Page 38 of Ink's Devil

“Thanks.” I reach over and take them, giving her a peck on the cheek. “What would I do without you?”

She’s shaking her head. “You know Beth? I don’t know.”

“That’s what moms are for.”

She laughs exasperatedly, then asks, “I presume you won’t be back tonight?”

Pointedly tilting my head toward the window, I roll my eyes. “Now, do you really want me driving home in that?”

“If you stayed home, you’d be even safer,” she observes, but her lips are curved, and I know she’s just giving me shit for the hell of it.

Since the unexpected text on Tuesday, I’ve had plenty more. Ink’s been keeping in touch which had surprised me. Not long messages, and not too many of them, but that I’d had any had given me a warm feeling inside.

Today’s had been about changing our arrangements. It’s Friday night and he was supposed to come and collect me on his bike—the one which he’d told me he’s now modified with a double seat—but the storm that had been predicted for days has at last arrived with a vengeance, meaning there was no way it was safe for him to bring his motorcycle. Instead, I’d suggested I drive to the club, where I suspect, and hope, I’ll be staying overnight. That well-equipped room of Ink’s, hmm, I’ve been looking forward to revisiting that.

I’m also looking forward to catching up with Vi, Steph and Jay again. Though Mel, when I’d told her I was coming to the club, had warned me about their weekend parties.

“Sure, Mel, I know about the club girls, remember?”

“I’m not just talking about them, Beth,” she’d told me in a serious tone that warned me I should take note. “You went to Demon’s party where outsiders weren’t allowed. Normally it’s far worse. Girls from town come along trying to snag a biker. And there’ll be different men there as well, hangarounds thinking of becoming a prospect, or those who just like the atmosphere of the club.”

I’d shrugged. Ink will be there, and if he’s anywhere near as possessive as last time, I pity the man who tries to talk to me, let alone do anything else.I can do this.

But it was easier when I just thought it was the bikers who I’ve already met and the women who are friendly. I push the introvert inside me back down, while wishing that Ink had been able to come to collect me so I didn’t have to walk into a room full of strangers on my own. He had offered, but it seemed a waste of time to drag him out and make him drive a hated cage.

Unconsciously straightening my shoulders, I smile one last time at my mom, then start to walk toward the front door, when suddenly I remember and swing back, snapping my fingers. “Mom, I nearly forgot.” I’d been so wrapped up thinking about Ink, everything else had gone out of my mind. “Has Connor been in touch about coming around again?”

Mom sighs deeply then shakes her head. “Not yet. But he never does. He just turns up.”

“He said he might pop in this weekend. I’ll try to be here in case he does. I’ll be back tomorrow by lunchtime.” I don’t like the thought of her being alone with him. I can’t forget how last week things had gotten pretty heated. I’d been afraid for my mom.

I acknowledge her grateful nod, then I’m tugging my coat around me and bracing myself to step outside. Immediately, I feel snowflakes settle on my face and find I’m battling a wind that seems intent on preventing me reaching my vehicle.

Once sheltered inside my car, I turn on the engine and wait for it to start warming up, noticing the snow hasn’t been falling long, and the hot air blowing on the windshield means my wipers can cope with what’s settled as it hasn’t yet turned to ice.Thank goodness. I don’t want to have to get out again and scrape.

I drive out onto the road carefully, but it’s been gritted and what snow is landing is currently melting fast. When the temperature falls further, it will probably freeze, the volume of snow predicted might well settle despite the salt. Hopefully, the roads will have been cleared by the time I drive home tomorrow.

I don’t mind wintry conditions, I’ve lived in Colorado all my life. As long as you’re careful and try and avoid lunatics driving too fast or as if they were on a summer-dry road, most times you'll be safe.

It’s fairly quiet, no idiots are out tonight, so I arrive at the compound unscathed. Beaver slides open the gate, stomping his feet and blowing on his hands.

“Hi, Beth. Park around the back.”

I know where to go from last week when I came to the party with Mel.

Today there are more cars. I recognise Mel’s, she and Pyro will have brought that, and there’s a few more that I’ve not seen before. I realise I hadn’t seen any bikes parked out front, but they’re probably garaged or something for the night.

Once I’ve pulled up the handbrake and switched the engine off, I gather my things together, mentally ticking them off. My overnight bag and my purse I pull to me, then take a moment to check my phone and wallet are safely secured in the zip compartment. Realising I’m delaying getting out of the car, at last I open the door and step out. I rationalise my hesitation was because I didn’t want to subject myself to the elements as snow is coming down more heavily, but truthfully, it’s because I’m feeling nervous. Mel’s warning echoes in my head and I’m uncertain what I’ll be walking into.Find Ink first.

Taking a deep breath, I turn to face the clubhouse. At least it should be fairly easy for me to spot Ink inside. I wonder how Mel manages, perhaps with the exception of Theo, everyone is taller than her.

But I needn’t have worried. Immediately after I take my first step forward, I spy Ink, leaning casually back against the exterior wall, paying no attention to the weather conditions, simply wearing a long-sleeved tee, cut and jeans.

I quicken my pace, suddenly wondering how long he’d been there, not wanting him to become frozen to the spot due to my dallying.

“Aren’t you cold?” I again pull my jacket tight around me and shiver.

“Cold? Nah. Not with the promise of you to raise my temperature.” He smirks.

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