Page 9 of The Devil’s Escape (The Devil’s Soldiers #7)

CHAPTER EIGHT

AVERY

Are the Devil’s Soldiers trustworthy or the enemy?

I try to memorize the twists and turns before the car finally stops, and I’m yanked out of the vehicle.

The cover over my head comes off, and I blink as I look around and realize that I’m not at home.

I’m a few blocks away. They dropped me off in the middle of a darkened sidewalk, no one around, and just expect me to walk home and hope I don’t get mugged or attacked?

Bastards.

I should probably be glad that they just dropped me off and didn’t try to grope me like the last time, but I’m too tired and stressed to really be relieved.

Instead, I just start walking, trying not to groan in pain at the ache in my feet.

I need new shoes, but when the hell am I going to manage that?

I need to get home and to bed. Especially if those fuckers are going to try and grab me again to keep their prisoner—Hulk—alive for a little longer.

If he even makes it through the night. There’s a high chance that he won’t, but in my line of work I’ve learned that things have a way of surprising you.

I bite back a groan when I see the man coming toward me.

I don’t need this. I’ve seen him around, and I don’t know his name, but he’s the local mugger who tries to grab purses or valuables from anyone he can.

He’s a menace but he’s mostly left me and the kids alone.

Probably because the one time he tried to come toward us I reminded him that I knew how to surgically remove his balls and it scared him away.

Except, that was during broad daylight with people around.

This time of night, I doubt I’m going to get that lucky.

The minute he places himself in front of me, forcing me to stop, I know I’m right.

“Give me your money, bitch,” he rasps, with enough force in his voice I’m sure he’s practiced to make people comply.

“Fuck off,” I growl at him. I tower over him by a good few inches, which makes him look up at me, eyes narrowed, as if trying to gauge how hard it’s going to be to take me. “Pick someone else to try and rob, because I’ve got nothing for you.”

“I don’t fucking believe you. I’ve seen you around. You’re that uppity nurse, which means you’ve got the good shit. So hand it over. Now.” A flash of steel glints in the street light. “Or I’ll start making you.”

Concern fills me because even with my size, I don’t know that I can avoid a knife, but it’s quickly replaced with anger.

The stress of the night has me running my mouth instead of backing down.

“Do I fucking look like I have anything on me?” I bark at him.

“With how tight these stupid scrubs are, you can clearly see I don’t have anything in my pockets.

So turn around and leave me the hell alone. ”

Anger morphs his expression. Shit. I immediately go up on the balls of my feet, but before he can swipe at me with his knife, a deep voice says, “You wouldn’t be thinking of stabbing this nice lady now, would you, Roger?

I thought I made it clear what would happen if I caught you trying to rob innocent people again. ”

Roger’s entire demeanor shifts, and he steps away from me instantly.

“I wasn’t doing nothin’, Frost,” he rushes out, and I see him slide his knife back into his pocket, lifting empty hands to the man who comes to stand next to me, and then another man comes to stand on the other side of me.

The menace coming from both of them has me instantly on edge.

Who the hell are they?

“See, that’s where you’ve fucked up, Roger, because I know that you’ve been pulling this shit the last couple of days. You’ve managed to avoid me, but now?—”

“No!” Roger screams, rushing off. And the man can move, because before I know it, he’s halfway down the block and already crossing the street.

“Want me to follow him?” the other man asks. I glance toward him, but he’s in the shadows so I can only make out the shape of him or any distinguishing features.

“Nah, I’ll catch him some other time,” my savior says. Then he turns to me. “You alright, ma’am?”

“Ah, yeah, I’m okay,” I say carefully, trying to make him out.

The street light illuminates the side of his face, showing off dark brown hair, blue eyes, and a cropped beard, but other than that, nothing else.

He’s a couple of inches taller than me, and my unease rises as I look at him.

This isn’t a man you mess with. He’s a dangerous man and one I should do well to avoid.

“Thank you for stepping in,” I add when he continues to watch me.

There’s nothing hostile in his gaze; just curiosity and concern.

I don’t know about the other man, but I can feel his eyes boring into me as well.

“Sounds like you were holding on just fine,” the man in front of me says, and I see the corner of his mouth quirk up in amusement. “Do you have far to go? Can we walk you home?” Then he steps more into the light, almost as if he’s finally starting to realize that I can’t see him well.

He’s wearing a cut belonging to the Devil’s Soldiers MC.

I have to fight to keep myself from reacting.

This was who Hulk mentioned. They belong to the same club that the other two did, Shadow and Viper, from the store the other night.

Why am I seeing so many of them when I’ve rarely seen or talked to them in the entire time I’ve lived in this city?

Are they following me? Do they know about what’s going on?

Or does my mother owe them money too?

My mind is racing, but I force myself to give him a polite smile and reply, “I’m fine, but thank you. I only have to walk a couple more blocks.”

“Are you sure?” the man behind me asks, and I stiffen, turning to see him stepping out of the shadows and into the light to stand beside his friend.

He’s also wearing a Devil’s Soldiers MC cut, with the road name Bowie on his.

He’s the opposite in looks to his friend, with an almost shaved head, a shaved face, and green eyes that look at me like he’s trying to figure out a puzzle.

He’s as menacing and dangerous as his friend, but he gives me a soft smile, like he’s trying to make himself seem less threatening.

“We’re good guys, promise. We just want to make sure no one bothers you again.

This time of night, all the creeps and muggers seem to like to come out. ”

“I’m sure. I’m used to dealing with them at the hospital anyway,” I tell him with a shrug. “But thank you.” I also don’t want them knowing where I live, especially if they’re working with Vlad, or my mother is in debt to them.

“If you’re sure,” Frost says slowly, but doesn’t press. Bowie remains silent.

I wait until I’m a little further ahead, and I glance over my shoulder to see them both still standing there, talking quietly, but they’ve moved back to the shadows, away from the light, like they don’t want to be easily spotted.

Neither of them is looking my way, but I still feel like they’re acutely aware of me and where I am.

I just have one block to go before I can round the corner and be out of sight.

When I’m finally out of their sight, I run the rest of the way home. I don’t care about my feet. I need to make sure Sawyer and Isla are safe. This whole situation is going to do my head in.

When I finally get there, both of them are fast asleep, but in my room. Isla in the closet on a makeshift bed that she constructed, and Sawyer below the window, a pillow under his back and another under his head. My heart breaks, and I have to fight back the anger that makes me want to scream.

I hate my mother for doing this. For causing this. I hate myself for going along with it. I hate Vlad and his men for everything they’ve done, for the fear they cause.

It needs to stop. I need to find a way to get them out and end this once and for all. I’m not a violent person normally, but when it comes to my family, I’ll do whatever I have to. No matter the cost.