Savage Love (Back Down Devil MC #7)(11)

For all the years he and Griffin spent together, he never knew of Griffin’s past life. Not that it ever really bothered him at all though, at least not until now. It sunk in deep that every man out there wearing the cut had a past.

Hell, Miller had his own past.

Miller drank the shot. It tasted like death and burned like hell. He wanted another one. But he didn’t move. Instead, he just sat there, letting the rest of the day waste. His mind going back to a different time. A time he should’ve avoided then and definitely f*cking avoided now.

The door opened and Gaige came walking in.

“Hey. You okay?”

“Define okay,” Miller said.

“You need a drink? A bite to eat? A woman?”

“Where’s Griffin’s brother?”

“Gone,” Gaige said.

“Gone as in…”

“He’s not here anymore, Miller. That’s all you need to know.”

“I never knew about his family, Gaige.”

“That’s how Griffin was. He came to us after his real life career. He was smart, brave, and a little crazy for a man his size and look.”

Miller grinned. “He was like a fat dork, huh?”

“And if you said that to him, he’d put a knife in your gut.”

Miller made a fist and slammed it on the table. “I can’t stop thinking about it all. Today. Yesterday. Ten years ago. Tomorrow. Fuck.”

“It’s a lot, bro,” Gaige said.

“I want to kill him in the worst way, Gaige. But I try to walk the straight path here. I know what’s at stake. I put a bullet in Jerry’s head and everyone’s life changes. Yours, mine, his, the MC goes down, and then his family… Ella… the baby…”

“Oh, shit,” Gaige said. He took a few steps. ”You can’t do that to yourself.”

Miller stood up. “He’s f*cking hookers, Gaige. He doesn’t touch her. She has nothing and me walking away was supposed to give her everything.”

“You’re talking like a weak man, Miller,” Gaige said. “You better sack up, brother.”

Gaige stood at his seat. Miller stared at the VP. One bullet could change everything. Fuck, one bullet could take Miller out and then Gaige would be wearing the President’s patch.

“Sack up,” Miller said. “You’re right, Gaige. I’m going to cross the line. Say f*ck you to everything I know.”

Miller moved and Gaige put a hand to his chest. Miller grabbed Gaige’s hand and twisted it. He spun and put Gaige against the wall.

“What the f*ck are you doing, Miller?” Gaige asked.

“Just checking up on her. That’s all.”

“Let me come with you. You shouldn’t be riding alone, brother. None of us should.”

“No,” Miller said. “Jerry doesn’t have the balls to take me out. Or try to again.”

“You’re really going to cross the line.”

Miller nodded. “I’m just going to check on her. That’s all.”

Words that seemed so innocent and were so far from it. Words that didn’t ignite the war but poured more gasoline on the fire. Words that Miller knew were bullshit. He wasn’t just going to check on her. He was going to get her back. The way it should have always been.





six.



Beck cut a new tooth and was enjoying a good night’s sleep. More than once Ella told herself to just take a nap, too. To sleep a little. Rest her body. Let her mind relax. But she couldn't do that. Not with the papers on the counter downstairs. She knew the second Jerry saw them, he’d flip his lid. She thought about leaving but knew that would make it worse. He’d put an APB on her. Christ. The entire town of Frelen would be looking for her, for Beck.

Then Ella wondered if Jerry could use some favors to make it seem like she kidnapped their child. That’s all Ella needed right now. To end up in jail and to have Beck in the care of Jerry.

Biting her nails, Ella rushed down the stairs and to the kitchen. She grabbed the envelope and took it upstairs. She had the chance of having everything served to Jerry directly. But she didn’t want to embarrass him. In her mind she had a speech that Jerry needed to hear. Then she’d leave. He’d be devastated but it was all for the better. Kind of like one of those moments on a talk show when someone gets to speak their mind and they feel stronger after doing so.

That’s what Ella would do.

She lifted the cushion on the rocking chair and slid the folder under there. Beck was still sleeping and hopefully would sleep all night for once. The poor little guy definitely needed it.

Ella collapsed to the floor and hugged her knees. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she tried to figure it out. Giving Jerry divorce papers wasn’t going to change a thing. Even if he signed the damn things, what would Ella do next? Where would she go? She couldn’t stay in Frelen, that was for sure. But there was nowhere else to go.

You always have a home with me, darling. Always.

Ella squeezed her eyes shut. She shook her head. That was a long time ago. That was merely a fantasy. Her way of striking back at her mother for being such a shit mother. For her father not taking care of himself and getting himself killed in a drunken car accident. That’s all he had been. And that’s all he would remain. Not even a name at this point, just a figure in her imagination that stirred up memories.