My Sweet Dessert: The Brothers of Devil's Comfort Series 2 Book 2 (5 page)

This is our third road trip to hunt down The Hybrid Reapers. Each time we came up with a dead lead, frustration swept through me. And today I was feeling it twice as strong. And why, because I’d left a cuddly Apple-Pie in bed. Impatiently, I swept the dust with the scuff of my black leather boots as I waited for Trax and Quick Draw. As Quick Draw left the clubhouse, his glance landed on me and I thought I detected a hint of regret. Which he quickly hid behind a breezy smile, as he saluted me and mounted his bike. Trax soon followed, only to be accompanied by Tabby. With a casual wave at Trax, I waited by my bike before mounting it as Tabby came in my direction.

“You didn’t come to the club last night.”

“Nope.”

“How’s Emily.”

Green eyes blazed into mine and behind the banked fire, I spotted remorse. Tabby’s gaze shifted from mine to glance over my shoulder,

“She’s settling into the apartment fine.”

“She’s waited a long time for you Crabby. Hurt her…”

Tabby didn’t need to finish the sentence. He has to understand; I have waited a long time, and a part of that waiting hasn’t been easy at times, hating myself for the way I felt about Apple-Pie. If I hadn’t killed Jimmy Joe Would I have hung around Comfort Springs, with temptation on my doorstep, or would I have left? Fortunately, for me the choice was taken away from me and now Emily is mine.

“You know Tabby I get the best mixture in Apple-Pie. She’s half Rayven and half Baby Blu.”

Suddenly the air was filled with laughter as Dec came bounding down the stairs.

“In that case Crabby, you’ve got the worse combination. And I don’t pity you.”

“Stop gossiping ladies. Let the boys go and do their jobs.”

As Inferno joined Tabby and Dec, I gave a groan inside while I offered the brothers a blustery smile as I pushed the bike back to join Trax and Quick Draw. Another glance at the five men and I decide the club was becoming too family related. Each of these men had a claim on Apple-Pie. However, I doubt if one of them knew her like I did. Did they understand the torment she has been through?

With a weary shake of my head, I raise my hand and give the signal to hit the road. As Comfort Springs became nothing more than a spot behind me, my breathing eased. With a signal of his left hand from Trax, Quick Draw and I pull into the layby and wait for Trax as he pulls up beside us, pulling a map from his cut to spread it over the handlebars of his Harley. With his finger he pointed out to an area which is marked with a thick red cross.

“We’ve searched this area twice. There’s no point returning there again.”

“Okay then what do you want to do?”

Quietly I listen and watch Trax and Quick Draw as they discuss and decide on a plan. These men may be several years younger than I am, yet their experience with the club, matched mine, and I happily let them decide which route we were to take.

Soon we were off the beaten track, riding around aimlessly, as we went from one dead-end to another. Finally, as the frustration within me began to mount I signaled to the bikers to pull over.

“Look, why don’t we go back to the old shack where we found Apple-Pie.”

“We’ve searched that place several times Crabby and each time we’ve come up empty.”

“You may have Trax. I haven’t. You might have missed something and I’ll be looking at it from a different perspective to you.”

“Trax is right Crabby; we’ll only be wasting time by going back. Shit, we stripped the place. Hell, we even pulled up the floor. There’s no way The Hybrids will go back or hang out there now.”

With a frown, I glance around the area where we had pulled in. Trees lined everywhere, and not far, there was the bayou. Fuck, how can a group of men disappear?

“Perhaps they’ve left Comfort Springs. They’ll be somewhere safe. So let’s go check out New Lyons, Downy Lakes and Blue River.”

“If we’re going to New Lyon’s I’ll ring Twiggy and he can meet us there.”

“Yeah, we can also take him with us to Blue River.”

As he speaks, Quick Draw threw me a mocking glance.

“Because if there’s two clubs we should be pissing off. It has to be Black County and The River Demons.”

Idly I roll my shoulder.

“I don’t give a fuck how many clubs we piss off in our hunt for the bastard who took Apple-Pie.”

“You may not, but Inferno may have something different to say.”

“Yeah Crabby. Or do you just want the whole world against you.”

“Fuck Trax. Don’t be so melodramatic. We leave that kind of crap to the old ladies.”

With a flip of my finger at Trax and Quick Draw, I spin the bike around. The sun was on the other side of noon and if we were lucky, we should make it to New Lyons before dark. The ride was completed in silence, stopping only once to fill the bikes. As we finished paying for the gas, Twiggy’s bike pulled up and he signaled for us to wait.

“No Yvette.”

“She’s spending time with Ellie and her family.”

Twiggy’s eyes landed and roved over me as he scratched his beard.

“Crabby I’ll talk to Tats. Just make sure you keep your mouth shut.”

After tugging the helmet in to place, I rev the Harley.

“Just make sure he gives answers I want to hear.”

“He knows we’re on our way.”

“Fuck he could be warning The Hybrids and we could lose them again.”

Twiggy pulled his bike up alongside mine. His knee brushing against mine as he nudged it.

“Black County are having their own trouble with The Hybrids. I doubt he’ll warn them. Now listen boy. Tats has invited us into his club for the night. You’ll treat him and his men with respect. In the morning, we move on. Capiche.”

The clubhouse when we arrived was crowed. Over the last several months, more and more old County Stewards have returned to reclaim their clan and as we step through the doors, silence fell. The bikers steadily watching as we made our way over to Tats. Who was sitting with his VP and there was a young girl on his lap. Her blouse open to reveal tits in a push-up bra, which were being groped by Tats.

Twiggy pulled a chair up and we followed suit. As we chatted, one of the club whore’s wandered over, placing four beers in front of us, while making it obvious at the same time to Trax that she was available. Not wanting to insult our host, Trax, willing hauled the girl on to his lap and the point of our meeting was soon forgotten as a couple of more whores joined us.

Several drinks later and I find myself on the dancefloor, surrounded by several club whores. Casually I danced with them and as each one of them thrust their body up against mine, I found myself unmoved by their actions. None of these skanks were a patch on my girl. As my head begins to spin, I find myself breaking away from my entourage to move outside for some fresh air. Casually I pull my cell from my pocket and swiftly found Apple-Pie’s number.

“Is that my sister you’re about to ring.”

Although the question is asked softly, it was deadly, and I drop the phone back into my pocket. Slowly I turn to find myself facing my biker brother Quick Draw, who also happens to be Emily’s brother, Kent.

“Hi Quick Draw.”

“Crabby?”

With a sweeping glance over the parking lot, I raise the half-empty bottle of beer to my lips, finishing the cool liquid.

“Yes.”

“Are you going to tell her you were making an ass of yourself with the whores in there?”

“Not over the phone, I’m not.”

“You’re living with her. It’s Emily’s choice, I know. But it’s killing Momma and it’s upsetting Rayven that Momma won’t have anything to do with her.”

“Give your Momma time Quick-Draw. She’ll come round.”

Quick Draw lifted his head, his gaze taking the same route mine had over the parking lot.

“You sure can’t beat the scenery back at Comfort Springs.”

As Quick Draw spoke, an image of a sleeping Apple-Pie rose before me. Her hair spread out on the pillow. Her hand flung above her head as she lay spread across the bed. My cock twitched and I cursed myself for thinking of my lady when there wasn’t anything I could do about it.

“Nope. There’s no place like Comfort Springs.”

Quick Draw turned his back towards the clubhouse, and for a moment, I thought he was going to go in.

“I don’t need to threaten you over Emily. There’s already a queue. Also, I’d like to think Emily knows what she’s doing, but I doubt it. The heart does that to you. It makes you do stupid things.”

Something about Quick Draws tone, drew my attention, and I study the biker, trying to remember if Apple-Pie has ever mentioned him being seriously involved with a woman. When my mind came up blank, I raised my gaze up at him.

“Were you ever in love Quick Draw?”

Quick Draw’s laughter was cold and a shiver passed over me as he swallowed his beer, before dropping the empty bottle in the trash can.

“No. A whore’s a whore and they’ll do me just fine. They never want anything from you.”

Silently I watch Quick Draw’s return to the clubhouse, shaking my head, when he went and found himself a couple of the club’s skanks. Now with Quick Draw no longer in my vicinity, I reach for my cell.

Apple-Pie answered on the third ring, her breathless laughter bringing my cock to life.

After Crabby left, the apartment felt hollow and I was bored. Four weeks of daytime television has driven me stir crazy. As steadily as I can, I hobble over to the window and stare down into the street. The street was in a quiet part of Comfort Springs. That was one of the reasons I had chosen this apartment. Even now, not much was happening. Occasionally a car would drive past. Or in the distance, I would hear the honk of a horn.

Shit, how had Crabby managed five years of confinement? Of being told what to do. Frustrated, I slowly turn away from the window, when out of the corner of my eye; the flash of a familiar pink car parking outside of the building caught my attention. From the window, I watch the heavily pregnant driver roll out of the car. Wearing a black T-shirt over black leather leggings, her brown hair tumbling down her back, swaying at the ends, Sugar Jay appeared to be embracing pending motherhood. When Sugar Jay raised her eyes, I waved back and turned towards the door to let her in as she entered the apartment building.

“Would you like a coffee?”

“I’ll make it you sit down.”

“Fuck, Sugar Jay I’m pissed off with sitting down. How about you take us for a spin?”

In the process of removing her jacket, Sugar Jay pulled it back on to her shoulders and between us; we wobble and hobble to the car. By the time we reach the vehicle, my mood has already lifted and I’m laughing along with Sugar Jay as we mock our appearance.

We were still giggling when the sound of a bike catches our attention and Sundance’s Harley pulls alongside the driver side of the car. Under her breath, I hear Sugar Jay moan as she cussed and peered through the window to Sundance.

“Hi.”

“Hi Emily.”

Sundance, glances at Sugar Jay, then me, before he sweeps in the street.

“Going anywhere nice?”

“I just need some fresh air Sundance. Being cooped up in the hospital and then in the apartment isn’t my idea of fun.”

As Sundance and I chat, Sugar Jay’s hands clasp tightly on to the steering wheel, and her attention is focused on the vehicle in front of us, although we aren’t moving.

“Anyway, it was nice chatting Sundance, but we have to be on our way.”

Sundance slapped the roof of the car as he turned to pull his bike out before pulling into an empty space a little further down the road.

“Are you okay, Sugar Jay?”

“Sure honey. So where do you want to go?”

I want to go to the bayou. However, I refuse to take Sugar Jay there, as its Crabby’s and my spot.

“Anywhere.”

With a smile, Sugar Jay drove down the street, and as I glance in the wing mirror, I spot Sundance following us. This time I was the one to groan.

“Who do think, put him up to keeping tabs on us.”

Sugar Jay raised smoky grey eyes to the review mirror, her mouth grimacing when she finds Sundance.

“Really Emily, you’re asking that question. I can easily come up with three people.”

“I hate it when the club gets like this. That every move I make is watched, and monitored.”

“Yeah, well let’s hope they manage to sort this mess out quick. Then I get to watch the real fireworks.”

As she finishes speaking, Sugar Jay pulls into the parking lot of the local park and between us, we manage to hobble and scramble out of the car. Sundance pulls his bike in alongside us, and gives a salute of his fingers to his forehead. His gaze on Sugar Jay, falling to her stomach.

For a pregnant woman, Sugar Jay sure can move. I may have been using crutches for a couple of weeks, yet I was still learning to control and balance them on the cold stone pavement of the park. When we encountered the gravel part, I was in fear of losing control and gave up trying to keep up with Sugar Jay.

“What did you mean by fireworks?”

Sugar Jay swings her head in my direction, slowing down until I manage to catch up with her.

“Well?”

“You know. When everyone finds out you and Crabby are hitched, and you didn’t ask for anyone’s permission.”

“We don’t need permission. Especially as we love each other.”

Sugar Jay’s eyes roll as her glance drifts over my shoulder and following her look, I spot Sundance. Who, although is following us, is keeping his distance.

“Has he ever told you he loves you?”

Annoyed by Sugar Jay, I frowned

“In his letters, all the time.”

“How about verbally?”

“I’m sure he has.”

“What happens when the novelty wears off Emily and you’re no longer his Apple-Pie. When you become another teenage statistic? And what the fuck is it with the Apple-Pie thing?”

“Fuck Sugar Jay, I don’t know what bee’s got in your bonnet. But let me tell you. Crabby and I are not getting a divorce.”

Sugar Jay just let her gaze rest on me for a moment, before she settled on a bench facing a small pond.

“Everything okay, Sugar Jay?”

“Yeah… It’s just men are such dicks.”

“The baby’s father?”

“Look at us Emily, we’re a mess. Yet I hope things work out for you and Crabby.”

Sundance is leaning on a rail his back to us, yet I was fully aware he was watching every move we make.

“Is Sundance the father?”

Sugar Jay didn’t open her eyes as her head leant against the back of the bench.

“Yep. He saved me from making one mistake. Only to help me in making an even bigger one.”

Thinking of my own conception and how Momma and Ted hadn’t spoken for thirteen years, I had to know how Sugar Jay felt.

“Is that how you feel about the baby. That it’s a mistake.”

Sugar Jay’s smile was lazy and indulgent as she rubbed her hand over her swollen stomach.

“No. The baby was meant to be, and I love her already. It’s just that I slept, No, I had sex with Sundance because I thought I meant something to him. You know hero worship and all that crap.”

Sugar Jay has opened her eyes, and grey eyes lock on to mine.

“Now you understand why I’m asking about you and Crabby. I don’t want you making the same mistake I made.”

“Crabby and I are different. Shit, Sugar Jay, Crabby and I have known each other forever. It’s not as though I was some prison groupie, who met Crabby through some prison program or anything like that. You asked why Crabby calls me Apple-Pie, it’s because I’m the pastry which holds him together.”

Talking about Crabby brings a smile to my face and I enjoy the late morning sun. Everyone may believe that its hero worship I have for Crabby, but they are wrong. No other man has ever made me feel the way he does. Casually I glance over to Sundance. He is about the same height as Crabby and although both men are blond, Crabby’s hair is darker, dirtier, while Sundance is lighter and brighter. They both have blue eyes, yet they are different shades. No, what I feel for Crabby is real. The way he makes my knees shake when he enters a room, or the way his smile has me melting, doing anything he wanted. It wasn’t just the way he made me feel physically, it was what he made me feel inside. He listened to me. And although he’s never said anything, I know something happened in prison. Sadly, I turn to Sugar Jay.

“What are you going to do?”

“I told Bastion I was going to marry the father of my baby, and no other man will do. Well, I’ve changed my mind. Sundance is nothing but a jerk I can live without. I have a job and now I’m looking for somewhere to live. It’s embarrassing walking in on Baby Blu and Inferno at times.”

With a weak smile, I grab hold of Sugar Jay’s hand and squeeze it.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah.”

“Want to know a secret.”

With a giggle, I wiggle my eyebrows

“Sure I do.”

“The job I have is with Comfort Spring’s Gazette, doing a blog on Comfort Springs.”

When I release a loud screech, Sundance glances over, his eyebrow raising. And all I can do is laugh some more.

“Shit Sugar Jay, just don’t you be announcing my wedding. Not yet anyway.”