SAVAGE LOVE (A Back Down Devil MC Romance Novel) (8 page)

Miller left his half full coffee
cup on the table and cracked his knuckles.

“
We
could bring in trouble from Riverside. Maybe even a little gambling. Why not?
Try to make Jerry
’
s life
miserable. He
’
ll lose his
focus. We take out Coast Road MC. Next thing you know it
’
s just us facing off with Jerry.
”

“
Even
still,
”
Jace said.
“
Then what, Miller?
”

“
What
do you mean?
”

“
You
’
re going to kill the Chief of
Police in Frelen. How do you take care of that?
”

Miller looked away.
“
Put him in a hole.
”

“
Christ,
”
Jace said and walked away.

“
He
’
s got a point,
”
Gaige said.
“
Not that I
’
m against killing Jerry. He took
out a table member, he gets the same fate.
”

“
Then
we do it,
”
Miller said.

“
What
’
s the end result?
”
Nate asked.
“
The town is just going to accept
that Jerry is gone? That he decided to disappear?
”

“
It
’
ll go beyond the locals,
”
Landon added.
“
Shit, they might call in federal
help.
”

“
We
’
ll be target number one,
”
Gaige said.

“
Fuck!
”
Miller shouted.
“
Fuck you all. You all sound like
…
you all sound like fucking Griffin right now. Stop telling me what we can
’
t
do. I
’
m holding the fucking
gun. I
’
ll pull the fucking
trigger. And I
’
ll stand
there and get taken in for the murder. I
’
ll
do my fucking time for the sake of this club, this cut, and for Griffin
’
s memory.
”

Miller turned and walked to his
ride. He stood there, his heart pounding in his chest. Everything was true.
What he just said about the club. About doing hard time. Shit. He
’
d be doing a lifetime. And,
yeah, everything else pointed out was true. It wasn
’
t just about killing Jerry. Something would have to
be done to keep his death hidden and as though it didn
’
t matter. That meant if Jerry wore the badge, he
mattered. He always fucking mattered.

“
Hey,
”
a voice said.
“
You don
’
t want to give up that patch that easily, Miller. I
don
’
t want it that easily
either.
”

Miller looked back at Gaige as he
stood a foot away.
“
You
’
d make a great President.
”

“
I
know. But you
’
re the
President, Miller. And it
’
s
going to stay that way.
”

“
So
then we keep fighting back. Get Blaine, Nate, Jace, and Landon ready to go.
”

“
For
what?
”
Gaige asked.

“
He
took one of our prospects just to be a dick. Come on, let
’
s go fuck with him. He
’
s not getting the power from us.
No matter what he fucking does.
”

“
What
are we going to do?
”
Gaige
asked.
“
Kidnap one of his
deputies?
”

Miller grinned.
“
Get the guys.
”

Not wanting to face another goddamn
question, Miller started his motorcycle. He went to the front of the lot and
waited for the rest of the guys. Once they were ready, they went out on a
little ride. Their group of five was nothing compared to the number Back Down
Devil MC could have in Frelen if a true war were to break out, but the five
motorcycles were loud enough to sound like wild thunder passing through the
town.

Just beyond the main tourist area,
Miller took a turn that started to tread a little close to Coast Road MC
territory. A lot of run down, shit hole motels were there. Tons of drug
activity, which was what kept Coast Road in business. They sold whatever was
needed to keep their customers high so they could afford to inject themselves
with whatever they needed to add two more inches to their biceps.

Miller waited for the chance and it
finally came when he spotted one of Frelen
’
s
finest sitting on the side of the road running a speed trap. Miller gave a wave
and throttled his ride. He was almost double the speed limit when he flew by
the cruiser. The other four motorcycles were going about the same speed.

The police car barreled out, lights
flashing, siren wailing. Miller knew his limits of the so-called law and how
far he could go before the traffic stop became a pursuit. Then again, the rush
of wind to his face, the thrill of going at such a deadly speed made him want
to take this across the state.

But Miller knew better. The fate of
Back Down Devil still rested heavily on his back. So he slowed down and moved
to the side of the road. Gaige, Nate, Jace, and Blaine all did the same.

Miller climbed off his motorcycle
and the officer lunged from the car, hand on his weapon, his other hand out.
“
Don
’
t fucking move unless I tell you.
”

Miller showed his hands.
“
Hey. It
’
s all good. We
’
re
peaceful here, right?
”

The officer looked around at the
other guys. They all put their hands up.

“
Mind
if I smoke?
”
Blaine asked.

“
You
don
’
t fucking move,
”
the officer bellowed.

Blaine reached for a smoke and a
light anyway, taking all the power away from the officer.

Miller approached with caution in
case it was some young trigger happy fucking guy that thought the real world
was simple a video game with a reset button and cheat codes and maximum life.

“
What
’
s the problem?
”
Miller asked.

“
You
were almost double the fucking speed limit. Now give me some identification.
”

“
Hey,
do I look like the kind of guy that would travel at such a deadly speed?
”

“
Fuck
you. I know who you assholes are. I
’
m
not fucking afraid of you. I will shoot you.
”

“
I
guess I could say the same,
”
Miller said.

“
Did
you just fucking threaten me, asshole?
”

The officer started to reach for
his radio. Miller moved faster, grabbing the radio, tearing it from the officer
’
s shoulder. He dropped it to the
ground and stepped on it.

“
Now
what?
”
Miller asked.

“
You
’
re fucked,
”
the officer said, sweat
collecting at his hairline.
“
That
’
s assault. That
’
s damage
…”

Miller watched as Blaine walked to
the police cruiser. A lit cigarette between his lips. He took out a knife and
jammed it into the back tire of the vehicle. He repeated the same thing on the
other side.

It made Miller smile, thinking of a
time when he and Blaine slashed the tires on every Frelen police vehicle they
could one night. Those were good times. Innocent times, for the most part.
After slashing all the tires, Miller went to Ella
’
s
apartment and fucked her senseless.

Ella.

“
Turn
around and put your hands behind your back,
”
the officer said.
“
Enough
of this fucking shit.
”

“
Tell
you what,
”
Miller said.
“
Let me go get that
identification for you.
”

Miller walked to his motorcycle and
started it. The rest of the guys did the same. The officer hesitated for a
second, unsure what to do.

Gaige pulled his gun and screamed,
“
Hands up!
”

That gave the guys enough time to
get back on the road, going back toward the clubhouse. Gaige was last, kicking
up dirt and dust from the side the of the road.

Miller moved slow enough to watch
in his mirror as the officer climbed into the cruiser and tried to drive. Two
flat back tires would make it really hard to catch Back Down Devil MC.

Gritting his teeth, Miller nodded.

He throttled the motorcycle and
vowed one goddamn thing.

He was going to take what he
wanted, when he wanted. There would be no stopping Miller this time. Not unless
a bullet was put right into his heart.

eight.

This is it. This is the night.
Start with a talk. A simple talk. See where it leads.

“
I
’
m not happy. I haven
’
t been happy for a while, Jerry.
It
’
s no secret. Ever since
I got pregnant
…
we were on
the fence about having a family. Then that party happened and we slipped up. I
know it
’
s been stressful. I
know I
’
ve been distant. But
you have been too
…”

Ella shut her eyes and sighed.

I sound
like I
’
m about to apologize.

Opening her eyes, Ella looked at
her reflection in the mirror.

She shook her head. The damn papers
were still hidden in Beck
’
s
room. Like the baby deserved that, right? It was the only place Ella felt safe
putting them. A room where Jerry didn
’
t
give a damn about. Sadly, Ella couldn
’
t
remember the last time Jerry kissed the baby or even used Beck
’
s name. He referred to him as
it
.

Ella left the bathroom and found a
smiling Beck in his crib, waiting for her. It was close to bedtime. Jerry hadn
’
t been home in two days now. He
sent one text message yesterday saying he was working a case, and that he had
to turn his phone off because there was a chance it was being tracked. However,
he had people watching the house.

Which was true.

Ella had seen two police cars and
two motorcycles. Both of which scared her because she wasn
’
t sure who to trust in the
entire situation.

Picking up Beck, she knew he was
hungry. Which was perfect timing because she could sit in the chair, feed the
baby, and let him fall asleep. Lucky for her, Beck latched on quickly to her
tender breast. The teething situation had calmed the last couple of days, which
was good for the baby, but it didn
’
t
take away the teeth from hurting Ella when Beck suckled too hard.

Cradling her baby tight, Ella
stared down at him. Big brown eyes stared back. Eyes that she would protect and
try to keep as innocent as possible.

“
It
’
ll be okay,
”
she whispered.

Beck smiled as he drank. His little
hands touched and clutched at her chest, pulling and wanting more. Ella rocked
in the chair. The house was so quiet and cozy when it was like this. But the
other half of the dream was completely missing. Nobody else was in the house.
And outside of this bedroom and away from nourishing her baby, Ella did not
feel safe. There may have been wars outside being fought, but there was a
silent one raging right at home.

As Ella sat there, she caught
herself breathing harder and faster. She thought about Miller. The way he just
came at her. Came to her home. Came right inside. Then he went into the
kitchen. He touched her face, almost kissed her. He touched her breast. Oh,
fuck, it had felt so good to be touched. To feel that fire burning so hot
inside her body. Just for once, she wanted to be touched like that. She wanted
to be held, kissed, she wanted to be fucked.

Ella sucked in a breath and held
it. As she exhaled, she looked down and saw that Beck
’
s eyes were shut. His little lips were still moving
though. Gently, Ella pulled him away from her chest. She looked at her breast.
Still very full, very heavy, her nipple leaking a little bit. This was what her
body had become. And it was so worth it. To carry Beck, give birth to Beck, and
now to nourish him. That was her purpose now.

Ella tucked her breast away and
slowly stood. She put Beck into the crib and he didn
’
t move a muscle.

Leaving the room, Ella went to the
master bedroom and stood there, at the edge of the bed. She touched the heavy
top blanket with her fingertips. In her mind she tried to imagine if there was
ever anything true in here. Anything actually passionate. More like just
succumbing to need.

The room was dark, quiet,
completely calm. In her mind she saw Miller. The strong young man who guided
her through wild innocence. He was no longer that, was he? No. He was a rugged
man now. The President of Back Down Devil MC. The man who controlled not just
the MC but also Frelen.

Ella felt something she hadn
’
t felt in a long time.

She was wet.

She thought of Miller busting into
the house. Chasing her into the kitchen. Her hands clutching the edge of the
counter. Miller putting his hands to her hips, lifting her. A hand
…
his big, strong hand
…
moving right up her shirt.
Cupping her breast. Squeezing her achy, tender breast.

As Ella started to lose her breath,
she had a wild urge race through her.

She wanted to touch herself.

Her right hand was jittery as she
actually tempted herself to do so. Touching her leg for a second, moving down,
inside, then up. Yeah, she was over her jeans, but whatever. Just the pressure
alone
…

A door slammed with a thundering
boom.

Fuck. Jerry was home.

Ella hurried to collect herself and
rushed to the stairs. She went down as casual as she could, putting a smile on
her face. In the kitchen, she saw Jerry was in plain clothes, a gun hanging off
his hip.

“
Hey,
”
she said.

He turned. His eyes were big,
bloodshot, weary.
“
There
you fucking are. What the fuck were you doing?
”

“
Putting
the baby to sleep.
”

“
I
didn
’
t hear any noise.
”

“
That
’
s the point. He
’
s sleeping.
”

Jerry squinted.
“
You giving me lip?
”

“
No,
Jerry. What
…
I haven
’
t seen you in days.
”

“
I
’
m working.
”

Ella sighed.
“
Just so you know, there were
cops and bikers passing through. Like you said.
”

“
That
’
s right. I take care of my shit.
”

“
Let
me get you a drink. You want a beer?
”

“
No.
Nothing. I
’
m fucking good,
okay?
”

“
Okay.
What
…
I mean
…
you probably can
’
t tell me.
”

“
No,
I can
’
t,
”
Jerry said.
“
You don
’
t want to know. I got back to the station to get
settled for one damn second and those fuckers messed with me.
”

“
Who?
”

“
Miller.
”

The name sent a gushing wave
through Ella
’
s body.
“
What happened?
”

“
They
goaded one of my deputies into a chase. They slashed his tires and broke his
radio. To get back at me. I arrested one of their prospects on an old gun
charge.
”

This was the most conversation Ella
could remember having with Jerry in weeks.

“
Wow,
”
she said.
“
I
’
m
sorry.
”

“
Don
’
t worry. I
’
ll get them. I think it
’
s time for this town to start
thinking bigger.
”

“
Meaning?
”

“
Look,
I love my job and all, but maybe it
’
s
time to move on.
”

“
Quit
the force?
”
Ella asked.

Jerry shrugged his shoulders. For a
flicker of a second, he looked sincere.
“
Maybe
it
’
s time. If I can take it
to city hall and give it a nudge, we can merge with another local PD and let
someone else deal with it. Bring in a bigger force. That way the pressure is on
the MC to move. They
’
re no
good.
”

“
Did
something happen?
”

“
They
’
re outlaw bikers, Ella. What the
fuck do you think happened?
”

“
I
don
’
t know. I know you
’
ve been close to them for a long
time.
”

Everything comes to an end,
”
Jerry said.
“
Remember that. Everything.
”

Speaking of which, Jerry. I have
something I want to talk about. Can we sit? Can we
…

There was silence.

Ella knew this was her chance. She
could blow this whole thing open right now. She could speak her mind and try to
have an open and honest conversation with Jerry. Then they could talk about the
papers upstairs. Or maybe not. Maybe for the sake of Beck they could figure
something out. After all, if Jerry was going to get away from the force. Take
early retirement. They could sell the house. Move out of Frelen. No, fuck that.
Move out of California all together.

“
Why
the hell are you smiling?
”
Jerry asked.

“
Nothing,
”
Ella said.
“
Just
…
if you do retire
…”

“
Retire?
I
’
m not old.
”

“
Okay,
not retire. But if you leave the job. If we can
…”

“
Oh,
so it
’
s
we
now?
”

“
Is
it not supposed to be?
”
Ella asked.

“
You
fucking tell me.
”

Now Jerry was pissed. He stared at
Ella, his eyes going from slightly defeated to evil and beady.

“
What
does that mean?
”

“
Oh,
like I wouldn
’
t fucking
know,
”
Jerry snapped.

“
What?
”

“
Goddammit,
”
Jerry yelled.

“
Don
’
t yell. The baby.
”

“
Fuck
that baby! Fuck it. That
’
s
why this shit is going down. You used me. You wanted this so you could fucking
leave and take my money.
”

“
I
’
m not
…
who said
…”

Jerry reached into his back pocket.
Ella cringed, fearing he was going to pull a gun on her. It wasn
’
t a gun, but it was almost just
the damn same though. It was folded up papers.

Divorce papers.

Ella looked up. Then back at Jerry.
“
How
…”

“
Where
’
s your copy?
”
Jerry asked.

“
They
were delivered to you?
”
Ella asked.

“
I
got a phone call about it. That they were being processed. A concerned friend.
You know what that fucking felt like?
”

“
Jerry,
I never meant
…
I have a
copy but I didn
’
t
…”

Jerry jumped and grabbed the
papers.
“
They
’
re fucking signed by you! They
’
re fucking filed by you!
”

“
Okay,
fine. I filed papers. And I wanted to talk to you about it. I had it arranged
so that they wouldn
’
t
…”

“
I
got them! I got them right fucking here, Ella. What the hell are you trying to
do?
”

“
Beck
is sleeping.
”

“
WAKE
UP!
”
Jerry boomed. He
cupped his hands around his mouth.
“
WAKE
THE FUCK UP!
”

Ella moved at Jerry. She grabbed
his wrists and tried to slap him in the mouth.

“
You
stop this,
”
she said.

Jerry grabbed her by the shoulders
and threw her back. For a brief second Ella left her feet. She crashed against
the counter, the edge hitting her back so hard she lost her breath. The room
spun and went dark for a second. Next thing she knew she was on her ass on the
floor. As Jerry then came at her, she put her hands up.

“
You
try to fucking stop me?
”
he
growled.

A hand grabbed her hair and
twisted. Ella yelled in pain. She kicked up and forward, hitting Jerry in the
leg. He stepped back and she kicked again, this time getting him in the balls.
Jerry stumbled back and groaned in pain.

Ella tried to get up, gasping for
air.

Jerry swung with the back of his
right hand. He barely got her, but got her enough to send Ella to her side. She
put her hands out and grabbed at the floor, trying to pull herself out of the
kitchen. She told herself she could hide somewhere, for a moment, just to catch
her breath.