The Lies Between Us (The Devil's Dust #4)(29)

“I’ll be back before you know it.” He winks.

I stand up and run my hands through his silky hair. “Be safe.” I smile, pressing my lips against his.

“No promises,” he teases. He kisses me back and rolls me onto my back before getting up. I pull the sheet up over my chest and watch him surf through the dresser for clothes. He shuffles on some jeans and a gray fitted shirt, his toned, tattooed arms stretching the material. He stops, his eyes dragging from the floor to me. I tilt my head to the side, curious at what he’s thinking.

“What’s wrong?” I ask. He opens his mouth, like he wants to tell me something, but he closes it again and shakes his head.

“Nothing. See you when I get back,” he replies on a heavy breath. He grabs his cut off the back of the door and leaves. I frown. He seemed like he really needed to tell me something, like it was bothering him. I nibble on my fingernail, curious if it was good or bad news.

***

I eventually crawl out of bed and make my way to the kitchen. I have been cooking up an egg storm since Lip taught me how to make them. He showed me how to make grilled cheese with apples and bacon, too. My God, it’s delicious, but I don’t think that would be too great for breakfast. He promised to teach me to cook French toast when he gets back from this run. My mouth waters just thinking about it.

I tried to defy my attraction toward Lip, but now that it’s here—now that there’s no denying I want him, and he wants me—I need to tell him about Piper. I need to clear the air.

My phone chimes on the counter, catching my attention. I still can’t believe Lip got me a phone, I’ve never had one before. I set the spatula down and open the message.

LIP: I have something I need to tell you when I get back.



I knew he wanted to tell me something. My forehead wrinkles with concern. This is it, though, my sign I need to tell him about Piper. He obviously has something serious he needs to tell me, and this is my chance to tell him, as well.

CHERRY: I have something to tell you, too.



After dinner, which consists of a pizza being delivered, I flip on the TV and relax into the couch. Dozing off, I hear a motorcycle. My eyes pop open, and my heart flutters. Lip. He must be home early. I kick the throw blanket off and excitedly pitter-patter toward the door. Opening it, I find Bull standing on the front step, his back facing me. He turns as I flip the porch light on, his face wrinkled with a grievance.

“Bull?” I thought he went with Lip and the boys on the run.

“Cherry, dear.” The words leaving his mouth are filled with more grief than my heart can process. My body goes into pure panic, little hairs rising on the back of my neck.

“What happened? Where’s Lip?” I look around, like maybe Lip will pop out, surprising me, but he’s nowhere. It’s just Bull and me.

“Something happened on our run today.” Bull looks down, his hands gripping a leather cut.

“Fucking say what happened.” My nostrils flare with unease. Bull’s eyes flick to mine, clearly surprised by my outburst.

“Lip took the fall for something on our run. He was taken into custody, and I’m not going to sugarcoat it. He ain’t getting out for a while.”

My eyes fill with tears instantly.

“What?” I croak. My heart sinks, and my nails dig into the doorframe.

Bull steps forward and grabs me by the elbow to hold me upright, making me aware of my unsteadiness from my emotional state.

“What did he take the blame for?” I manage to spit out, both of my hands clutching the doorframe.

Bull shakes his head and looks off.

“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that, Cherry. It’s club business, which means it’s not your business.”

“What do you mean you can’t tell me?” I sneer, my anger replacing my sadness.

“Our club has rules, regulations. It’s not personal; it’s to keep not only you safe, but the brothers, as well.”

I shake my head, pissed. Lip told me club affairs are just that—club only. I never thought that would affect me… ‘til now.

Bull hands the black cut out to me. I scowl, not sure what it is. Maybe Lip got his patch for taking the fall for the club. I take it from Bull and when I open it, a giant sob escapes my mouth.

Lip’s Ol’ Lady is written along the back of the cut, the Devil’s skull patched right under it. Lip must have gotten patched in, and now he’s making me his property.

“You’re family now, Cherry. We’ll take care of you while Lip is away. He did something very brave today, and I will forever be in his debt.” I just nod and sob some more. Do I want this?

“I’m sending some of the ol’ ladies over tomorrow. They’ll help you through this, darling.” Bull leans forward, the smell of booze and cigarettes strong, and kisses my cheek.

“Hang in there,” he whispers before turning to leave.

I just stand here, unsure of what to say, or what to think. This life, is it for me? I run my finger along the skull. He said I was family now. I never really had a family. My family has been taken from me, over and over. Lip claimed me; I’m his now. A small, pathetic laugh escapes from my mouth, and I pull the cut next to my chest. I’m his now, and the Devil’s Dust will always have my back.

***

The front door swings open and I hear a lot of chitter-chatter fill the house. I swipe at my tears, and my heart races. I know I locked that door.