Savage Love (Back Down Devil MC #7)(117)

Shay’s car sped off into the distance. Emily ran to Gaige and he took her hand.

When the bomb finally went off, the car exploded into a ball of fire. The thundering boom shook the ground for a few seconds.

Gaige put a hand to Shay’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry, bro.”

“Fuck it,” Shay said. “It’s just a car. Is that baby okay?”

Gaige turned and Griffin was walking toward them, holding Chief Jerry’s infant son.

“What the f*ck,” Griffin whispered. The baby let out a cry. Griffin touched the baby’s head and bounced gently.

“We should call the chief,” Shay said.

Miller and Blaine arrived to the scene. Blaine pointed to the fire and smokey mess of what used to be Shay’s car.

“It was a bomb,” Shay said. “I’ll explain.”

“I’ll make the call,” Miller said.

“Tell him to wait a few minutes,” Gaige said. “Emily and I have to finish this together.”

Miller stared at Gaige and then nodded. “We’ll go down the road a little bit.”

“Thank you,” Gaige said.

Miller welcomed Gaige with open arms and they hugged. “It’s done for now, okay? Eight Under revenge. This bullshit. It’s done. Make it quick and get back to the clubhouse.”

“Take care of that baby,” Gaige said. “That’s… going to seal the deal with Jerry.”

“Let’s not worry about that right now,” Miller said. “Do what you have to do here.”

Miller nodded and waved for the crew to follow him.

Gaige took Emily by the hand again and walked her toward Max. He stopped where he put his gun and knife on the ground. He took his weapons back and opened Emily’s hand. He put the gun in her hand and looked at her.

“No,” she said. “I won’t… I can’t…”

“You’re not,” Gaige said. “I want you to just feel it. To understand why we do what we do. He had a f*cking bomb, beautiful. He wanted all of us to die.”

Gaige took Emily to Max. He nodded to Landon and Erik, who slowly backed away and then left the scene. Gaige took the gun from Emily’s hand and pointed it at Max. He was sitting with his knees to his chest.

“You killed our son,” he whispered.

“There was never a baby,” Emily said. “You f*cking hurt me, Max.”

“You tried to kill me,” Gaige said. “That doesn’t fly with me.”

Max looked at Gaige. Then at Emily.

“Look at him,” Gaige ordered Emily. “Stare into his f*cking eyes, beautiful. Understand it…”

“Do it,” Emily said. “Kill him.”

Gaige smiled. He f*cking loved hearing that.

Max started to close his eyes and Gaige pulled the trigger.

One bullet. One shot. Justice properly served.

Max’s head snapped back and he was gone.

Gaige touched Emily and she jumped. Tears filled her eyes and Gaige pulled her close. “Hey, it’s f*cking done now. There’s no more, okay? He’s gone. We’re here. Now we have to go.”

“What about…”

“It’ll work out,” Gaige said.

Gaige wanted Miller to show Chief Jerry Max’s dead body as proof that revenge was dealt. That’s how everything was meant to come together.

At the motorcycle, Gaige took Emily by her face and looked into her eyes. “I f*cking love you, Emily. All this was for you. I give my love, to you.”

Emily nodded. “I’m in love with you too, Gaige. I don’t know what else to say.”

“There’s nothing else that needs to be said. Stay with me, beautiful, and I’ll keep you safe. Roads twist and turn, but we always have a destination in mind.”

Gaige kissed Emily, savoring her gentle lips and sweet tongue.

They got on the motorcycle and started to ride. Gaige slowed when he saw the crew on the side of the road. Griffin looked so happy holding the chief’s baby. It made Gaige smile.

Miller approached the motorcycle. “How are we?”

“All set,” Gaige said. “You can show him and let him deal with it.”

“I called and he’s on his way. We’re good in all this now. In fact, I just talked to Johnny at the yard and there’s a fight next week. He wants us there. Appreciation for taking care of business around here.”

“Good to know,” Gaige said. “Listen, Miller, I’ve got one more thing I need to do. I gotta get back.”

“Go,” Miller said.

Gaige hit the throttle and he and Emily were set off on the open road again. Gaige knew better than to let his guard down. Enemies rarely slept and the smart ones already had their next move in mind. However, Gaige knew that Back Down Devil could maintain and protect the town.

Once they pulled into the clubhouse parking lot, Gaige smiled. He parked the motorcycle and looked back at the ramp to the underground garage. That’s where the last line of business waited.

Gaige helped Emily off the motorcycle, took her helmet, and then walked her to the clubhouse. Upstairs, Gaige stopped at the bar and got a shot. It burned, but it tasted great. He then got two beers and led the way to his room. Once he opened the door, he stopped.