Ripper's Torment (14 page)

Going straight to Devil’s office, he knocked and
entered. The door was already open.

“Come in, sit down,” Devil said, looking over a file
on his desk.

“What can I do for you?” Ripper asked, wiping his
hands, which had gone sweaty the moment he entered the office.

“Just a minute.”
Devil ticked something down on the file and looked up. “Why are you
avoiding me?”

“I’m not. I’m standing right here.”

“Don’t wise ass me, Ripper. We all agreed to settle
down in Piston County. I can’t run
this club if any of my
boys are
keeping shit from me.”

On the road, Devil demanded respect and for him to
know everything from the smallest dispute to the biggest business deal.

“Nothing is wrong.”

“Is there anything going on between you and Judi? I
noticed the looks going on. I’m not a fucking idiot.”

Tell him. Let the truth be aired. This is your opportunity.

“Nothing is going on. I was helping Judi out. She doesn’t
always feel comfortable in her own skin. That morning she found a spider.” He
rolled his eyes opening his arms to show he didn’t care. “Women, I’ll never
understand them.”

“Why haven’t you been around the club?”

“I’ve needed fresh air. I drive my bike up to the
picnic area to overlook the town. It fills the need.” The lies were pouring out,
and Ripper hated them. It would be a lot easier for him to come out with the
truth, but Judi wasn’t ready for Devil to know.

So many people had lost her respect by not listening
to her. He wasn’t going to be one of those people.

“Are you regretting settling down? I can find a spot
for you in another club if
you’re wanting
to go back
to the road,” Devil said.

“No, this is where I’m going to stay. What’s happening
with Zero? I know shit is hitting the fan for him.” Ripper tried to change the
subject diverting Devil’s attention.

For the next couple of minutes he was brought up to
speed with everything that was going on in Fort Wills. There was nothing new to
report. Zero was still trying to find out about Alan’s whereabouts, but he was
keeping a protective vigil over the woman who was shot as well as the rest of
the club.

“When we’re called to help, do you want to come?”
Devil asked.

“Do you really think it’s going to come to that?”

“Yeah.
When a woman is shot it’s not long after when trouble starts.” Devil
shrugged. “What do you want to do?”

“I’ll stay behind and keep an eye on the women and the
business.” He couldn’t leave Judi behind. The very thought had him breaking out
into a sweat.

“Fair enough.
Some of the boys want to go on the road. I’ll give them a shot while
you stay here.” Devil nodded at him, dismissing him.

Getting up, he went back to his bike to clean it.
Later that day Lexie and Judi turned her. He felt her gaze on him, and he
forced himself to keep cleaning the other bikes beside his.

Ashley ran out, jumping into his arms. The sun was
beating down on him. He wrapped his arms around Ashley, using the moment to
look at Judi. The moment he did, he wished he hadn’t. She looked like she’d
been kicked in the gut. With Elizabeth on her hip she followed Lexie inside the
clubhouse.

“Some of us are going to the strip club tonight. Are you
in?” Ashley asked.

“Is Curse going?”

“Yeah, it’s his idea. I’m going, but I’m not dancing
or anything. Pussy and Death are also going.” Ashley was a bubbly woman. She
always found something to smile about. Some of the other sweet-butts despised
her. Ripper actually liked her. From the look of pain in Judi’s eyes, he wished
he hadn’t fucked her.

He couldn’t lie to her, and he got a feeling when they
were alone she would ask him.

“I’m going to go and tell Curse,” Ashley said, jumping
up and down.

“Tell me what?” The man appeared beside her.

“Ripper’s coming to the club as well.”

Smiling, he looked toward the clubhouse wondering what
was going on inside.

“Lexie’s showing off her latest ultrasound picture.
The doctor has also confirmed she had morning sickness. She’ll be all right
with a good diet and rest. Judi’s sticking beside her like glue,” Curse said.
“He’s got a bit of a thing for Lex.” Curse spoke to Ashley.

“No, I don’t.” Ripper disputed his feelings.

Neither of them listened.

An hour later he entered the clubhouse finding Judi sitting
in the corner with Elizabeth and Simon. She ignored him as he made his way
upstairs to get changed.

On the way down, he saw she was getting ready to leave
with Lexie and Devil.

“Where are you going?” Devil asked, before he could
leave.

“Some of us are headed to the strip club,” Curse said,
speaking up. “We’re going to party in style. It could be one of our last
times.”

Glancing toward Judi he saw the very thought had her
upset.

“I’m going to wait in the car.” She held Simon’s hand
as she walked out of the clubhouse not even looking his way.

He felt Devil’s gaze on him. Shit, he needed to keep
his thoughts to himself. Following Curse out of the clubhouse, he waited for
Ashley to get on the back of Curse’s bike before riding toward the strip club.

It was too early to be open to the public. Curse had a
key as he was looking after the building for Vincent. They all took turns
manning the place for the club.

Inside the club he saw the women practicing for their
turn on stage. He sat in the corner as some of the men went to the bar or
behind to see the women. Ripper sat back, resting his head against the wall.

Judi’s pain-filled face entered his thoughts.

Don’t feel guilty.

She’s mine.

Bouncing his knee he looked around the club knowing he
didn’t really want to be here but with her. She’d really invaded his fucking
life and made him fall in love with her.

There, it was out for him to finally accept.

****

Eating the potato salad, Judi couldn’t taste it. Her
thoughts were on Ripper with Ashley. She hated how relaxed the woman was with
him. Watching her fling herself in Ripper’s arms and him catching her, cut Judi
deeply. She’d not trusted anyone to hold her in such a long time.

Men cheat.

Devil doesn’t cheat.

“How’s college going?” Devil asked, invading her
troubled thoughts.

“It’s going good.” She forced a smile to her lips when
she looked at him. There was nothing else she could think to say. Lexie was
watching her along with Devil. “How is everything going at the club?”

“It’s good. We may have to leave if things go bad for
The Skulls.”

She nodded. Judi liked The Skulls. She really liked
Angel. The other woman was so sweet. The first time she met Angel she’d been
taken by surprise. No woman who was married to a biker should have that air of
innocence, yet Angel still did.

“The Skulls are good people. I hope nothing bad
happens to them.” She thought about the man she shot well over two weeks ago.
Her stomach turned remembering the whole incident.

“You’re not feeling ill are you, honey? You’re not
eating anything,” Lexie said, pointing at the plate in front of her.

“I’m fine. I’m just not hungry.” She placed her fork
down, smiling at her family. “Everything is fine though.”

They looked at her doubtfully.

“Ripper is staying behind in case anything happens,”
Devil said, speaking up.

“I’m sure he likes that,” Judi said, glancing down at
her wrists. From their first time she still had the bruises on her hips and
breasts. She made sure to wear long shirts so none of the bruises were seen.

“Is there something going on between the two of you?”
Devil asked.

She shook her head. “No, I’m going to start the
dishes.” Grabbing her plate along with a couple of empty bowls she headed
toward the kitchen. Throwing her food into the bin, she rinsed the plate before
placing it in the dishwasher.

Seconds later she heard Lexie clear her throat.
Turning around, she saw her friend looked a little worried. “Is there anything
you want to talk about?” she asked.

“Did Devil send you in?”

“No. He’s thinking about Tiny and what’s going on in
Fort Wills.”

“You’ve got him to stop worrying about you and the
baby.” Judi worked to clean the plates and dishes, loading them into the
dishwasher.

“Don’t change the subject. I know there’re only a few
years between us, but I worry about you, Judi.” The concern was easy to hear in
her voice.

“There’s nothing to worry about at all. I promise I’m
fine.”

“You look hurt.”

Turning toward her friend she smiled at Lexie. “I’m
not hurt. I’m tired. It has been a long couple of days, and the heat is making
my head hurt. I think I stayed outside too long.” She wiped her hands on a
towel. Going to Lexie, she wrapped her arms around her shoulders.
“I promise, nothing is wrong.”

“Go get some rest,” Lexie said. “We’ll have a girly
day tomorrow.”

Nodding, she made her way up to her bedroom. Closing
and locking her door, she sat on the edge of the bed. Tears filled her eyes
blurring out the view in front of her.

Wrapping her arms around her shoulders she tried to
deal with the pain exploding inside her chest. She couldn’t come apart in front
of Devil or Lexie. They would all know why she was crying. Wiping her face, she
forced herself to take a deep breath and stand up.

Her phone buzzed, and she grabbed it to see a message
from Ripper.

With her shoulders slumped, she opened the message
even though she didn’t want to.

Ripper: What r u doing?

Seriously?
Her anger spiking, she sent
him back a quick reply.

Judi: Leave me the fuck alone.

Throwing the phone onto the bed she entered the
bathroom, turning on the shower. Glancing at her reflection she shook her head.
She was so gullible. The first man to show her any kind of attention and she
fell hook, line and sinker.

Turning away, she undressed quickly and took her sweet
time in the shower. She loved the hot water cascading over her body.

The time passed as she soaped her skin, the warmth
finally heating up her cold bones. When she climbed out, wrapping a towel in her
hair she felt much better. Entering her bedroom she came to a stop as Ripper
sat on the edge of her bed. His face showed his anger.

Glancing toward her door she saw it was still locked.
Turning to the doors overlooking the garden she saw it was open.

“What the hell are you doing?” she asked, folding her
arms underneath her breasts. Judi made sure to keep her voice down so the
others in the house were not aware of someone in her room.

“You wouldn’t answer my texts. I didn’t like what you
said.”

He stared at her then his gaze wandered down her body.
From his look alone she felt on fire.

“You shouldn’t be here, Ripper. Devil can come at any
time.”

“They never check on you since he walked in on your
naked. He was scared at seeing you without your clothes on,” Ripper said,
standing up.

She tried to stand her ground. Ripper stepped closer,
and she couldn’t help but back away.

“Don’t come near me.”

“I haven’t cheated on you.”

Judi snorted, taking a step back. She hit the wall,
and she growled in annoyance at being stopped from getting away from him.
“You’ve not fucked Ashley then?”

She saw his jaw tense.

“I fucked her before you and I got involved.”

“When?” she asked, knowing in her heart she didn’t
want to know the answer.

He shook his head.

“Tell me.”

Ripper caught the knot of her towel and tugged. The
towel opened up falling to the floor.

“You really want to know?”

No, I don’t, you bastard. I’ve fallen in love with you, and you’re a
total bastard and a liar.

She didn’t say any of the words that were running
around her mind.

“Fine, the last time I fucked her was the day after I
buried your first kill. I woke up with you in my arms, and I was fucking horny.
I’ve never been so turned on before, and yet you made me fucking ache to be
inside your pussy.”

His words took her completely by surprise.

“So you fucked her?”

“I screwed her because I couldn’t have you. Do you
know how hard it is for me to want you?” he asked. His voice was hard as he
spoke. She saw the torment in his eyes, in every single word he spoke. “I saw
that animal fucking beating you. I wanted to hurt him, and you were just a
fucking girl. I shouldn’t be having these thoughts about you, Judi, but I am.
What kind of monster does that make me?” he asked, thumping his chest.