’m excited, too. I have the prospect of employment in the future, doing something I’d never considered, but something I think I could get into. Jayden’s so good with children, perhaps she could be my nanny? There’s just the little problem that I’d be earning just to pay someone to take care of my child; I doubt apprentices make much of a living. Deep down, though, I know I’ll make a better mother if I have something else to do than being a fulltime mom.

I’m still thinking it all through as we arrive back at the clubhouse. It takes me a moment to realise there are more bikes here than there were when we left. Demon notices the additions with a nod of appreciation.

The clubhouse is full. Dan and Wills seem run off their feet trying to keep hands filled with bottles of beer. The room is loud, and I look anxiously around for Theo.

“Jay’s taken him upstairs,” Jeannie informs me, correctly reading my look of concern.

As I turn to go find him, Demon’s hand takes hold of mine. “Vi, I want you to meet some people. Theo will be fine for a few minutes longer.” He leads me to the bar and exchanges backslaps and manly hugs with three men, followed by a round of those strange handshakes where they grab forearms, then finally he introduces me.

“This is Snatcher, he’s the Prez of the Utah Chapter. With him is his VP, Thor, and Piston. And this is Violet, my wife-to-be.”

“I’m the road captain, sweetie,” Piston says as he shakes my hand. “Had to come along to make sure they rode in the right direction.”

His prez slaps him playfully around the head, then nods at Demon. “Thumper and Rascal are around somewhere too.”

“Thanks for coming along.”

He’s interrupted by a roar of bikes from outside and turns expectantly as the sound cuts off. Shortly after the door opens, in walk five more strangers. Seeing Demon, they head straight to join us.

“Drummer, welcome, Brother.” Then to me. “Drummer is the president of the mother chapter in Tucson.” He does that back-slap man hug thing again with Drummer, then to the men with him. “Thanks for coming, Wraith. Hey, Beef, Rock and Joker.”

“Beef. Heard you were dead. Fuckin’ corpse walking,” Snatcher says, with a grin taking the sting out of his words.

Drummer’s hand lands on the big man’s back with a force that sends him reeling a step forward before balancing himself with his hand on the bar. Beef just gives his prez a smirk. “Nah, Beef here is a fuckin’ medical miracle. Thought we lost him last year, can’t keep a good man fuckin’ down.”

“Satan probably sent him right back,” the man introduced as Thor observes, causing a burst of laughter. Beef joins in as though he agrees.

Snatcher’s mouth changes, the corners curving downward. “Heard you’re a man down, Drum. Any news on your firefighter?”

Drummer shakes his head; he too has lost all mirth. “Still hanging on, Brother. Looks out of the woods now but refuses to see anyone. His firefighting buddies or us. Seems like Truck will recover, but how bent or broken, we don’t know yet.”

“Bad fuckin’ business.”

There are a few murmurs of assent at Demon’s words, then the subject of men I know nothing about is dropped. The topic of conversation changes. I notice Joker and Piston bumping fists. “Got here okay?” They walk off discussing journeys, times and problems along the way.

Drummer leans into Demon. “Lost and Dart wanted to come, but that journey, man. Too far, I’m afraid.”

“Be all done and dusted by the time they’d get here,” Demon agrees. “They’re the San Diego crew, Vi,” he addresses me.

Quickly his attention shifts as the door bursts open again, revealing yet five more strangers. He shouts, “Red!” enthusiastically, waving the new group of men over.

As I’m wondering how many more people are coming, I’m introduced to the Vegas president, his VP Crash, and men called Indian, Twister and Shadow.

To be honest, all the names seem to blur into one.

Having been polite, I tug Demon’s arm. “I’m going to see Theo.”

He excuses himself from the crew around the bar. “You okay, Vi?”

“Why are all these men here?” I hiss.

“I’m the prez, Vi. When I get married, it’s expected that representatives from other chapters will attend to pay their respects. There’ll be a big party tonight.”

“You expect me to be here? I’m slightly outnumbered, Demon, in case you haven’t noticed. Why are there no women with them?”

“I’ll take this, Demon.”

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