My Sweet Dessert: The Brothers of Devil's Comfort Series 2 Book 2 (12 page)

“Shit Crabby, if this is how you act when you’re in a shitty mood. You can come home like this more often.”

We were still on the floor of the living room, Crabby had stretched up and pulled a couple of cushions and the throw off the back of the couch over us, and he was cuddling my body into his. I was tired and I wanted to sleep, but Crabby wanted to talk. His lips placing small kisses on the top of my head.

“Did you speak to Laura.”

“I did.”

As I answer Crabby, I sense my body going stiff. It hadn’t been a pleasant meeting and I hadn’t come away unscathed. The morning Crabby had left for his road trip, I had dressed and arranged to meet Sugar Jay for breakfast. The sweet girl had called by the apartment and then driven over to Sammy’s Café. The parking lot had been eerily quiet, with only around a half dozen motorbikes taking up the parking lot. As I was climbing out of Sugar Jay’s pink compact, Ant, was pulling in and he waved over, which we returned. The smile I had offered him, had been halfhearted. I knew what this road trip was about, and all I wanted, was Crabby to come home quickly and safely.

The size of Sugar Jay’s breakfast has me looking at her plate twice, wondering where she was going to put everything.

“I’m eating for two.”

“Going by that plate, I’d have said four.”

“Wait till you're pregnant and see if you eat any differently.”

With a pat to Sugar Jay’s hand, I smile blandly at her. Crabby and I have decided we would wait a few years before having kids. I have collage and nursing school to finish first. Then I want to work before we have any kids. In my reckoning that meant I have at least ten years to go before I have to eat the vast amount before Sugar Jay.

“Never mind me and kids. What’s going on between you and Sundance.”

When Sugar Jay drops her gaze to her food, and begins to prod the potatoes with a fork, I knew I had spoken out of tune, and my own smile dropped.

“Sugar Jay.”

“Nothing happening Emily. We scream at each other. However, he has finally acknowledged that the baby is his.”

“That’s a start right.”

“Shit, Emily, I told him I loved him, and he laughed in my face. He said I didn’t know what love was. Because I’d run away with that other biker, he said I was fickle. Shit Emily I gave Sundance my virginity, which was a lot more than I did with the other guy.”

Slowly Sugar Jay shook her head. Her gaze on the street as she watched a biker go into Linc the Ink.

“I rang Bastion and asked if I could go home.”

“What did he say.”

“He didn’t say anything. However, I could hear the disappointment in his voice as he said he’d ring Twiggy.”

“You’ll be fine.”

“Do you think so.”

“Hey, I’m not a politician so you can trust me.”

“Thanks Emily, I’m going to miss you.”

“No you won’t. Because I’ll never be out of your hair… Look can you drop me off at Momma’s.”

“Sure. Do you want me to wait?”

“No Luke can take me home.”

MSD

“Momma.”

“I’ll just get some coffee Emily.”

“I can do that.”

“No, sit down, I’ll not be long.”

I was in my home, and I felt like an interloper. Nervously, I glanced around the room while Momma went and made the coffee. It’s hard to believe, it’s only been just over a month since I moved out. Yet the place seems strange. The family photographs were still in their usual places. At the window is a mahogany table with a vase of fresh cut flowers. As I stare at them, I wonder if they are from Teddy.

I was becoming used to Momma and Teddy being an item. It was still strange. But my way of thinking is, if I can cope with Momma’s relationship. Well, she can damn well accept mine and Crabby’s.

“Ah, Emily, there’s one expression I haven’t missed.”

“What do you mean.”

“Your battle look. Is that what we’re going to have Emily. A battle.”

With a deep sigh, I lean forward to rest my elbows on my knees and quietly I blow the air out of my mouth.

“Let’s not fight Momma.”

“Emily I don’t want to fight. I want my family back.”

“We’ve not gone anywhere Momma. We’re all right here, and we have no plans of leaving Comfort Springs.”

“Is that a promise.”

“I can’t for the others Momma, but I doubt they have any plans to leave. However, I promise I will not be leaving Comfort Springs.”

Momma gave a shoulder shrug as she rolled over to the window. Her fingers’ playing with the leaves of the flowers.

“What about you and Crabby.”

“I love him Momma, and I would like your blessing.”

“I just cannot forget you’ve been hurt twice because of him and the club Emily.”

Momma’s eyes were on my leg.

“Momma, Crabby would and will do anything for me. Anyway, now that he’s back, I doubt anything will happen to me again.”

“Emily if he’s so perfect, why didn’t you mention you were getting married?”

“Maybe because I knew how you would react.”

Momma didn’t answer straight away. Instead, she came over to me. Blue sad eyes stare at me and my hand clutches the soft cushion.

“I have two daughters Emily, and both have denied me a fancy wedding.”

“Rayven had a big party at the club. I’m sure Crabby will sort something out.”

“It’s not the same Emily. I wanted you both to have what I didn’t have. You know, the dress and stuff.”

Impulsively I wrap my arms around Momma’s neck, hugging her as tight as I can.

“The dress doesn’t matter. We got married Momma, and I wouldn’t change the way we did it. Not for anyone. How about when Crabby comes home, we all go out for dinner. Hey, even Teddy can come.”

Momma’s hand was stroking my hair, when suddenly she cups my face in her hands, and I hug her wrists.

“I love you Emily and all I want is for you to be happy. If Crabby makes you as happy as Tabby makes Rayven then I’ll be happy.”

“He’s encouraging me to stay on at school, and to get my nursing degree Momma. He’s a good man.”

“I guess he did save your life.”

“Not once Momma. But twice.”

“And you promise you won’t be leaving Comfort Springs.”

“How many times do I have to promise. I’ll always be here.”

As I finish telling Crabby about my visit, His hand has slowed down in there stroking, and with a worried frown, I glance up at him.

“Crabby.”

“I’m happy for you Emily.”

Crabby never calls me Emily, and I find myself rising above him to look down.

“I thought… I don’t know… I expected a happier reaction.”

“What did you expect. Do you want me to get up and dance? Shit Emily you make it up with your Momma. An argument which was over something stupid, and now you’ve made her some kind of stupid promise about never leaving Comfort Springs…”

Crabby’s attitude has left me staring at him as he scrambles with his socks and denims. Next he is putting his boots on. And I have no idea how to handle the situation.

“I’m going to the club. I’ll be back later.”

“Run Crabby why not. But, fuck, what the hell have I done.”

“That’s just it Emily. You haven’t done anything. For five years you waited for me. And now you’re still willing to put your life on hold for someone else.”

The door slammed behind Crabby and I manage to scramble onto the couch, the throw wrapped around my body, still puzzled by Crabby’s attitude, I went over our conversation once more.

The whisky had been nursing in my hand for several minutes and with one last shrug I swallow the warm liquid. The burn as it slid down my throat caused me to shudder as I hold my empty glass to Angel.

“I didn’t expect you back so soon.”

Trax has come to stand beside, and he too was nursing a whisky as he surveyed the room.

“Never plan Trax. They never work out.”

Trax smiled as he gave me his full attention.

“I’m sure you’ll find a way to smooth over what every problem you and Apple-Pie have. Now come on, let’s celebrate. That was a good run we had.”

Slugging back the remainder of the whisky Angel has just passed me, I lean over the bar and grab a bottle, waving it at Angel, who acknowledge the action with a slight tilt of her head as she chatted to Ant. Instead of joining Trax who has gone in search of some skirt, I give the room a quick scan until my glance lands on Flynn. Then I release a groan, when Grace comes and joins him. Shit wherever I look everyone is wrapped up in female company. I wasn’t ready to go back home and face Apple-Pie yet. Shit, I’d acted like an idiot. Instead of being wrapped up in Apple-Pie’s body, I was sat on a bench looking at the stars, feeling sorry for myself. Trax was right, the run was a success and I should be celebrating it. Closing my eyes, I let myself drift back.

For two days, we watched the house. Bored with not much was going on. Never too sure if the bikers inside were aware that we were outside. The waiting hadn’t helped my nerves either. I wanted in and I know Dec did as well.

Finally, Davy left the compound with another biker, and Inferno gave us the word to follow and take them if we could. By the time we reach the main road, the four groups had reunited to form into one. Sundance and Trax then broke ranks as they rode up front. Hitting the gas to gain on the two bikers. When the bikers realized they were being followed, they too then hit the gas.

Because of the location of the plantation, the road was free of other traffic and it was not long before we were breaking the speed limit. One moment the bikers were in front of us. The next they had turned towards a deserted lane. This didn’t stop us from following. The miles were being eaten up until eventually Sundance, Trax and Quick Draw were in front of the bikers, making it easier for us to circle them. Crowding them until they finally brought their bikes to a stop.

Inferno and Linc pull themselves into the center of the group, dismounting from their bikes. Twiggy and Dec followed. The Hybrid bikers let their gazes drift around the four faces, but didn’t dismount from their own bikes. Words were exchanged, and from where I was, I could neither hear or make out what was said. What I did notice, was that they remained where they were and watched as Twiggy and Dec returned to their bikes. Only for them to pull their bikes up next to them. With a nod from Inferno who has now returned to his own bike, we head back on to the highway. Yet, instead of heading for Comfort Springs or Jackson, after being on the road for another 57 miles, we turn down a road, which Quick Draw and Fraggle had scouted when they had come to Jackson. Just under another 10 miles, we came across an old shack, and pull the bikes up. As we dismount, Fudge and Trax escorted our companions inside. Dec withdraw a bag from the metal box on his bike.

The room we enter is filthy, and if you listen carefully, you can hear the critters leaving as we stomp over the wooden floor. As I pass Quick Draw, who is escorting Davy, I accidentally bump into the biker. Quick Draw’s eyebrow rose as I sent him a smile. Which is reciprocated when he slaps the Hybrid biker on his back, causing him to stumble once more.

I was just warming up, flexing my hands. The cracking of bone echoing in the room.

“Patience’s Boy.”

“I’ve been patient for weeks Tabby. I think I can last another five minutes.

The clatter of Dec emptying his box on to an old broken wooden table has me glancing over first at him, then at Davy.

“We brought you a gift Davy.”

“You don’t frighten me boy.”

Davy was what, a couple of years older than me, and this time when I smile at him, it is cold. My nose was up against his.

“Well, maybe I should. Because you’re about to pay for what you did to Emily.”

I hated speaking Emily’s name in this bastard’s company, but I wasn’t going to sully her, by calling her Apple-Pie to him.

“Crabby whenever you’re ready.”

My gaze moved from the Hybrid to Dec, who’s hand was wafting over the instruments on the table. With one last cold smile at Davy, I stroll over to the table and pick up the hammer. This wasn’t going to be an eye for an eye. This was going to be a leg for a leg. The first swing of the hammer, has Davy kneeling on the floor, the second swing, has him flat on his stomach. A position which was quickly rectified when Quick Draw and Tabby raised the biker by his arms and held him firmly as I swung the hammer again and again. The leg was smashed. Not just broken and the sweat has broken out on me. Adrenaline is pumping through my body, and I drop the hammer to swing for his stomach with my fist. My hands were aching, and I was out of breath. The body in front of me was hanging between Quick-Draw and Tabby.

“Let him go.”

The bikers hastily dropped the broken man, who fell to the ground. Once more I turn to the table and collect my next weapon. This time I walk up to the biker, push his head back with the palm of my hand against this forehead.

“If you had left Emily alone. You wouldn’t have found yourself in this mess.”

As the biker looked at me, I raised the gun.

Blinking, I came back to the present and look over the parking lot. I didn’t know what the future held. But what I did know, is that I wanted it with Apple-Pie.

The apartment was silent as I entered, and I didn’t bother to put the lights on. Silently I went into the bedroom and watched the huddle in the middle of the bed. It was too still.

“Emily.”

My greeting went unanswered, and I went over to the bed and sat down, the mattress dipping as I shrugged out of my boots.

“Emily. I know you’re awake.”

“Put the lamp on Crabby.”

I did, then I wished I hadn’t. Apple-Pie’s face was red and blotchy.

“You shouldn’t have cried over me Apple-Pie.”

“I’m always crying over you.”

Gently, I brush her hair out of her face.

“I’m sorry Emily.”

“What did I say that caused you leave like that Crabby.”

“You didn’t say anything. I guess I’m not used to living with anyone… Anyway, it’s great that you’ve made up with Laura, and that you’re still here.”

“I won’t choose between you and my family Crabby. I love you. I also love them. And I believe we can make this work.”

With a sad smile, I ruffle Apple-Pie’s hair, and now that my denims were no longer an issue, I climb into the bed to snuggle into Apple-Pie. The warmth of her body, thawing the chill in mine.

“There’s a party at the club tomorrow night. Why don’t we go.”