The local cops were getting desperate. He could tell they were using every trick in the book to drag out his stay. It almost worked too.
He'd come close to taking the bait more than once. Officer Grant had an annoying habit of stopping by the dank cell they were keeping him in and dropping hints about what he'd done, and what he'd like to do, to Kaylie.
Sick, disgusting things. Descriptive things about laying his hands on her smooth skin, and all the things he would do with her when he got the upper hand. Things that made Dev see red.
It almost worked.
Instead Dev had used his famous self control to go deep inside himself. Instead of attacking, he’d imagined the kinds of things he would do to Officer Grant if even one word he'd said was true. And a few things he would do to him just for thinking them.
Officer Grant's life was going to get very difficult from here on out. If he'd laid one finger on his woman though… he was in for the beating of a lifetime.
Devlin had plans for those fingers. Hands were a very good part of the body to use when you were interrogating someone. They were sensitive, and vital for survival.
He was seriously considering cutting a few of Officer Grants fingers off altogether.
Violence was part of the MC life, but there was a time and a place for it. In this case he couldn't very well beat up an officer of the law, unless the officer in question didn't know who was doing it.
A bag over the head after a night out drinking was the easiest way. Hiring out was another. But Devlin wanted to be there. He wanted to hear the crunch when his fist connected with Grant’s big, fat mouth.
Simmering rage didn't come close to what he was feeling. The pot had long since boiled over and now he was just hot metal bouncing around on the stove.
Ready to burn someone.
Chapter 27
Kaylie
She looked left and right, bouncing a little on her heels.
Kaylie was waiting outside her house for her ride. Donnie had called her and said he was coming to pick her up, that Devlin was getting out. He was okay. They hadn’t charged him formally.
Dev was not going to jail.
She felt elated momentarily before the worries started to set back in. She'd had a lot of time to think the past few days. She was starting to wonder if she’d let her heart get her into a situation couldn’t control.
A situation she'd regret.
She wasn't sure she was cut out to belong to a biker, let alone the President of the most notorious MC in Northern California. The thought of not being with him hurt her deep inside. But the thought of being dragged through the mud over and over again was unappealing.
Even her mother was concerned, and she'd been firmly on Devlin's side since the beginning.
Donnie drove up in a shiny charcoal gray SUV. She hadn't been expecting that. But it made sense. There was no way Dev would be okay with her on the back of someone else’s ride.
She climbed in and sat there nervously as Donnie turned off the radio and waited for her to put on her seatbelt. She'd dressed conservatively for the occasion in a simple navy skirt with a pink cardigan and kitten heeled pumps. She felt nervous.
Almost like it was a job interview.
Her hair was down and she wore sunglasses. She told herself it was because she didn’t want to be recognized by anyone standing outside the courthouse. But the truth was worse.
She didn't want Devlin to see the doubt in her eyes.
Kaylie was afraid and she didn’t know how she felt. She didn’t want him to know her concerns. Not until she’d made up her mind to be with him or not.
She knew the charges against him were false. Not just because she had been with him either. Devlin would never hurt a woman and he certainly wouldn't force himself on one.
Why would he when every woman he came into contact with melted like butter? Including her.
Especially her.
The drive to the courthouse in the center of town seemed to last forever. And yet she was so nervous that she wished it took longer. Hours, not minutes. Days.
What would he say when he saw her?
And more importantly, what would she feel?
Chapter 28
Devlin
Freedom.
Devlin inhaled deeply as the doors swung shut behind him. Now he just had to get to Kaylie, make sure she was alright. Then he would begin to make his plans for revenge.
Plans to keep her safe in the future.
He stepped out into the sunlight. He'd been released on bail, paid by the club. His lawyer was still inside threatening to sue the department for harassment if they didn't drop the charges. He assured Dev it was only matter of time until this whole incident was a distant memory.
Of course, that didn’t mean that Devlin would forget.
He shielded his eyes against the glare. The bright light hurt after three days stuck in the dark cell. He was pretty sure they'd chosen the crappiest cell in the place. The worst of the worst.
It sure didn't smell good.
He stood perfectly still when he saw the SUV across the street. Kaylie climbed out. She turned toward the courthouse steps and saw him. They both froze, staring at each other from twenty yards away.
He took one step, and then another. She walked towards him steadily. He exhaled in relief as she came closer. She was here. She had come to see him.
She didn’t hate him after all.
He swept her up into his arms, burying his face in her silky hair.
She felt incredible. She smelled incredible. She was there for him, even after what she’d been through. He had been sure she would want out after everything that happened.
He lifted his head to kiss her and tasted salt on her lips.
She was crying.
"Oh sweetheart, don't cry. Please?"
She didn't say anything. She just nodded her beautiful head and continued the water works. Devlin put his arm around her shoulders and walked across the street to the SUV. He clapped Donnie on the back and climbed into the drivers seat.
Kaylie put on her seatbelt and looked at him. She’d stopped crying, but she still looked somber. She was quiet, even for her.
"Where are we going?"
"They wouldn't drop the charges even though they're bullshit.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “You know that right?"
“I know. I told them you were with me."
"You didn't have to do that. But for now, I'm out on bail and I have to wear a monitor. They're coming to the club later to fit me with one."
She didn't say anything but Donnie leaned forward.
"It will be good to have you around all the time, Dev. We missed you."
"Fill me in on what I missed when we get back to the club. First thing I need is a shower."
"What's the second thing?"
Dev just grinned and glanced at Kaylie, leaving no doubt of what he meant. He wanted her.
"Okay man, what about the third?"
"Food. And a plan. We need to nip this shit in the bud."
"I hear that."
They pulled into the parking lot and people poured out to greet him. It took him a while to pull Kaylie to the door. He had things to deal with before he talked to the guys.
He had to talk to Kaylie.