Page 22 of Dev

“What? No... Of course I wanna feel it.” I place my hand back where it was to try again. “It must be kinda awesome feeling him move around in there.” I look down at her tummy and smile. Alicia should have someone to share these moments with, and I don’t mind being that person at all. In fact, it makes me feel kinda special.

“I guess they need to get a little stronger before you get to feel it from the outside.” She blushes like she’s embarrassed.

“It won’t be long, and when that happens, his Uncle Vike will be right here ready to get kicked,” I assure her, patting her bump proudly before picking up the car keys.

“Guess we should head for the club.” I hate to burst her bubble, but we have a funeral to get to.

“We should.” She strokes her hand over her tummy before turning on her heels and heading out the door. I have to ignore the fact that she’s looking so damn hot in that dress, because it makes me wanna tear it from her body. Nobody should lookthat good carrying another man's child, and she’s my dead, best friend's sister. I need to get a fuckin’ hold of myself.

I drive us to the club in Alicia’s car. One of the advantages of Alicia being pregnant is that I’ve always got a ride home after I’ve been drinking. I left my bike at the club last night after I’d had a few. I’d spent most of the day polishing her, ready for the procession we’ll make behind Corey’s casket, and I didn’t want to ride her home anyway. Dev spoke to Raze a few days ago, asked him if we could give Corey a club brother’s burial. He even asked if we could lay him to rest in a Dirty Soul’s cut. After all, being a Soul was what Corey really wanted.

Raze was happy to agree to it. We all were. Today is sure to be triggering for Alicia, it’s been barely six weeks since we buried Saul, and although she does her best to hide her grief, I see how much she misses him.

“I guess once today is over, you’ll be storming that shipyard?” Alicia asks, sounding a little nervous.

“Can’t hold it off any longer. Dev’s just about ready to lose his shit,” I point out. Keeping my eyes on the road.

“And did you agree with Raze’s decision to hold it off till now?” She looks across at me. I guess the difference in opinion we’ve had over our next move has reached its way to the girls. There’s nothing they don’t know about these days.

“It’s never a good idea to retaliate straight away; the enemy expects it, and emotions get in the way of logic.”

“Do you ever think that those men are just like you, working for a man…doing what they’re ordered?” She scrunches up her forehead.

“We ain’t ordered by no one. We got a leader, and we respect him, but everything we do is decided by a vote.” Alicia should know this by now, she spends enough time hanging out at the club.

“I know that, but even Raze has to answer to someone. I just can’t help feeling like the club is getting caught up in someone else’s war,” she chews on her lip, and it’s so distracting, I have to focus back on the road.

“It became our fuckin’ war when they tried shooting us down during that run, and they picked the wrong fuckin’ person to kill. Dev’s gonna tear those assholes apart by their limbs.” I tell her, pissed off at my dick for choosing now to go fucking hard.

“He’s broken, I know how he feels.” She admits.

Alicia's right, Dev is broken, but not in the same way she is. Dev is unhinged, and holding him back hasn’t been easy. He wanted to move in on Quinnell's men the day after all this happened. But Raze likes to play the long game, and I’ll give him his dues…It works. Those Irishmen who killed Corey have been waiting for the battle to come ever since they dumped the poor boy's body at the club. Now they’ll be starting to feel like sitting ducks. They’re gonna wonder why we ain’t reacting, and pretty soon paranoia is gonna kick in.

That’sthe time to strike.

“Those bastards deserve everything they get. Corey was just a kid.” She looks down and strokes her tummy protectively. “This club is losing too many people, Vike. I’m starting to wonder if maybe I should consider raising this baby somewhere else.” Her voice comes out scared again, and I’m surprised at the panic her words set off inside me.

“Alicia, I promise you things are gonna get better. Cliff left a lotta shit behind for us to clear up, and enemies are gonna keep poppin’ up, but I’ll always take care of you. I’ll take care of bothof you.” My hand automatically reaches across to rest over hers, and she smiles gratefully with red, flushed cheeks.

“I appreciate that, Vike. More than you’ll ever know. Saul would be so proud of you.”

I smile back at her while thinking Saul would more than likely wanna kick my ass.

I feel like I'm having some kinda déjà vu when we arrive at the club, especially when I see Corey’s casket laid out on the pool table. Dev insisted on it being closed, and I can’t blame him for that.

I was right there with him when we found him, and it’s a sight I sure as hell never wanna see again. Dev stands beside his brother like he’s on some kinda guard, nodding politely at those who offer condolences, with dead eyes and a blank expression on his face.

Today’s a day he will never have wanted to see; this past week, he’s been living in his own nightmares. He’s kept himself distant, only showing up to come to church, and we can all see that he’s tired and ready to lash out. One simple thing could push him over the edge because he’s long overdue a release from the pain he’s feeling. What he doesn't understand is that killing the men who took Corey from him ain’t gonna make that pain go away.

Saul may not have been my blood, but he was my brother. I would have taken his place if I could. Hell, he was needed here a damn sight more than I am. He should be here watching his son grow up, and seeing for himself how his sister is gonna make a kick-ass mom. I glance over to where she’s talking with the girls, looking down at her belly proudly, and no doubt telling themall about how she felt her little one move earlier…It makes me even more determined to keep her safe from this wicked fuckin’ world.

“I ain’t gonna ask you if ya good,” I assure Dev, standing beside him and touching my fingers to the mahogany casket that contains his brother. “But I will remind ya, that every one of us is here for you today. We’re all feeling your pain.”

Dev says nothing, just nods his head, same way he did to everyone else, but when the club door opens and Burlusconi and his brother step through it, something shifts, and his eyes narrow darkly.

“The only people who are gonna feel my pain are Quinnell and his fuckin’ men,” he tells me under his breath as Burlusconi makes his way over to join us.

“I’m sorry for your loss. Raze tells me your brother was–”

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