Page 66 of Devils Cut
"Corvus?" I asked hesitantly, "Do you think... maybe I could sell my place when the renovations are done? Use the money to pay you back some and find somewhere else to live? That house just feels... tainted now."
He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face before he looked me straight in the eye. "If that's what you want, Tempest, then we'll figure it out. But let me be clear – you don't need to pay me back for any of this. You're my family now, and that means we take care of each other. Plus you can just move in with me, then we’ll work something else out later."
"Thank you," I whispered, leaning into him, seeking comfort in the strength of his arms.
———————————————————————————-
The sun dipped low in the sky, casting an eerie crimson hue over the streets as we pulled up to the clubhouse. The rumble of Harleys echoed in the distance.
"Killer's been bragging about how he's invincible now," Corvus said with a smirk as we walked through the doors. "Says even a bullet can't keep him down."
"Jesus, is there anything that would shut him up?" I muttered.
"Short of chopping his tongue out? Doubt it." Corvus chuckled darkly, wrapping an arm around me. "But don't worry, babe. He's still got a long road to recovery."
"You reckon he will be okay?" I asked, glancing around the room as we entered the bustling heart of the clubhouse. Men and women swarmed around us, the laughter and noise nearly drowning out the pounding beat of rock music blasting from the speakers.
"Positive," Corvus reassured me, leaning in to press a rough kiss to my temple. “Kid is a fighter, he will be back manning the front door of Dirty Devils soon enough."
"I hope so," I murmured, clinging to his words like a lifeline.
The scent of cigarette smoke and home-cooked food filled the air as we entered Corvus's parents’ part of the clubhouse, making me feel both uneasy and oddly comforted at the same time. This was the first time I'd be meeting his family, and my stomach churned with a mix of nerves and anticipation.
"Mom!" Corvus bellowed as we stepped inside. "We're here!"
"About damn time," an older woman's voice snapped back from the kitchen. She emerged, wiping her hands on a dishtowel, and I took in the lines etched into her face – a testament to a life full of hard choices and even harder consequences. Despite her tough exterior, there was a warmth in her eyes that put me slightly at ease.
"Tempest, this is my mom, Maureen," Corvus introduced, draping an arm around my shoulders. "Mom, meet Tempest."
"Nice to finally meet you," she said gruffly, sizing me up with a critical eye. "You hungry?"
"Starving," I admitted, trying to ignore the tendrils of fear winding their way through my gut.
"Good," she replied, nodding towards the dining room. "Dinner's ready. Sit down and make yourself at home."
I obeyed, taking a seat at the long, wooden table that dominated the room. The walls were adorned with old photos of happier times - Corvus as a baby, his parents young and in love, and the club members, grinning and carefree.
"Mom's cooking is the best," Corvus whispered in my ear as he sat down beside me. "Trust me, you'll love it."
"Let's hope so," I muttered under my breath, glancing at the array of dishes spread out before us - a feast fit for a king, or at least a club president.
"Dig in," Maureen said as she lit a cigarette and plopped down at the head of the table.
Chapter 28
Corvus King
1 Year later
The smell of fresh paint still lingered in the air as I walked through our new home, my boots echoing on the polished hardwood floor. Tempest trailed behind me, her eyes sparkling with excitement and pride.
"Damn, babe, this place is fucking beautiful," I said, running a hand along the smooth wall. The colours were dark and rich, just like we'd wanted. "You did all this?"
"Of course," she replied with a grin. "I wanted it to be perfect for us."
We'd sold both of our houses and had been living at the clubhouse for the past three months while Tempest worked her magic on this place. She knew how much I valued my privacy and my space, so she made sure every inch of this house reflected both our tastes and desires.
"Check out the kitchen," she said, leading me into the next room. Stainless steel appliances gleamed against sleek black countertops, and I could already imagine cooking for Tempest, sharing meals here.
