Savage Love (Back Down Devil MC #7)(26)

“Jake?”

“You knew?”

“They met a lot. I haven’t seen Jake lately. Is he out?”

Miller didn’t respond. He just swallowed.

“Jesus Christ,” Ella whispered. “He’s…”

“It’s done,” Miller said. “Club business. This is something almost out of my hands, darling. You need to realize that. I’m in a tough spot right now.”

“Yeah, I see that,” Ella said. “Stuck with your ex-girlfriend and her baby.”

Miller laughed. “That part I don’t mind.”

“No?”

Miller stood from the bed. He stared at Ella, knowing it was still there. It was up to him now to control it. To fight the urge off. To keep Ella safe but keep her at a safe distance. Christ, right now, he could just start peeling the covers down her body.

“That can’t happen again,” Miller said. “That…”

“I know. Because I’m married.”

“I don’t give a f*ck about that. You signed divorce papers. And even if you didn’t, when I see something I want, I take it.”

Ella’s eyes went wide. “Yeah…”

Miller closed in on the bed and leaned down a little. “Whatever you're going through, darling, I’m here if you need to talk. I won’t push at you though.” He touched her cheek, right at the swollen spot. “You’ve been through hell tonight.”

“And heaven,” Ella said.

Their eyes were locked tight. Miller wanted to f*cking kiss her so bad. He wanted to get right back at it. Shit, they had years to make up, didn’t they?

No.

Miller pulled away and collected himself. “I have to go take care of some business. You stay here. Don’t move. I’ll have two prospects outside the door at all times. Nothing is going to happen to you. Or the little guy.”

“Thank you,” Ella said. She reached out and Miller gave her his hand. “I mean it, Miller. I’ve been so scared. I have no idea…”

“Hey, stop,” Miller said. His fingers rubbed the back of her hand. “Just stop for tonight. You need rest. You’re safe here with me. With the MC. We live and die for the patch, okay? And I’m the President of the f*cking club. If I tell someone to put their life on the line for you and the kid, they will. So shut your damn eyes and sleep.”

Miller took his hand back and left the room. Going straight to the bar, Miller found two prospects to send back to guard the door. He then ordered up a shot and a beer. The shot was good, the beer cold. Miller pointed to the empty shot glass and he had himself another.

“Whoa,” Gaige said as he approached the bar. “That’s, uh, not going to be good.”

Miller looked at Gaige. He turned the shot glass upside down and slammed it to the bar. “Happy?”

“No,” Gaige said. “We’re at f*cking at war with the worst possible enemy. And you brought his goddamn wife and kid into the clubhouse.”

“What did you think I’d do?” Miller growled. “Kick her ass to the curb?”

“Isn’t that what she did to you?”

Miller grabbed Gaige by the neck. He pushed back and Gaige just went for the ride. Nate and Jace grabbed at Miller’s tree trunk arms and pulled.

“Hey, guys,” Jace said. “Come on. Talk it out. It’s too late for this shit.”

“You don’t f*cking talk like that,” Miller said to Gaige. “Ever.”

“I’m sorry,” Gaige said. “Tensions are high, bro.”

Miller pushed away from Gaige and shook away the other guys. “Conference room. Now.”

Miller then got his beer and opened the door to the conference room. It was a casual meeting, nobody needing to sit down. No need for the gavel and all the MC formality bullshit right now. This was a time of war and Miller was going to make sure everything was going to keep charging forward.

“First thing I want to know is if the problem out there has been taken care of,” Miller said.

“Yes,” Blaine said. “I took care of what you wanted. Body is buried. Head and cut put out there. I’m sure Coast Road has found it by now.”

“Good,” Miller said. “Be ready for some kind of retaliation.”

“Think they will?” Nate asked.

“I doubt it,” Gaige said. “They’ll retreat and figure something else out.”

“If they do, we’ll be ready,” Miller said. “They’re the muscle behind Jerry’s push at this.”

“He just wants to deal some drugs and make money, right?” Landon asked.

“That’s what he says,” Miller said.

“Then why f*ck with all this?” Landon asked.

“Because he’s greedy,” Blaine said. “Because he knows our MC is stronger than his entire police department. We have more power, more respect, and more ability. We don’t abide by the law.”

“Truth,” Gaige said.

“This is about protection now,” Miller said. “We have to protect ourselves and this entire club. He’s not going to divide and conquer. We will wait him out and find the right time to strike.”

“How long?” Nate asked. “I know me and Griffin tangled more than once…”