Devil's Girl(13)

Oh, so that's what he's here about. "Do you want to come in?" I asked. I didn't especially want him in my home, messy as it was, but it felt rude to keep him in the doorway.

"No. This will be quick. I want you back at the bar this afternoon. You owe him a thanks for saving your hide. And try to cheer up the sour bastard while you're at it. We want to keep good relations with the PA chapter and I'll be damned if he goes back home and says we didn't show him a good time. Understand?"

"Yeah. I got it."

"Make sure the new girl pays him a visit, too." That made me grin. The club president had come to me with official club business, not her. She was still secondary; I was still on top.

"I'll be picking her up myself."

"Good girl." His face softened for just a moment and he touched my face, just below the cut, giving it another glance. "Glad you're okay, Ivy."

"Thanks," I mumbled as he walked away. I guess lazy time is over.

I texted Dawn that I would be picking her up that afternoon, then showered and prepared to face the world again. Once I covered the mark with a little concealer, it was barely visible.

When Dawn bounced into the passenger seat of my truck just a few short hours later, she seemed unaffected by the events. "How's your face?" she asked as she buckled in.

"It's fine. How was last night?"

She shrugged. "It was okay. Nella wouldn't let me hang out alone with Gunner, the cow. And Theo brushed me off, again. I did get to spend some alone time with old Mort. He fell asleep pretty fast, though."

Good, let her have Mort. "Sounds like a quiet night."

I explained Bill's visit as I drove. She whined a little about our assignment - maybe that meant she was giving up on Theo, at least. I hadn't forgotten about our brief almost-moment at the jukebox, though. Like a silly schoolgirl. Get yourself together.

I was inexplicably nervous, though. An almost-moment could mean nothing. Maybe he'd just had a drink too many or something. Maybe he was going to just slam the door in my face.

Nella was manning the bar when we arrived. "Is Theo in?" I asked.

"Yeah, he's here. Just got back from a run. How are you, are you okay?" Her motherly tone made me smile and calmed at least a few of the butterflies in my stomach.

"I'm fine," I smiled, "Thanks."

"You go talk to him first," Dawn said, nudging me forward. "I'm probably gonna be a while when it's my turn."

You wish. "You don't call the shots, Dawn," I said, my lip curling in a sneer. "If I wanted you to go back there first, you'd go." Nella shot the girl a glare, backing me up.

Dawn only smirked. "Okay. Want me to go see him now? You'll be waiting a while."

"I'm going. Bill gave this assignment to me, remember?" I turned with a glare and left her for the back rooms. Dummy. Why can't I keep my mouth shut? I hated losing my cool. Was I actually concerned that Theo would want to fuck her? He was welcome to, of course. I had no hold on him. I didn't think he even liked me very much. Well, I don't have to be thrilled about it.

Fueled by my anger at Dawn and at myself, I stepped up to his door and knocked.

He opened it wearing jeans and nothing else. His hair was wet and curled around his neck - he must have just gotten out of the shower.

God help me. I felt my cheeks turn red. Again!

He grunted wordlessly and opened the door wider so that I could pass through. The room was no different than the one Gunner liked to use - maybe it was just a touch smaller, and dark with the curtains almost closed. I waited for him to shut the door before speaking.

"I just wanted to say, you know, thanks. For running out there so quick the other night. Before something worse could happen." His expression was stony, but his eyes flickered with conflict. Is he angry? "I was really scared, I thought he was going to pack me into one of those cars and take me who-knows-where. Or murder me. And who'd ever find out?" The more still he stood, the faster I talked. "I guess if it was just some message that all that wasn't part of his plan, but how was I supposed to know that? Bill says you guys don't know who he was yet or what he wanted? I'd sure like to know when you find out. I want to kick the guy in the nuts for this. So. Yeah." I bit my lip against the seemingly ceaseless tide of words. "Well. That's all I wanted to say. Thanks. I guess I'll go."

I mentally cursed at myself. Real smooth. Way to flirt. Bill will be thrilled to hear about this performance. I really showed this guy a good time. I blew out a breath. "Please say something."

He closed his eyes tight for just a moment, as if deep in thought and coming to an unhappy conclusion. "Get on the bed."