RIDING WITH THE BEAST

DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

CHAPTER 3: DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

I barely slept a wink that night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw two faces — Julian’s cold, cruel smile, and Kael’s dark, burning gaze that promised both ruin and safety all at once.

By the time sunlight seeped through the dirty windowpanes, my mind was made up.

Running again would only delay the inevitable. Julian had money, connections, and enough men to track me across every state line in the country. Out there, I was nothing but a target.

But here? Behind the walls of Rust & Iron and under the wing of the most feared man in Blackpine? For the first time in months, I actually felt like I had a fighting chance.

A heavy knock rattled the door right as I finished pulling my hair back into a loose braid.

“It’s open,” I called out, my voice still rough from lack of sleep.

The door swung wide, and there he stood — Kael Vance, looking even bigger and more intimidating in the daylight. He’d swapped his dark jeans for faded black denim, his leather cut back over his shoulders, and his arms crossed tight over his chest. The scent of gasoline, leather, and expensive cologne hit me instantly, making my pulse jump before I could stop it.

“Made up your mind yet?” he asked, no hello, no small talk — straight to the point.

I stepped closer, chin lifted, refusing to look weak even if my insides were twisted up in knots.

“I’ll stay. But we do this my way too.”

One thick eyebrow arched high, and that familiar wicked smirk tugged at his lips. “Oh yeah? And what rules do you think you get to make, princess?”

“First — no locking me up like some prisoner. I’ll follow your rules, but I get to move around the bar and the grounds. Second — no touching me unless I say so. And third — you keep Julian and his dogs far the hell away from me. Fail any of those, and I’ll find a way out even if I have to burn this town down to do it.”

For a long second, he just stared at me, silent. I thought I’d pushed too far — that he’d laugh in my face and throw me back out on the street.

Then he stepped forward, closing the distance in two strides, and caged me against the wall with his arms on either side of my head. His face hovered inches from mine, and his voice dropped to that low, dangerous growl that made my knees turn to jelly.

“You’ve got balls, I’ll give you that. But let’s get one thing straight — my rules come first, always. We can negotiate the rest… but only if you earn it.”

His thumb brushed my jawline, slow and deliberate, sending sparks racing under my skin.

“No locking you in, fair enough. But you go nowhere alone, understand? Not to the store, not to the edge of town, nowhere. And about touching?” He leaned in even closer, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “You’ll be saying yes before the week is out. I can already feel how much your body wants it, even if your head is still fighting it.”

I shivered, and he felt it — a low, throaty laugh rumbling in his chest.

“As for your ex? Consider him dead to you. If he sets one foot in this town, he leaves in a body bag. My men are already watching every road leading in. No one gets past them without me knowing.”

He pulled back just enough to look me in the eye, serious now.

“So do we have a deal? You play by my rules, I keep you alive and safe. And in time? You learn exactly what it means to belong to the Iron Vipers President.”

My throat felt tight, but I nodded — sharp and clear.

“Deal.”

The second the word left my mouth, his hand shot out, gripping my waist and yanking me hard against him. My hands landed flat on his broad chest, feeling the steady, powerful beat of his heart beneath the fabric.

“Good girl,” he purred, and before I could draw another breath, his mouth crashed down on mine.

This kiss was nothing like last night’s tease. It was deep, hungry, claiming — his tongue pushing past my lips, tasting me like he wanted to memorize every inch. I gasped, and he took full advantage, pulling me even closer until there was no space left between us. My fingers curled into his shirt, and for a second, I stopped thinking entirely — just feeling the heat, the strength, the wild rush of being wanted like this.

When he finally pulled away, we were both breathing hard. His eyes were darker than ever, burning with a hunger that promised everything I’d ever feared and everything I secretly craved.

“Today starts your new life,” he said, his voice rough. “Downstairs you work — serve drinks, clean tables, keep your mouth polite unless you’re talking back to me. The brothers know you’re under my protection. They won’t touch you… but they’ll watch. So you behave, and we won’t have any problems.”

He let go of my waist, but his hand slid down to take mine, his calloused fingers wrapping firmly around mine.

“Come on. Time to introduce you properly.”

He led me down the creaky stairs, and as soon as we hit the main floor, every conversation died. All eyes turned to us — curious, assessing, some wary, some admiring.

Kael didn’t slow down. He walked me straight to the center of the room, raised his voice loud enough for every corner to hear.

“Listen up, everyone. This is Lila. She works here now, and she’s under my protection. That means no comments, no unwanted hands, no bullshit. You respect her like you respect me… or you answer to me. Understood?”

A chorus of rough voices answered back — “Yes, Prez.” “Got it, Prez.”

I felt the weight of every stare, but with Kael’s hand still holding mine, it didn’t feel like judgment anymore. It felt like a shield.

Jax stepped forward, nodding at me with a little more respect than before. “Welcome aboard, Lila. Need anything, just holler.”

Kael squeezed my fingers once before letting go, leaning down to murmur only for my ears.

“Get to work. And remember — I’m watching every move you make. Don’t disappoint me.”

He turned and walked toward his usual corner booth, leaving me standing there, heart racing, heat still burning on my lips and in my veins.

I’d made a deal with the devil himself.

But as I picked up a tray and started wiping down the first table, I couldn’t shake the feeling — maybe, just maybe, the devil was exactly what I needed to survive.

And somewhere deep down, I was starting to hope he’d be more than just my protector.

End of chapter 3