Payback (Dueling Devils 2)

“I missed you too, baby.” They lapsed into silence and as he drifted off, he felt his heartbeat sync to hers. He never thought he’d find someone to spend his life with. It wasn’t really the norm in the biker society. They lived to ride and be free. A relationship put a restriction on that, unless the woman was like minded, or damned understanding. Natasha had never been his old lady. Just a baby mama. His mind conjured up imaged of Ardy round with his child. She’d be such a good fucking mom. Hell, she already is one now, for the most part. The thought of making shit official pleased him. Maybe after all this shit is over. Sleep overcame him and he drifted off with images of a ring on Ardy’s finger and a family that made a man happy to come home at the end of the day.

The sound of hushed whispers pulled Ardy from her sleep. She frowned, not recognizing the female voice far too old to be Harley. No, this motherfucker did not bring some skanky bitch up in here and expect me to just deal with. She sat up in bed, tossed the covers away from her body and ground her teeth. A red haze swept over her. So far, she’d accepted everything that came with this lifestyle, but here she drew the line. Ready to go to war, she stepped from the bed and chose her outfit carefully. Her parents hadn’t raised a pushover and she’d be dammed if she gave up everything she knew, only to be unhappy. Dressed in a pair of black jean shorts, a black tank top and a pair of chucks, she artfully applied her makeup, going heavy on the liquid eyeliner. Completing the look with red lipstick, she squared her shoulders and walked out into the hallway.

The whispers grew louder as she approached the kitchen. She reached the doorframe and her heart ached. The woman standing too close to D was gorgeous. From her slanted hazel eyes to her flowing hair and petite frame, along with flawless caramel skin she reminded her of Rihanna.

The woman glanced up and gave her a slow once over.

The slight twitch at the corners of her lips and the narrowing of her eyes, immediately set Ardy on red alert. Ardy cleared her throat.

Demon glanced up and smiled. “Hey baby, I thought we’d let you sleep in.”

“I’m awake now.” She glanced at the mystery woman, schooling her features to show nothing. “Who’s this?”

“This is Gia. She’s a friend of mine who needs a safe place to stay right now. Gia this is Ardy.”

The pride in his voice made her heart melt, but she didn’t dare let it sway her. “Mm-hmm.”

“She has issues with the Sidewinders too. It’s kind of my fault. So, you understand why I brought her in.”

“Oh yeah, I understand,” she answered dryly.

D’s brow furrowed at her remark.

Arty rolled her eyes. Clueless. “How do you know one another?”

“We first met a few years back when we went into business together, we co-own a club,” Gia said. “Nice to meet you.” She held out her hand.

Ardy did the same. The tight black, sequined dress hugged Gia’s every curve and told her they weren’t talking about a country club. “Oh, my family runs a business that’s exciting. What kind of a club is it, Jonah?”

Gia’s draw dropped.

Ardy almost smirked.

“A strip club. You’re new here, so you haven’t heard of it, but Taffy’s is pretty much a staple around here. We bring in a lot of good money.” D walked over and wrapped an arm around her waist.

She grinned, staring Gia down. That’s right, back off bitch. “And you…dance?”

“Not anymore. Now I own. I’m an entrepreneur I might start at the bottom, but I always end out on top, exactly where I want to be.”

The hidden message wasn’t lost on Ardy.

“Knock that shit off, Gia. I’m not deaf or fucking blind. I bring your ass in here to keep you safe and you want to fuck with my old lady?” His tone turned cold.

“Oh, it’s okay, Jonah.” Ardy squeezed his arm. “I’m sure such a beautiful woman would never make such a desperate attempt get what isn’t hers.” Ardy smiled, barring her teeth. “Right, Gia?”

“You’re right. I wouldn’t attempt to take something that didn’t’ belong to me. That’d be rude and sloppy.”

Her suggestive words hit Ardy like a slap to the face. She’d fucked Demon, more than once and she felt she had some sort of ownership. The slight burned up her insides. Not because he had a past. Because she was looking it in the face. Determined not to let her inner turmoil show, she kept her smile in place. “I’m glad everyone here understands each other. I’m going to get breakfast going. The kids will be waking up soon.” Unwrapping her arm from around Demon’s, she walked to the sink and washed her hands, ignoring the gazes burning holes in her back. Fucking Judas. Anger flowed through her veins sparking the need to clean and bake. The sound of heels on wood told her the bitch was making a retreat. She continued to ignore D as she moved around the house gathering flour, sugar, eggs, butter and the necessary spices for cinnamon muffins.

“You’re not going to talk to me?” D asked. He came to stand behind her at the counter.

Continuing to measure out the ingredients, she shrugged. “What for? I mean it’s none of my business, right? That’s how this works.” She cracked the eggs, tossed them in the garbage and began to vigorously beat the yolks.

“It’s obvious you’re pissed.”

“You blame me?”

He placed his hands on her hips. “Whatever you’re thinking…stop.”