Page 42 of Devil's Due

I watch as she draws her shoulders back and takes a deep breath. “Okay, lead on.”

I’m a quick learner. I put my arm firmly around her. “There’s a curb here, Stevie. Only a couple of inches. Yeah, that’s it, you got it. Now three steps to the door. You okay?” We get to the door, I open it, noticing the strip at the bottom in time to warn her so she doesn’t trip. That darn mat that’s always slipping and bunching up is the next obstacle, I ease her over it.

I’m concentrating so hard on watching her feet that I don’t see what’s in front of me until…

Christ.“What the fuck?”

At the sound of the slap Stevie stiffens and moves closer to my side seeking protection for dangers unseen while I stare at the woman who’s just walloped me around the face.

“Beef! You fucking cheat! I knew I couldn’t trust you. You wouldn’t go with a whore, that’s what you said, and now you’re walking in with one.”

“Mommy,” a voice wails.

Without taking her accusing eyes off me, Sally holds out her hand for her middle child, Eliza.

Well fuck. I’m shocked enough that she’s here, but not only that, she’s brought all three fucking kids.

I’ve just been almost burned to death in a fire, I do not need this. Having cheated death for a second time, I’m not at my best, and at a complete loss as to what to say.

The silence extends until someone else speaks.

“Sally isn’t it?” I start to open my mouth, but Stevie continues, “I know what this looks like, but there is nothing between Beef and myself.”

“He’s holding you freaking close,” Sally complains.

“Because I’ve not been here before and I’m blind.”

Sally’s mouth drops. “You’re blind?” Her voice rises incredulously. “But you don’tlooklike you are.”

“I wouldn’t know.” Stevie’s mouth quirks. “Now, Beef. Can you plant me somewhere I can sit down? It would seem you need to have a discussion with Sally.”

“Can’t you see anything at all?” Aden, at seven has always impressed me. He’s staring with wonder at the woman by my side. “I’ve never met a blind person before.”

Kaylee takes her three-year-old thumb out of her mouth. “What’s blind?”

“She can’t see anything,” Aden patiently explains.

“The lady can’t see?” Kaylee repeats, then puts her palms over her eyes as though trying it out for herself.

Stevie may have no sight, but she’s notblind.“Why don’t you kids come sit with me and I’ll tell you what it’s like not to have your sight. Then your mommy and Beef can have a chat.”

I lead her to a couch. An amused Pyro and Ink stand, making room for Stevie. Pyro leans in, then his expression changes rapidly to one of concern. “You smell like you’ve been in a fire, Beef. What happened?”

I’m not surprised Pyro sussed it out so fast. Fires and he have a certain relationship. Mimicking him, I incline my body toward his. “Fucker locked her back door and threw a fuckin’ bomb in the house she was living in.”

“Jesus.” Ink, overhearing, looks from me to Stevie and then to Sally who’s standing at the bar with her arms folded over her chest watching me talk with a suspicious expression on her face. “And you came back to this? All you fuckin’ need.”

“Er,” Stevie speaks, her head tilted toward us. “I don’t know what their mom would say, but can we hold off on the swearing in front of the kids?”

Sally wouldn’t have the nerve to say shit. To me, perhaps, but not to men she doesn’t know, or can’t even see.

“You okay, babe?” Ink’s looking down at her in concern. His worried eyes flick to me.

“Shocked, but okay,” she replies. “Don’t think I’ve got my head around it yet.” She coughs, making me frown.

Pyro catches my unease and tilts his head toward the bar. “Go sort her out.” Her being the woman glaring at me. “I’ll fill Demon in and Ink can look after the girl. We’ll get Rusty to look at her too.”

“Good to see you again,” Stevie speaks up. “Pyro wasn’t it? And pleased to meet you.” As she holds out her hand, I’m pleased one after the other Ink and Pyro take it then Ink starts introducing himself.

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