Sleeping With The Devil

Chapter Twenty

A few days had passed since the bloodbath at the warehouse, but the tension in the clubhouse was still thick enough to cut with a knife. The Nameless MC was on high alert, every member ready for the inevitable fallout from the destruction of the Black Reapers. Archer had spent most of his time in the war room, strategizing with Dysyn, Viper, and the other leaders, but his mind was never far from Farrah.
Farrah now lived in the clubhouse, a decision made by both necessity and the overwhelming need to keep her safe. The members had gone out of their way to give her space, to respect the unspoken boundaries she had set, while still being there for her whenever she needed them. It was a delicate balance, one that everyone was trying their best to maintain.Archer found himself watching her more than he intended, his heart aching every time he saw the shadows in her eyes, the way she moved a little more cautiously as if the world had suddenly become a more dangerous place. It had, of course. And he blamed himself for that, even if she would never say it.He had done everything in his power to protect her, but it hadn't been enough. The thought gnawed at him, kept him awake at night, and made it difficult to focus on anything else. But he couldn't let it consume him, not when there was so much at stake.The Irish were still out there, still a threat, and Archer knew they couldn't afford to sit back and wait for the next attack. But that was exactly what Viper was suggesting, and it was driving Archer to the edge of his patience.The argument had started in the war room, where it seemed every conversation eventually ended in tension. Viper was adamant that they needed to regroup, to rebuild their strength before taking any more risks. Archer, on the other hand, wanted to strike while the enemy was still reeling, to finish what they had started."You're not thinking clearly," Viper snapped, his voice tight with frustration as he paced back and forth in front of the table. "We're still recovering from the last fight. We need to be smart about this.""I am thinking clearly," Archer shot back, his hands gripping the edge of the table so hard his knuckles turned white. "We have to hit them now before they have a chance to regroup. If we wait, we'll be giving them the advantage."Viper stopped pacing, turning to face Archer with a look that was equal parts anger and concern. "You're too close to this, Archer. You're letting what happened to Farrah cloud your judgment."Archer's eyes narrowed, the words hitting a nerve he didn't want to acknowledge. "This isn't just about Farrah," he growled, though they both knew that wasn't entirely true. "This is about protecting the club, protecting all of us. The Irish aren't going to just go away if we ignore them.""And they're not going to disappear just because we go in guns blazing!" Viper snapped, his frustration boiling over. "We need to be strategic, not reckless."The tension in the room was palpable, the air crackling with the unspoken emotions that had been building between them for days. Archer could feel the anger simmering beneath his skin, a dangerous heat that threatened to consume him. He knew Viper was right, at least partially, but the thought of doing nothing, of sitting back while the Irish regrouped, was unbearable."You think I'm being reckless?" Archer challenged, stepping closer to Viper, his voice low and dangerous. "You think I don't know what's at stake?"Viper met his gaze, unflinching, his eyes flashing with anger. "I think you're letting your emotions get the better of you. You're not the only one who cares about her, you know."Archer's breath hitched, the words cutting through him like a knife. The implication was clear, and it only fueled the fire burning inside him. "What the hell are you trying to say, Viper?"Viper took a step closer, his voice dropping to a growl. "I'm saying you're not the only one who has something to lose here. You're not the only one who—"But before he could finish, Archer grabbed him by the collar, pulling him close enough that their faces were inches apart. The anger, the tension, the frustration that had been building for days finally snapped, and without thinking, without hesitation, Archer crushed his lips against Viper's in a kiss that was all teeth and fury.Viper responded instantly, his hands gripping Archer's shoulders as he kissed him back with equal intensity. It was rough, desperate, a battle for control that neither of them was willing to concede. The kiss was a release of all the emotions they had been holding back, all the unspoken feelings that had been festering beneath the surface.They broke apart just long enough to catch their breath, their chests heaving as they stared at each other, the air between them charged with electricity. Then, with a growl of frustration, Viper shoved Archer back against the wall, his hands fisting in Archer's shirt as he kissed him again, harder this time, as if trying to erase the distance that had grown between them.Archer's hands found their way to Viper's waist, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened, their bodies pressing together in a clash of heat and need. There was no room for hesitation, no space for doubt. It was all-consuming, the intensity of the moment taking over everything else.Their movements were frantic, driven by anger and desperation, a need to feel something other than the weight of the world pressing down on them. Clothes were tugged off, discarded without care as they fumbled to get closer, to take what they both needed.Viper's hands roamed over Archer's body, the touch both rough and familiar, as if he was trying to stake a claim, to remind Archer of everything they had shared, everything they had fought for. Archer responded in kind, his hands gripping Viper's hips, pulling him closer as their bodies collided in a heated, angry rhythm.There was no softness in their movements, no gentleness. It was raw, primal, a release of all the pent-up frustration and desire that had been simmering between them for so long. The anger that had fueled their argument turned into something else, something that neither of them could control.They moved together in a frenzy, every touch, every kiss, a battle for dominance, a way to prove something neither of them could put into words. The world outside the room ceased to exist, the only thing that mattered was the heat between them, the fire that burned too hot to be ignored.When it was over, they both collapsed against the wall, their breathing ragged, their bodies spent. The anger that had fueled their encounter was gone, replaced by a heavy silence, a sense of something that had shifted between them.Viper was the first to speak, his voice rough, but with a hint of vulnerability that Archer wasn't used to hearing. "We can't keep doing this, Archer. We can't keep letting everything else tear us apart."Archer didn't respond right away, his mind still reeling from the intensity of what had just happened. He knew Viper was right, knew that their relationship—whatever it was—couldn't survive if they kept letting the world around them get in the way. But he also knew that there were no easy answers, no clear path forward."I know," Archer finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I don't know how to fix this, Viper. I don't know how to make this work."Viper sighed, his hand running through his hair as he looked down at the floor. "Maybe we can't. Maybe this is just how it's going to be."Archer felt a pang of guilt, the realization that he was part of the problem, that he was the one who kept pulling away, who kept letting the darkness inside him get in the way of what they had. But before he could say anything else, the door to the room creaked open, and they both turned to see who it was.It was Farrah's father, Dysyn Hellfire, standing in the doorway with a look that was both understanding and serious. He had seen enough to know what was happening, but he said nothing about it, instead focusing on the issue at hand."We've got another problem," Dysyn said, his voice calm but with an edge of urgency. "The Irish are making moves. We need to be ready."Archer nodded, his mind shifting back to the business at hand, the emotions from moments ago shoved to the back of his mind. There would be time to deal with that later. Right now, they had a war to fight.As he pulled on his clothes, his movements quick and efficient, he glanced at Viper, catching his eye. There was a lot left unsaid between them, a lot that still needed to be figured out. But for now, they would do what they always did—fight side by side, protect the ones they cared about, and survive.They followed Dysyn out of the room, the weight of the world settling back on their shoulders as they prepared for what was to come. The Irish weren't going to wait, and neither could they.But as they moved through the clubhouse, Archer couldn't help but think about Farrah, about the conversations she had been having with her father, about how she was trying to put the pieces of her life back together. He wanted to help her, to be there for her, but he didn't know how not when he was still trying to figure out how to keep himself together.As they reached the main room, the atmosphere was tense, charged with the anticipation of the next move. The members of the Nameless MC were gathered around, their expressions grim as they prepared for whatever came next. The smell of cigarette smoke and the faint scent of motor oil hung in the air, a familiar mix that usually brought Archer a sense of comfort. But today, it only reminded him of the battles yet to come.Farrah was sitting on one of the worn leather couches, her father, Dysyn, beside her. They were deep in conversation, her face a mixture of determination and lingering pain. Archer's heart twisted at the sight. She was strong, stronger than anyone gave her credit for, but he could see the toll the past few days had taken on her. She had been through hell, and now she was trying to rebuild her life, piece by piece.Dysyn's voice was low as he spoke to her, his tone gentle in a way that few ever heard. He was a ruthless leader, the Godfather of the Russian Mafia, but to Farrah, he was just her father, someone who would do anything to protect her. Archer watched as Dysyn leaned in closer, his hand resting on Farrah's shoulder in a gesture of support.Archer had never been particularly close to Dysyn, but he respected the man. Dysyn had always been there when it mattered, and Archer knew that if there was anyone who could help Farrah find her way back to some semblance of normalcy, it was him.As he approached them, Farrah looked up, her eyes meeting his. There was a flicker of something in her gaze—relief, maybe, or gratitude—but it was quickly overshadowed by the weight of everything she had been through. She offered him a small smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes, but it was enough to let him know that she was trying."Archer," Dysyn said, acknowledging him with a nod. "We were just talking about what comes next for Farrah."Archer glanced at Farrah, his heart aching at the thought of what she had endured. He wanted to fix it, to take away the pain, but he knew there were no easy solutions. "What are you thinking?" he asked, directing the question to both of them.Farrah took a deep breath, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. "I need to find a way to move forward. I can't keep hiding here, waiting for things to get better. I need to take control of my life again, but I don't know where to start."Dysyn nodded in agreement, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "I've been talking to Farrah about ways to help her regain that control. We're considering setting her up with a business—something she can pour her energy into, something that's hers. It'll give her a purpose, a way to channel her strength."Archer listened carefully, his mind already turning over the possibilities. It made sense. Farrah needed something to focus on, something to help her reclaim her life after everything that had happened. But he couldn't shake the worry that she was pushing herself too hard, too fast."That's a good idea," Archer said, his voice calm but firm. "But you don't have to rush this, Farrah. We're all here for you, and we'll support you in whatever you decide to do. Just... don't feel like you have to do it all at once."Farrah nodded, her expression softening as she looked at him. "I know, Archer. But I can't stand the thought of just sitting here, doing nothing. I need to feel like I'm moving forward like I'm not just... stuck."Archer understood that feeling all too well. He had spent most of his life pushing forward, fighting against the darkness that threatened to consume him. And he could see that same determination in Farrah, the need to keep going, to keep fighting, even when it seemed impossible.Dysyn gave his daughter a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "We'll take it one step at a time. The important thing is that you're not alone in this. You have all of us—me, Archer, the club. We'll help you rebuild."Archer nodded, his resolve solidifying. "Whatever you need, Farrah. We're with you."The tension in the room eased slightly, the weight of the conversation giving way to a sense of shared purpose. But as Archer turned to address the rest of the men, the door to the clubhouse swung open, and a new face stepped inside.The prospect was young, barely out of his teens, with a nervous energy that was palpable as he entered the room. He was new to the club, having only just earned his patch, and the gravity of the situation seemed to hit him the moment he stepped inside. His wide eyes darted around the room, taking in the hardened faces of the Nameless MC members, and the unmistakable tension in the air.Archer recognized him—Jax, a kid with a lot of potential but not much experience. He had joined the club looking for a place to belong, to prove himself, and he had already shown a willingness to do whatever it took to earn his spot.Jax's gaze landed on Archer, and he squared his shoulders, trying to project confidence even as his nerves betrayed him. "Prez," he said, his voice steady despite the slight tremor in it. "I've got information. It's about the Irish."Archer's attention sharpened immediately. "What is it?"Jax hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward, his voice lowering as he spoke. "I've been keeping an ear to the ground, listening for anything that might be useful. I heard some of the locals talking—there's been movement in the Irish ranks. They're regrouping, but there's something else... something big. I don't know what it is yet, but whatever it is, it's got them spooked."Archer exchanged a glance with Viper, who had been listening intently. This wasn't the first time they had heard rumblings about the Irish, but the mention of something "big" was concerning. It could mean anything—an alliance, a new leader, or something worse."Good work, Jax," Archer said, his tone serious. "Keep digging. I want to know exactly what they're planning."Jax nodded, his expression determined. "I'll find out, Prez. You can count on me."Archer gave him a nod of approval, watching as the prospect left the room with a new sense of purpose. Jax had potential, and if he could prove himself in the coming days, he might just earn his place in the club.As the door closed behind him, Archer turned back to the others, his mind already racing with the implications of what Jax had reported. The Irish were regrouping, and whatever they were planning, it was only a matter of time before it came to a head."We need to be ready," Archer said, his voice firm as he addressed the room. "No more waiting. No more sitting back. We're going to find out what the Irish are up to, and we're going to take them down before they have a chance to strike."Viper nodded, the earlier tension between them forgotten in the face of the new threat. "I'm with you, Archer. Whatever it takes."Dysyn gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable. "We'll handle it. But remember, Archer, this isn't just about revenge. It's about protecting what's ours."Archer knew that, but he also knew that the time for caution was over. The Irish had made their move, and now it was time to make theirs. They couldn't afford to let their enemies regroup, couldn't afford to let the fear and anger of the past few days cloud their judgment.They were going to war, and this time, they wouldn't stop until the Irish were nothing but a memory.But even as the plans were set in motion, even as Archer prepared for the fight to come, his thoughts kept drifting back to Farrah, to the conversations she had been having with her father, to the way she was trying to rebuild her life. He wanted to be there for her, to help her find her way back to some sense of normalcy, but he knew that it would be a long, difficult road.And as much as he wanted to protect her, to keep her safe from the darkness that surrounded them, he also knew that she was stronger than anyone gave her credit for. She would find her way, just as she always had.And he would be there, every step of the way, no matter what.