Devil’s Vengeance (Devil’s Disciples MC #6)

Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

CHASE

I never told anyone about Hannah. Trick might have been the one to bring her there, but I blamed myself for letting her go. It would’ve made me an asshole, but I could’ve told her parents. Gotten her grounded. Just to keep her alive and safe. She was only seventeen. She shouldn’t have been out at that bar anyway. Trick had fake IDs for the both of them. It would’ve only taken one damn phone call to get her ass back home. But I was hurt and angry and I stupidly wanted her to realize how badly she fucked up on her own. I thought she’d get scared, realize they were acting stupid, and come home.

“Why me?”

Mariah’s voice was quiet, confused, and when I looked at her, she was frowning so hard it looked painful. “We spent one night together. You’ve basically been ignoring me since. Why is he targeting me?”

I winced. I didn’t love the reminder of what a jackass I’d been. “Because I was tracking him on the computers in the library and he followed me there. You were just an innocent bystander sucked into his orbit.” Taking her hands, I squeezed them gently. “I promise, I’m gonna make this right, Mariah. I’ll keep you safe and I’ll handle Trick. Just bear with me for a little while.”

Her expression softened just a little as she pressed her lips together. “There you are. I honestly thought I imagined you. ”

When I frowned at her, she explained, “You were so kind and thoughtful on the drive to the hospital. Comforting me even though you were the one bleeding and in pain. When I met you again and you were such an asshole, I thought maybe I was remembering things wrong.”

“Yeah, uh… I'm sorry about that. I was trying to keep you safe. I didn’t want you to end up like Hannah.” I lifted my hand to rub the back of my neck, flinching at the burn. Mariah noticed and grabbed my arm, twisting it to see better. She gasped.

“You are hurt! You said you were fine!”

I shook my head with a chuckle. “Technically, I said I’ve dealt with worse. It’s nothing. Just a graze. I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not! You’re bleeding! Have you seriously been sitting here bleeding this whole time?”

Her concern, while appreciated, wasn’t necessary. I’d dealt with a hell of a lot worse. Being part of this crew wasn’t safe. Now that I’d stupidly dragged Mariah into it, I was determined to keep that part from her.

Pushing to my feet, I headed for my bathroom. There was a medicine cabinet behind the mirror with some bandages. Riley already laid into all of us about using peroxide, so I’d wash the damn thing out with soap and water instead.

Mariah appeared at my side, looking at the wound in the brighter lighting. “You probably need stitches! You said you call Riley if you’re hurt, right?”

My stomach dropped, and I whipped around to stop her before she could take out her phone. “No!”

Startled, she jumped and dropped her phone, which made me feel like an asshole. She was probably still messed up after what happened tonight, and here I was scaring the shit out of her.

“Sorry,” I grimaced. “But no. Don’t call Riley.”

I didn't want the First Lady to know because then she’d ask questions I’d be forced to answer. And I couldn’t go to Doc either. Both of them would make me explain and then make me tell Croy. I wasn’t willing to do that yet. I could handle Trick on my own. The Iron Horsemen were a big crew, the dozen at the bar weren’t anywhere near their full numbers. With the way they were questioning Trick’s loyalty, I knew if I could just prove he was a lying scumbag, they’d drop him and leave. Then I’d deal with him by myself.

The fact that I hadn’t mentioned anything so far was also a big reason why I wasn’t willing to tell Croy. He’d kill me if he found out I dragged my business into our territory. I wasn’t looking to die because Trick was a coward who couldn’t face me on his own.

Of course, I couldn’t tell any of that to Mariah. Her loyalty to me was extremely limited right now, and I knew with her stubborn streak, she’d ignore my wishes and go straight to Riley or Lacey or hell, even Croy just to get me some backup. She was sweet, sticking around way too damn long during that confrontation to help me get away. I didn’t trust her not to do something like that again in some messed up attempt to help me.

“She, uh… She works long shifts. We aren’t allowed to call her unless it's an emergency on her days off. And this isn’t an emergency. I know how to deal with it. I’m good.”

Mariah didn’t look like she entirely believed me, but she didn’t know enough to argue either, so she let it go. Thank fuck.

“Can I at least help? It’s a weird angle for you to get on your own.”

I didn’t see the harm in that. I jerked my chin to the little shelf next to the door beside her. “Grab a washcloth. Riley said soap and water are best. We’ll clean it and bandage it with these.” I gestured to the bandages I took out. “Then I’ll be fine. Promise.”

Her mouth twitched like she was trying not to smile. When I raised an eyebrow at her, she grinned and shrugged. “Nothing. You’re just really different from the guy I got to know the last few weeks. That Chase would’ve told me to butt out and mind my business. I like the change.”

Part of me still felt guilty for the way I treated her. But I also didn’t feel like I was in the wrong. I didn't want her here, not when it put her at risk. Once this was all over, she’d go back to her safe life and finally understand why I did what I did. For now, she’d stay with me so I could watch over her. Since Trick knew where she worked, I’d need to join her there, but I told Lacey I was taking time off. I’d use that time when the crew thought I was busy working to find Trick and deal with him. Then I’d cut Mariah loose and keep an eye on her from afar. I was determined to keep her safe. Even if it meant keeping her away from me in the end. No matter how bad I wanted her, it wasn’t worth the risk. I had to keep her safe.

Since I didn’t want the crew asking questions on why Mariah was in the guest room when there weren’t any parties going on, I kept her in my room with me instead. I wasn’t going to try anything with her, she’d been through hell tonight, but it made me feel better knowing exactly where she was too. I let her shower, gave her some of my clothes for pajamas, and we crawled into bed together. She passed out pretty fast, which didn’t surprise me given the night she had. Meanwhile, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, for fucking hours.

Partially, I blamed it on my normal sleep schedule. Most nights, I’d be working right now. I’d basically become nocturnal once I started working at Lacey’s club. But I also kept hearing Trick’s threat on repeat in my head.

“This isn’t over, Jesse! I’m coming for your girl!”

I always knew Trick was a jackass, but I didn't think he’d purposely target innocents. I thought once he realized Mariah wasn’t involved, he’d focus on me again. I was always careful whenever I was around her. I didn’t want to give anyone the idea that I was into her. Why he even went after her in the first place confused the hell out of me. Sure, she was gorgeous and I could understand shooting your shot, but he used her as bait tonight to get me somewhere alone. Why? Because he knew I’d come, no matter who called me for help? And he was going to keep coming for her. How the fuck was I going to keep her safe from him?

I fell asleep eventually, still trying to work it out, and woke up to someone approaching my bed. I reacted on instinct, grabbing my gun off my nightstand and pointing it at the intruder, safety off. I didn’t even have my eyes fully open when I moved. I felt Mariah stiffen beside me, and my eyes flew open, remembering I had someone I needed to protect in my bed.

Clink stood over me, eyes wide with surprise and a grin on his face. “Holy fuck, you react fast. Kinda thought I’d get one up on you.” He glanced at Mariah and lifted his chin in greeting. “Hey, pretty lady. I’m stealing your man. We’ve got church, and he’s been ignoring his phone. ”

No, the fuck I hadn’t. I twisted around, grabbing it off my nightstand, and scowled. “Fuck.”

“Forget to charge it?” Clink asked casually. He was so willing to give me shit about it if I did. I was the one who was always prepared. The officers liked to call me Boy Scout because of it.

“No. It won’t hold a charge. I need to replace it.”

He shrugged, officially bored with the conversation. “Go see Lewis. After the meeting. Hurry the fuck up.”

Sitting up, I frowned after him as he left the room. “Why the hell did you come for me yourself?” That was a prospect’s job.

“‘Cause I enjoy screwing with you,” he called back over his shoulder, cackling as he sauntered away, leaving my door wide open because he was a jackass like that.

Dropping back onto my pillow, I set my gun back on the nightstand and scrubbed my hands roughly over my face with a groan. If Clink was in the mood to screw with me first thing, he’d be a pain in the fucking ass unless I found a reason to get out of here today.

“Do your friends always wake you up like that?”

I dropped my hands, looking over at Mariah. She looked disheveled and tired, but still hot as hell. She pulled off the ‘morning after’ look really well. She was also mildly amused. At least she didn’t start screeching like some women would. It was too damn early for that.

“Clink is not my friend. He’s an idiot. And no. But usually I don’t give them the chance to come looking for me. I need to get my phone fixed. Will you be alright up here for a while? I don’t want you going anywhere without me.”

She grabbed her own phone, turning it over with a frown. “I planned on working this afternoon. Unless you think I need to call in?”

I could tell by the look on her face that she didn’t really want to. And I couldn’t blame her for that. None of the girls were happy when crew shit started interfering with their lives. If she worked anywhere else, I might be more cautious, but I doubted Trick would be stupid enough to come for her in broad daylight at a public library.

“Nah. Should be fine. Let me head to church, find out what’s up, then we’ll discuss it, yeah? I don’t think you’re in any danger at the library. ”

She pursed her lips and shrugged. “Probably not. Besides, we got a silent alarm installed after I was taken in our parking lot. Sam installed it.”

Which finally gave me the answer on why they knew each other. It made me feel better too, knowing she had that extra layer of protection.

“That’s good. I shouldn’t be gone long.”

She stopped me as I was pulling on a fresh pair of jeans. “Wait. Do they really call it church? I thought that was made up for romance novels.”