Page 34 of Devil's Dilemma

“We…” Pal nods at Wills and Judge, the newly made up members, “we’ll check the furnace.”

“Everyone else fan out. Every inch, every bike, every fuckin’ car, needs checking. We’ll each do our rooms and I mean look in the closets, under beds, any loose floorboards. Oh, and Cad, do a sweep…”

“Did one earlier, Pyro. We’re clean.”

“Thank fuck for that.” Demon sighs loudly. “Meet back here in an hour or call Pyro if you find something.”

I nod but close my eyes briefly. I’m known for starting fires, putting them out, and am the closest thing the club’s got to a bomb disposal expert. I sincerely hope no one finds anything.

Men disperse. As I go out into the clubroom, I see them all rushing past Mel who’s standing with her mouth open. Brushing a hand over my face, I know she’s here for an explanation, what I don’t want to do is tell her the situation could have gotten a whole lot worse. Demon’s worried about a fuck load more than just her, but who else is going to take a moment to talk to her?

Obviously, no one. I approach her. “I thought you went home.”

Her face turns slightly. There’s no way she can miss the clubhouse has suddenly become a hive of activity. “I came back. I couldn’t settle. What’s going on, Pyro? I heard you coming out—have you any news? Where’s everyone going?”

Her questions are valid as she can hear a number of bikes starting.

“Whoa, darlin’. No, no news. We’re just checking some shit out.” I eye her, she looks tired. And in her possible condition, with the worry, it’s understandable. “Look, Mel, why don’t you go back home? You can’t do anything here. I promise, as soon as we know anything, I’ll come update you. We may know more in another couple of hours.” Or, so I hope.

“Home feels so empty. If I’m here and you get news…”

She’ll be safer at home if I end up having to play with explosives. “Nah, Mel. As you said, Skull will expect to find you there. You go home and see if there’s been any sign of him. If he comes back, tell him to get in touch with us at once.”

A little frown plays at her lips. Christ, I hope she’s not going to argue. I want to get on with what I need to do.

She’ll need to come in on lockdown once the place has been cleared. Will need someone to encourage her, and that can’t be left to a prospect. Might as well be me as anyone else, she seems to trust me. And, as so far, Demon, Beef and I have kept her secret, doesn’t seem any point bringing anyone else into it right now. Women like to keep that sort of shit under wraps, at least until it’s confirmed.

“Look, Mel. I’ll come around to your house later, make sure you’re updated, okay?”

“You promise? Any news or not?”

“Yeah, I promise, Mel. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Can’t say what time it will be, but I promise I’ll come.” Unless I’m blown into smithereens before then, but that I keep to myself.

I didn’t realise Demon’s come up behind me. “Scat, Melissa. You’re more use to Skull at home for the moment. Pyrowillcome see you later.Iguarantee that.”

She glances at Demon, must see by his set expression she won’t be able to budge him from his instruction, then gives me a look. I respond with a sharp nod. At last, she collects her purse and leaves.

“Now what?” Demon asks, his eyebrow raised.

“Now we start tearing this fuckin’ place apart.”

There are three false alarms. Twice my heart is in my mouth as I’m faced with unfamiliar objects, and a third not so strange, though why a prospect would think a butt plug could conceal an explosive I’ve no idea, but I check them all out. I even have to race to the bowling alley to investigate some piping. But, thank fuck, at the end of it all, we’re as certain as we can be that there’s no explosive hidden on the compound.

One by one brothers report in that apart from the items I’ve already examined, they’ve found nothing suspicious.

I’m tired, mentally drained. It’s not fun staring death in the face as I examine something that could be booby trapped or have a hair-trigger on it. So, at the end, when Demon reminds me of my promise to go see Mel, I wish I hadn’t rashly taken that on myself.

Around us men and women are coming in carrying bags. Some looking happy, some resigned, and some complaining.

Demon watches them for a moment. Then, to me, instructs, “Bring her in, Ro.”

“Tonight?”

He thinks for a moment. “Either that or stay over at her place and bring her in in the morning. I’d send someone else, but…”

“But I know she could be pregnant so will handle her with kid gloves.”

“Exactly.”

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