Page 67 of Devil's Dilemma

She’d been holding it together well, but it was just a dam waiting for the right moment to break. One sob comes, followed by another then more. As tears stream down her face, Demon catches my eye and jerks his head.

It’s not that the prez can’t deal with a crying woman, he and I both know now she needs comfort and support.

I half lead, half carry her up to my room. While I’d like to be ranting, raving, and working out a plan with Prez and Cad, I know they’ll think of everything I could probably put in. It’s Mel who needs me now, so I’ll leave the next steps to them. Sure thing I know is that we will be taking them.

If that means I’ll be putting bullets in my gun and going to Vegas armed with a shovel, that’s what I’ll do. Right at the moment, anything less wouldn’t satisfy me.

Always knew that man was an idiot and a fool to walk out on Mel, but I always thought he hadn’t returned because he couldn’t. Never once dreamed it had been by choice. Who’d leave such an amazing woman as her without a backward glance?

He hurt her once. Now he’s gone and fucking hurt her all over again. How much can one woman take?

I’d hoped I’d one day be lying on my bed with her in my arms but had never expected it would be under these circumstances.

She’s wailing, and in between her cries, saying over and over again, “I hate him, I hate him, Ro.”

I’m pleased as fuck when her tears eventually dry out, worried as hell what all her distress is doing to the baby.It can’t be good for him.

Still, I rock her gently in my arms, then eventually, in a small voice she asks, “Am I such a terrible woman, Pyro? I should be glad he’s alive. Should be happy that my baby will have a man he can call dad. But I can’t be.”

“It’s the shock,” I tell her. “You can’t expect to think straight or make decisions right now. Your initial reaction might change.” I hope to fuck it doesn’t. When Skull hears about the baby, if he wants to go back to her, would she let him?Over my fucking dead body.

Club won’t have him back, that’s for certain. He’ll be out bad for sure. Never able to ride with the Devils again, nor any of the clubs we have relations with. No excuse on earth would be good enough for Demon to give him another chance. In the unlikely event she ends up forgiving and wanting him to play house with her, it will be without the cut on his back. That’s if we leave him breathing.

Time passes, I couldn’t say how long, but as the sun moves position and removes its beams from my room, I’d guess it was late afternoon when a knock comes on the door. Mel’s fallen into a restless sleep, so I ease away from her gently, and quietly cross the room. Opening the door, I step outside, pulling it closed behind me.

“How is she?” Vi looks cross, and I guess it’s on Mel’s behalf.

“Shattered. She’s sleeping now.”

“D wants to see you, Ro. I’ll sit with her while you’re gone.”

I’m torn. While I want to hear any news, I don’t want to leave Mel.

Vi raises her chin. “I know something of what she’s going through because of all that business with Angel, when he wanted my son.”

“She doesn’t need to hear that, Vi,” I warn.

“Iknowthat. But her emotions, those I can understand. Being pregnant too, been there, done that. If she needs you, you’re only downstairs.”

If anyone has to sit with Mel, the best is probably Vi. Satisfied that she understands Mel shouldn’t be upset any more than she already is, I leave her in the hands of the prez’s old lady and descend to Demon’s office.

It’s empty.

“Church!” Karl yells out, pausing his prospect duties cleaning the bar.

Waving my hand as my thanks, I go to our meeting room.

I can hear it before I open the door. Shouts, exclamations, hands slamming onto the wooden table. My entrance causes a brief lull.

“How’s she doing, Ro?”

I shake my head. “Fuckin’ terrible, Prez.” It’s the truth.

“Woman does not deserve this!” Beef snarls.

Prez bangs the gavel. “Pyro, sit down. I was waiting for you, and the rest of you fuckers, shut up. We all feel the same, now we’ve got to decide what to do.”

“Fuckin’ end his miserable life,” Thunder snarls.

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