Claimed By The Devil (Devil's Riders 8)

“Yeah, and he belongs to her. It goes both ways.”

“Hmm,” she said, tapping her foot. “I want that for him, but I think you guys are all jumping the gun.”

I frowned, suddenly worried that my wife might be right. Nick was always calm. He was steadier than even Mac or Jack. But not when it came to Melissa.

I shook my head, thinking we had to make sure they ended up together. Because I could tell he had it almost as bad as I did.

And that was saying something.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Nick

I watched in awe as Melissa tenderly cared for her mother. I helped when I could but gave her space to be with Meg as much as possible. I held her at night, made her take breaks outside, and took care of the stables. And our hospice nurse, Dana, was a superstar.

But nothing could stop Meg's decline.

It had been nearly two weeks of watching and waiting before Dana pulled us out into the hall. Meg had barely been conscious for the past day or two. She’d mustered up the strength to nod or give Melissa a rare smile. She wasn't in pain thanks to all the meds. But she wasn't really present, either.

“It’s time,” Dana said softly to Melissa as we stood in the hallway. I could tell she was being gentle, but I still felt the jolt through Melissa's body from where my hand rested on her back. The words were definitive. There was no room for doubt. Melissa was about to suffer one of the greatest losses a human being had to face. There was nothing I could do to shield her from that.

Meg had been fading for days. We’d sat with her constantly, taking shifts. Melissa read to her. I played a little guitar. But she had been peacefully sleeping almost all the time.

And now she was dying. Not just sick. Not just ailing. She was ‘actively dying’, according to Dana’s next words.

Melissa just stood there. She didn’t react. It was clear that she wasn't surprised. She looked so tired and alone that my heart just about broke for her.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" I asked softly while Dana slipped downstairs to wait.

Melissa shook her beautiful head and squeezed my hand.

"Not right now. Thank you."

I stood in the hallway for an hour waiting to see if she needed me. The door was partway open but I couldn't hear what Melissa was saying to her mother. Her voice was so soft and low. It was quiet for a long time. I knew the moment it happened.

The sobs started suddenly. I was in the room and pulling her into my arms before a moment passed. It was like a dam had broken. She’d had to be strong for so long. But now it was my turn to be strong for her.

Meg was gone.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Janet

"Don't forget the coffee," I reminded my husband. He nodded and lifted the huge dispenser easily, grateful for something to do. I knew the feeling. I was grateful that we had something to contribute. Even more grateful not to have to sit on my hands on a day like today. We had lots of catering supplies from having events at our loft. Today, it wasn't a wedding or celebration, though.

Today, it was a funeral.

Everyone was here bustling around, wanting to help. But really, what could we do? We couldn't take away the pain. We could just let her know that we were here. I really liked Melissa. And even if I hadn't liked her, I would've done this for her, anyway. I didn’t have a connection to my birth family anymore, but I had the Devil’s Riders. And she was one of us now, come hell or high water. Thankfully, I didn’t just like the inner crew. I loved them all to my core.

I thanked God Nick had finally found someone. I was just as glad that she had him. Especially now.

We were all worried about them, though. It was a lot to deal with so early in a relationship. But they were solid. I could tell by the tight grip Melissa had on his hand once the ceremony started.

And Nick knew I would kick his ass if he messed things up with her.

I tried not to stare, but it was hard to look away from Melissa and Nick as the pastor started to speak. Usually, Preacher did this sort of thing for us, but Meg had belonged to a local church. And having someone she was familiar with perform the simple ceremony was clearly giving her some sort of comfort. As was the man standing beside her, tightly holding her hand.

They looked strong. They looked like a couple. They were leaning on each other, literally and figuratively. I couldn’t help it when my thoughts turned dark. Who would Jack have to lean on? His friends, yes. The club at large. And I knew my girls would look after him and the kids.