Devil’s Game (The Devil’s Demons #2)

14. Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Giana

S pade put the car in reverse, the metal gates clanging open behind us as we pulled out of the driveway. Merrick had taken a different car today so that the rest of us could all ride in his 1962 Chevy Impala. I smoothed a hand over the familiar back seat, relishing in the nostalgia just being in this car brought.

Kellan placed a hand on my shoulder, his finger drawing a masterpiece only he could see on my skin. “I’m not sure I like Merrick’s chances tonight.”

“What do you mean?” A frown creased my forehead as I whipped around to face him.

“I have a feeling he’s going to be too distracted by what you’re wearing to focus on his opponent.” Kellan grinned, guiding me back so that I leaned against his chest.

Some of my panic eases, a teasing grin curling on my lips. “I had to at least give the other guy a fighting chance. Besides, it’s payback.”

“Payback?”

“He knows why.” My lips twitched as I tried my best to hide my triumphant smile.

“If I was back there, I’d be doing a whole lot more than just drawing circles on your shoulder, sugar,” Spade cut in, his violet eyes filled with heat as they met mine through the rearview mirror.

“We know,” Kellan, Sophia, and I all answered in unison.

There’d been a lengthy discussion—argument, almost—before we left over the seating arrangements and who would get to sit beside me. Spade had suggested a coin toss, while Sophia and Kellan insisted he had to drive, since if it was Spade in the back seat with me...well, let’s just say, I could imagine what we might be getting up to, and it was not something I’d want my best friend to witness.

I loved Sophia, but not in that way. I might tell her stories, but seeing me and my guys in action was a line I was not about to cross.

Spade huffed in exasperation. “Fine. Well, then, someone needs to say something to distract me from how delectable my sugar is looking tonight.” He gripped the steering wheel tighter, his knuckles straining from the pressure as he concentrated on the road.

I wore the strapless red dress I’d picked out today, and I had to admit the fabric left little to the imagination with how tightly it hugged my curves. The top was corseted, with boning in the front and ties in the back. Admittedly, it was hard to sit in, but given the guys’ reactions, I knew it was the right choice.

Heat licked up my spine as I caught a glimpse of him looking back again, and he groaned. “Hurry, before I turn this car around.”

“Do I have to go tonight?” Sophia sighed, turning around to give me a pleading look.

She’d picked up an emerald-green-lace halter dress that crossed in the front, displaying a swath of skin in the center for tonight, after finally getting over my teasing earlier. She’d been whining about going ever since, but judging by the amount of side-boob she had on display, I knew she was trying to hide her excitement. No matter what she said, I could tell she had the hots for Zane, despite their heated interactions the last time they’d seen each other.

“That sounds like a great idea.” Spade beamed. “I’ll just turn the car around, and then Kellan can drive.” He was practically vibrating with glee as he pulled over on the shoulder, about to turn around.

“We’re already all the way out here.” Sophia feigned a nonchalant tone, yet there was a hint of panic. “I might as well just come along.” She turned to pin me with a pleading look.

I raised a knowing eyebrow. “Sophia is just nervous to see Zane again.”

“Giana,” Sophia said in warning, her cheeks heating.

“Kidding.” I giggled, not wanting the guys to say anything. “Anyway, let’s just go.”

Spade sighed, yet he signaled and maneuvered us back onto the road.

Kellan smiled and shook his head. He could clearly tell there was some truth to what I’d said, but he wouldn’t say anything. “Did you have fun today?” His voice was low, keeping this moment to ourselves.

“Yeah.” A genuine smile curled on my lips. “It was good to get out and away from everything.”

“I’m glad.” He smiled, rubbing a comforting caress over my shoulder, chasing away some of the chill from the night air that had begun to pebble my skin into goose bumps. “You deserve the world, Giana.”

His sable eyes bored into mine, so sincere, so adamant, I knew he meant every word. Warmth flooded my chest as I snuggled into him, breaking his too intense eye contact. He had always looked at me like he could see straight into my soul.

“Do you remember the last fight we went to?”

I scoffed, turning to look at him incredulously. “Of course, I do.” I remembered every second of my past with Kellan and Merrick in vivid detail. It had been one of the only bright spots in my life. Memories that I would cherish and lock away, keeping them safe from the reality I used to live.

“I was so nervous,” he admitted, grinning back at me. “We had that entire night planned, but I wasn’t sure if we were making a mistake. If, by revealing that we both wanted you to be ours, that we wanted to cross that line between friendship and more, we’d end up losing you.”

“What made you take that leap?”

“The fear of the unknown, of all the love and happiness we’d miss out on if I let indecision control me.”

A smile slowly unfurled on my lips as I stared into his sable irises. They were so open, so caring, so knowing. It was strange to think back to that night, to remember the anxiety thrumming through my veins every time we got close, and think that he was feeling the same way that entire time.

I ran my thumb over his cheek, loving the way he trembled under that simple touch. “I’m glad that you did,” I whispered. “That night meant more to me than you’ll ever know.”

My eyes closed as he leaned his forehead against mine, his jaw tensing under my fingers, as though it took every ounce of strength he possessed to keep himself from closing the mere inches between our lips.

“I might have the most willpower of us all, but you’re making it very difficult to keep my self-control, little devil,” he murmured, his warm breath washing over my lips in a teasing caress, unknowingly pushing me the same way.

I shuddered and leaned away from him, nearly whimpering at the loss of his warm skin against mine. I had to move, though; otherwise, I’d be begging Spade to turn the car around, and that wouldn’t be fair to Sophia.

The mall today was the first time she’d left the house since the attack on Kellan’s shop, and despite her insistence, I could tell she was desperate to get out of there.

Speaking of, Sophia had her gaze plastered to the window, pointedly watching the swaying hay in the fields as we sped by.

Oops. She’d definitely heard all that. I guess I wasn’t as inconspicuous as I’d thought.

Kellan twined his fingers through my mine, giving them a reassuring squeeze. And Spade’s violet eyes flitted to mine in the rearview mirror, speaking a thousand words, despite the silence settling over the car. Oh, I was going to pay for that, and I was going to love every second of it.

Thankfully, the familiar lights of the fight club flashed into view as we crested the final hill, breaking through the awkward tension that was beginning to stifle.

The crunch of gravel under the tires brought me right back to the night of my eighteenth birthday. I gave Kellan a wistful smile, which he returned, as excitement bubbled within me. I was getting to see Merrick fight again for the first time in six years. Sure, I’d seen him face off against the Barones, but that was different. That was with guns and backup. Here, he was on his own, one-on-one with his opponent, relying on his fists to do the damage.

Violence sparked, and I could only imagine the grin on my lips as I looked at the others. “It’s showtime.”

Despite witnessing the renovations to the club only a few weeks ago, it looked completely different now that it was packed with spectators. It was alive, buzzing with energy as groups danced near the DJ booth, the eager hum audible, even over the thumping bass. I glanced around the bar, hoping to catch a glimpse of Merrick, but of course, there was no sign of him.

Kellan wrapped a protective arm over my shoulder, while Spade walked a few paces ahead, sticking close to Sophia’s side as his gaze swept over the crowd of patrons. There was security at the door, ensuring the identity of everyone that passed through the club’s doors, but we could never be too safe.

One of the security guards approached, cutting through the crowd, the sight of his bulky form causing people to part for him. “Sebastian is waiting for you,” he said gruffly, giving us a terse nod.

Before any of us could get out a word, he was gone, expecting us to follow him as he headed toward the VIP section.

“Seriously?” Sophia huffed as we followed him, hurrying our footsteps, so we could make it through before the pack of people coalesced again. “Does he just think we’re at his beck and call?”

I grimaced, sharing a look with Kellan as we passed through the dancing throng of people. We really didn’t have much of a choice. If we wanted Sebastian’s help, we’d have to play nice. The Demons were spread thin as it was, with keeping the Barones collectors off the business owners. We needed his men to take over to free us up for the next phase of the plan—taking the fight to them.

An amused grin tilted Sebastian’s lips as his eyes landed on Sophia, indicating he knew exactly what sort of reaction she’d have to being summoned like that. My gaze shifted from him to her, trying to determine what exactly was passing between them.

“Thank you for coming.” Sebastian gestured into the private booth with a flourish as his guard unclipped the velvet rope.

“Not like we had much of a choice,” Sophia grumbled as she stalked past him, pinning him with a scathing look.

Someone had been keeping secrets, it seemed.

Spade and Kellan stopped to chat with the club owner while I quickly greeted him with a wave and hurried after my friend. We’d found her the perfect dress for tonight. The tight, emerald-lace hugged her curves impeccably, the halter top showcasing just enough to tease either of the men, or perhaps both of them.

I was the last person who would judge her for that.

“I thought Zane was the one you hated,” I whispered, my lips twitching as I tried and failed to keep the amusement off my face.

Sophia’s face paled slightly before she tossed her sleek red locks over her shoulder, pinning me with an incredulous look. “I guess I just hate them equally.”

Right . . .

I swallowed my laughter, giving her a knowing look as we took a seat along the plush velvet benches and she sat closest to Sebastian.

It took me a second to notice the hulking, brooding guard in the corner, his arms crossed over his chest, eyes narrowed in Sophia’s direction. Zane .

But I could tell Sophia had spotted him the moment she’d walked in, her eyes subtly shifting to him every few seconds, as she pointedly turned away from him, pretending she wasn’t affected by his presence in the slightest.

“Here,” Zane grumbled as he placed something on the table. The flash of the strobing lights on the dance floor reflected off the screen, illuminating it for a moment before they shifted. A phone.

He’d gotten her a phone?

“ Now will you drop the attitude?”

I placed a hand over my eyes, careful of my makeup, as Sophia inhaled sharply. That was the wrong thing to—

“Attitude?” Sophia hissed.

I peeked through my fingers, morbidly curious of the murder I was undoubtedly about to witness . Sorry, Zane, nice knowing you .

“What he meant to say was, it is a peace offering, since he had to break your last one,” Sebastian interrupted, taking a seat between them to defuse the palpable anger building in both of their eyes.

My hands flopped to my sides, deflating a fraction at the realization that I wasn’t about to witness Sophia shredding into the man.

Why did Sebastian have to go and ruin the fun?

Spade snickered as he took a seat between Sophia and me, on my right, and Kellan on the left, cocooning me in with the masculine scents of their cologne. It was almost enough to distract me from my disappointment.

As I suspected, Sophia’s anger deflated at the reasonable explanation, a frown curving her lips. “How do I know you didn’t do anything to it?”

“You don’t.” Sebastian shrugged, giving her a dazzling smile.

That wasn’t reassuring in the slightest.

“We’ll have someone check it,” I assured her. “If you want to accept it, that is.”

She looked between them before glancing at the phone. “I guess it’s only fair, since he smashed my last one.”

The tentative truce seemed to snap between them as they entered into another glaring match. She snatched the phone off the table and shoved it into her clutch.

I struggled to keep the grin off my face, not wanting to call her out in front of everyone.

“Well, then, this is a special occasion.” Sebastian chuckled. “We should celebrate.”

He gestured to the still-corked bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket in the middle of the table, with fluted glasses surrounding it. To my surprise, he looked at me for confirmation. I surveyed the table again, noticing the way the glasses still had the paper covers over them, the foil even still attached to the bottle.

I glanced back at him, seeing the look of understanding in his toffee eyes. He’d done this for me, because of the way I’d refused the drink the last time, knowing I’d been hesitant to drink from a bottle that had already been opened. Spade played with a lock of my hair while Kellan placed a hand on my thigh, his thumb rubbing circles on my skin in a comforting gesture. Each of them was trying to reassure me and lend me strength in their own way, the knowledge bringing a smile to my lips.

“Sure.” I nodded in appreciation, picking up a random glass in the center before the others did the same.

Sebastian popped the champagne and filled all our glasses. “Cheers to our thriving new business arrangement.” He eyed the crowd just steps away from the velvet rope now. “The club hasn’t been this packed in years.”

Kellan rolled his eyes, and Spade chuckled before we each clinked glasses and took a sip of our drink. Delicious bubbles rolled over my tongue, the cool liquid helping to ease some of the heat licking against my skin from the stifling club.

“This is a onetime thing,” Kellan warned, giving Sebastian a pointed look, which he waved off.

“Sure, sure.” He grinned. “I meant the other part of our arrangement.”

My brow furrowed. “What other—”

“The work you’ve been doing.” There was a knowing glint in his eyes before he gestured to the throng of people mere feet away. “The news of the recent blockage has seemed to spread.”

I looked between Kellan and Spade, but there was a look of surprise on each of their faces as well.

“Don’t be so humble,” he chided lightly, amusement dancing in his eyes. “You surely knew the effect you were having on the town, right?”

“We knew about the business owners, but we had no idea that others had noticed,” Kellan said, suspicion lacing his tone.

Sebastian shrugged. “That’s what I hear, at least. Now, about the rest—”

“We’ll wait until Merrick can be here,” Kellan interrupted abruptly, giving a pointed look to the people within earshot.

“Right.” Sebastian nodded tersely, appearing annoyed that he had let himself get carried away. “I do have to say, I like some of the steps you’re taking already.” His toffee eyes landed on me.

A shiver ran up my spine as I glanced at Spade, catching the anger flashing in his eyes like lightning across a violet sky.

“How do you—”

“I have my sources,” Sebastian cut him off, straightening his suit. “Don’t worry, there’s no evidence. Not anymore.”

A million questions streamed through my mind. Were we wrong to trust him? And what evidence did he mean? If he knew what happened, there clearly had to be a video of what I’d done to the guard in the parking lot.

Anger boiled in my veins as I set my glass down with a clatter. Kellan’s hand gripped my leg in warning as I sat forward, my eyes narrowing on the shifty club owner. But before I could get a word out, the music tapered off as an announcer came over the speakers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for!” Cheers erupted from the crowd, louder than the thumping bass that had been playing only moments before. “We have a special treat for you tonight, the return of the one, the only, Merrriickk theee Mannnglerrr!”

The crowd went wild, enraptured fans screaming at the tops of their lungs.

“That’s different.” I shifted my glare to Kellan, annoyed that they hadn’t told me about his new fighting name.

He grinned, giving away that this was all part of their plan. Damn Merrick.

Or, more likely, given the relief smoothing Kellan’s features, he was grateful I didn’t look like I was about to strangle Sebastian.

I’d be lying if the thought wasn’t still on my mind, but my bloodlust was warring with my excitement at seeing Merrick in the ring.

“Please take your seats, as the fight begins in ten minutes.”

“Let’s take our—”

I pinned Sebastian with a seething glare, the malice rippling off me, making even Zane stiffen. “This conversation isn’t over.”

He nodded. “Understood.”

There was a mix of surprise and respect in his eyes, like he hadn’t expected this reaction from me. He didn’t know me, though. I didn’t care who he was, or how important he was to the plan. If he fucked with me or my family, it would be the last thing he did.