GHOST: An MC Romance: DEVIL'S CREED MC (Devils Creed MC Book 2)

Chapter 8

Rea

A Few Days Later

“Thank God.” I knew I was being dramatic, but I was glad to be home. After days of having loud music vibrate through the walls, women strutting around half naked, and the smell of cigarette smoke lingering in the air, I’d had enough.

I unzipped Payton’s bag and dumped everything into her hamper. It all reeked of smoke and needed to be washed.

“It wasn’t all bad.” Ghost laughed, fitting himself at my back.

“No, it wasn’t,” I agreed, leaning back into his chest. His arms snaked around my middle. My head fell to the side when his lips skimmed along my neck. The man had a way of turning me into putty.

“Bishop,” I breathed. We had spent a lot of time getting to know each other better in the biblical sense, but we there was still so much more I wanted to know about him.

“Something else bothering you, baby?” His arms tightened before letting me go.

“No.” That was a lie, but I wasn’t sure how to address what was happening between us. Things were moving fast. We’d had a lot of sex, but there was more to building a relationship than just that.

“If you say so,” he scoffed. “Look, I gotta go take care of some shit. I”ll be back later.”

I sighed. “Okay.” I knew he had business he was itching to get to, and it was unfair of me to monopolize his time. He’d given me and Payton his undivided attention the last few days.

Ghost spun me around and planted a soft kiss on my lips. “You gonna be my good girl, Rae?”

My cheeks heated. He knew what he was doing to me. I nodded my head.

“Give me the words,” he growled, smoothing his hands around my waist and squeezing my bottom.

“I’m your good girl.” My panties were soaked.

Payton whimpered in the crib behind us and the bubble burst.

“We’ll finish this later.” Ghost kissed my lips, moved to her crib and planted a kiss on her head, then disappeared out the door.

“He gets the name, honest.” I sighed, moving to the crib, and lifting my baby girl out. “Okay, little one. Let”s get you fed and changed and go downstairs and see if Auntie Nova and Auntie Sophia are in the shop, okay? How does that sound?”

Payton stared up at me with wide eyes, lips curving into an ”o” as a spit bubble formed. I couldn’t help but smile as I went about getting her ready. With a bottle and spare diaper, we wandered downstairs and into Sophia’s Blooms.

“Rae, honey, you made it out of that loft!” Nova said, rushing over and plucking Payton from my hands. I wasn’t sure of their history, but it was clear to see she had a bond with the baby girl.

“Ghost had to take care of some stuff and I didn’t feel like being alone,” I admitted, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

Sophia chuckled. “Plants are easier company, aren”t they? Just water them and give them a bit of sun.” Sophia had to be the sweetest thing I’d ever met, with her soft voice and gentle nature. She was nothing like her husband. Truthfully, he scared me. He had a dark and intimidating energy about him. I didn’t understand how they fit together, but Ghost assured me they were perfect for each other. Something I’d been surprised to hear him say. They say opposites attract, and those two were proof.

“I guess so.” I shrugged, watching as Nova swayed Payton, humming a tune I couldn”t quite make out.

“So…” Nova’s eyes lit up. “What’s going on with you and Ghost?” She shifted Payton in her arms, settling her on her hip.

I chewed on my lip, feeling some level of anxiety. “I’m not exactly sure.” My fingers traced the edge of the chair, the rough fabric snagging against my skin.

“Well, it seems like he”s got a claim on you, or that”s the word around the clubhouse.” Her brow furrowed as she watched me, waiting for something more. “So, what”s the problem?”

“Everything’s happened at warp speed and my head is spinning. That’s the problem.” Surely, I wasn’t the only one who thought it was crazy for a man to claim a woman as his, after just meeting her. “How’d you do it, Sophia?”

She laughed. “I didn’t have a choice. I was an Angelini.”

My eyes widened. “Holy. Shit.” I wasn’t a native New Yorker, but I knew enough to know that her family was the damn Italian Mafia.

“Yep,” Nova chimed in. “Her brother was an asshole and he sold her to the highest bidder.”

I’d heard stories, but I didn’t think they were true. It was the twenty-first century. Women had choices.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Sophia said softly. “I’ve heard it a million times, but we live in a different world. Even now, in this world, things are done differently.” I thought about what she said and knew she was right. In what world did a man just decide that you were his girl and that was that. It was crazy and a little barbaric.

“Banner was a blessing.” Sophia shivered.

“He wasn’t the highest bidder?” I was so confused.

“No.” She shook her head. “He found out Ivan and I were to be married, and wanted to send a message, so he stole me from the Bratva.”

“Stole you?” I croaked. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. She seemed so happy.

She blushed. “Trust me, Banner is a good man and he’s good to me. Ghost is a good man too. He’ll make you happy.”

I wanted to believe her, but I wasn’t like her. I wasn’t capable of letting a man come into my life and take control. Sophia was sweet and kind and docile.

“Give it time,” Nova said, squeezing my hand. I forced a smile. She was right. We had plenty of time to see where things might go.

“So, Nova. Tell me about you and Haze.” Her eyes went wide. Oh yeah, I’d seen her sneaking glances at him a few times while we were on lockdown. She had a crush.

“I don’t—” The bell above the door jingled, cutting her off.

Two men stepped in, their faces hard. It was obvious they weren’t there for bouquets.

“Can I help you?” Sophia”s voice was shaky.

I watched them carefully, sizing them up. They were big, and it was clear they were looking for trouble.

“I’m looking for something special. What about you, Davidson?” the man in front said. He twitched and I got the feeling something was off about him.

“There sure are a lot of pretty things in here, Marshall. I’m not sure how to decide,” his sidekick added, hands shoved deep into his pockets as he moved slow and deliberate. He was the one to watch out for.

The man called Marshall eyed Sophia thoughtfully and my spine snapped straight. He wasn’t referring to the flowers, he was there for her. My fingers curled into fists, nails digging into my palms.

“There’s nothing here for you.” My words came out low.

Davidson started first, fingers skimming over a vase before sending it crashing to the ground. Shards of glass scattered across the floor.

“Nova,” I said calmly. “Take Payton in the back.” She didn’t answer but I felt her move. Keeping the baby safe was the only thing that mattered now.

My heart hammered, but I planted my feet as both men went about tossing display pieces onto the floor. Tears streamed down Sophia’s cheeks as she watched the destruction.

In a flash, Marshall’s hand shot out, connecting with the side of Sophia’s face, the slapping sound almost deafening. “Ah,” she cried out, her hand going to her cheek.

We were outmatched.

Marshall circled Sophia, eyeing her up and down. “You sure are a pretty little thing.” My stomach turned.

“Your husband should have minded his own business. This is his last chance. Tell your biker scum to back the fuck off or next time I’ll break his whore,” he snarled, wrapping his fingers around her throat and pressing her back against the wall. The color drained from her face, and something inside me snapped.

“Let her go,” I demanded, stepping closer, my whole body tensed for a fight.

The veins in his hands bulged more when he squeezed tighter.

In a fit of rage, I grabbed the nearest vase and lobbed it at him.

Crash. I hit my mark, the red and yellow glass exploding on impact.

“You stupid bitch.” Shoving Sophia away with a grunt, he turned and came for me.

“Run, Sophia,” I shouted, grabbing a heavier vase and tossing it at his head.

Marshall lunged at me as Davidson moved in behind me, but I weaved between them, trying to put distance between us.

“Oh, baby. I like it when they fight back.” The hair on the back of my neck stood on end.

“Fuck you,” I snarled, anger bubbling up.

They moved again, that time in sync. Davidson’s arms came around me from behind and he lifted me off my feet as Marshall’s fist connected with the side of my head.

“Gotcha now, bitch,” was growled in my ear.

“Stop!” Sophia screamed.

Lifting my feet, I kicked out, my shoes connecting with Marshall’s chest and sending him tumbling backwards. Using the momentum, I flung my head back into Davidson’s nose. His arms dropped, hands instinctively going to his face, and I barely got my footing when he dropped me to the ground.

“I’m going to fucking kill you,” he snarled as Marshall’s hand grabbed me by the back of the head.

“Get off!” My words came out half-growl, half-scream, a second before his heavy fist connected with my cheek and stars exploded across my vision.

Holy fuck.

I struggled to breathe as my vision pieced itself back together.

“Rae!” Sophia shouted; the sound muffled by the ringing in my ears.

Staggering over with blood dripping from his nose, Davidson grinned as he pulled back and nailed me in the gut. “I’m going to enjoy breaking you.”

White light flashed behind my eyes from the pain. Fuck, he was strong.

He pulled his arm back again and froze when the rumble of bikes, lots of them, thundered in our direction.

Davidson’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, then widened with fear.

“Shit, they”re here!” Just as quickly as the fight had started, it was over, and the cowards were gone.

Sophia dashed across the room and dropped down beside me. “Are you okay, Rae.”

“Fine,” I hissed, leaning back and carefully sliding down the wall onto my bottom. I felt the blood dripping down my cheek as I looked around her. “Is Payton okay?”

“She’s fine.” Nova’s voice cut through the haze.

“Good,” I wheezed, dropping my head onto my lifted knees. The adrenaline was wearing off and I felt exhausted.

I lifted my head as the door burst open and Banner stormed inside with a sea of bikers flooding in behind him. His worried eyes landed on his wife. “Sophia!”

“Banner!” she shouted back, relief thick in her voice. At that moment I saw what she’d been trying to tell me. The Devils Creed were good men who cared about their families. Her husband included.

On paper, a mafia princess and the president of a biker club didn’t make sense. But there was more to him than just that. He was a husband who adored his wife, and she was a woman in love. It was as simple as that.

“I’m okay,” she said softly as Banner bulldozed through the crowd, his focus only for her.

“Baby,” he rasped as he knelt down in front of her. He lifted his hands, settling them on her belly, and her eyes closed.

“Oh my God,” I breathed. How could I have forgotten she was pregnant?

I watched as Sophia reached out and sifted her hands through his hair. “We’re fine,” she reassured him.

Banner’s head nodded and he stood, finally taking in the destruction. His eyes turned into dark pools of rage and his jaw clenched so tight I heard his teeth grind.

“Who did this?” he growled. His eyes widened when they landed on me. “Who hurt you? Ghost!”

“Men... came in and started wrecking the place,” I told him.

“Ghost!” Banner shouted again. “Where the fuck is he? Goddamnit, Ghost, your girl is hurt.”

The sound of glass crunching under booted feet grabbed my attention, and when I lifted my head, the world tilted on its axis. Ghost stood in the doorway, a look of horror on his face.

“Where the fuck did you go?” Banner snapped.

“Fuck off,” Ghost growled, shoving his brothers aside and kneeling down next to me. “I went upstairs.” His eyes shoot daggers at his brother. “Where my girls were supposed to be.”

“I’m sorry.” I started to feel guilty. Payton could have been hurt, or worse.

Ghost traced a finger across my cheek and tucked my curls behind my ear. His hand slid under my chin and lifted my face higher so he could inspect the damage. “Fuck, baby. No,” he shook his head, “don’t do that. Don’t apologize.”

My eyes closed and I grimaced when he touched the split in my lip.

Nova stepped forward with Payton still clutched to her chest and explained what had happened. “Two men came in and threw their weight around. They kept talking about the club sticking their noses where they didn’t belong.”

Ghost’s jaw clenched. “They say anything else?”

Nova bit her lip and looked over at Banner, then nodded.

“Well?” Haze grunted.

“They… said things.” Her eyes turned glassy.

“Spit it out!” Kane snapped from across the room.

Haze let out a menacing growl and the room went silent. My brows hit my hairline when I saw the way he was looking at the club’s treasurer. Good Lord, he was scary.

Kane threw up his hands. “Fine.”

“Need to know, darlin’,” Ghost tried again.

“They kept hinting at,” she swallowed then whispered the word, “rape.”

The dangerous energy in the room went electric, the violence almost palpable. Ghost’s eyes came back to me, and I watched in a little bit of awe as he compartmentalized what he’d just heard.

“Let”s get you patched up, baby. Nova, bring Payton.” Being careful of my body, he lifted me from the floor and into his arms.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“For what?” He looked down as he carried me up the steps to the loft.

“Taking care of me.”

There was a lot going on and I knew his club needed him, but he chose to focus on me instead. That meant something. Sophia’s words from earlier echoed in my mind. She was right. Ghost was a good man and would make me happy if I gave him the chance.

His grasp tightened and I cried out from the pain. I’d done something to my back when I hit the floor.

“I’m sorry, baby. Hold on.” Loosening his hold, he set me on the counter and lifted my shirt.

“Fuck! Banner, call Doc! She”s gonna need stitches.”

“He”s already on his way.”

Ghost looked over his shoulder at his brother. “When I find who did this, I’m going to fucking kill them.”

“Marshall and Davidson. I heard them say those names,” Sophia spoke up softly.

Something terrifying passed over Ghost’s face, and a shiver ran down my spine. Whatever he was planning to do to the men who attacked us, it was going to be bad.