“Calm down, I have no intention of raping you.”
Deva gave him a half-laugh. “And you want me to believe you?”
The MC president had the decency to put his back against the wall and keep his hands lifted.
“I have never raped a woman in my life and I ain’t gonna start today.”
Despite her terror, she laughed somberly. “Ten years made you see the light? How convenient!”
The man’s face turned fierce. “I was in the same spot as you were back then. I didn’t have any choice either.”
“Fancy you, Damon Evans, the victim of a forced marriage. We should write a book about your struggles.”
“Victoria...”
Now she roared. “Deva. My name is Deva!”
Damon sighed, racking his fingers in his hair in frustration. “Sorry. Deva. Many things happened, but we don’t have a lot of time. I know you don’t trust me. But right now, it’s the only place where we don’t have eyes on us. They are probably behind the door listening, but can’t hear what we are saying. We’re going to act as if I’m raping you. And I hope we can be convincing enough.”
Deva shook her head. “What are you talking about?”
“Let’s say you’re not the only one trying to figure out what’s going on with your father. And the Bratva just gave me an opening I never thought I had to end this madness.”
“What do you mean?”
“Mex is acting erratically. He’s dangerous. Did you know he has almost turned three other MCs against his club? Into a state war? It was a close call and contained quickly.”
“No, I didn’t know. When did it start?”
Damon seemed to ponder on that for a moment. “I’d say it started one year after I became president. So, five years now.”
And from Deva’s calculations, it coincided with the probable start of Finch’s plan.
“And you suddenly trust the Bratva, Evans? And what if I tell you that you may be dealing with someone even more devious. Jamieson Finch. He’s probably the one behind my father’s sudden weariness of peace and the Bratva reaching out to you to take me. Finch seems to be pulling the strings and would do anything to keep my father on his side. Thus, the call about your runaway bride.”
“Deva, honestly, I only want the threat from your father to end, and I don’t give a fuck about Finch.”
Deva shook her head. “Semyon will ask something from you for that favor.”
“I have survived so far, I can stall him awhile longer. I know you faked your death for a good reason and when the Bratva approached me, I found a way of saving you and maybe a way to...”
And it clicked in her head. “A way to the Rows, isn’t it? And use my gratitude to either make sure my father stops disturbing the force or kill him? Why not a merger?”
Damon bit back a smile. “I’m not against war when there is a purpose in it. Listen, I don’t mind explaining everything, but the situation is volatile. We must get out.”
If there was an alliance to be made, it seemed that Damon Evans was the way to go. For now, at least. “I understand. Let’s talk later. What do you need me to do?”
Damon looked as if he was bracing himself for what was to come. “What about we tear at our clothes some, I’ll unbuckle my pants, you scratch me and yell like hell?”
This surreal situation couldn’t get weirder, but she wasn’t to pass up a way to get out of there. Even if it meant making a deal with the devil.
“Okay, let’s get down with it.”
