“I don’t want to ruin shit. Judi is happier than I’ve ever seen her. Lexie is ill, but life still keeps on going.” Devil lit up a cigarette.
Chancing a glance at his president, Ripper saw the pain in Devil’s eyes.
“You’re not going to lose Lexie.”
“I know. Until you’ve got a woman pregnant, Ripper, don’t say anything more.”
He wished there was something more he could say. At thirty-three years old, Ripper had been through hell, but his loyalty to Devil was absolute.
Your loyalty means shit. You’re going to fuck with Judi.
She deserves better than you.
“I can’t speak from experience of having kids. My dick has always got a rubber on it, but Lexie will not let anything happen to her.”
Devil didn’t say anything.
“She became a stripper for Simon. If a woman who is as reserved as Lexie is at times, still took her clothes off to earn money, she won’t put herself in danger for your kid.”
“I don’t give a fuck about my kid. Do you think I want any brat around me if they’re responsible for killing her?” Devil shouted the words.
The sound of a gasp came from behind him. Lexie stood there, pale, and stared at him.
“Shit, baby, I’m so sorry.” Devil went to Lexie, who turned to walk away. Rubbing at his eyes, Ripper knew he’d fucked up talking to his boss. Shit, he shouldn’t have said anything, and Lexie shouldn’t have turned up. Leaving the clubhouse, which reminded him a lot of the building in Fort Wills, he rounded the building to see Lexie shouting at Devil. In all fairness, Devil looked ready to pick her up and take her away like some kind of caveman.
“I’ve got morning sickness, Devil. When are you going to get it through your thick fucking skull?” Lexie asked, shouting.
“You were not this way with Elizabeth.”
“Newsflash, jerk, I’m not pregnant with Elizabeth.”
Ripper climbed on his bike leaving them to their argument. Several of the women were laughing. The last thing he saw was Devil shutting her up with his mouth. Yep, that’s the only way to keep a woman silent these days.
He entered town going to the library. The librarian clucked her tongue at him. Chuckling, he looked through the rooms until he found Judi sitting at one computer typing away. For several minutes he stood watching her with his arms folded. She looked distracted reading through each line then checking out some fact in one of the books. Two guys close to her age were chuckling and pointing over at her.
Ripper didn’t like the look on their faces and took the seat beside her. “Hey, Princess,” he said, raising his voice so all could hear.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
Her cheeks went a beautiful shade of red. Leaning forward, he brushed a strand of hair out of his way to watch her. “I thought I’d come and see you. Devil and Lexie were arguing about her morning sickness when I left them at the club. I thought I’d come and see what you’re doing.” Ripper wanted to do so much more than touch.
“I should be getting my course books in the post in the next couple of weeks. When they turn up I’m good to go. I just need to get this assignment done and I can have a few days off.”
Getting to his feet, Ripper smiled down at her. “Then go ahead, write. I’m going to look around.” He was going to threaten the two dipshits with his gun, but she didn’t need to know that.
“Okay.” Her attention was already back on the computer.
Now, he could go and take his anger out on the two men who were pointing at his woman.
****
Typing the last few sentences, Judi rubbed the back of her neck working out the kinks. She’d been staring at her computer screen for the last couple of hours, and she was feeling the strain on her eyes. Ripper still hadn’t left. Lexie and Devil phoned her earlier to make sure she was okay. They told her to get her assignment finished before returning home.
“Are you done?” Ripper asked, suddenly appearing behind her.
She’d been aware of two boys pointing and giggling hours earlier, but something must have happened because they left the building looking pale.
“Yeah, I just finished up.” Judi stretched out, her muscles moaning. Pressing the necessary keys she stood up going to the printer. She would have to read through it before sending it back to her tutor. Filing the assignment away, she pushed some hair out of her face then closed the computer down. “I’m so tired.”
Her stomach chose that moment to growl.
“Hungry as well,” Ripper said, chuckling.
“Are you laughing at me?” She tensed, feeling her cheeks heat at the noise her body made.