“Hey, baby,” Pussy said, stroking Sasha’s neck.
Lexie withdrew her hand as Sasha reached up to try to touch Pussy’s cheek. He took her hand and placed her palm against his cheek.
“You’re all sweaty.” Sasha wrinkled her nose.
“I’ve been doing a man’s job. I smell awesome.” He lifted up his arm and sniffed his pit. “Okay, I think I stink.”
Sasha giggled. “You’re getting worse with old age.”
“I’m not that old, and when I’m too old to f**k you, I’ll lie down and let you ride my cock.”
Sasha pulled away, giggling. “You’re incorrigible.”
She left the lovely couple to it. Pussy picked Sasha up and placed her on his lap. Even after everything they’d been through, Pussy always made light about the most stressful stuff.
Entering Devil’s office she saw him grabbing several guns from the safe he kept locked in the far wall.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m getting loaded up ready for Fort Wills. This ends tomorrow. I don’t give a f**k how long it takes or what I’ve got to do. I will never hear the name Gonzalez.”
She leaned against the wall as he checked each gun in turn. “You were gone this morning before I woke up.”
He’d f**ked her into exhaustion.
“I didn’t want to wake you.” He paused in checking the weapons.
“You didn’t want to give me a chance to find a reason as to why you shouldn’t go.” She folded her arms over her chest, wishing she wasn’t right.
Devil turned to look at her. “Lex, I love you, baby.”
“I know you love me. You’re also scared of what will happen to me if you don’t succeed.”
“I burned the strip club down to the ground,” he said, staring her in the eye.
“What?”
“Gonzalez had taken over everything. He took the club, and it was no longer mine. I made sure he can’t use it against me again.” Devil stopped, placing the weapons on the floor. “When we get to Fort Wills you’re going to go with Butch. We’ll make it tomorrow morning in time to see Gonzalez. Pussy doesn’t like using Sasha, but she’s a lure as much as Cheryl. When all this is over, we’re coming back home, and we’re living our lives.” He walked toward her.
She stayed still as he reached out and cupped her cheek.
“Why are you telling me this?” she asked.
“Because I need to know when this is all over, you’re not going to give me shit.”
“What happened at Jerry’s house? Vincent told Phoebe where you were going first. I didn’t think anyone lived there.” His hands on her body were making it hard for her to think.
Devil let out a sigh. “We killed a few pimps working for Gonzalez. There were girls there. I don’t know their ages. Most of them looked legal.”
“That’s not all?” she asked.
“Several of the girls had been killed. I don’t know how or why. I’m wiping away what Gonzalez did out of this town.” He tucked some hair behind her ear. “When I’m done no one will ever remember what happened.”
“Burning down the strip club was a little extreme,” she said. She had mixed feelings about that f**king club. On the one hand, it was where she got a job that helped her situation with Simon. On the other, she’d hated dancing for men. It sickened her to get na**d for a roomful of men who she didn’t know or like.
“He ruined any memory of what that place meant to the crew. We’ll start fresh with something new.” Devil pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’m going to end this and make this town perfect for you. I’ll make sure no other man will hold a gun at you.”
She touched his face.
“How’s Ripper and Judi?” he asked.
“Last I heard nothing has changed. She’s still in a coma, and Ripper’s by her side.” She pressed her head to his chest. His heart was beating rapidly.
“Then our first stop is to the hospital.” He started to pack the guns in a bag.
“Do you think it’s going to be that bad?” she asked.
“I’m preparing for the worst. If I get something better, then I’ll be happy.” He took her hand.
For the next twenty minutes the crew helped to pack up the car. Every now and then Lexie watched the way Pussy was with Sasha. The couple was totally in love, and not once did he show signs of being impatient with her.
Sasha was one lucky woman.
Once inside the car, Lexie climbed into the passenger seat as Devil took the driver’s side. He drove to the hospital with several of his men following behind them. Outside of the hospital, Death sat in the car while she followed Devil inside to see Judi and Ripper.
The machines were still beeping every few seconds. Ripper had removed his jacket and was no longer sitting beside her but lying on the bed, touching her head.
Tears were falling from his eyes as he talked with her.
“Devil? Lexie?”
“We’re going to Fort Wills to end this. When it’s done, the whole crew will be here giving you support,” Devil said.
Ripper nodded. “Good. Take that f**ker out.” He left her side to round the bed.
Lexie couldn’t get over the change inside the other man. When she first found out about Ripper and Judi, she’d been unsure. Judi had an awful past, one Lexie had hoped wouldn’t define her future. Not only had Judi moved on but she found a man completely devoted to her regardless of what she went through.
“Is there any update?” Devil asked.
Ripper wiped his face. “The doctor came by to say she was doing well. She wasn’t declining, and that in itself showed a good sign or something. Far as I’m concerned, she’s still not awake so it’s not any better.”
Devil reached out. “She’s going to make it.”
“I know. When she comes out of her coma, I’ll tell her everything is going to be okay, and I’ll know it’s true.” She watched as Ripper offered Devil his hand. “Good luck.”
Devil stared at that hand seconds before pulling Ripper in for a hug. “Take care of our girl.” He slapped Ripper on the back then pulled away.
Lexie gave him a hug along with a smile. “We’ll be seeing you soon.”
She followed Devil out of the room. He took her hand, and together they walked to the car, to the future, to the uncertainty.
Chapter Nineteen