Read Online Raw: Devil's Fighters MC by Evelyn Glass - Free Book Online Page A

or anything else. Her waking hours were spent in a frenzy of appointments with lawyers, notaries, bankers, and real estate agents. Packing up her parents’ possessions took up the rest of her time, and she buried herself into the work and the memories that certain objects would bring up. It was a bittersweet process, but it helped her start the healing journey that she knew would eventually allow her to cope with her parents’ passing. By the time night rolled along, she was always so tired that she would be asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. There were no disturbing dreams, simply because even her subconscious was too tired to conjure them up.
     
    The only moments Alyssa truly had to herself were the early mornings—when she would enjoy a cup of coffee on the swing on the front porch. Even then, however, she found that her mind did not wander in unwanted places. In the early hours of the day, the world was too peaceful to be marred with the negative feelings brought on by unwelcome thoughts. And so those were peaceful moments, spent thinking about absolutely nothing.
     
    Still, even that small bliss was destined to be short-lived. The sun had only just come up on the fourth day after her parents’ funeral when the early morning silence was interrupted by the approaching roar of a motorcycle.
     
    Alyssa groaned inwardly. What about the concept of “I would really like not to see you ever again” was so hard for Xavier to wrap his mind around?
     
    But once the motorcycle came into view, she quickly realized that it wasn’t Xavier who was riding up towards her parents’ house. It was Benedict Lenday. Alyssa’s fingers tightened around the steaming mug in her hands, her insides growing cold with a mixture of fear and hatred. What could he possibly want from her?
     
    Determined not to let the man see just how much he was unnerving her, she remained sitting as he pulled up and got off his bike. She didn’t move, as he walked up to the front porch.
     
    “Good morning,” he called out, taking off his riding helmet and placing it under one arm as he walked. “Beautiful morning, isn’t it?”
     
    “It was,” Alyssa said. Really, Alyssa? Shut up. It was beyond her why she couldn’t stop provoking one of the most dangerous men in the territory.
     
    Benedict smirked. He leaned back against the porch railing in front of her. Alyssa was very grateful that he did not sit down next to her on the swing.
     
    “So,” he said casually. “How are you holding up?”
     
    Alyssa frowned. “I’m all right.”
     
    “You’re a strong woman, dealing with everything so bravely.”
     
    Alyssa stared at him.
     
    “I’m just saying you’re not having an easy time of it, what with your folks’ death and your ex showing up again.”
     
    If Alyssa’s insides had grown cold before, they felt downright glacial now. “What would you know about Xavier coming to see me?”
     
    “Oh, I know,” Bennie said. “Don’t worry, he doesn’t. I didn’t send him or anything.”
     
    Alyssa frowned. “You’ve been spying on him?”
     
    Bennie shrugged as if it were nothing. “On occasion.”
     
    “Why? Don’t you trust him, after eight years?”
     
    Bennie gave her a wolfish smile that chilled the marrow in her bones. “Honey, I don’t trust anyone. Particularly when there’s a woman involved.” His dark eyes stared at her intently.
     
    “Well, you can sleep easy,” Alyssa said. “I’ve no intention of taking him away, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
     
    “Good,” Bennie said. “Because, you know, he’s a valuable member. I’d hate for his talents to go to waste.”
     
    Alyssa felt a shiver run down her spine. “Are you threatening to harm one of your own, Benedict?”
     
    The man’s eyes flashed. “No one calls me Benedict.”
     
    Alyssa shrugged. “I don’t like Bennie; it makes you sound like a mobster.”
     
    He paused, taken aback, and then he burst out laughing.