chapter 31
Jaxon
I CAN’T BELIEVE HE CAME here when Scarlett was here.
Fuck.
How are we going to explain this one? She’s friends with the MC, and I don’t know how she’s going to handle this tidbit of information. Demon and I exchange a glance, having a silent conversation that only people who have known each other for years can have.
“Don’t even think about lying to get out of this,” Scarlett says, her cute face turning all mean. “I know you two know each other. What I want to know is why you pretend that you don’t.”
I don’t lie to Scarlett. Ever. But the fact that Demon is undercover is a life-and-death situation, and it’s not my secret to tell. He stays quiet, so I know he’s trusting me, leaving it up to me to explain, but I kind of wish he’d step in with some bullshit lie and save me from having to come up with something.
“We do know each other,” I say slowly, trying to explain this the best way I can. “We knew each other as kids. Now he’s a dickhead biker, and I’m a criminal lawyer, end of story.”
Not exactly a lie, right?
“He obviously trusted you enough to break into your house in the middle of the night for help,” she points out, not looking impressed with my answer. She can know anything, except that Demon is actually an undercover cop. That’s the bit I need to steer her away from. It’s not that I don’t trust her with the information, but it’s something that can put her into danger. I also don’t need her getting drunk with the Wind Dragon women and accidentally letting something slip. I won’t gamble with Demon’s life, no matter how much I trust and love Scarlett. She doesn’t need to know this. I don’t want her to feel guilty about having known this. And if it ever comes out, her friends won’t like the fact that she knew. They’ll see it as a betrayal. I also don’t mention that he didn’t break in, the bastard has an emergency key.
“He’s one of my closest friends,” I admit to her, throwing him a dirty look. “But as you can see, we lead very different lives. I don’t get to see him much anymore. But that doesn’t mean that when he needs me, I’m not there for him, and he knows that. I’ll always have his back, and vice versa.”
She contemplates that for a few moments, and then says, “So that’s why Demon was at Riley’s? You told him to keep an eye on me!”
Demon tries to stifle his laugh, fails, then winces because it must hurt his arm. “Ahh, fuck. Don’t make me laugh, Scar.”
“I asked him to keep an eye on you, not watch you get piss-poor drunk,” I grumble, but nod. “But yeah, he said he’d make sure you were safe. Oh come on, don’t look at me like that! Any man would have done the same. And it’s not because I don’t trust you, it’s because I don’t trust men I don’t even like the thought of them looking at you, so I thought I handled it pretty well.”
She sighs deeply and eyes the two of us. “The two of you, I swear. So the Wind Dragons don’t know about this little friendship you have going on here?”
“I’m a private person,” Demon speaks up, and I’m grateful for it. “I keep my life before the MC to myself, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Secret is safe with me,” Scarlett promises, looking to Demon. “Can I get you anything? Water? Something to eat? A blanket?”
“I’m fine, thanks, Scar,” he says, smiling at my woman. “Are you going to come for a drive to the hospital out of town? It might be an adventure.”
A smile spreads on her beautiful face. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’ll pack some snacks.”
She stands and walks out of the room, and our eyes both follow her until she disappears.
“I’m sorry, brother,” he says, puffing out a breath. “I didn’t see her car. I should have been more careful, I don’t want to get you into any shit with your woman.”
“Don’t worry about all that,” I say, scowling at him. “I’m just worried about you. This can’t be good for your case. Fuck, Demon. If anyone finds out the truth . . .”
“They won’t,” he says, sounding sure. “It’s not a crime to be childhood friends with a lawyer, all right? It’s fucking fine.”
“The same lawyer who put one of your fellow MC members in prison? It doesn’t look good, Demon. They might think you gave me information for the case, or even worse, that it was you who tapped the lines for me! Then what?” I ask, standing and starting to pace.
Fuck.
This is not good.
And he didn’t even help me do anything, he was loyal to the MC. I had to do everything on my own. I don’t want him getting into shit, and messing up his undercover work because of this. I don’t even know who Demon is loyal to anymore, if I’m being honest—the police force or the MC—but either way I’m going to be by his side.
“She won’t say anything,” Demon tells me. “Have you seen how she looks at you? She isn’t going to tell anyone anything about this. She’s loyal to you.”
“I know she is,” I tell him, glancing to make sure she’s not there. “It’s not that, Demon.”
It’s just safer when no one knew about this.
Scarlett walks back into the room with a picnic basket filled with God knows what and a smile on her face. “Should we get going? If Demon’s wound gets infected we’re going to be in for a rough time.”
We.
She’s in this with us, no matter what.
Fuck, I’m so lucky to have this woman by my side.
She has a body to die for, the most intense fuck-me eyes, an amazing smile that can be mischievous when she’s up to no good, and she’s a good, loyal woman.
Gold mine.
“Yeah, we should,” I tell her. “Are you sure you want to come? You can go back to bed and get some rest if you like, Scarlett.”
I look down at her and realize she’s been wearing nothing but a nightdress for this entire time, and I can see the outline of her nipples. “And maybe put on some clothes.”
She looks down, and like me, only just remembering what she’s wearing. “Yeah, I should probably do that.” She puts the basket down on the couch and disappears again.
I turn to Demon, who is now wearing a smirk. “I liked what she was wearing.”
“Keep going if you want your other arm broken,” I tell him, jaw going tight. “Are you ready to go?”
Demon nods, then glances down at his arm. “Yeah. And, Jaxon?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. I mean it,” he says, blue eyes showing me his gratitude. “Can always count on you, brother.”
I offer him my hand to help him up, and he takes it. “What are friends for, right? If not to take them to the hospital in the middle of the night after a knife fight. How does the other guy look?”
“You don’t want to know,” he murmurs, wincing. “In fact, the less you know the better.”
Jesus.
I thought the Wind Dragons had gone boring, but apparently I was wrong. Who the hell would he be getting into a knife fight with? At least it wasn’t with guns, but still. I don’t know what shit Demon is getting into, and I don’t like that I don’t know because I can’t help him. I may wear a suit every day, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fight and take care of shit that needs to be taken of. It’s not who I am, but a fighter is buried inside of me. If anyone hurts the people I care about, there is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect them.
“Noted,” I say, sighing. “What have you got yourself into, Demon?”
“Just a little bar brawl, Jaxon. Don’t you worry your pretty head about it,” he defends, brushing off my worry.
Scarlett returns in jeans and a black top, white sneakers, and her hair tied up. “Okay, let’s go.”
We all get into my car.
Scarlett moves to sit in the back, but Demon opens the passenger seat door and tells her to sit in the front.
He gets in the back.
It looks like Scarlett has won the respect of one of the biggest badasses in town.
I’m not surprised one bit.