Page 22 of Devil's Dilemma

At home I’ve got most of the items I need but have to cook for events like Beth’s party in batches. Here, I could get more done at once.

“I sound boring, don’t I? Saying my hobby’s cooking?”

“Not boring at all, doll face,” a rough voice sounds, “I ate one of your cookies earlier.”

“What Pyro means,” Jeannie glares at him, “is that he ate one tub. One fucking tub. All to himself.”

Pyro, a tall, muscular and heavily tattooed biker is uncontrite and just shrugs. “You handed it to me.”

“For you to take one.”

He winks at me. “Not what you said…”

“Get out of here, Pyro. Haven’t you got some fires to put out?”

“Got to start them first.” His shoulders shake as he laughs. But he moves off quickly when Jeannie bats him with a cloth.

She smiles fondly at his retreating back, then turns to me. “They’re a good bunch. A bit rough around the edges, but fairly easy to keep in their place. Which is outside of this kitchen unless they’re being fed.”

“A women’s domain?” It sounds a bit sexist.

“We need somewhere to ourselves.” Vi’s gentle voice sounds from behind me. She’s carrying Theo in her arms. Suddenly I remember how indiscreet Skull and I had been, and that might be me in another year.

“Can I hold him?”

“Help yourself. He’s getting really heavy. If Skull had brought you around earlier, maybe you could have baked his birthday cake. He turned one last week.”

Taking Theo, I realise why Violet was so keen to hand him over. He’s a solid baby, much heavier than he looks. Spying a chair, I go sit down and hold him on my lap. He’s a lovely boy, all smiles and chuckles as I bounce him on my leg. Within moments though, he wants to get down.

Vi nods, I place him on the floor where he holds onto the chair leg, then takes a couple of steps, weaving like a drunk. It’s not long before he collapses.

“He took his first step last week. I’m going to need eyes in the back of my head soon,” his mother says proudly.

Jeannie puts her arm around her. “He won’t be allowed to get into trouble. You know everyone will be watching out for him.”

“Especially Jay.” She turns to me. “Jay’s training to be a nanny, she’s always loved kids. And she’s really taken to Theo.”

“That’s because the Tucson club is overrun with children. She misses them,” Jeannie explains. “She misses her niece, Faith. Such a shame she can’t be with her sister.”

I wonder why she can’t, but don’t want to pry.

There could be worse places to have a baby than in this club, I realise. I suspect the same support Vi’s getting will be offered to me. I file what they’ve told me about Jayden away. If I’m pregnant, I’ll need some childcare while I’m working.

When Skull returns from whatever he’s been doing, he takes me up to his room, and this time, remembers the condom.

“Mel,” he starts, when afterwards I’m lying cuddled in his arms, “how did you get on while I was gone?”

“It was good,” I reply, truthfully. “I met some of your brothers who all treated me with respect.”

“As they should,” he butts in. “May not have voted on you, but they know that you’re mine. How did you get on with the old ladies?”

I roll my eyes. “I was getting to that. Very well. Seem to have some common ground with Jeannie as I admired her kitchen, and Vi’s easy to get along with. Didn’t see much of Jay.”

“Nah, you wouldn’t. I passed her and Pal’s room earlier, seemed they had an early night.” He winks, suggestively, making me laugh.

“Sindy came in. She’s quiet but friendly enough.”

“What did you discuss?”

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