Warped (Dueling Devils Book 4) (11 page)

His
toes damn near curled up in his combat boots. Nothing had ever felt this right.
He brought his hands to her head, wound his fingers in her thick, black hair,
and moved his hips in time to her rhythm.

Symone
watched him like he was something special.

His
chest swelled with pride and more of the ice he’d been encased by melted. She
filled the empty spots. She increased the pace and moaned. The vibration and
the silky slide of her hot, wet, mouth pushed him closer to the edge. He bucked
his hips and groaned. It’d been so long since anyone touched him. “I’m going to
come, babe.”

Her
moan of pleasure did him in and he came, shooting thick ropes down her throat.

She
took in every drop, and leaned back on her feet. “Maybe now I should mention I
have a high sex drive.”

He
groaned. “I’ve officially died and gone to heaven. You’re killing me babe but
I’d be more than happy to die with you.”

She
tucked him back inside his underwear and straightened his pants and belt.

He
helped her stand.

“I
want to talk, just talk and get to know the man who’s forced his way into my
life and is slowly, but surely instituting himself into every area possible.”

“Babe,
you haven’t seen anything yet. This is the beginning of the siege.”

“Yeah,
I’ve figured that part out.” She held out her hand.

He
took it, finding comfort as she twined their fingers together, trusting him to
lead her. As they walked inside to the living room, he felt his world shift at
its axis.

CHAPTER SIX

A
knock on the door made her glance up. It was lunchtime as Symone watched all
the boys and Chase head out.

“Pan?”

“Yeah,
you uh, you got a minute?” he asked.

“Yeah,
come on in.” She waved him in and pushed away from the computer desk. Normally,
she did the lunch thing with Monster, but he was out today running parts, so
she decided to tackle payroll early. “What’s going on, do we need to place an
order for something?”

“No.”
He closed the door behind him.

She
tensed. Red flags flew up and she tensed. Her gaze darted back and forth,
familiarizing herself with the layout, so she’d have an exit and a weapon.
“Then what do we need to talk about?”

“Monster.”

“Did
something happen to him?” She stood up, ready to rush out.

“No,
no.” He shook his head and gestured for her to sit down. “Nothing like that.”

“Okay?”
She crossed her arms beneath her chest. “Spit it out then.”

He
arched an eyebrow. “Why the hardball attitude all of a sudden?”

“Because,
I don’t buy into your Don Juan bullshit and the only person I’m interested in
as far as the Sumner family goes is Monster.”

“I
just want to see how the happy couple is doing. Monster is tight-lipped and you…Well,
you’re the mysterious woman who came in under our protection. Though, I don’t
know from where or why.”

“And?”
She arched a brow, keeping a calm exterior.

“And
that’s a problem for me.”

“As
long as it’s not one for Monster, I don’t see how it matters.”

Pan
slapped his desk. “Because I’m his family. You’re just the new girl on the
scene. You think because you come in here and you have scars you know him? I’m
his fucking twin. He might put all his stock in you, but I know better.”

“Why?”

“Because
I’ve seen him hurt. I won’t stand back and watch it happen again.”

“Who
says I’m going to hurt him?”

“History,”
Pan barked.

“You
know, you might be his twin. You shared a womb, parents, the childhood
mysteries and a million other little inside things people like me could never
understand. But I don’t mind that because I’m not trying to take your place. I
don’t want to be his platonic bestie. I want to be his woman.”

“You
expect me to believe that?” Pan scowled. “You hardly know him. You didn’t even
wait to get settled before you had your hooks into him. Maybe because you saw
an easy mark. Someone you could take advantage of.”

“Funny,
to be the person you claim knows Monster best, you seem to have him confused
with someone else.”

“We’re
not talking about size and you know it. He’s got a vulnerable spot and you set
your arrow, aimed, and fired.”

“Oh,
you don’t like it because you can’t be in our scars club? Please, get over
yourself, pretty boy. There are things that we share you and your perfect face
and body could never understand. I think that’s what this impromptu meeting is
about.”

“Fuck
you.”

“No,
thanks, I got the better copy for that job.”

“You’re
a smart-mouthed uppity bitch, you know that?”

“You
keep complimenting me and I might start to like you. Bottom line, you don’t
have a vagina, breasts, or a different blood line, so there are many things I
can do for him you will never be able to do. You’re having growing pains,
because he’s finally getting out and going on with his life. That’s a problem I
suggest you address. You have concerns about me or our relationship? Take it to
Monster. As far as I’m concerned, if it’s not work related, I don’t want to see
you in my office.”

“I
hope you don’t think you’ve won this. My brother bleeds Dueling Devils. You’re
just a skirt he happens to be under.”

The
door exploded open. Symone jumped, completely caught off guard. The sight of
Monster in the door with his chest heaving and his face flushed, told her shit
had gone from bad to worse.

“What
the fuck did you just say to her?” Monster growled. He dropped the pile of
cardboard boxes on the ground and stepped inside. “Have you lost your fucking
mind?” Monster stalked forward like a lion after prey. His massive hands
slapped against his brother's chest, moving Pan backward until his back hit the
wall. “You wait until I’m gone and you come in and talk shit to my girl?”

“She’s
just some bitch.”

Monster
wrapped his hand around Pan’s throat. “Let me set you straight. You’re looking
at my future old lady, so I suggest you treat her with the according respect.”

Pan
laughed. “Yeah right. Really? Beast and the beast? Is that how that works? You
always go in blind and get your feelings hurt. You’re so fucking stupid.”

Monster
slammed his head back against the wall. “The fuck are you talking about? You
never have to do shit for me. I don’t owe you a damn thing.”

“No!
I owe you and I can never forget that!” Pan shouted at the top of his lungs

The
outburst stunned her.
This all stems back to the fire.

“I’ve
been trying to tell you for years, I don’t hold that against you. I’m over it.
Why the hell aren’t you?”

“Because
you shouldn blame me.”

“You’re
my brother. Of course, I’d do whatever it took to get you out.”

“It
was my fault, Hayes. I caused that fire. I killed our father and set him up to
take the fall. I c-couldn’t—take it anymore. The yelling, screaming, the abuse,
and God, the things he did to Mom. I heard them having it out and he hit her,
hard. That’s why she was strewn across the couch. I went out to check on her
and I couldn’t get her to wake.” He shook his head, looking all the world like
a lost little boy.

“What?”
Monster whispered. The blood drained from his face.

“I
lost it. Next thing I know, I’m in the back bedroom with a pillow and Dad’s not
breathing. I knew I had to cover my tracks, so I—I got one of his cigarettes,
lit it, and got the old Zippo lighter. I rigged it, so it’d look like it was
his fault. But the place went up so fast and the smoke disoriented me. I
should’ve—died in that fire. Me! Not you. And now I have to see the results of
what I did every damn day when I look at you. You’re suffering and Mom’s dead
and all of it’s on me.”

Her
jaw dropped open as she watched them air their dirty secrets. Part of her
wanted to go to Monster, but she knew it wasn’t her place. This was for them to
sort out. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself quiet.

“I—I’ve
been trying to make it up to you for years, but it’s like you don’t want
anything to do with me.”

Monster
shook his head. “This is why you’ve been up my ass all this time? Why you can’t
accept any form of forgiveness?” Monster released his brother and stumbled
back. A dazed expression covered his face. “Did you think I’d be mad at you
forever about Dad? Hell, I wanted to the same thing a million times over. He
got meaner and nastier with every passing day.” Monster ran his fingers through
his hair. God, Hartley.” He shook his head. “I-I can’t do this—right now. I
need space.”

“Hayes—”

“No.”
Monster held out his hand. “Just, stay away for now, and from Symone. I can’t
believe you could keep a secret this big for so long! God, what else are you
hiding?”

“That’s
it, I swear.” Pan held his hands up in mock surrender.

“Yeah,
‘cause you’re so trustworthy.” Monster sneered.

“Monster?”
she whispered, unsure how to proceed.

“Hold
down the fort here, okay? Pan won’t be a problem, and tonight…I’ll get back
with you, yeah?”

She
nodded, fighting the urge to wring her hands. He’d just gotten a bombshell
dropped on him. The last thing he needed was to be alone. Still, she couldn’t
abandon her position. Unlike them, she was still on a trial basis.
Chase.
She’s known him way longer and she’s good at talking people down.

Monster
walked out of the room without looking back.

Slowly,
Pan slid down the wall. He laughed. The sound bordered on hysteria.

As
much as she wanted to slap his face and tell him to calm down, she knew it
would only make more trouble for Monster.

“I
knew it’d go like that. That’s why I kept putting it off. Now, look at us. He
can’t stand the sight of me. All he wants is you.”

“You
need to get your shit together and let him process.”

“So
easy to say when it’s not your family.”

“Look,
asshole. I know tragedy, loss, and family. And what you two had was a mild
fight. It’ll blow over with time. Right now, you need to lock it down and stop
feeling sorry for yourself.”

He
went silent and peered up.

“You
coming back to earth now?”

Looking
stunned, he nodded.

“Good,
now get out of here before we’re stuck explaining what happened and why. Take
the boxes in the hallway with you.”

Pan
pushed to his feet and obeyed her commands like a voodoo zombie being
controlled by its master.

Exhausted,
she returned to her desk and slumped down in her seat. Worried about Monster,
she pulled out her phone and texted. “
Text me when you get somewhere, please.”
Payroll was shot for the day, but she could do simple things like place orders
on the parts list to keep herself occupied. That level of betrayal was high,
but everything Pan did had been for his family. There was something to be
admired in that.

God,
I do not want to like him.

She
watched the phone and continued her busy work until a familiar blonde head
walked by her door. She jumped up and ran to the doorway. “Chase, I need you
now.”

The
girl spun. “What’s wrong?”

Symone
held a finger to her lips and shook her head, gesturing for her to come inside.
Chase did as she asked and Symone shut the door.

“It’s
Monster. He and Pan got into it over some heavy shit. I don’t want to share i
with you, because I don’t want to piss him off. I’m really worried. I can’t
leave the desk and if I could, I wouldn’t know where to look. Do you think you
can find him?”

“Of
course, the big man have and I  have an understanding. I can think of a few
places he might be holed up. What I got going, Pan can pick up. Hell, I’ll text
him that shit myself.”

“Thank
you,” she said, relieved he wouldn’t be out there on his own. She’d come to
care a hell of a lot more than she should over the past couple of months. He’d
infected her with his virus. Now, the only person she had eyes for was him.
This
is what it’s like to be smitten. I like it. Except when I’m worried sick.

“I
got you, girl. We’re family here at Dueling Devils. We take care of one
another.” Chase placed a hand on her shoulder and grinned. “You’re totally gone
for him, aren’t you?”

“Yes,
and I’m not sure how I feel about that,” she admitted.

“It’s
good. Love, the kind he has for you and you have for him, is rare and worth
going balls to the wall for. I’ve never seen him so into a girl,
ever.
It’s a big deal, Sy. I know you’re hesitant and I understand why. I try to keep
out of everyone’s business. But I feel like it’s my duty as your friend to give
you the inside scoop in this instance.”

“Thank
you.”

“Us
girls have to stick together. There aren’t s many of us I’d trust as far as I
could throw them.”

The
words made her think of Gia. They had a lot to settle.
After this, I’ll go
see her.
“Yes we do,” Symone agreed.

“I’ll
text you as soon as I find him.” Chase removed her hand and left the room.

Symone
watched her leave, hoping Monster wouldn’t do something that would get him into
trouble. Demon liked to keep things quiet, and with Ardy due at any time, he
didn’t have an overabundance of patience. She forced herself to leave the room
and sit behind the desk out front. Putting on a happy face for the customers
due in the shop, she willed the phone to vibrate with a text.

Come
on, Monster.

*  *  *  *

Monster
found himself at the graveyard where his mother was buried. He came here from
time to time to remember the woman who’d showed him love and the true
definition of being a man. Without her gentle touch and sweet nature, he and
his brother had grown tougher and skewed. They’d been swallowed whole by the
M.C. life with no anchor. It wasn’t bad, but he’d missed her womanly touch.

He
steered through the gates and parked down the hill from the burial site. It’d
always pissed him off that she’d been buried next to their old man, but he’d
like to think they went to two completely different places, so he couldn’t
touch her. His brothers might think he was betraying his dad, not putting the
club member first, but they hadn’t lived with the hell the old man had created.