Page 121 of Devil's Dilemma

Damn Skull to hell.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Hey back at you, Ro.” I turn to greet the man who reminds me every day how I appear in his eyes. It’s the gleam of appreciation that has convinced me that what I am, he likes.

“You been catching up with the girls?”

“And Max.” I’ve been at the club all evening. I’d popped in to drop off a dessert I’ve made and a fresh batch of muffins and had been dragged into conversation and stayed.

“We’re going to have a fuckin’ dog one of these days, I can tell,” he smiles.

A puppy, yes. I’d love that. One a bit smaller than Steph’s guide dog though, and I doubt we’d have it so well trained. Both Pyro and I would be inclined to spoil it.

“Uh oh, watch out.” Pyro pulls me in front of him as though I’m a shield as Bitch walks past, her back arched and tail held high.

Laughing I swing around. “I’ll never get over how that darn cat has all you big men so scared.”

“I’ve got scars from that darn cat, I’ll have you know,” he replies. “Hey, Beef. Bitch got you yet?”

The VP grimaces and rolls up his sleeve. “Tried to move her so Steph could sit down.”

The red lines on his arm look angry and sore. I grin, wondering not for the first time how soft these men are to tolerate a cat who hates the male sex. As she’s put Max in his place more than once, I suspect it’s not just human males she hates. If they’re asked though, they say they give her room and board as she’s a good mouser. I think it’s more than that. I think it’s because like many of them, she’s a misfit with an attitude and nowhere else to go.

“Have a good day at work?” Pyro asks, leading me across to the bar to get a drink.

I make a so-so motion with my hand. “It was a workday, like any other.” Work was okay, it was my co-workers that were the bother, or one in particular. Having seen how much Pyro cares for me and how he’s not afraid of public demonstrations to prove it, Beth keeps trying to get herself an invite to the compound. I’ve a sneaking suspicion she’d like a biker of her own. After what happened to me, I’m not sure I should drag anyone else into this world, however wonderful I’ve personally found it. Now that I’ve got Pyro, that is.

“Do you want to eat here tonight, or go home?”

“Seeing as I brought dessert,” I smile, “here, I think.”

I’m back to cooking, and the club appreciates it. So much I’m tempted to ask whether it’s me they like or what I bring for them to eat. Ink was opening my car door as soon as I pulled up earlier, but instead of greeting me, he immediately looked over into the back seat.

“Mel, if you keep bringing this shit around, I’ll have a club of members too fat to do their work.” Demon approaches, speaking around a mouthful of muffin.

“Led by an overweight prez,” Violet chuckles as she comes out from behind him, her hand patting what looks to me like a rock-hard muscular stomach.

I’m just sitting down at the table to join Pyro and his brothers to eat, when my phone rings. Taking it out and looking at it, I see it’s my dad.

“Dad, I’m…”

“Melissa, I need to tell you something.”

Instead of putting him off as I intended, I’m all ears. “Has something happened?”

“Got a response. The SAC wants you to come into his office. The FBI want to talk to you.”

I frown, and look around, noticing my side of the conversation is being listened to. “Is that a good or bad sign?”

“Means things are progressing. They want to see you next week. You’ll need to come to Denver. I’ve cleared my calendar.”

“I’ll be there. I can’t talk now, Dad. Just about to have dinner.”

We say our goodbyes, and then I end the call.

Pyro’s looking at me with his eyebrow raised.

“The FBI want to talk to me at their offices. Dad doesn’t know if it’s a good sign or bad.”

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