Page 106 of Avenging Devil: Part 2

“Well, once all this is put to bed, you and Niran will have to come visit. We’ll always find room for you both.”

“I’d like that.” As I respond, I realise I’m being genuine. Hey, look at me, a woman scared to death of bikers, accepting an invite from yet another chapter of an outlaw MC.

But how could I not, when he and his men have put their lives on the line a second time for me. And all because I’m Niran’s old lady.

“Come on,” Snatcher barks, looking around nervously. “The sooner we’re home, the happier I’ll fuckin’ be.”

Red waves his hand theatrically in the direction of the plane and steps back with a flourish.

Preacher’s standing by the gangway, head bowed just as he was on the way out. I notice Road glancing at him apprehensively as he reluctantly walks up the steps into the Satan’s Devils’ jet. I smile, it’s already been explained to me. Preacher offers up a prayer every time he pilots the plane. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn he does it to fuck with people like Road, who are nervous about flying.

Being in the air has never bothered me. I’ve been flying on my dad’s private plane since I was three.

Soon, I’m got my safety belt on with Niran seated beside me. Experienced as I am, I can acknowledge Preacher’s obvious expertise as we zoom down the runway, lift into the air so smoothly it’s only the ground dropping away that gives it away, and gain cruising height.

When the seat belt light flicks off, there’s movement all around me as the men congregate near the front of the plane. Niran, balancing himself on the backs of the seats, joins them.

I sit back and close my eyes. They may be having a private meeting, but their voices come clearly to me.

“What the fuck was that?” Stormy asks disgustedly.

“That was a visit to Saffie’s parents going without a hitch,” Thor reminds him.

“But it shouldn’t have fuckin’ gone without a hitch. Where the fuck was Duke?”

“Must have had a warning. Or he didn’t fall for a trap,” Snatcher says, reasonably. “Or, could he have bigger fish to fry than getting his wife back?”

“He’s not going to give up.” That’s from Niran.

“Maybe he didn’t want to make his move near the Bartells,” Swift offers. “Perhaps he didn’t want to take on their security.”

“Or perhaps he didn’t get the message. Maybe our math was wrong, and two and two didn’t add up to anything.” Piston suggests exactly what I’d been thinking. Maybe today was all for nothing, except for me reuniting with my parents.

“So, we set it up again.”

“I’m not having Saffie baiting another trap.” My eyebrows rise as I hear Niran speak for me. “Once was more than fuckin’ enough.”

“What else do you suggest? Brother, you want to go home. I want to get back to focusing on my club. Unless we can get Duke to come out of hiding, there’s fuck all chance of any of those things happening.” Snatcher sounds exasperated.

Could Duke have given up?I ask myself, tuning their voices out. Is he building his business back up? Working with another mafia or another club? Sure, I’m his wife, I’m his property, but maybe he’s decided I’m too much trouble for him.

Would it be a relief to think he’s given up?

I shudder. No, it wouldn’t. I’d never be able to believe it. Even evidence wouldn’t convince me. I’d live my life in fear, always thinking he was waiting around the next corner.

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