Page 23 of Devil in Disguise

“Just wanted to come by and see how he was doing.”

Looking up at the man, I narrowed my eyes. “Is that all?”

“I know you don’t trust me, and after the way we’ve all acted, I understand, but you need to know that I care deeply for Sypher and, like you, I want him to get better. If that means walking away from him, I’m willing to do it. Just say the word.”

Leaning back, I closed my eyes and shook my head. “He wouldn’t want that. Contrary to everyone’s belief, I know Danny needs all of you. He lives for the club and helping others. It makes him feel important. I can’t take that away from him. I won’t, but I sure as hell won’t allow all of you to abuse that friendship. What Danny needs is time, and I’m sure you will agree when I say this, but the brothers in the fucking biker world are the most impatient motherfuckers around. You all want everything now.”

Reaper chuckled, taking a seat across from me. “Got that right.”

“I can’t do this by myself. I can’t take care of Danny and keep all of you at bay. If you guys don’t stop, I will take Danny somewhere else, and I really don’t want to do that.”

“So, you need a buffer.” Reaper grinned. “Someone who won’t think twice before putting us all on our asses, but eager to help you take care of Danny, putting his needs first.”

I smirked. “If such a paragon exists, then yes. That’s exactly who I need.”

“Good thing for you, Dante, she does exist,” Reaper said, reaching for his phone.

“Danny, food is here!” I yelled, closing the front door and carrying the takeout I ordered, placing the bags on the kitchen counter. Rifling through the bags, I started placing containers on the counter as Danny walked over, looking a little better, but I could see he hadn’t slept well. “I thought you’d like some Thai food. I got all your favorites: Tiki Masala and Mango sticky rice along with buttered garlic Naan.”

“Pad Thai?”

“Yep, got that too,” I said just as someone knocked at the door. “Go ahead and get the rest of the containers out. I’ll be right back after I take care of whoever’s at the door.”

Not waiting for a response, I hustled over to the front door and threw it open to find myself face-to-face with a beautiful woman.

“Where is he?” she immediately said, pushing past me. Blinking, I turned and watched as she marched her cute ass into my house.

“Gotta forgive my woman. She doesn’t stand on ceremony,” a voice said from behind me. Turning back around, a large man in a Golden Skulls cut smiled warmly at me. “Name’s Digger and that ball of hellfire that just walked past is my woman—”

“STELLA!” I heard Danny shout.

Chapter Ten

Dante

“You called Stella?” Danny whispered angrily while I watched in awe as the woman barked orders at her husband. She was a force to be reckoned with, that was for sure. Opening and closing cabinets, she spouted off items as Digger nodded, saying absolutely nothing while he wrote down everything she said. When she peered at the takeout food on the counter, she scrunched up her nose and before I could stop her, she picked up the containers of uneaten food and threw it all in the trash.

“Stella, I was gonna eat that,” Danny protested, causing the woman to turn on her booted heel.

“You ain’t eatin’ anything I can’t spell,” the woman huffed, adding, “Besides, you’re too thin. Gotta put some meat back on those bones. You need red meat and potatoes. Write that down, Digger. Meat and potatoes.”

“Got it.” The man grinned, making a note.

Danny sighed, defeated, knowing there was no arguing with Stella when she was on a mission. The woman’s determination was something to behold. She moved with such purpose, her presence commanding attention from everyone in the room.

“Now, let’s get you cleaned up,” she declared, her voice brooking no dissent. “Digger, run a bath. Use lavender soap if they have it. It’ll calm his nerves. If not, put it on the list.”

“I’m not nervous.” Danny glared at me, narrowing his eyes. “Just hungry.”

“Ain’t running a bath for anyone but you, babe. Kid can wash himself.”

Stella rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, she turned her attention to the small pile of dishes in the sink and began washing them with brisk efficiency. It was as though she was determined to fix everything that had gone wrong and nothing could stand in her way.

Danny watched her for a moment, then glanced at me, his eyes pleading for some form of intervention. But I could only shrug. Stella was a whirlwind and apparently there was little anyone could do to slow her down once she set her mind to something.

In a matter of minutes, she’d cleaned the kitchen spotless and emptied the trash bins, as the scent of antiseptic soap filled the air. It was a complete transformation from the chaos that had reigned just moments before.

“Alright,” Stella announced, drying her hands on a towel. “Dinner’s in an hour. Digger, make sure you get the good steaks. None of that cheap stuff. Danny, you better eat every bite or I swear I’ll—”

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