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

Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28

MARIAH

I knew better than to argue. “M-My name is Mariah Williams. I’m a librarian. I was in the truck of kidnapped women that was almost trafficked. Lacey and Chase saved my life.”

He glanced over my shoulder at Lacey for confirmation. She made an irritated sound and I heard her heels approach before the knife was pulled away from my throat and she grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the man. Reaper. I was warned to stay away from him. Now I knew why. I hadn’t even heard him move.

“She’s not lying. She showed up at a club party a few weeks ago to thank me for saving her. We’ve been hanging out ever since. She’s not dangerous.”

Croy looked unconvinced, but didn’t advance again. He narrowed his eyes on me. “What the fuck are you doing here then? A librarian doesn’t belong here.”

If it were any other situation, I would’ve expected Chase to crow that he was right. He didn’t speak. He was staring at us, real fear written all over his face. All because of me.

“I…” I debated using the lie I told Nevada, but I didn’t think it’d help anymore. I fought off a grimace as I explained. “I was approached a week ago at my work. A man I didn’t know flirted with me, asked me out. I didn’t realize he was dangerous until he took me to a bar filled with his cr ew. I got scared and called Chase for help. He told me I could call him if I ever needed help.”

I was trying to show he was a good and trustworthy man, but they didn’t blink.

“I tried to get out on my own, but one of them followed me. Chase showed up just as he attacked me. That’s when I found out I was bait to get Chase to that bar. More of my date’s crew came out and attacked us. We got away, but… My date threatened me. Said he’d come after me because he thought I was seeing Chase. I’ve been staying here ever since.”

They must’ve believed my story because they quickly dismissed me and turned back to Chase.

“What bar?” Croy demanded.

Chase hung his head, defeated. “Outpost.”

I thought Croy was scary before, but watching his face transform to something feral was terrifying. “That’s in our territory! How the fuck long have you known they were here?”

Chase shook his head again. “It didn’t matter. It was personal. He was here for me and–”

He didn’t get to finish his sentence before Croy hit him again.

“Obviously fucking not! And you’d know that if you used your goddamn head and told your crew that someone was in our territory who didn’t belong!”

I’d wondered at one point why Chase never got his crew involved. It was him against all of Trick’s crew at the bar, and still Chase never told anyone. It didn’t feel like my place to ask before, and now that I felt like I could talk to him about it, I might not get the chance. It looked like Croy was ready to kill him.

“Tell me why I shouldn’t end you right now,” Croy demanded. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you sold your crew out for an old grudge. You ignored a direct order to let it go and drew them here. So give me one good reason to keep you alive.”

He didn’t answer, and I knew what would happen if he didn’t speak up. It scared the hell out of me.

“Chase,” I pleaded. He looked up at me, his expression full of pain and guilt. I knew how hard it was for him to tell me that story the first time. I wasn’t sure he could get it out on his own. “Let me tell them.”

He looked conflicted for a moment. When he finally agreed, it was with a barely there nod that I wouldn’t have noticed if my gaze wasn’t glued to him. Sucking in a sharp breath, I swung to look at Croy, firming up my resolve. I had to protect him, just like he protected me.

“It was personal. Trick and Chase went to high school together. They were friends. Them and the third in their group. Hannah. She was Chase’s girlfriend for a while before she switched to Trick. Chase warned her against him, but Trick is slimy and manipulative. I should know since he used the same act on me. Made me think he was sweet and honest, when he was actually a snake.”

Croy scowled at me. “Get to the fuckin’ point.”

I hurried to get the rest of the story out. “Trick brought Hannah to a biker bar when they were seventeen. The crew who was there was in the middle of a war with another club and they were attacked. Trick survived. Hannah didn’t. It never had anything to do with your crew or Trick’s. It was personal. To pay back Trick for not protecting Hannah like he should’ve. It shouldn’t have gone past the two of them.”

I wasn’t sure if the story made a difference. Croy didn’t look any less pissed. I tried again.

“He was going to deal with it. It wouldn’t have taken this long if it wasn’t for me. He’s been protecting me from Trick, who targeted me because I was in the vicinity when he came looking for Chase. Please. It’s my fault Trick escalated it. I got in the way.”

CHASE

I wanted to tell her to stop. She wasn’t to blame for any of this. It was my damn fault she got caught in the crossfire. And it was my fault Trick hung around long enough to cause trouble for my crew. A part of me thought the phone call to Ruiz was just Trick playing games with me. Trying to get me in trouble with my crew like I did with him. But I couldn’t tell that to Croy right now. He was already pissed. If I wanted to get out with my life, I needed to know when to keep my mouth shut.

Keeping my head down was both a show of remorse and a necessity. My head was screaming and my body throbbed in each spot Croy hit me. The bastard could throw a punch just as well as Reaper could. It would be days before I could stand upright again. Which was how I didn’t notice Croy’s order to release me until Brewer and Clink let go. I dropped to the floor, only just catching myself before my face hit the ground. When I looked up, Croy’s glare was locked on me.

“I thought you were done lying to me, Chase.”

Shame slammed into me, but I stayed silent.

“What are you talking about, Prez?” Clink demanded, looking between me and Croy. I shook my head, but I knew I couldn’t stop him from sharing that stupid story. Just another nail in the coffin showing the crew that I’d lied to them from day one.

“Right before his initiation, I found out he gave me a fake name. That’s why I never gave him a new one. He told me his old name was dead and buried. I let him off because of what he did for Riley. Do you remember what I said I’d do to you if you lied to me again?”

“You said you’d gut me,” I replied, eyes downcast. I really fucked up this time. I just hoped they’d deal with me away from Mariah. I didn’t want her watching when they killed me. I didn't want her here now.

But instead of reaching for me, Croy walked away, stunning us all.

“Officer meeting,” he called over his shoulder. “We’re taking a vote to decide his fate.”

I wasn’t sure I should feel relieved about that. Either Mariah’s recounting of my story swayed him enough to question his decision, or he was too pissed to think straight. Either way, my life and my future in the crew now rested in the hands of the officers who’d just held me hostage while Croy beat the hell out of me. I didn't give it good odds.

Mariah rushed forward, her big brown eyes trailing over me as she counted every damn bruise. There was no hiding it, since I’d barely managed to put my dick away before they started hurting me. I pushed myself into a sitting position, ignoring the screaming pain as I looked her over .

“What the hell were you thinking, sweetheart?”

“I was thinking I couldn’t just watch them kill you. You should’ve told them, Chase.”

“Yeah. You fuckin’ should’ve,” Nevada agreed. He was the only officer still standing over me. He was the least likely to resort to violence first, but he wasn’t to be underestimated. The old man could kick some ass if he needed to.

“VP. I need a favor.”

He huffed, raising one bushy eyebrow at me. “You really think you’re in a place to be askin’ for favors, son?”

I shook my head. “No. But I’m asking anyway. Whatever happens to me, I need Mariah to be brought somewhere safe. It’s my fault she’s in this mess with me. I need to get her out.”

“Chase–” Mariah started to protest, but I stopped her with a kiss, pouring every ounce of my true feelings for her into it. I wasn’t stupid enough to think I was coming out of this alive. Not after I fucked up the way I did. Trick dragged my crew into this, and I was going to pay for that. They may have dropped Neo’s rank when he screwed up, but he was useful to the crew. I was easily replaceable. They wouldn’t do the same for me.

Pulling away, I pressed my forehead against hers and shook my head before looking at Nevada again.

“Please. I just need to know she’ll be safe.”

His expression softened just a little and a stupid amount of hope filled my chest. I didn’t care what happened to me as long as she’d be okay.

“Alright. I can do that.” He glanced at Lacey, who still waited nearby. “Take her home with you. Cleo’s watchin’ the baby. We’ll take her to ours as soon as I’m through here.”

Lacey scoffed, crossing her arms. “Like I’d let anything happen to her.” She beckoned Mariah with a sympathetic expression. “Come on, Mariah. You’ve done what you can. He needs to face whatever consequences they come up with now.”

Since the day I met her in the back of that truck, Mariah has had a spine of steel. Even when she was scared, she kept her chin up and got her shit together so she could handle whatever was thrown her way. But now, faced with walking away from me for possibly the last time, she looked broken. She had tears streaming down her face and her grip on me was tight like she didn’t want to let go. It made my chest ache seeing her like that. I couldn’t face that and the shit I’d caused for my crew. Something had to give. She needed to go so I could at least get through the next few hours.

Pulling her hands away, I pushed to my feet and helped her stand. “Come on. You gotta go.”

“No, Chase! They’ll kill you. I can’t–”

Cupping her neck with both hands, I leveled her with a look. “Remember what I told you? About how you don’t belong here?” She shot me a dirty look, but it was too laced with fear and heartache to have any strength behind it. “I was fucking wrong, Mariah. You’re tough. You can do this. You’re going to go with Lacey. You’re going to stay with Nevada until it’s safe. And then you’re going to move on. Promise me.”

I needed to know I didn’t ruin her life like I ruined Hannah’s. I didn’t chase her into my orbit and drag her down with me when things went sideways.

“Come on, Mariah. Promise me,” I practically begged. I needed to hear the words before she left.

She looked heartbroken to do it, but eventually she nodded. “I promise.”

I pulled her mouth back to mine, kissing her hard. It was a goodbye, and she knew it, so she clung to me and wouldn’t let go until I forced her away and handed her off to Lacey.

Nevada gripped my shoulder as I watched them walk away. “Come on. You need to be downstairs. I don’t want you gettin’ any stupid ideas about runnin’. Face the consequences like a man.”

“I know. I’m not going anywhere.”

No matter how badly I wanted to grab Mariah and run, I couldn’t do that. I had to face the music. And I was going to do it without being a pussy about it. No matter what they decided to do with me.