Dealing with the Devil (2 page)

The slamming of the front door startled Lucy out of a fitful sleep. After leaving the clubhouse, she went straight home but she was far too keyed up to rest. It took an extremely hot shower and a cup of chamomile to put a dent in the rage that roiled inside her. Gabriel Archer was
infuriating
. He got under her skin and burrowed in deep, keeping her flushed and off-center. If not for the crushing exhaustion of being up for twenty-seven hours straight, Lucy would never have been able to fall asleep. Once she had, her mind immediately slipped back to simpler times…

Lucy remembered the exact moment her relationship with Gabriel changed forever. Every year, Lucy and her mother would spend several weeks visiting family in California while the boys ran hog wild. Right before Lucy’s sixteenth birthday, her mother insisted she spend her entire school vacation with her cousins in Oakland. That fateful summer, Lucy left Errol as an awkward, clumsy adolescent and came home a woman. Almost overnight she had grown into her height and her voluptuous curves. Danny didn’t tease her quite as much either. Instead, he grew fiercely defensive of his little sister and sent every potential suitor running for the hills. Gabe stopped walking her home after school and snuggling next to her on the couch when they watched TV. Instead, he began to treat her with a cold indifference that had spanned the last ten years…

“Lucy!” Danny busted into her room without knocking. His fists were tight with rage. “Archie’s on the fucking warpath! What the
hell
did you do to him?” Daniel Harding was almost exactly the opposite of Lucy in every way. While she had inherited their mother’s dark hair and eyes, Danny was blonde and blue-eyed like their Irish/English father. Despite how monumentally different they looked, the one feature they shared was the legendary Harding temper.

Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Lucy abruptly stood. Danny was much taller than her but he was well aware Lucy could hold her own in a fight, especially since she wasn’t afraid to fight dirty. “I told Gabriel
exactly
what he needed to hear. I’m not backing down from this and there’s nothing either of you can do to stop me!” She brushed past Danny on her way into the kitchen.

As usual, Danny was hot on her heels. Lucy ignored him as she dug through the cabinets for anything that wasn’t Ramen noodles and came up empty handed. After their parents died, Danny had stepped in as Lucy’s guardian for six months before she turned eighteen but the legal arrangement couldn’t have been further from the truth. It was
always
Lucy who took care of Danny. She assumed full responsibility of the shopping, cooking, cleaning, and washing that had to get done in the house. Lucy made sure Danny got up for work and the bills were paid on time. She even went so far as to make sure there were always condoms in the house—which was well outside the realm of duties a caring sister should have to deal with. Now, her new status as a prospect meant things were going to change. Lucy wouldn’t be Danny’s keeper anymore. The sooner he realized that, the better.

“This is seriously fucked up, Luce…” Danny deflated, slumping down in a chair at the kitchen table. “It’s too dangerous.” He’d seen way too many women chewed up and spit out by the MC that weren’t even prospects. It would be so much worse for Lucy. He couldn’t bear the thought of his little sister getting hurt. “What would mom say if she could see you now? You’re better than the rest of us, Lucy! You always were…you could actually get out of this town, if you wanted to. God knows you’re fucking persistent as hell.”

“Mom can’t see me now because the Black Jacks gunned her and daddy down in the street,” Lucy replied coldly. “The club is my legacy, Danny. I’m not leaving Errol or my family behind.” After putting a pot of coffee on, she settled beside her brother. “I know you want to protect me but I’m not a little girl anymore. I can take care of myself.” Meeting Danny’s worried gaze, she gently rested her hand on his wrist. “I prospect for a year before you all vote on my patch. Give me a chance,” Lucy pleaded. “That’s all I ask, Danny.
One
chance.”

Danny closed his eyes for half a second and slumped in defeat. “There isn’t anything I can do to stop you. Unless you really fuck up, my hands are tied. But don’t think for a second I’m going to take it easy on you just because you’re my sister.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” The coffee was nearly ready, filling the quaint kitchen with the heavenly aroma of hazelnut. “I’m going to run by the store before the meeting tonight. If you want something, make sure it’s on the list.” She was back in sister mode now. “And
please
take a shower?”

Shaking his head in annoyance, Danny poured himself a cup of coffee as he trotted toward his room. In his eyes, Lucy would always be the buck toothed little girl who followed him everywhere and drove him insane. Seeing her wearing that cut burned so deeply inside him… he’d have to let things run their course but that didn’t mean he had to fight fair. Danny had already made up his mind: there was no way Lucy was ever going to be a Devil and that was final.

Lucy ignored the not-so-hushed whispers that erupted the minute she walked into the War Room that afternoon. Danny was already sitting down at the complete opposite side of the table as Monster, who was sporting a painful looking black eye. To Danny’s left was Beaver—a heavily bearded transfer from their charter in Ontario. Wilson, Big Mike, and PJ had already taken their places and were taking turns glaring at Lucy as she inched toward the last seat available: the one right next to Gabe.

Archie tightened his fist around the gavel in his hand and squelched the urge to jam it down Monster’s throat. The man had already paid in full for his actions, according to their charter’s laws but Archie was hardly satisfied. Were he were a less disciplined man, Monster would be dead right now instead of just sore.

“Alright, settle down,” Archie snarled, banging the wooden gavel with far more force than was necessary. “First order of business is welcoming our new prospects to their very first meeting.” He cast a sidelong glance at the woman seated at his right hand, “Congratulations to Kyle, Hunter, Mort…” Archie let out a labored breath; it pained him to even say her name. “And Lucy.” The hoots and applause from the other members only made him angrier. “Patching with the Devil’s Own MC is an honor and you should treat that cut with the same respect you show your mother. When you’re wearing our colors, you represent every man in this room—”

“Every woman too,” Lucy added. She watched Gabe’s blood pressure rise as the stain of his anger darkened his face. Danny was glaring daggers at her. Lucy half expected Gabe to grab her by the collar and scream until he was hoarse…but he turned and continued on as if he hadn’t heard her at all.

“Second order of business, now that our prospects have been welcomed properly, it’s important to understand that you are the bitches of this group. If a member tells you to do something, you do it and you do not ask questions! If I ask you to cut off your own balls and serve them to me on a platter, you better damn well do it. Do I make myself clear?” Archie’s booming voice seemed to echo throughout the room. He glared at each one of the prospects. The three boys had enough sense to look properly terrified but Lucy, of course, barely batted an eye. Her nonchalance infuriated him. “Get the fuck out of this room! You’re not members yet and you don’t get to be part of any club business unless I say so! You four start cleaning the bar and I’d better be able to eat off it by the time this meeting is over!”

Mort, Hunter, and Kyle scrambled out of the room like scared jackrabbits. Lucy, on the other hand, sauntered toward the door. She said nothing, ignoring Gabe’s angry glare as she pulled the door closed behind her. Gabriel Archer could huff and puff all he wanted but he was never going to break her.

The bar was in shambles thanks to last night’s festivities. Empty glasses and broken bottles covered the counters and floors, trash overflowed the garbage cans, and every surface in the place was sticky for reasons Lucy didn’t care to think about. The boys stood there looking dumfounded and unsure, so she took it upon herself to hand out assignments. To their credit, not one of them argued and quickly set about completing their tasks. Mort picked up cans and bottles to be recycled, Hunter grabbed a broom and started sweeping, and Kyle helped Lucy rearrange the bar and wipe down the tables.

“That was pretty ballsy, what you did in there.” Kyle chuckled as he used a cloth to brush broken glass into a trashcan. He was an inch taller than Lucy and his dark hair had been chopped into a crew cut. Warm brown eyes sparkled with mirth, radiating warmth and goodness. He collected more glasses and brought them over to be washed.

Lucy looked up from the pile of snifters she was cleaning and smirked. “Gabe doesn’t scare me,” She replied. “He’s a good President. He’s strong and cunning and he believes in the club…but he also takes archaic traditions far too seriously. The MC has been a boys club for way too long.”

Kyle grabbed a towel and started to dry the glasses Lucy had already cleaned. He nodded cordially, “I just think you’re brave, is all. If anyone’s going to break the glass ceiling, it’s definitely going to be you.” He flashed her a handsome smile. Once he finished drying, Kyle trotted over to help Mort carry a huge bag of recyclables out to the bin. By the time he got back, Lucy was putting the last of the glasses back onto the shelf. The bar was cleaner than it had been even
before
the party, though no one in their right mind would ever eat off the floor.

The meeting didn’t last too much longer. Pretty soon, members poured out of the War Room, rowdy and thirsty. Mort got behind the bar and immediately started serving up drinks. Kyle and Hunter were ordered to suit up and head to the border to make sure no Black Jacks crossed into the territory during the night. Lucy was left to wash down the rest of the tables. She was leaning over to scrub a spot at the bar when she felt a shadow creep behind her. Seconds later, Lucy cried out as she was rammed against the bar. “What the hell!”

“I usually like my women with more meat on them but for now, you’re gonna to have to do.” Beaver’s breath smelled heavily of tequila; it was obvious he had been drinking long before the meeting took place. He chuckled derisively and pushed her again, this time toward the rooms in the back, “You heard what Archie said. You have to do whatever I say without question. And I say you’re gonna suck my dick, sweetheart.” Beaver turned slightly to the left and swallowed a mouthful of fist.

The veins in Gabriel’s neck throbbed so noticeably that Lucy was terrified they were going to burst. The massive man reached down to finish beating the life out of Beaver when Lucy grabbed Gabe’s arm. “Stop!” Lucy was still startled from being grabbed but she forced herself to regain her bearings. “You told him not even an hour ago that I’m a prospect and I have to do whatever he asks without question.”

“What he’s asking you to do isn’t right, Lucy!” Archie thundered. This was everything he had feared…Lucy was beautiful, delicate, and sweet and these men were going to ruin her. “Do you want to suck his fucking dick?”

“Of course I don’t!” Lucy cried, “But I expect to be treated just like any other prospect. Which means I shouldn’t need to worry about being asked to perform sexual favors! If I couldn’t finish the job, would Mort be asked to step in? How about Hunter or Kyle?” Lucy gritted her teeth angrily. “I don’t think so!” Despite her best efforts, her entire body shook in rage and fear. She was aware of the possibility that someone might try and take advantage of her position; she simply hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

Beaver crawled away while Lucy and Archie stared each other down. There was no doubt that Archie had busted the man’s nose. Meanwhile, he was left with such overwhelming guilt. Archie
had
told everyone the prospects had to do whatever they were told, without question; it was just the way things worked in the MC. They’d all been hazed during their induction and each one of them survived. Then again, he’d kill anyone who so much as looked at Lucy sideways. This was just another reason why she didn’t belong here. “I guess I need to make it clear that demanding sex from a prospect is not acceptable…” He growled at those who were assembled, “Although I really wish I didn’t have to!” He exhaled sharply as he struggled to rein in his emotions. “Go home, Luce. I’ll deal with you later.”

Lucy’s eyes narrowed into angry slits. What the hell did he mean
deal with her later
? Gabe had the look of a man on the edge. She thought about arguing but given precarious nature of the situation, she grabbed her purse from behind the bar and did what she was told. On her way out, Danny grabbed her arm; she could feel concern radiating off him in waves. Lucy flashed Danny half a smile. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” Danny didn’t look convinced but Lucy
was
fine. Their father hadn’t allowed her to be a weakling. If Beaver tried to force her into anything, she’d have made a eunuch out of him in ten seconds flat.

Hitting the open road was just what Lucy needed right now. Her Harley seemed petite next to the hulking bikes parked outside the club. The streetlights reflected against the shimmering cherry red paint, polished to perfection. Lucy loved this bike more than she could ever imagine loving anything else in the world. The wheel wells were perfectly pristine and spotless, the handlebars free of any dust or debris, and the engine purred like a kitten as she turned the key. Once her helmet was fastened securely, Lucy took off like a shot.

She considered taking the long way home when thunder rumbled in the distance. Lucy pushed harder, weaving her way along the back roads to shave off time. She made it home just as a storm kicked up around her. Rain like this meant Danny would sleep at the club tonight; it wasn’t safe to be riding in this kind of weather. Plus, the Devil Eaters would be out around midnight and he never turned down an opportunity to sleep with a pretty woman.

Lightning zipped in the distance as Lucy changed out of her jeans and slipped into a pair of black yoga pants and a tank top. She desperately needed to work out some of her frustrations. The home gym wasn’t much to speak of: there was a punching bag suspended on a thick metal chain, a set of free weights, and a rusty rowing machine that her mother had picked up at a garage sale before Danny was born. Lucy quickly taped her hands before taking the first hit on the punching bag. It barely swung as she warmed up but her blows became more aggressive as she hit her stride.

Perspiration beaded on Lucy’s brow as she poured her frustrations into her workout. She landed a particularly hard blow and sweat burned into her eyes. Lucy cursed and grabbed a towel, dragging it over her face. When she pulled it away, she startled at the realization that she was not alone.

“Pretending this is my face?” Archie drawled lazily, grabbing the bag so it wouldn’t knock her as it swung. His lips curved up into half a smile despite how unsettled things were between them right now.

Lucy padded over to the ancient fridge that stood in the corner. “Something like that…” She tugged the door open and dug around. “You want a beer?” She tossed him a can before cracking open her water and taking a long sip. “What are you doing here?”

“I need to talk to you.” A rumble of thunder shook the house and the lights flickered menacingly. “But not down here. If the power goes out, I do not want to be trapped in this stuffy basement.” This time when he reached for her, his touch was gentle. “I’m not here to argue, okay? Hear me out, Luce.” Archie shepherded her up the stairs while trying not to stare at her delightfully rounded backside in those damned stretchy pants.

Lucy didn’t protest. The power frequently went out during storms. As kids, they’d spent many nights huddled in a blanket fort in the living room with a single flashlight between them. Lucy brushed away the memories and immediately headed into the kitchen to dig that old flashlight out of a drawer. Without being asked, Gabriel lit several candles. They moved around each other with relative ease, performing monotonous tasks until finally everything was complete and they were forced to interact with one another again.

Lucy stood awkwardly before him. She examined a loose thread on her shirt, tugging at it idly to distract herself. “So…”

Archie sat down at the kitchen table and neatly folded his hands. “Have you eaten?”

A smile ghosted across Lucy’s lips. “You didn’t come all the way over here to ask me I ate dinner, did you? Just say what you need to say…you’re stripping me of my patch, aren’t you?”

Archie exhaled sharply. “Although I would very much
like
to, rules are rules and you haven’t broken any of the major ones yet.” He truly wished that she had. If he were a petty man, he’d find a way to get it done…but Lucy would never forgive him and he couldn’t live with that. “We’ve been at war with the Black Jacks for a long time. They’ve got all the territory around Errol locked in and we’re the only thing standing in their way from controlling the state. Things have been quiet for a while but it’s only a matter of time before the violence escalates again.”

Both of Lucy’s parents had been casualties in the war that had started long before she was ever born. She cocked her head in confusion. “Okay, tell me something I don’t know?”

Archie fought to hide his smile. “Even though the Black Jacks are strong, I have it on very good authority that their hold on Reno is slipping. It’s ripe for the taking, Lucy. The club voted tonight and the Devils are going to make a play for their territory.”

“Jesus Christ, Gabriel, that’s suicide!” Fear clawed its way into Lucy’s chest. It was one thing to operate in Errol where everybody and their brother was affiliated with the MC in some way…but Reno was crawling with cops, lowlifes, and dealers looking for an excuse to spill blood. “Why are you even telling me this?” This was official club business, not something that was usually shared with prospects like Lucy.

“I can’t just go in there guns blazing.” Archie huffed. “I’m not a complete idiot, in case you hadn’t noticed.” His expression bordered on murderous as he waited for her to make a comment that never came. “I need to make my presence known in the least threatening way possible.”

“Oh? And how do you intend on doing that?” Lucy asked hesitantly. Gabe had a look on his face that made her uneasy…

“It’s very simple, really.” Archie leaned back in his chair. “We’re getting married.” Another crack of lightning lit the sky, followed by a fantastic boom of thunder. In an instant, the power went down and they were bathed in darkness. As dramatic as the moment was, Archie wished that he could see the expression on Lucy’s face right now.

Lucy coughed and sputtered. She couldn’t have been more shocked if he’d told her they were going on a one-way trip to the moon. “I-I’m sorry. I swore you just said that we were getting married. As in
you
and
I
…”

Archie leaned in closer, his hot breath fanning over her neck as he spoke. “You wanted to be a Devil, right? This is your ticket.” His voice was thick and gravelly, “If we win Reno, we could end their reign of terror. The Black Jacks would be gone for good. We need to do this and I don’t care what it takes, Lucy.” Archie paused, dragging a hand across his stubbled chin. “You know the rules. There are only certain things that allow a Devil to cross the border into Reno, turns out a honeymoon is one of them.” He glanced at her. “And as much as I dislike it, you’re the only choice. The club has already voted so…like it or not, that’s the way it goes, Luce. You’re a prospect. What I say goes.”