Mammon (Devilry #2)

42. Mammon

FORTY-TWO

MAMMON

I tighten my grip around the bathroom sink, letting out a deep, ragged breath. My arms shake with the effort of holding up my entire body as I turn on the spout and use the sound of running water to calm my racing heart.

Tonight is the night we infiltrate the warehouse and put an end to the thorn in our side.

And I’m nervous.

Nervous doesn’t even begin to cut it. Never in my life have I felt such an intense feeling of insecurity, like what I’m doing might not be the right choice. But it’s the one I’ve made and I’ll have to live with the consequences, whatever they are.

A knock on the door has me splashing cold water on my face. I grab a towel and wipe myself, turn off the faucet, and leave the bathroom.

Asmodeus leans against the wall across from me, arms poised over his chest as he tips his head to the side and examines me with curious eyes. “You good?”

I set my jaw in a tight line, clenching and unclenching my fists. “Is everyone ready?”

Studying me for one more moment, he clicks his tongue and pushes off the wall. “They’re all in the living room waiting for you.”

I give him a curt nod and walk around him, his footsteps echoing behind me as we make our way down the hall and into the living room, but I stop short the second I see who’s there.

“No.”

Bel and Gore both wear similar pouts, albeit Bel’s is a little more menacing than his terror twin’s. He steps forward and plants his fists on his hips. “We can handle it.”

“I want you nowhere near that dead man walking,” I snap at him, then look just over his shoulder at Gore. “Especially you.”

I made myself very clear earlier today that they were to be in no way, shape, or form a part of this. In the past, I wouldn’t have blinked at having them come along, their particular bloodlust useful to me, but things are different. Now they’re not only a liability, but a risk. They could jeopardize the mission unintentionally if one of them freaks out. While we’re at a disadvantage without them, the pros outweigh the cons.

Bel shakes his head, curling his lips in a snarl. “That’s not your choice to make.”

“Yes, it is.”

“No, it isn’t!” I’m shocked at the way Gore’s pretty face flushes in anger as he pushes Bel out of the way to address me. He shoves a finger against my chest, digging a nail deep into my shirt, looking twice his size. “You get to control every other part of our lives, but not this. That was our bodies and our dignity they took. We deserve to be there when Sage dies.”

“They have a point,” Leviathan chimes in with a shrug.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Shut up.”

I’m about to tell Bel and Gore that my decision is final, when I catch the subtle plea in my princess’s eye and the slight trembles in Bel’s body. They’ve always been strong in their own ways and I admire their strengths now. I realize that I could take away their autonomy once more and force them to stay—tie them up if I have to—but that would make me just like Sage, wouldn’t it?

I step forward and place one hand on each of their shoulders, drawing them close as I drop my voice to a whisper. “Are you sure?”

They share a look full of thick tension before nodding simultaneously. “It’s worth whatever happens.”

While I don’t know if that’s true, the doubt doesn’t force me to stop them.

They could be right and I could be wrong.

This could be exactly what they need.

“Okay, Luc. You know what to do?”

We’re all huddled at the port, hiding behind a large shipping container. The sun has fallen and we’ve been stationed here, watching members of the resistance pile into the warehouse. I knew it was time to go when newcomers started dwindling, but I wanted to make absolutely sure we wouldn’t be caught.

It’s been about twenty minutes and no one else has entered. On Luc’s back is a pack full of homemade explosives Asmodeus had his fun making this week. We realized they’d be more conducive to an explosion than propane or gasoline, and quicker too.

Luc nods, only looking slightly paranoid at carrying enough ammunition to bring down an entire city block. “Stay outside, watch for anyone leaving, and plant the explosives.”

“Good,” I say, then look at everyone else and raise an eyebrow. “Any last questions?” When no one answers, I step out of the shadows of the shipping container and cock my gun. “Let’s go.”

Leviathan and Asmodeus don’t hesitate, already jogging low toward the building, but I stop before joining them. I grab Gore and Bel by their elbows and tug them to me, my eyes darting between them. My throat is dry as I speak what hopefully aren’t my last words to them. “I love you two.”

With all of my soul. With all of my heart. With all that I am.

“We love you too,” Bel says, and even he looks nervous now. “It’ll be okay, right?”

But I can’t give him an answer that wouldn’t be a lie.

I hold my breath and simply let them go, waving at them to follow me as we catch up with our brothers, while Luc stays behind.

We enter the warehouse through a back door, immediately greeted by a long hallway, just as Cindy described. We walk forward with purpose, not wanting to waste any time, knowing that the likelihood of us getting in and out cleanly is slim to none.

The meeting hasn’t started yet by the time we reach the main part of the warehouse. Everyone is milling around, talking and laughing, and it makes me seethe at their casual idiocy.

“Can we do it?” Leviathan asks, nearly giddy as he pulls down his black mask over his face. “Tell me I can.”

Asmodeus chuckles, that fucked-up glint in his eye that twinkles like a goddamn star. “On the count of three?”

I want to try to be at least somewhat subtle, but that opportunity is taken from me when one of the members spots us, immediately gasping as he points in our direction. “We’ve been compromised!”

All hell breaks loose.

I can only hope that Luc did his part of the job and sealed off all but one entrance as madness descends. We’re outnumbered, of course, but I’m confident that the five of us will fight just as hard as ten of them.

Bel and Gore don’t wait for anyone to come to them, a scythe and a large dagger already poised in the air as they rush into the chaos. Leviathan barks under his mask, looking like a rabid animal as he pounces on someone who gets too close. Asmodeus slinks into the shadows and waits like a snake in the grass, snickering to himself when someone falls into his trap.

Bullets ring out, but in the flurry, friendly fire is heard. While Cindy was right about them having weapons, I was also right about these idiots not being properly trained. Their aim is useless and we’re all able to dodge the bullets or shield ourselves with one of the many members trying to attack us.

I know I have a gun, but I can’t resist letting my fists fly in the air. There’s something so satisfying at doling out pain with your bare hands. The gun does the job for you, but I need to earn this vengeance.

“Fuck!”

Turning quickly, my fists raised in the air, I’m just about to beat in the face of a woman who stupidly thought she could take me, when I see Asmodeus clutching his thigh. He’s been shot, but he doesn’t let that stop him from yanking a passing man to him and slitting his throat.

“Mammon!”

I follow the scream and see Gore pointing at a man Bel is currently slicing with his scythe, kicking and punching away other members who try to help his victim. It doesn’t look like he needs any help and I’m a little fucking busy right now, but the look in Gore’s eyes tells me all I need to know.

He’s the one.

With a roar, I change course and snap the woman’s neck, letting her body drop with a sickening crunch. I plow my way through the members, letting Asmodeus and Leviathan take care of the ones trying to escape, as I go for the man who ruined my princess.

I’m going to enjoy this.

Bel takes a step back when he sees me, already knowing what needs to be done. He’s stabbed the man enough times that he’s in no position to even try to fight back, which is perfect for what I had in mind.

“Cover me,” I say, trading my gun for Gore’s dagger. I smash a kiss onto his lips. We don’t have much time, but I need him to know this is for him. “Watch.”

He nods shakily while Bel acts as an overprotective dog and deals with anyone attempting to interrupt me.

“No!” the man yells, trying to crawl away. “I just did what I was told, man! I did what I had to do”

I flip him onto his back, using one hand to yank down his pants, laughing when he cries out as his dick gets caught and bent at an awkward angle. “And I’m just doing what I want to do.”

His eyes widen as I take his pathetic cock in hand, pressing the tip of my blade right under his base and?—

“ Fuck !”

With his now useless appendage in my grip, I stand, turning to Gore and offering it to him. “For you, princess. Something to keep in our trophy case.”

“Oh cool! Is that his dick?” Bel cackles, throwing his head back as he thrusts his scythe into a man’s stomach. “Can we feed it to him?”

Looking a bit panicked, Gore smiles with watery eyes, almost like he’s seen a ghost, but he’s so fucking strong. He sniffles, taking my present, and stuffs it in his back pocket. “Thank you, Daddy.”

I kiss the top of his head as I let his rapist bleed out at our feet. “Anything for you. Want me to end him?”

“Ask him if he knows where Sage is?” he asks. “After that, I don’t care what you do with him.”

I nod, bending down so I can slam the rapist's head against the concrete. “Where the fuck is he? Where is Sage?”

The rapist gurgles, blood pooling out of his lips. Like the pathetic human he is, without any loyalty or pride, he points just ahead of us. “I-In the b-back.” He coughs up more blood, his hands dancing over his various stab wounds. “K-Kill me.”

Now what fun would that be?

“Asmodeus! Leviathan!”

“Go!” Asmodeus yells, him and Leviathan back-to-back as they’re encircled by more members who try to get through to the exit behind them. “We got this!”

I don’t bother questioning them. Even if they aren’t okay, we can’t back down from our plan. If they’re going to die, they might as well do so in victory.

Bel, Gore, and I take off at a sprint to the room Sage is in. Bel’s the first one there, but when he tries to open the door, it won’t budge. “Fuck! He’s locked himself in!”

“Move!” I command, shoving him away. I know this is going to hurt like a bitch, but there’s no way in hell we’re not getting in there.

I back up and take a running start, slamming my shoulder into the center of the door, using all my weight behind me.

Pop!

“Mammon!” Gore cries, rushing to my side as I grit my teeth to hold back my scream. “Fuck! Does it hurt?”

“It’s fine,” I say, standing and holding my probably dislocated shoulder. The door is slightly off its hinges now and Bel begins to kick at it until it budges. Gore’s still at my side and I smile softly at him. “Not the time, princess. I promise you can look at it when we get home.”

“A little help here!”

I step away from Gore and through the pain, help Bel as we kick the door the rest of the way down. We step through the threshold, eyes scanning the room, and then I see him.

The first thought I have is that Sage looks so…ordinary; like a mailman or an accountant. There’s nothing special-looking about him, just an everyday man who thought he could play the hero.

My second thought is: Who the fuck is he talking to?

“See you soon.” Sage turns and smirks, a satellite phone pressed against his ear. He pulls it away and hangs up, a haughty laugh escaping him. “Looks like you’re too late, Mammon.”

“Mammon! His hand!” Gore yells, eyes wide as he tries to round the large table to get to Sage. “He’s got?—”

But none of us are quick enough to stop Sage as he pops a clear pill capsule into his mouth and bites down.

Even at a run, I know it’s pointless the second he starts choking. The effects of what I can only assume was cyanide are quick, causing him to fall to the ground, his mouth foaming as his face turns blue.

He’s dead within minutes.

My heart stops as I gaze upon his lifeless body, feeling like he won. “Fuck!” I roar, kicking his still form, beating the living hell out of the dead. “Fuck!”

Bel pulls me back gently to stop me from bashing a dead man’s teeth in. “It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not!” I snap, spinning on my heels as I face the two of them. “I was supposed to…”

I was supposed to be the one who exacted revenge. I was supposed to be the one who brought them justice. I was supposed to take Sage alive, torture him for months, and let him rot in a cell until my babies deemed it time for him to die. This wasn’t the ending I had planned. This fucker took that from us, along with my control, and?—

“Mammon,” Gore whispers, wrapping his arms around my waist, careful to avoid jostling my left side. “It’s okay.”

I don’t know if that’s true or if it’s just an empty platitude meant to appease me, but either way, I know we don’t have time to dwell on it now. I let Gore linger for just a second longer and then gently move him away. “We have to go.”

Getting out is easier than getting in. When the three of us emerge from the room, lifeless bodies lie in the wake of our fury. Leviathan and Asmodeus are waiting for us by the door we came in from, both looking worse for wear, but fine.

We rush out of the building, meeting Luc, who holds the detonator in his trembling hand. “Everyone okay?” he asks

“Did anyone get out?”

He nods. “A few. I got a few of them with the gun, but some escaped.”

That’s a worry for another time. I take the detonator from his grateful hand, all of us running away from the building, hiding behind the safety of one of the shipping containers. Once we’re all behind the tons of steel, I press the button. “Cover your ears!”

Even with that, the booming is loud enough to wake the dead. Explosion after explosion goes off, the smell of burning almonds filling our nose. When I think it’s safe, I step out from behind the container, once again watching the world burn.

All of us breathe a sigh of relief. Whatever weapons or plans or information Sage had are going to die with him and turn into nothing but ash. The people who ran aren’t my concern right now. There will be time to track them down now that their leader is gone and their resources are limited.

No, what I care about now is much more important.

As ash rains down, coating Bel and Gore’s cheeks, I look at them with shame. “Are you sure it’s okay?”

Bel sighs deeply and throws an arm around Gore’s shoulder. “Maybe not now.”

“But I think it will be,” Gore finishes, finally, after far too long, flashing me that same smile I fell in love with.

And I start to believe that maybe everything will be too.