Devil May Care: Boxed Set (123 page)

Ella

“I can’t believe this,” I muttered softly under my breath as I hung up. Thelma looked at me curiously.

“Is everything okay, dear?”

I burst out laughing. The tension of the moment had passed, and now I realized that Mickey had reached out to me because he really did need my help. Without me, this whole thing would fall apart. I felt important, but most of all, I felt relieved.

“It’s fine,” I said through a hail of giggles.

Thelma looked at me curiously. “You really do love my son,” she said, more to herself than me.

I blushed deeply. “Very much,” I told her honestly. “You have no idea.”

Thelma gave me a secret little smile. “I knew things would work out,” she said softly. “Just trust in here.” She tapped her chest and I knew she was referring to her heart.

Still grinning, I dialed the cops and held the phone up to my ear. It rang and rang, and when someone finally picked up, I could tell answering the phone was low on their list of priorities.

“Listen,” I said in a hushed voice. “There’s a big fight going down at Silver Lake. Cops and bikers are fighting! If you don’t get there, everyone’s going to be dead.”

I hung up and dialed Mickey’s number. Unlike 911, he answered immediately.

“I called them,” I said in a rush. “They know you’re there.”

Mickey chuckled in his gruff way. “Thank you,” he said in a low voice. “You know, I expect you to marry me if we get through this.”

I blinked and a hot flush washed over my face. Thelma was watching me and she grinned as if she knew what her son had just told me.

“Okay,” I said softly. “I will.”

Mickey hung up and I closed my eyes. I was feeling dazed, like I’d just had too much to drink, but also blissful and floaty. I pinched my arm. Was this really happening? Did Mickey really just say that he wanted to marry me?

I pictured him standing around the lake, looking smug and pleased with himself. Like he’d looked after we’d fucked the first time, only more satisfied. Because now he knew that I was his, that I was his forever. Really and truly. I couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to be Mickey, but I pretended—just for a moment—that I understood his cocksure behavior. He’d be strutting around like a peacock, thinking of all the ways he was going to wreck my pussy when he got back to the cabin.

“Good talk?” There was a sly grin on Thelma’s face and I felt the blush deepen.

“You have no idea,” I managed to say.

Thelma patted the couch next to her. “Try me,” she said. “Sit down.”

I perched my butt on the edge of the couch but I was too restless and after only a few seconds, I jumped up and started pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace.

“He said he expects me to marry him if we get through this alive,” I said in a shaky voice. Thelma grinned but she didn’t interrupt. Instead, she motioned for me to go on. “And I can’t believe it! I can’t believe that Mickey Jameson asked
me
to marry him!” My voice was at a squeak now but I couldn’t stop. “Oh, my god, I never thought about marrying anybody! I never thought that I’d have a family. I never thought I’d have anyone who loved me the way that Mickey does!” Thelma grinned but I couldn’t stop talking. The words were coming out of me like a geyser and no matter what I did, I couldn’t stop.

“I don’t even know what kind of wedding he wants, but if I have anything to say about it, it’ll have to be in a chapel,” I said quickly. “There won’t be much time…I’ll have to just buy a dress off the rack. But you know what? I don’t really care, it’ll be fine. And we’ll have to come up with a budget, and a guest list, and what to do at the reception…should we serve a full dinner? Appetizers? A buffet?”

Thelma laughed softly. Her eyes were twinkling and I could see there was just as much excitement on her tiny face as there was on mine.

“Don’t get carried away, dear,” she said, still smiling. “There’ll be plenty of time to decide all of that later.”

“It’s just so exciting!” I squeaked, looking down at my hand. I never had imagined getting married, but now that it was happening, I wanted some jewelry. Nothing ostentatious—I didn’t even care if it was gold—but I wanted something. Some public sign to show the world that I belonged to Mickey. And I wanted him to wear a ring, too. I knew it wasn’t the most manly thing in the world to wear a wedding band, but I wanted everyone to know that he was mine.

I flashed back to our first meal, in the truck stop restaurant. The waitress had obviously seen him before, letting her eyes hang all over his taut body. But he hadn’t even noticed, he’d been staring at me the whole time. It had made me feel powerful, even though I’d been feeling jealous of the waitress’s curves. Now, I wondered if Mickey had felt that way all along. If the first time he’d seen me, he’d looked at me with love and not just lust. We’d come so far since then, it was hard to believe that it had only been just a few days. But I was happier than I ever thought I could be. Even in the midst of disaster, I looked forward to the future.

A future with Mickey. I closed my eyes and saw us together, after the wedding. I’d be in a white dress and he’d reach down and scoop me up, putting me on the back of his bike and driving away. As we rode, I knew he’d grab my hand and slide it down to his crotch, where I could massage his hard cock the whole drive to the motel. At the motel, we’d tear each other’s clothes off before the door was even closed. I knew Mickey would throw me on the bed and kiss me and take me. It would be the most passionate night of our lives, and it would last forever.

I shivered. Thinking about the future used to scare me, but not anymore. Even though things were uncertain, and part of me still felt like Mickey wouldn’t be walking away alive, I was desperate to find out what would happen.

“You’ll have a wonderful life together,” Thelma said.

I blinked and turned to her. I’d been so caught up in my thinking that I’d completely forgotten she was there. She had her usual peaceful, serene look. The sun was streaming in through the windows and giving her a glow that she hadn’t had before. Combined with her facial expression and straight posture, she almost looked like an angel in the sunlight. There was a beauty to her that I hadn’t seen before. I could tell that when she’d been younger, she’d been gorgeous. Mickey must have been the spitting image of his dad, his features too big and sharp to match with Thelma’s. But she had a pert nose with a squared off tip and a delicate little mouth. I wished more than anything that I could have seen her and Mickey’s father together.

“Thank you,” I said. A lump began to form in my throat and I reached over and took her hand. Even though we’d only been acquainted for a few hours, I still felt like I knew her really well. It was hard to believe that she wouldn’t be around for much longer. I was looking forward to the future, but thinking about it also made me nervous. After all, what if Mickey completely fell apart after Thelma’s death? What would I do then? Would I even be able to reach him?

As if reading my mind, Thelma spoke up. “You can’t let Mickey go off the deep end,” she said in a soothing voice.

I rubbed the back of her hand—she was cold—and then covered her with a crocheted afghan that was folded over the back of the couch. It was well-used and I imagined it had been in the cabin for years and years.

“I’ll try,” I said. The tears were pricking my eyes but I blinked and tried to clear them away as best I could. “But I’m so worried. What do I do? I’ve never helped someone through a….through a death before.”

Thelma shook her head. “Just make sure he stays open and talks to you,” she said. “You can’t let him build a wall up around himself. My Mickey has always done that. You’re the first person to really penetrate through something so difficult.”

I swallowed hard. I was intimidated at the idea of nursing Mickey through his mother’s death. But after all, as a doctor, I would have to get used to breaking bad news to people. I knew it wasn’t exactly the same thing, but I was going to have to be acquainted with death all the same. Still, though, I would have preferred the first death not to be Thelma’s.

“You’ll do fine,” Thelma said. She patted my hand and closed her eyes. I could tell that she was exhausted; even just the small interaction with me had tired her out.

I desperately hoped that she’d be able to be at our wedding. I still wanted everything I wanted—not to rush, not to just go downtown to the courthouse—but I wanted Thelma there, too.

“I’d love to be your daughter-in-law,” I said. 

Thelma nodded. She patted my hand again. “You’ll be a great daughter,” she said. There was a hint of a smile on her face. “I always wanted to have a daughter, and you’re the best one I could have had.”

When she said that, the tears started flowing more freely than ever before. I leaned over my knees and sobbed into my hands. Thelma squeezed my hand. She let me cry, and just sat next to me and murmured soothing words. It was embarrassing to be bawling my eyes out in front of someone I barely knew, but I couldn’t help it. She was just so warm and approachable, and I knew I would desperately miss her when she was gone.

“Everything will be fine,” Thelma said firmly. “I know that, dear. I’ve been around for long enough that I can just tell. You and Mickey will have a wonderful life. And I really want you to have lots of children, okay? Have a lot of babies, and treat them all well. Love them all. Be a strong family. Don’t let them get involved with the same thing as their family, okay? You’ll have to be the one to change all of that.” She laughed. “I want my grandchildren going to college, and becoming doctors like their mama.”

I blushed. “Yes, ma’am,” I said. Thelma burst out laughing and again, I was reminded of her surprising air of youthfulness.

“I’m tired, dear,” Thelma said with a yawn when her giggles had gone down. “Would you mind helping me to bed?”

“Of course not,” I replied. Thelma struggled to stand up but I grabbed her arm and safely tucked it through mine. We didn’t talk as I helped her upstairs and into bed.

“You’ll feel much better with some good rest,” I told her as I tucked her in. “I’ll be right back with some water and some tea for you. Would you like any of your pills?”

Thelma nodded. She directed me to her purse where there was a packet of painkillers. I handed her two pills with a fresh glass of water.

By the time the water glass was back on the nightstand, Thelma had fallen asleep.

“Your daughter-in-law,” I repeated softly to myself. I couldn’t believe it. I finally had the family I’d always looked for.

Mickey

As soon as I hung up, I felt a grin stretch my face wide. I knew the guys were confused. I didn’t care. Ella had said she wanted to marry me, and soon, all of this would be a distant memory.
Sweet little Ella, and she’s all mine
, I thought triumphantly. I never had thought about getting married. But with Ella, it was different. I wanted to spend my life with her, and if I had to marry her to do that, so be it. I didn’t care if she wore a white dress or a black bikini, but I knew our wedding would be unforgettable either way.

Mason and Jimmy looked at me with curiosity in their eyes. “What did you do, boss?” Jimmy asked in a quiet voice.

I resisted the urge to laugh. “I fuckin’ got engaged,” I said, grinning.

“No, idiot, about the cops!”

“Hey, shut up, be happy for me,” I said, slugging him in the arm. “Can’t you ever appreciate good news when you get it?”

Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Congrats, man.”

I grinned broadly. “That’s better,” I said. “Ella called the cops. They’re on their way, and all we have to do is show them those corrupt assholes over there in the gazebo. We can’t get out without a fight, but I think we’ve won the battle, boys.”

Mason and Jimmy high-fived and then clapped me on the back. I felt dazed. I knew I should be ecstatic and full of adrenaline, but all I could think about was Ella Riley and the way her red sweaty face screamed my name in the throes of an orgasm. And she was going to do the exact same thing tonight, all night.

Ella.
I couldn’t believe she was mine. From the first moment I laid eyed on her petite pale body, I’d been enchanted. Her sparkling brown eyes and sharp wit had won me over, and in short order, I’d be making that little doctor all mine, forever. I didn’t care what kind of wedding she wanted, but I wanted Mom to be involved. I felt bad that I’d spent my whole adult life running from the responsibility of being tied down. I’d wasted so much time sniffing out pussy and sticking my nose where it didn’t belong. Now, I wanted to give Mom grandchildren and enjoy family life. I just hoped that it wouldn’t be too late. She was so sick—sicker than I’d ever have thought possible. It was like she was holding onto life so she could see me again, even it was just one more time.
Hold on, Mom
, I thought.
Please. For me. For Ella. We need you.

There was the sound of sirens in the distance. Mason and Jimmy looked at me and grinned. “They ain’t far off,” I said, whistling through my teeth. Through the woods, I could see the two goons sitting at the gazebo. Neither one of them seemed alarmed, and I was willing to bet anything they had yet to hear the sirens. If the cops were able to sneak up on them, all the better. I knew it was going to be a crazy scene: bikers fighting cops fighting cops. The law enforcement was going to be upside down before the day was over, and we’d be on our feet, walking out like champs.

The Irish could always do it. We always found a way. I hated involving Ella, but her role was over and done. She’d done it like a pro, though. I couldn’t have done better. She understood exactly what I said the first time and I could tell she’d called the cops immediately after getting off the phone with me. And that little sigh she’d uttered when I told her that I expected her to marry me.
Damn. She’s so fine. I can’t wait to get her alone tonight and eat her pussy until she’s screaming.

Life with Ella had been sweet so far, and after all this shit was over, it would be sweeter still. I just had a few more hours left as the president of The Irish. I hoped they’d be satisfying, but even if they weren’t, the life I was going to have afterwards was enough to tempt me away. Me, Ella, a string of kids. Hopefully Mom, if she could manage to hang on for a few years. I wrinkled my nose—the possibility wasn’t strong, but I was desperately hoping it would be true.

Mason tapped me on the shoulder. “Boss, what are we waiting for?”

“If we don’t all wanna die, we need to wait until just before the cops show up,” I replied in a low voice. “We need to charge out and surprise those assholes. The cops can catch us, but it’s better if we haven’t been shooting for very long. I assume you guys feel like walking out of this jam?”

Mason and Jimmy and the other guys laughed. I grinned as one of them chucked me good-naturedly under the jaw.

Finally, the sirens were getting louder than ever. I signaled to the guys and we charged through the bushes, running up and surprisingly those assholes sitting in the gazebo. Before they could react, we whipped guns out and trained them.

“Hey, what’s all this?” One of them shot Mason a confused look. He was wearing a bandanna tied around his mouth and hiding most of his face, but he looked undoubtedly familiar. I narrowed my eyes and squinted, trying to make out any familiar features.

“Who the fuck are you?” I bellowed loudly as I fired a warning shot in the air. The sound of gunfire shocked the other cop into life and he pulled his gun out and trained it on all of us. The sirens in the background were getting louder and louder and finally the first guy, the one with the bandanna, ripped the mask off his face and turned to his partner.

“They called the cops!” he yelled in anger. “You fucks are gonna die for that!”

Before we could do anything, the two cops in the gazebo started shooting at us. I hit the ground, along with Mason and Jimmy, and we tried to roll to safety near the bushes. I felt dirt spray into my face as the cops littered the ground with shells. I grabbed Mason’s arm and ducked behind a tree. My heart was pounding in my chest and my breath was coming just as hard—I felt like I’d sprinted a marathon. The guys didn’t let up, not even taking time to reload. Mason looked at me with clear panic in his eyes.

“This is so fucked up,” he whispered. I nodded tersely and jammed a new cartridge into my gun. Without giving any signal, I whipped around the tree and started firing at the gazebo. There were cries of pain and anguish but the volley of guns didn’t stop. I frantically searched the woods, looking for my guys. I saw some feet sticking out a bush and my heart leapt in my throat when I realized they were attached to Jimmy’s body and that he wasn’t moving. But I couldn’t make a run for his body, I’d get shot in a heartbeat.

Keeping my arm as straight as I could, I fired toward the cops. I saw one of the bullets land in an arm and I mentally cheered a victory cry. Just as the guy I’d shot went down on his knees, two cop cars tore towards the scene. Their lights and sirens were on and combined with the gunfire, it made for a deafening roar. The cops must have been shocked as anything to see two of their own shooting at a bunch of bikers. A sergeant leapt out of his patrol car and trained his gun on the two goons in the gazebo.

“Cease fire!” the sergeant commanded through his microphone. No one listened—the guys in the gazebo hunched down to reload and my guys kept shooting at them. It was one of the loudest scenes I’d witnessed in my years with The Irish, and I couldn’t believe that all it had taken was a call to the cops. After all of this drama, a call to the cops. The irony didn’t escape me that Ella had suggested calling them as soon as I showed up in the back of her rig. Of course, she
would
be right.
That’s my girl.

Sweat was beading on my forehead as I changed the clip in my gun and aimed again at the gazebo. I took aim and fired right as one of the good cops shot at the bad guys. My heart was beating like a jackhammer, but finally one of the bullets took aim and both of the cops in the gazebo fell to the ground.

Mason punched me in the arm. “We did it!” he whooped loudly.

I shushed him. When we stood up, the scene wasn’t good. The park was littered with bodies. Both of the guys in the gazebo were down. With my heart in my throat, I ran over to Jimmy under the pile of brush.

“Jimmy!” I called in a hoarse cry. He didn’t answer and I dropped to my knees and tugged him away from the bushes. “Jimmy, man, talk to me!”

Jimmy’s eyelids fluttered open and closed. His skin felt cold to the touch and I could feel that his heartbeat was extremely slow and labored. Despair welled up in me and I felt anger coursing through my body as he looked up and smiled weakly.

“I’ll be fine, boss,” Jimmy said in a strangled way. “You did awesome. You all did.”

Mason had followed me and dropped to his knees on the other side of our friend. For a moment, we kneeled together. I wasn’t praying, but I was thinking about Jimmy’s life and all of the people who were going to be alone now. For one, his wife and kid. But it was like the end of an era. Like me, Jimmy had grown up in the club. He’d been surrounded from The Irish ever since he was a little kid. Unlike me, Jimmy wasn’t getting out. He’d lived and died with the club. I was leaving, for another life, another time. But Jimmy wouldn’t ever get that chance.

“Take care of my wife,” Jimmy said. He looked up at me with cloudy eyes and slowly let his lids fall.

“I promise, man,” I said under my breath. “I promise.”

When my friend had breathed his last, Mason and I locked eyes.

“We need to go talk to the cops,” Mason said. He took a deep breath. I knew losing Jimmy would affect him tremendously. They’d always been best friends, even when I was around they preferred each other’s company to my own. I hadn’t always been alright with it, but now I imagined Mason must be feeling more alone than ever. One best friend was about to leave the club, the other died.

The sergeant and his men were milling around the cops cars, kicking up dust. They looked up and nodded their heads at me curtly.

“Thanks for that,” I said with a wry grin. “Y’all just about saved the day here.”

One of them nodded at me—I recognized the guy who’d shot both of the men in the gazebo. “It’s fine,” he said. The air between us was uneasy; The Irish and the Dos Palmos cops had always forged an unlikely truce.

“I trust things are gonna be a little easier in the future,” I said, brushing some of the dirt off my sleeves. “We ain’t gonna have to deal with any more of your corrupt friends.”

The cop nodded. “We’re sorry about that,” he said. “Just stay in line, and we’ll be in touch.”

We parted with little fanfare. Mason and I looked at each other and rolled up our sleeves. Aside from Jimmy, four other guys had been shot. The Irish had been reduced to practically nothing in a matter of seconds. Now, we had to load up the bodies and count the damage done. I sighed heavily.

“You ready for a long afternoon?”

Mason nodded. “Whatever you say, boss.”

I shook my head and held my hand out to him. Mason looked at me curiously before reaching out and taking what I’d offered.

“Are you fuckin’ kidding me?” There was a grin on his face as he unrolled the president patch in his hand. “Are you serious?”

“You’re the man, buddy,” I told him. “Now come on, let’s get to work.”