Page 20 of Creed (Satan’s Fury MC- Little Rock #6)

DEVIN

I didn’t know what I’d been expecting of the clubhouse, but it wasn’t this . I’d never seen anything like it, and I couldn’t stop the words that slipped out. “Holy cow. This place is massive.”

“I don’t know if I’d call it massive.”

“Maybe not, but it’s definitely bigger than I thought it’d be.”

I was in complete awe as I looked around at the vaulted ceilings and exposed wooden beams. The walls were lined with black-and-white pictures framed in clusters that told stories I couldn’t begin to know, along with old biker memorabilia.

The place smelled like leather, cigar smoke, and bourbon. Music played low in the background, and a steady hum of laughter and voices filled the bar.

Bikes were parked outside like a row of silent sentinels, but inside, it felt alive. There was a buzz of energy that was both intimidating and strangely comforting.

We hadn’t gotten far when a man with dark hair and a thick beard stepped in front of us with a big grin on his face. He looked to Jameson as he said, “Wasn’t expecting to see you tonight. Wasn’t expecting to see her, either. How you doing, pretty lady?”

“She’s fine,” Jameson answered before I could, and added, “This is Blade.”

I cleared my throat, offering a small smile. “Hi, Blade. I’m Devin.”

“Nice to meet ya.” His eyes flickered over me with a smile that made it clear he was used to getting away with saying just about anything. “Real nice.”

“Blade, behave,” Jameson warned.

“Not a chance.”

Jameson shook his head, and a small smirk played at his lips as he said, “He’s the club’s doc.”

“That’s right.” A mischievous grin crossed his face. “You got a fever, a cold, or a stab wound, come find me. Hell, come find me even if you don’t.”

I laughed as I answered, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Barking up the wrong tree, brother,” Jameson said, clapping Blade on the shoulder as we moved past him. “We’ll catch up with you later.”

Once we were a few steps away, I leaned into Jameson, lowering my voice. “You guys have your own doctor?”

He chuckled, that low rumble that made me feel it in my chest. “We do. Doctors. Lawyers. Computer gurus. We got a little of everything around here.”

“I had no idea.”

“See? Cool dude.”

“Oh, don’t start that again.”

He just grinned, squeezing my hand as we made our way further in. He motioned his head to the man at the bar as he whispered, “There’s Preacher.”

He was a rugged man with graying hair and a presence that made you stand a little straighter. He was talking with a woman I assumed was his ol’ lady, along with two other men. And two women sat nearby, laughing at something one of them said.

As we approached, Preacher’s eyes lifted, and the second they landed on me, a slow, knowing smile spread across his face. He set down his beer and wiped his hand on his jeans before holding it out to me. “You must be Devin.”

“Yes.” I shook his hand, hoping my grip didn’t give away just how nervous I was. “And you must be Preacher. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“You can’t believe everything you hear, especially about me.” He shot a look over at Jameson before he said, “Glad to see you here. It’s been a long time coming.”

“You have an impressive place here.”

“Glad you like it.” He motioned to the woman beside him. “This is Tabitha.”

“Hi, Devin.” Tabitha reached out and pulled me in for a hug. I hugged her back and was surprised at how natural it felt. They stepped aside, and a burly man with an intense expression and unruly beard stepped forward. Jameson gave him a nod and said, “Grim.”

“Creed.”

Grim gave me a quiet chin lift, just as the woman next to him said, “It’s good to have you, Devin. I’m Jenna.”

She pulled me in for a quick hug, and then, it was on.

They brought us both a beer, and we started talking like we were long-lost friends.

In that moment, I was surrounded by people I didn’t know, but it was clear that they mattered a great deal to Jameson, and he meant a great deal to them.

It was a realization that loosened something inside me.

Jameson leaned down and whispered, “See? Told you it wouldn’t be bad.”

I rolled my eyes, but the smile slipped out before I could stop it, and when I glanced up at him, he was already watching me with that look I was starting to remember all too well. It grounded me and made butterflies in my stomach all at the same time.

This man had a way of getting to me like no other man ever had or ever would.

I didn’t want to admit it, but the love I felt for him back then hadn’t gone away.

Not really. It was still there, idling on the surface, and with each stolen glance or brush of the hand, I found it reemerging even stronger than before.

I glanced around the room, and I couldn’t help but smile. The guys were loud. They laughed and teased each other, and they gave Jameson a hard time every chance they got. But there was this undercurrent of loyalty that lived beneath it all, and it made it clear they were more than just friends.

They were family.

His family.

And for the first time, I was finally able to see it for myself. I met Preacher and Tabitha, who treated me like they’d known me forever. Jenna and Tallie were warm and easy, and they both kept pulling me into conversations and making me laugh.

I found myself watching Jameson as he moved through the room, confident but not arrogantly so, and I was impressed with how he checked in with his brothers.

They all seemed to look to him for a nod or a quiet word, and it was clear that they respected him.

He was constantly aware of what was going on around him, stepping in when needed and letting others handle things when they could.

This was his world, and for so long, it had felt like a wall between us.

But now, I was here, and I finally got a peek into the mystery I’d spent years wondering about. And suddenly, that wall didn’t feel so high anymore. And that felt good. Very good.

With all the laughter and stories, the hours slipped by faster than I expected. I’d completely lost track of time until Jameson leaned in with his hand on the small of my back as he whispered, “We should probably call it a night.”

“Oh, so soon?”

His mouth pulled into a soft, crooked smile. “Afraid so.”

Knowing the kids were expecting me, I didn’t argue. I simply stood and said my goodbyes, telling everyone how good it was to meet them. I left with a big smile on my face and looked forward to the day I could come back.

The ride back to my house was quiet, but not in a bad way.

Jameson’s hand was on my thigh, with his thumb brushing over the hem of my skirt.

I looked out the window and replayed the night in my head.

The way he’d looked at me. The way he watched and made sure I was okay and comfortable.

And that tightness in my chest whenever he took my hand in his.

I didn’t want it to end.

When he pulled into my driveway, I turned to him and asked, “You want to come in?”

“Probably not a good idea.” His hand squeezed mine, and I didn’t miss the regret in his eyes. “'Cause if I go in there, I’m not gonna want to leave, and I doubt your kids are gonna be okay with that.”

“Probably not.”

I unbuckled, leaning across the console to press my lips to his. It was soft and gentle, at first. Then, he inched closer, and he cupped my jaw, holding me there like he didn’t want to let go either. When I finally pulled back, I swallowed and asked, “When will I see you again?”

His thumb traced along my cheek, his blue eyes warm and steady. “Soon.”

I nodded, then kissed him once more, lingering there for a moment. I let the warmth of him sink in before I pulled away and slipped out of the truck. He followed me up to the door, and once I had it unlocked, he leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. “I’ll call you.”

I stepped inside and closed the door, then peered out the window, watching as he made his way back out to his truck.

My heart sank a little as he eased out of the drive and disappeared down the road, and I knew then I was in trouble.

Maybe it was because I knew what I’d lost or maybe it was the fact that Jameson was now a man who knew exactly what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to take it.

Either way, I was smitten as a girl could be.

I was still staring out the window when I heard Austin ask, “Did you have fun with your biker friend?”

“I did.” I turned and found him standing in the doorway in his oversized hoodie and gym shorts. He didn’t come into the room. He just stood in the doorway with a blank expression on his face. Thinking he was just tired, I said, “I’m surprised you’re still up.”

“It’s not even eleven yet.”

“Oh, I guess I thought it was later.” I dropped my purse and keys on the table. “Did you guys have a good night?”

“I guess.” He shrugged. “Not much going on.”

“Did you order pizza?”

“Yeah. I left the change on the kitchen counter.” His brows furrowed. “What about you? What did you guys do?”

“He took me to meet some of his friends.”

“Were they bikers, too?”

“Yes, but they aren’t like you might think. They’re really cool guys. I think you’d like them.”

“I don’t know. It’s hard to imagine you wrapped up with some dude with a Harley.”

“Well, you know the saying, you can’t judge a book by its cover .” I walked over and sat down on the arm of the sofa. “I’ve known Jameson for a very long time. We met right around the time I started working as a police officer. He’s always been smart and funny and trustworthy.”

“If you say so.”

“I really think you’ll like him. You just have to give him a chance.”

“And what if I don’t want to give him a chance?”

“Austin, please. Don’t be like that. I’m trying here.”

He shook his head and grumbled, “This is all so stupid. You and Dad…”

“Are divorced, Austin. We’re divorced, and we’re not getting back together. I know that’s hard, and I’m so sorry that you’ve been hurt by all this.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“And you’ll tell me the truth?”