Page 121 of Devil's Due

Again her lips thin. “Retinitis Pigmentosa is hereditary. My sisters grew up with me losing my sight and didn’t want to risk their own children going through it. I’m the youngest, Mom and Dad didn’t know there was a risk until they had me. We’ve been lucky in the family for a couple of generations, and before that, no one knew it could be passed on. There’s a big risk. One we all agreed we didn’t want to take.”

No grandchildren for her parents. That seems a pity. Stevie is such a wonderful person, I don’t know what my own feelings are about taking such a big risk. I’m just grateful that her parents hadn’t known, and she’s able to be here with me today.

“I didn’t influence them, Beef.” She justifies herself without being asked. “Sometimes I think it was harder for those around me to accept than me. You have to just get on with it, you know? But it is something I’ve lost. I’ve managed to cope, but what if a child of mine found it harder?”

She’s obviously thought about this a lot.

“Fasten seat belts for landing.”

As the pilot’s words come over the speaker, I give her one last reassurance. “You giving testimony is the end of this Steph, I promise. Whatever happens, and however we do it, you will see your family again.”

“And we’ll be getting married.”

I have to ask, to make sure. “You sure you want to be with me and not return to your old life?” I hold my breath while I wait for the answer.

“You are my life, Beef.”

As she is mine. It’s the right answer.

We touch down with a slight bump, guess private runways aren’t quite so well maintained. Before we disembark, I pull Steph into my arms, smash my lips down on hers and ravish her mouth. She responds with the same desperation. A loud pointed cough is ignored until it comes for a second time, then, slowly, with final pecks, we part. She looks flushed and slightly dazed.

“Steph…”

Her hand reaches up and caresses my cheek. “I’ll see you soon,” she promises, stopping anything I was going to say.

She’s right. There’s no need for pointless comments like,be safe.Instead, with a direct look toward Lennox, I tell her, “Do everything the marshals say, okay?”

She nods and fingers the necklace I’ve given her—the one with the tracker in it, which only Demon, Cad and I know about.

Then, without further delay, she’s hustled off the plane and into a waiting SUV.

“She’ll be alright.” Demon’s hand lands on my shoulder. “Lennox and the feds want her to testify, so they’ll do what they have to do.”

“Thanks, Prez. Thanks for being here and having the club support me today.” He didn’t have to do that. I’m not part of his club after all.

“What else would we do? You might be wearing a nomad patch, but you’ve sat around our table for a while now, Beef. Steph, we’ve adopted her too. She’s good people, a good fit for you and for the club. We’ve been through this Beef. I know Drummer said he’d send guys from Tucson, but we’ve been involved in all the planning. Made sense for us to be here with you.”

Another SUV comes into sight. It stops just in front of us.

The driver’s door opens and Dart steps out, already moaning about his mode of transport. “Fuckin’ hate drivin’ a cage.”

Stepping forward, I take his outstretched hand. “Hey, you old fucker. Christ, I can’t remember when I last saw you.”

“Been a while for sure.”

“You’re doing me a solid here, you know.”

“What else could I do? You were there for me, Beef, when I had problems with my own ol’ lady. Now you’ve got one of your own.” He breaks off and looks around. “Thought I might meet her.”

“Nah, the marshals have already taken her off.”

“Good to see you, Dart.”

“Demon.”

After the greetings are complete, Demon and I get into the SUV Dart’s driven. To pass time, I explain how Steph’s getting to court.

“They are taking a circuitous route to make sure they’re not followed, changing cars a couple of times, before going to the catering company that deals with the court. Then she’ll go in the back of the catering truck.”

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