Page 113 of Devil's Dilemma

Arriving we find Mom’s got a pot roast ready. I’d texted her to let her know what time we were getting there, and she’s timed it so we just have a moment to take our bags into our rooms. Mom and Dad live in a three-bedroom house, and they’ve given us separate sleeping arrangements.

I’ll miss sleeping without Pyro’s arms holding me and am a bit nervous about what he’s going to say.

“Their house, their rules, darlin’.” As usual, he takes it in his stride.

Back in the dining area, Mom’s got the table set and food is ready to be served. For a moment it’s all about getting the delicious smelling food plated up, then a few minutes to enjoy it.

When the worst of his appetite is assuaged, Dad pauses with his fork halfway to his mouth. “Checked you out, Pyro.”

“Yeah?” Pyro seems completely unconcerned. While he’d told Dad he could, I’m peeved on his behalf.

But Dad gets in before I can protest.

“You were a decorated soldier.” He sounds impressed.

As I turn to Pyro with a look of pride, he shakes his head. “Along with a lot of others.”

“Said you’d rescued members of your platoon putting yourself in danger.”

Pyro just shrugs. “This beef is excellent, Mrs Martins. Cooked just how I like it.”

Dad catches my eye and nods. He likes a man who doesn’t boast, and respects one who’s served his country.

“Going to go into a few things later.” Dad refers to our forthcoming discussion about Skull. “But there’s something both your mother and I want to know about.” He looks at me, then back to Pyro. “And that’s whether your club is into anything illegal. You know I talked about it with Red when I was in Vegas, but I need to know whether he was giving me bullshit. That will affect how I approach the case.”

“You asked Skull that,” I remind him.

“Skull would have said anything as we now know. I want to hear it from a man who I think will give me the truth.”

Pyro’s plate is now clean. He shakes his head when Mom offers him more, then turns and fixes his eyes on my dad. “Club used to run guns. Dealt in drugs. The strip club we own, well, it was a cover for prostitution.” He sees my expression and adds, hurriedly, “Long before I patched in, Mel. Club started way back in the eighties. Of course, we weren’t Satan’s Devils then.”

“Has all that stopped?” Dad sounds like he’s conducting an interrogation.

“As I said, before my time. When Hellfire, that’s our current president’s dad, took the top seat, he cleaned up the club and aligned us with the Devils. We had to obey their rules and regulations.”

“Why do you call yourself one-percenters?” Mom asks, her brow furrowed. “If you don’t do anything illegal?”

“We don’t deal in drugs or guns anymore and our strip club is clean. We run other businesses too and earn our money legit. But we steer clear of citizen laws as much as we can. At the end of the day we protect our club and way of life by whatever means.”

When he finishes speaking, Pyro’s lips press together, and his jaw is set. I hope Dad doesn’t press him, because from his expression he’s said about all he’s going to say.

“If you and my daughter get together—”

“Wearetogether,” Pyro interrupts.

Dad continues as if he hadn’t spoken. “I want to know if you’ll protect Mel, keep her safe and keep her away from anything your club might get into while you’re protecting it, as you say. I want your assurance she won’t be involved with anything that’s against the law.”

“You have my word, sir,” Pyro replies respectfully. “I, and my brothers, will protect Mel with our lives.”

It must be the way Pyro’s said it, but all of a sudden my mom starts fanning herself, saying, “Oh my. Where can I get me one of these bikers?”

Dad frowns at her, then barks out a laugh. “I think you might be a tad past it, dear.”

The glare she gives him is so fierce it’s hard not to giggle.

As if realising he’s stepped onto shaky ground, Dad makes an abrupt change of subject. “If everyone’s finished eating, why don’t we go into my study, and start looking at this case.”

Mom waves off my offer of help and starts clearing up the plates. “Just remember, this isn’t a case, Rufus. This is our daughter’s life.”

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