Dealing with the Devil (4 page)

Archie laid his palm over her hand for a brief moment, absorbing some of the strength she offered. Lucy was far too good for him; he had to keep reminding himself of that. “Let’s just get this done. I want to be in Reno by noon.” The moment Lucy stepped out of the van, sunshine beat down upon her ebony hair and illuminated her flawless skin. She looked like an angel. Guilt stabbed Archie in the gut as they trudged through the busted up parking lot at the courthouse. Lucy deserved a fairy tale wedding; she should walk down the aisle surrounded by friends and family into the arms of a man who would honor, protect, and cherish her for the rest of his life. This debacle wasn’t even a close second.

Lucy remained quiet and level as she followed Gabe. Her eyebrow quirked up as she noticed her fellow prospects standing in front of the courthouse. Mort, Kyle, and Hunter were in various states of dishevelment, chatting quietly amongst themselves. She stopped walking, folding her arms across her chest. “What are they doing here?”

Archie rested his hand at the small of her back to keep her moving. “We needed witnesses to make this legal. Besides, I figured if one prospect has to suffer, you should all have to.” It was still very early; he’d had to call in a couple favors to get them in front of the judge first thing but it was worth it. The sooner they got this over with, the better.

Anita Raleigh looked up from her paperwork with a wide smile on her face. “When this came across my desk, I thought this was a prank. Lucy Harding getting married to Gabriel Archer. I never thought I’d see the day.” Her crystal blue eyes sparkled with mirth. Anita was harmless and everyone knew it. She’d grown up two streets down from Lucy and they had been pretty good friends. Anita was a few years older than Lucy and one of the very few Errolites who’d actually gone to college. What was more impressive, she’d actually chosen a school out of state. Just like Anita’s mother before her, she obtained her law degree and returned to her hometown where she’d practiced for a few months before being offered a judgeship. Errol had a longstanding history of ‘keeping it in the family’. Everyone who lived here set down deep roots; some families, like Anita’s, could trace their lineage back to the founding members of the town.

Lucy chuckled despite herself. “Yeah, well if you asked me about getting married yesterday, I’d probably have said you were insane.” She ignored the look that Gabe shot her. “It took a while for this idiot to propose, but once he did, he was in a big damn hurry to make it legal.” Gabe’s expression tightened and Lucy resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him.

“How romantic,” Anita replied wistfully. There was not a single note of irony in her voice. “Well, let’s get this show on the road, shall we?” Mort had taken it upon himself to explore the area, including Anita’s personal pictures and her college diploma. She cleared her throat before she tugged away a photo of herself wearing a skimpy bikini while on spring break with her law school friends. “Today we come together to celebrate the union of Lucy Temperance Harding and Gabriel Stephen Archer.”

Archie bit back a snicker. “I almost forgot your middle name was Temperance.” He dodged the elbow aimed for his ribs. Lucy was anything but temperate, so her middle name was fantastically ironic.

Anita continued on, oblivious to the fact that Lucy and Archie were engaged in a silent battle of wills. “Marriage is a sacred union and is not to be entered into lightly. So before we begin, are there any objections or second thoughts?” Her eyes flicked between Lucy and Gabe. Neither of them moved and so she folded her hands, “Excellent. Have you prepared your own vows?”

“Yes,” Archie sensed Lucy’s shock and welcomed it. Everyone outside the club needed to believe this was real, starting with Anita. It just so happened he knew exactly how to sell it. “I remember the day we met like it was yesterday. I got off the plane with a flight attendant shepherding me to the pickup area. All I knew about your family was that my mother said you were good people.” Archie had been only four at the time but he was wise beyond his years. “I didn’t say a single word the whole way back to the house…” He vividly remembered being angry, scared, and fighting the urge to cry in front of everyone. “Then you reached out from your car seat and you held my hand. You were so small but somehow you knew exactly what I needed. I knew it was going to be okay.” Archie squeezed her hands tighter in response. “So I stand in front of you today to promise you,
we
will be okay…I will be a good husband, one that you deserve. That’s my solemn vow.”

A loud sob drew attention away from the ceremony. Lucy thought it was Anita at first but quickly realized it was
Mort
. He grabbed tissues from a box on Anita’s desk, whimpering after he loudly blew his nose. Lucy couldn’t deny she felt a bit misty herself. She was barely a toddler when Gabe had come to live with them and hadn’t realized how a simple gesture could mean so much to him. Or maybe was he just trumping it up to make it seem like they had an epic love connection. Either way, Gabe had definitely sold it.

Unfortunately, she had to come up with wedding vows that sounded just as intimate off the top of her head; it wasn’t going to be easy. “Gabe, I’ve known you for almost my whole life. You were always made a great husband when we played house. Even though you preferred playing doctor, you always went along with what I wanted. I thank you for that…”

Hunter and Kyle both snickered. Anita let out a soft ‘aww’ at the sweetness of the moment. Mort cried louder. Archie could hardly bite back his groan. Why did she have to bring that up
now
?

Lucy continued mirthfully, “As we got older, I realized there was so much more to you than a companion and a playmate. You were my protector and my champion. I may not be the sweet, docile wife that you expected but I will do everything in my power to make you happy. That’s my vow to you.” Mort was wailing like a banshee now and Lucy felt confident she’d made it believable.

Archie reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box containing a ring that would put a robin’s egg to shame. He slid it onto her finger, his hand lingering a moment as he watched Lucy’s expression go from smug to shocked. The jeweler promised him that no woman could resist a set like this one and although it definitely put a dent in his life savings, Lucy deserved the best. Archie had also picked out a simple wedding band for himself. Lucy slipped it onto his finger with ease. The weight of it was odd but comfortable at the same time. Getting used to all of this would take time for both of them.

Anita smiled at the tender exchange between newlyweds. “By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Anita bent over her desk to sign the marriage certificate with a flourish before passing it over to Kyle and Hunter to sign as witnesses; Mort was still whimpering and dabbing at his eyes. Thankfully, they only needed two signatures to make it legal.

Gabe and Lucy froze in the wake of Anita’s words. Kissing wasn’t mandatory, especially in a ceremony presided over by a judge…but it was out there and they couldn’t very well ignore it. They would have to kiss or risk exposing their marriage as a sham. Given her propensity for town gossip, their plans could be over before they even began.

Gabe took a step forward and Lucy instinctively followed his lead. She held her breath as he bent down, his lips brushing over hers. The kiss was so gentle that at first she wasn’t sure if she’d imagined it. He pulled away but the chaste peck on the lips didn’t satisfy Lucy…she wanted more. Lucy threaded her fingers through his short hair and dragged him against her. Her body was instantly aflame when he sealed his lips over hers.

The feeling of Lucy’s lush curves was enough to drive Archie over the edge. She was intoxicating. The taste of her favorite hazelnut coffee mingled with something that was wholly
Lucy
. He instinctively threaded his arms around her waist. He itched to undo the buttons on her wedding gown, reveal the creamy skin beneath and then continue his exploration much,
much
lower. A cacophony of coughing, courtesy of Kyle and Hunter, snapped Archie out of the moment. A minute longer and he would’ve gone too far…

Anita fanned herself exaggeratedly. “Now
that’s
what I call a kiss.” She walked around her desk to give Lucy a congratulatory hug. “I get a lot of quickie marriages around here but I’ve never seen a couple who love each other as much as you two clearly do. I sincerely wish you the best of luck.”

Lucy pasted a smile on and tried to ignore the heat simmering in her veins. “Thanks for your help, Anita.” Lucy glanced over at where Kyle and Hunter were trying their best to comfort poor Mort. “And I’m really sorry about him…”

“I like a man who can express emotion.” Anita’s eyes swept over Mort appreciatively. She grabbed a tube of lipstick from the drawer and touched up her lips. Hunter and Kyle shared a look of disdain before hurrying out of the office without their crying comrade.

Shuddering, Lucy grabbed Gabe’s hand. She didn’t want to stick around to find out if Anita and Mort hit it off. “Come on, hubby, I think we’ve overstayed our welcome.”

Archie followed Lucy blindly. He was still reeling from that kiss. He also had to shift several times so that no one would notice his primal reaction but thankfully, thinking about Anita and Mort getting it on was really helping. As soon as they were both buckled into the van, he pulled out onto the main road leading to the highway. It felt like centuries before they spoke again. “About the kiss—”

“We don’t need to talk about it.” Lucy still felt warm and tingly from
the kiss
. Anita’s words weighed on her; she really thought Lucy and Gabe were in love. How preposterous was that? Lucy almost laughed. “The only thing that matters is Anita bought it. Kyle, Mort, and Hunter will inform a few strategic gossips in town and the news will be in Reno before we even arrive. Everything is falling into place. You should be happy.”

Lucy was infuriating. Archie just wanted to make sure their soul-shattering lip lock hadn’t made his new wife uncomfortable. Lucy refused to look him in the eye. He’d readily admit he didn’t intend for his desire to run away with him like that. Maybe there was a part of him that wanted to know if she enjoyed it…but Lucy was content to freeze him out. Damn it all to hell, women were confusing! Archie aggressively merged onto the highway and headed for the city. He flicked the radio over to the rock station and settled in for a long drive. “We should be there in a couple hours.”

“Sounds good. You need help navigating?” Lucy stifled a yawn.

“Nah, you should get some rest. I’ll wake you when we get to the hotel.” Gazing over at Lucy once more, Archie’s anger died away as quickly as it flared up. She must have been tired because she went out like a light. The low music and the sound of her soft breathing were soothing as he zipped down toward the city. There was no telling what would be waiting for them in Reno…but for the moment, everything was calm.

Lucy was in the middle of a slightly naughty dream when she was suddenly shaken awake. Wiping the corner of her mouth, she scrambled to sit up. She rubbed her scratchy eyes and looked around. Even though it was the middle of the afternoon, Reno’s lights blinked and shone. There were hordes of people dressed to the nines; they walked up and down the sidewalks, stopping every once in a while to take pictures. Of what, exactly, Lucy wasn’t sure. She was already overwhelmed and she hadn’t even left the van. Pulling the visor down, Lucy groaned at her reflection. Her mascara had smudged, her dress was slightly rumpled, and her hair was sticking up in three different places. “Shit. Give me a minute to fix myself.”

Archie chuckled and shrugged. Honestly, he thought Lucy looked adorable mussed from sleep. Her lips were swollen and softly parted; he longed to lean over and kiss them again. There was a certain softness about her right now that made him ache to hold her in his arms. Sarcasm was his only defense against her right now. “Take your time, princess. It’s not like the future of our club is riding on this.”

Lucy glared. “
Fine
, I’ll walk into the hotel looking like a hungover raccoon. Who cares?” She pushed the car door open and reached for her suitcase but Gabe was faster. “I missed the part in our vows where you have to carry everything for me.”

“Don’t get your panties in a twist. It would be suspicious if I didn’t dote on my new bride. Chivalry dictates I bring in your bags.” When Lucy didn’t protest he felt a sense of pride fill his chest. Archie actually won an argument and that was definitely worth celebrating. He was smiling from ear to ear as he ushered Lucy toward the lobby.

It was easily the swankiest place Lucy or Archie had ever been. A pair of tuxedoed doormen opened up the polished glass doors and ushered them into a giant atrium, complete with waterfall. The whole place was polished wood paneling from floor to ceiling, affixed with crystal chandeliers that caused speckled rainbows to reflect on the floor any time light hit them. The woman at the concierge desk looked like she’d been ripped from the pages of a fashion magazine. Her smile was bright and unwavering as Archie pulled the confirmations out of his pocket.

The model checking them in was giving Lucy a headache. The woman’s voice was so high-pitched and squeaky, Lucy was sure there were dogs barking all over Reno. The attendant was halfway through a spiel about some of the amenities in the brochure when Lucy interrupted. “I don’t think we’re going to be partaking of any spa services this trip.” Plucking the room keys from the clerk’s hand, Lucy flashed the girl a winning smile. “You mind if we get to the room? I’m itching to get my new husband out of his jeans.” If the girl minded, it certainly didn’t show on her face. Gabriel, on the other hand, looked like he was about to swallow his tongue.

“Right this way, Mrs. Archer.”

The honeymoon suite was on the top floor, overlooking the entire city. Perfectly crafted French doors were the gateway into a massive room. Straight ahead was a balcony that housed a heart-shaped hot tub. The bed was on a platform with two steps and tucked between white Doric columns; delicate red rose petals had been sprinkled over it. There were his and hers armoires on either side of the room, nestled a dresser. A television was mounted on the wall, boasting six hundred channels and pay per view movies. Just beyond that, a simple door led to a sleek black marble bathroom with a whirlpool tub and steam shower. Champagne and strawberries were settled on a bar cart along with handwritten, heartfelt congratulations from the staff of the Paradise Resort and Spa. The entire place exuded luxury and privilege.

Gabriel had clearly spent a fortune on a honeymoon that meant nothing. Lucy was shocked, but not disappointed. Although she was dying to explore, she started to unpack. First things first, she needed to hang her wedding gown very carefully. If she were ever blessed with a daughter of her own, the dress would belong to her…if not, Danny was bound to knock someone up sooner or later.
His
daughter could have it. Either way, Lucy would allow no harm to come to the family heirloom. “Hey Casanova, can you help me with these buttons again?”

Archie couldn’t tear his eyes away from Lucy. Now that they were truly alone, he was going to have a hard time controlling his baser impulses. He tamped down on his lust and closed the distance between them. While she swept away several dark curls that had escaped the pins, he tried to brush aside the wicked thoughts that bombarded him. He longed to pull the rest of the pins and drag his fingers through her hair as he kissed down the sensitive contour of her neck…

Releasing the buttons as quickly as possible, Archie tried to ignore the creamy skin that he unearthed as he went. He had to steel himself against leaning in to taste that unexplored terrain. After several minutes of exquisite torture, Archie heaved a sigh of relief. “There you go.” Archie: 1. Libido: 0.

“Thanks,” Lucy held her dress against her chest as she padded toward the bathroom. “So what’s first? I’m sure you have a whole plan mapped out on how to win over this territory.”

“You don’t want to start with tearing me out of my jeans?” Archie grinned, stuffing his hands into his pockets. He was feeling a little cocky now that he’d managed not to succumb to his desire for her.

Lucy turned a little too quickly and the dress slipped, revealing more of her lacy white bra. “I didn’t need the thirty minute explanation of services, Gabe. You wanted us to act like a newlywed couple. I think two people who love each other and were recently married would be very eager to get to the room and consummate the union.”

“Jesus Christ, Lucy!” All the annoyance that gnawed at Archie suddenly died away. Lucy made it easier to forget she was gorgeous by hiding her curves with baggy t-shirts and jeans but she had such a luscious body hiding beneath. It was all he could do not to ravage her.

“Oh come on, it’s not like you’ve never seen a woman naked before!” Lucy’s face scorched with embarrassment. She fled to the bathroom to avoid the hungry look in Gabe’s eyes. Lucy changed into a cutoff pair of shorts and a Harley Davidson t-shirt that she practically swam in. It was the most unflattering outfit in her repertoire. For good measure, Lucy took her time heading back into the room. She splashed a bit of water on her face to remove her makeup and she pulled the pins from her hair. When she returned, he was still standing where she’d left him with a dumbfounded expression on his face.

Lucy carried the dress to the armoire and hung it on a velvet hanger. Gabe was an enigma to her. Obviously, he’d dragged his hand through his hair several times and it was gently mussed. The barest hint of a five o’clock shadow darkened his chiseled jawline. Lucy kept reminding herself this was a professional arrangement, not a personal one. It was better to keep things as businesslike as possible. “Earth to Gabe? I need to know what the plan is.”

Archie cleared his throat several times. “Right. We need to lay low for a couple days. You hit the nail on the head before: newlywed couples don’t immediately hit the town the day after the wedding.” Unfortunately, he wasn’t sure how he’d survive several days holed up with Lucy. The room suddenly seemed too small. “We’ll use that time to strategize. I have a meeting set up with an ex-Jack. He’s willing to help us figure out the Black Jack’s strategy for keeping a hold on the city. Plus there are a couple potential prospects that might be interested in pledging their loyalty to the Devil’s Own. But for now, we bide our time.”

Lucy flopped onto the bed, tucking her legs beneath her, “A few
days
? What the hell are we going to do? Stare at each other?”

Archie shrugged. “We could start with some room service. I figure you must be hungry.” A smirk slid over his features as he thumbed through the expensive room service menu. “I forgot to tell you the best part. This entire honeymoon is on Monster’s dime. It’s part of his punishment. It was Danny’s idea. So, get whatever you want, sweetheart. It’s not costing me a thing.”

Annoyance seared through Lucy as she stared Gabe down. Did he really think she was going to be happy that Monster was being punished for helping her? Lucy rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you pop that champagne too? It’s my wedding day and I want to be toasted, one way or another.” Maybe it would take the edge off. Lucy clinked her crystal champagne flute against Gabe’s. “Here’s to a short marriage with the least amount of awkwardness.”

“I’ll drink to that.” Archie drained his champagne in one long sip. “It’s not half bad…” While Lucy placed an order for an obscenely large amount of food, he settled down on the bed beside her. Although the room was large, it was created for newlywed couples and that would make sleeping arrangements very difficult. “There’s only one bed,” Archie observed.

Lucy’s lips quirked upward into a smile. “I’m sure you’ll be very comfortable in the tub or on the sofa over there.”

“I’m taller than you. I won’t fit on that tiny couch!” Archie refilled their glasses and drained a second one before he spoke again. The alcohol was already starting to cloud Archie’s judgment. “You know, it wouldn’t be the first time we shared a bed.”

Lucy chuckled, “If you hadn’t noticed, I’m not five years old anymore.”

Archie’s eyes swept over her figure appreciatively. “I noticed.”

It wasn’t as if he could see through her oversized t-shirt but somehow Lucy felt as if he could. She scoffed and pulled the menu tight against her chest for good measure. “Ha, ha,” She grunted, sarcastically. “The answer is still no.” Skittering away from him, Lucy was desperate for a subject change. “How come there aren’t any prices on anything?”

“Probably because you wouldn’t buy it if you knew how expensive it was.” Archie smirked at the incredulity on her face. “Don’t worry about it, Luce. This is our honeymoon. You should enjoy yourself.”

Lucy traced the rim of her champagne flute with her finger guiltily. In Errol, there weren’t any fancy places like this around. Right off the main drag there was a motor lodge that was reserved for passersby or philandering spouses. The small town also boasted a bed and breakfast where
everybody
went for romantic getaways. Although the B&B was charming, it didn’t hold a candle to the fancy honeymoon suite they found themselves in now. Lucy had to say, she didn’t mind the lap of luxury.

Archie itched to run his fingers through the dark hair had come loose from Lucy’s ponytail. There was a warm bloom of pink in her cheeks that accentuated her beauty. He couldn’t stop staring at her rosebud lips. His mind kept wandering back to Anita’s office and the electric shock of pleasure that burned through him when Lucy’s lips met his. Archie knew his way around women; he enjoyed sex and wasn’t afraid to admit it…but in his entire life, he had never been so enticed by one single kiss.

“You’re staring at me.” Lucy shifted uncomfortably.

Archie startled.
Busted
. “No I wasn’t,” He lied baldly.

Lucy rolled her eyes. “We’re going to be stuck in this room together for two days—”

“Three.”

Lucy huffed at this interruption. “
Three
days.” She crossed her legs, facing him head on. “Don’t you think it would be great to spend that time doing something productive? We could talk about club business or put an
actual
plan in place for taking Reno back from the Black Jacks?”

“You’re not a Devil yet, Lucy. You know damn well I can’t discuss club business with you,” Archie frowned. Leave it to Lucy to try and weasel her way around the rules.

“I am your
only
backup out here,” Lucy shot back. “If we want to survive, you can’t keep me in the dark. I need to know who we’re meeting with and what the danger is.” She gazed deep into his cobalt eyes, unflinchingly. “You told me your only goal is to keep me safe, Gabe. What’s safe about going into this blind?”

Archie gritted his teeth and dragged his fingers through his hair again. Damn it…Lucy was right. “Anything I tell you is on a need to know basis
and
you can’t let anyone in the MC know what I’ve told you. I won’t have my authority questioned.” There was always someone waiting in the wings to try and win the Presidency. Archie won the vote fair and square several years running but the position was certainly coveted. Since their inception, The Devils Own MC had seen dictators rise and fall. No one wanted a repeat of the bloodshed and violence ten years ago when they lost half their territory—and their crew—to the Black Jacks.

Lucy nodded eagerly. “That’s all I’m asking, Gabe. I have your back no matter what, I just need you to have mine.” What they were going into was extremely dangerous. The Black Jacks were ruthless; he would need her by his side if they were going to take them down.

“I would never let anything happen to you.” The very thought of Lucy getting hurt was like a hot iron to Archie’s heart.

Lucy folded her arms tightly over her chest. “I think you forget sometimes that I’m not a little girl. Maybe you’d have gotten it through your thick skull by now if you actually talked to me once in a while.” Lucy never told Gabe how badly it hurt her when he suddenly stopped being her friend. He used to let her ride on the back of his motorcycle and take her mini-golfing or to the movies; sometimes they wouldn’t go anywhere at all and make a bonfire in the backyard. Although she spent the summer of her sixteenth birthday in Oakland, she eagerly anticipated coming home to Gabe again. When he suddenly couldn’t even look at her anymore, it cut deep. “I really don’t know what it is I did to piss you off but for the sake of this club, I need you to put it aside.”

Archie furrowed his eyebrows, “What are you talking about? I’m not pissed off at you, Lucy.”

“Oh yeah?” Lucy countered. “I can’t even count how many of my phone calls you’ve dodged or how many parties you’ve left because I was there. You’ve been going out of your way to avoid me for years and…I don’t know why.”

A cold sweat broke out over Archie’s back. He stood up off the bed, towering over her as he did so. Lucy wasn’t wrong; he kept her at arm’s length but he had to in order to protect both of them. “This is ridiculous. Just forget it.”