Chapter Fifteen
Dagger
My face jerked up from my desk as two loud raps sounded on the door. “Come in,” I called, placing my pen on the desk and clicking my laptop screen off.
The door opened, and Abe sauntered into my office. “You okay?”
My lips thinned. “What do you think?”
“We’ll get payback,” he stated. “You know it’ll come right; they don’t stand a fucking chance against us, especially now Mason’s gone in.”
Mason passed his tests with flying colors and was sent undercover a few days ago. We hadn’t heard anything from him yet, but we’d told him to only contact us if he had something important to report. I was of the opinion that no news was good news.
“Mase wouldn’t have known they were plannin’ a drive-by on the club,” Abe relayed.
“I know, Abe,” I scraped out. “I know he’d have given us a heads-up but my fuckin’ woman stood in front of my granddaughter to stop the little one from getting a bullet in her head. They made her bleed, brother. She needed fuckin’ stitches, and she’s scarred for life.”
“There’s a lot we have to get payback for, brother. The men are waitin’ in Church, so let’s go and plan. We’ve got some of the best tactical minds in the country: weapons experts, snipers, computer geniuses, and explosives technicians. They’ve got a lunatic for a prez and shitsacks for brothers. There’s no competition, Dagger.”
“I want ‘em annihilated,” I bit out.
Abe grinned. “So, we’ll do that.”
“Then, I want Henderson,” I added.
Abe’s grin widened. “Thought you’d never ask.”
“How’s Tex?” I asked.
“He’ll live,” Abe assured me. “He lost a lotta blood, but Sophie’s pumped it all back in and fixed the internal bleedin’. Luckily, he doesn’t need his spleen.”
“Thank fuck,” I muttered, sitting back in my chair and heaving out a breath. “It’s time to go on the offensive. This is the second time they’ve attacked our compound. They killed Sparky, took Kady, and tried to take Sunny and Cara. We didn’t go after them ‘cause we decided to play the long game, but I’m not takin’ their bullshit anymore. They’re sick fucks who need putting down. Shit’s gonna get real, and soon. Are we ready?”
Abe nodded slowly as he thought over my words. “I’m a peaceful man, John. The reason we’ve always worked well together is ‘cause we both think things through and talk shit over. We’ve both got egos, but not when it comes to this club. I’m gonna be honest with ya; I’ve been ready to take those fuckers out since the day they hurt my Iris. It’s been a long time comin’, but I’m ready, been ready for thirty damned years.”
“We’ve been through a lot together, Abe,” I agreed. “You’re the brother I never had. I trust you more than I trust myself. If you agree it’s time, then we’re doin’ this.”
“People may get hurt,” he pointed out. “Or worse.”
“All we can do is make the risks clear to the boys,” I told him. “If they don’t wanna be a part of it they can leave.”
Abe grinned. “That’s not gonna happen.”
I nodded my agreement. “There’s no man more loyal than a Demon.”
“We’ve got an hour before Big Church in the bar,” Abe informed me, glancing at his watch. “We better move our asses.”
We stood and made for the door, both of us deep in thought about the conversation that lay ahead.
The prospect of an out-and-out war wasn’t something Abe or me relished. Many of the men lived for that shit, but what they didn’t think about were the injuries, even fatalities we’d suffer. Additionally, the women and kids would be in a lot of danger, which was added pressure. We had allies we could call, and we had the Feds on our side with Colt and Stafford and even their boss, but the sheriff’s department would be a big problem.
Walking down the corridor toward Church was akin to walking the plank into shark-infested seas. I knew what I had to do, but for everybody else’s sake, if I could find a peaceful solution, I would.
My problem was, as a club, there was only so much we’d take.
Our honor and name were at stake.
We approached the door to Church, and Abe glanced over his shoulder at me. “Ready?”
I jerked one nod and waited while my bud punched the security numbers into the keypad on the wall.
The locks disengaged with a click, and Abe shoved his shoulder against the door, pushing it open. I stepped inside and immediately knew the officers weren’t in a joking mood.
Church was serious business and sacred ground. It was the place where we always worked shit out and made the best decisions we could for our men and our club. But it was also a place of laughter and bonding. A place where we cemented our sense of brotherhood and deep respect for each other.
Back in Bandit’s day, there was no laughter. He ran Church like a well-oiled machine, but back then, the club was different too.
My old man ruled with an iron fist; it was his way or the highway. He made the decisions, and if you didn’t like it, he’d see you in the ring.
I ran the club as a democracy with an open-door policy, and every brother knew he could come to me with anything, whether it be club-related or personal. My men were warriors, ex-military with fine minds and mad skills. I listened to everybody and made informed decisions based on a deluge of experience.
I’d be an idiot not to utilize my men’s ideas, and my momma, Connie Stone, didn’t raise no fool.
Making my way to my seat, I was aware of five pairs of eyes watching my every move. Three pairs of golden eyes, identical to mine, belonged to my sons, the black pair—Atlas. However, the blue pair belonged to the ghost of Church Meets Past.
I sank into my chair, my stare resting on Colt. “You lost?”
His lips twitched. “I’m not here as a Fed. I’m here as a brother who can help. If you want me to get the fuck out, I will, but I’ve got information that will go a long way in beating the Sinners. Whatever’s discussed here won’t be repeated by me. I’m still a Demon but a Virginia one, and I take it seriously, Prez. Contrary to popular belief, I always did.”
Things between me and Colt were messy as fuck. The way he sneaked around made it feel like he’d dug a knife in my back.
I never expected it from him of all people. The minute we met, we forged a bond that I’d never had with another brother. Apart from Abe, Colt was the man I trusted above all others, so when I discovered he’d lied to me, I lost my shit. Pain made me lash out. I was incensed he’d fucked me over. Colt disappointed me, and I struggled with it.
Strangely, after everything, I still loved him, which was why I swallowed my pride and muttered, “Shoot.”
“Fuckin’ A,” Atlas boomed.
Colt lowered his eyes to tap on his iPad. “Bear Rawlins has been caught on face recognition buying smokes at a gas station just North of Mapletree. I’ve got a tracker scouring the area as we speak. I’m hopin’ he’ll have more information by the end of today.” He raised his eyes to meet mine. “The tracker I have was an Army Ranger and one of the best in the business.”
“The best in the business is Hendrix,” I pointed out.
Colt smirked. “Bingo.”
My lips twitched at the prospect of having Hendrix back in the fold. I’d missed him. My old VP was smart, and his instincts were second to none. The meltdown he’d had was uncharacteristic, and I’d discovered later there were a lot of outside forces piling shit on his shoulders.
It was no wonder he cracked under the pressure.
His club was sorted now. He’d recruited good men, and his VP was an experienced EOD officer who, incidentally, used to be Kit’s boss. Since Colt had taken over as the Virginia chapter’s handler, and acted as their go-between for the Feds, they’d been getting some good security jobs, and the club was finally making good cake.
The boy did good.
“What’s even more interesting,” Colt continued, “is that Robert Henderson was caught on the same camera two hours later.”
“So, the fuckers are in contact,” Atlas muttered.
“Looks like it,” Colt confirmed. “They both headed off in the same direction, but the cameras lost ‘em after that.”
“Interesting,” Bowie mused, rubbing his lip thoughtfully. “Where’s the investigation into the trafficking ring at?”
“It’s heating up,” Colt told him. “Barrington turned rat and admitted money laundering through his bank, though he swears he didn’t know anything about the trafficking ring. We’ve got him workin’ on the inside now, along with Agent Stafford, who’s finally been admitted into the inner circle. We’re on the verge of making arrests. The second Brett finds out which port they use to ship the victims out, we’ve got ‘em.”
“We could time this perfectly,” Cash stated.
I cocked my head. “What do you mean, Son?”
My eldest leaned forward, arms to the table. “If we deal with Bear before the Fed’s deal with Henderson, or vice versa, the other will run.”
“He’s right,” Breaker interjected. “D’ya think they haven’t planned their escapes down to the finest detail? If we go for one without the other, it may backfire.”
“We need eyes on ‘em.” My stare went back to Colt.
“Haven’t got a bead on ‘em.” Colt shrugged. “But I’d bet my last dollar that Bear’s back from Cali for good and hidin’ out in Mapletree.”
“Would Elise know somethin’?” Cash asked.
“I was about to ask the same damned thing,” Bowie added.
Colt turned to my boys. “Get her in here.”
“I’ll go,” Abe muttered, standing and leaving the room.
I sat back, wracking my brains as to where the fuck Henderson and Bear could be meeting.
The only places the Sinners openly hung out had been burned down. The entire club went underground because they knew we were hunting them. Apart from the odd sneak attack, we hadn't heard jack from them in months.
There had to be somewhere they were meeting and making their evil fuckin’ plans. They were involved in a trafficking ring, for fuck’s sake. They couldn’t do that shit solo. Somebody was pulling their strings, there was a hierarchy at play, and Henderson was the puppet master.
“How’s Elise doin’?” Bowie asked.
“Okay,” I replied. “Sophie said she was actin’ like it was a normal day at the office.”
He sat forward, looking me dead in the eyes. “Spoke to Doe. We agreed Elise has got my marker for life. She’s ours, and she’s our kids'.”
“She’s mine first,” I argued.
Atlas let out an incredulous snort. “Think you’re both forgettin’ somethin’. She’s my family.”
“How did we get to the point where we’re fighting over the mayor’s ex-wife?” Cash contemplated. “A few months ago, she wasn’t even on our radar.”
“She’s been on Pop’s radar for thirty years,” Breaker murmured.
“But we didn’t have a Scooby-Doo about it,” Cash responded.
“What the fuck’s Scooby-Doo gotta do with anything?” I asked, confusion filling my tone.
“Scooby-Doo rhymes with clue,” he told me. “It’s a play on words.”
My head reared back. “Why you gotta talk about fuckin’ cartoon characters? Just say clue, will ya?” I shook my head, frustrated. “It’s goddamned weird. Bandit would take you to task for this bullshit. Just as well he’s down there whooping it up and keepin’ toasty warm.” I nodded toward the floor.
Cash barked a laugh.
Bowie’s stare hit the floor, and he grimaced.
“Amen,” Breaker muttered. “There ain’t no other place that old bastard would rest. Bet he feels right at home with Satan. Knowin’ my grandpop, they’re best buds.”
Cash chuckled. “Bandit’s probably a bad influence on Satan.”
Bowie sat back in his chair, smirking. “Ain’t that the truth.”
I jumped slightly as I heard the click of the locks disengaging.
My heart raced at the prospect of seeing Elise, especially after she’d been shot. The fact she stopped my grandbaby from getting hurt made me wanna take her in my arms and never let her go. I wasn’t sure I could continue keeping myself at a distance, whether she liked it or not.
I didn’t want to.
Abe strolled into the room, followed by Elise.
My breath caught at her beauty, which hit me square in the gut.
Her blonde hair had grown past her shoulders, and her soft curls shone. Every time I’d seen Leesy during the past thirty years, she’d been dressed as a mayor’s wife. Skirts, blouses, twin sets, not a hair out of place, but lately, her style had become more relaxed. She wore jeans, tees, and sweaters that hung from one shoulder, and I’d even seen her in leather pants and a tank top at one of our impromptu shindigs.
Elise had filled out slightly—probably because I made sure Iris fed her, and her curves—although not back completely—were definitely more pronounced. She had tits and hips, her face was no longer gaunt, and her eyes weren’t haunted.
Elise told me Robert forced her to get plastic surgery on her face, which was why she looked so young, but it wasn’t the surgery that made her more youthful; it was her inner light.
When she first came to the club, she was unsure of herself and her place within the Speed Demons. But then, over the weeks, she’d burrowed inside the fold and made everybody fall in love with her.
Elise had a wicked sense of humor and was smart. She cared about people, and the men fell under her spell. Iris mothered the men and looked after them, but she was Abe’s and always held herself at a distance.
Elise was more open and treated them more like equals. She was interested in their lives and the stories they relayed as they got to know her better.
Every man over forty—even those with an ol’ lady—were a little bit in love with Elise Bell because, how could they not be? She was beautiful inside and out.
It wasn’t lost on me how my eyes involuntarily followed her whenever we were in the same room. How my heart quickened, and my pulse raced each time she turned those pretty green eyes on me and smiled. Or how my cock thickened as her infectious giggle filled the air when one of the men or ol’ ladies yanked her chain.
Elise kept telling me that she wasn’t the girl I knew anymore, and she was right—she wasn’t.
She was even more incredible.
“Earth to Dagger,” Atlas crowed. “Come in, Dagger.”
My stare went from Elise to Atlas, who sat forward with an evil glint in his eye.
“Put your tongue back in your mouth,” the SAA muttered. “It’s embarrassin’.”
“John and Elise, sittin’ in a tree…” Cash said under his breath.
Kit grinned.
“Fuckers,” I groused, feeling my face heat.
Leesy’s mouth twisted as she bit back her laughter.
I glowered before demanding, “Can we get the fuck on with it?”
Atlas let out a snort.
Abe set a chair down for Elise and walked around the table to take his seat.
Elise parked her ass, cocking her head at me. “Abe said you wanted to talk to me about something?”
A loud knock sounded.
“What now?” I muttered.
Atlas stood. “Whoever’s interruptin’ Church is gonna get toilet cleanin’ duty.” He stalked across the room. “It’s clear in the club rules, do not interrupt Church.” He pulled the door open and froze. “What the fuck?”
“We’re here to back Elise up,” a soft voice said.
Bowie stilled before calling out, “Doe?”
My head reared back as big, burly Atlas got shoved to one side, and a procession of ol’ ladies strolled into Church.
Layla led the group, followed by Sophie, Kennedy, and Cara. Freya brought up the rear, her high-heeled boots clacking on the wooden floor as the women surrounded Elise like a group of fantastic-haired, attitude-filled bodyguards.
Cash shot Cara a look of confusion. “Wildcat, why do you need to back Elise up?”
She pointed at me. “Because John’s gonna go crazy at her about getting hit during the shoot-out.”
“Yeah,” Kennedy interjected, folding her arms across her chest. “And we’re not gonna stand for it.”
“Wait a minute—” I began, but Sophie cut me off.
“She saved Sunny.”
“I’m aware,” I said dryly, looking to the heavens, and muttering, “God give me strength.”
“You’re gonna need it,” Cash told me. “Wildcat ranted for an hour this mornin’ about how Elise getting shot proved the women should have weapons,” he deadpanned, “for protection.”
Cara sniffed haughtily. “It wasn’t an hour.”
“Babe,” he retorted. “It was.”
Her eyes narrowed on him. “It was fifty-five minutes, and I was pissed.”
He barked a laugh. “‘cause I said no.”
Cara let out a harrumph .
Cash chuckled.
“You’re not supposed to be in Church unless you’re damned well invited,” Atlas declared in his loud, booming voice. “Bitches need to get back in the bar.”
Every eye in the room turned to SAA, all of them glaring.
“Did you just call us bitches?” Sophie asked, her voice deathly quiet.
Atlas snapped his mouth shut and visibly gulped.
I stared at him, shocked.
Jesus, even my SAA had succumbed to a pussy whipping.
“Well, this bitch says that if Elise comes in Church, we should all be allowed in to support her,” Kennedy declared. “You’re a brotherhood, and we’re a sisterhood.” Her eyes flashed. “And you don’t fuck with the sisterhood.”
“I love it when you’re in lawyer mode,” Breaker told her, wriggling under the table to adjust the crotch of his jeans. “Revs me right up.”
Kennedy smirked. “Just make sure you bring your monster home with you tonight, Loverboy. I’ll give you a good wedding night eve.”
“Isn’t it unlucky for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding?” Elise questioned.
“Don’t give a fuck, Duchess,” Breaker stated. “Nobody’s gonna keep me away from my Kitten for an entire night. God’s already thrown me all the luck I need by givin’ her back to me in the first place.”
I watched my Leesy melt. “How sweet.”
Breaker shot her the grin that made the ladies drop their panties from fifty paces.
I sneered at my youngest boy.
Little fucker.
“Can I bang the gavel, John?” Cara asked, nudging Layla and murmuring, “I’ve always wanted to bang the gavel.”
Layla nodded her agreement. “I know, right? Me too.”
My head reared back. “No. You can’t bang the fuckin’ gavel.”
“I was only asking,” she muttered under her breath. “No need to have a period about it.”
Cash busted out laughing.
“You should order coffee and donuts for Church,” Layla announced. “Big companies like Microsoft have coffee and donuts. People laze around on beanbags and brainstorm. Apparently, it’s very productive. Maybe if you’d started that a year ago you’d have caught Bear.”
My jaw dropped.
“She’s gotta point,” Bowie muttered.
“Right on,” Atlas boomed, rubbing his stomach. “I could sure eat a donut.”
“Fat ass,” Cash coughed into his hand.
Layla beamed at me. “You should see to that.”
A weird noise escaped my throat. “We’re not ordering donuts. This is Church, not a corporate meeting. We don’t brainstorm.”
“We do,” Atlas corrected. “But our brainstormin’ involves killin’ and dismantlin’ sex trafficking rings instead of the World Wide Web. You go on like we’re not smarter than those suit-wearin’ nerds.”
“Hey,” Colt protested. “Less of the nerd talk.”
“Church sounds awesome,” Cara breathed, turning to her ol’ man. “Cash, when you’re prez, can I crash Church?”
I stood so fast that my chair toppled backward. “Can we get back to club fuckin’ business?”
Silence fell over the room.
I crossed my arms across my chest and set my feet apart. “All the women out, except for Elise.”
Gripes and mutters went up.
“Out!” I ordered again, but louder.
Elise giggled. “You better do what he says, girls. He’s turning into a grumpy cat.”
Freya laughed.
I glared at my daughter, stretching an arm out to point toward the door, and that time yelled, “Out!”
Five pairs of pretty eyes rolled from left to right.
“Alright, alright,” Sophie murmured. “We’re going.”
“Jesus,” Kennedy muttered. “No need to be so snippy.”
Layla smiled sweetly. “Sorry!”
Cara glowered at me. “Someone’s on the rag.”
High heels clicked against wood as all the women—except for Elise—headed toward the door, Ned bringing up the rear.
“Later, babe,” Kit called. “Make sure you wait up.”
Kennedy turned and blew him a kiss before closing the door behind her with a loud click.
“Best Church ever,” Cash declared.
I snarled at him, taking my seat again.
Elise’s head swiveled toward me. “They don’t mean any harm. Layla has stuck by my side since she came up from the Cell. I think she’s feeling protective because of the whole Sunny thing. Abe wouldn’t tell them what you wanted me for, so they all got it in their heads that you were going to lecture me about putting myself in danger.” She winced. “I don’t think they were happy about it.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but Bowie beat me to it.
“Wouldn’t happen on my watch, Duchess. What you did for my girl was…” he trailed off and inhaled a breath to keep his shit together. “There are no words to convey how grateful I am. Just know you’ve got my marker for life. Anythin’ you need, I’m here.”
“Same,” Cash added. “You’ve got my marker, too.”
Breaker shot her a wink. “May as well give you mine then.”
My mouth fell open.
“And mine,” Abe declared. “Though, to be fair, you had it before this anyway.”
“My ma already knows she’s got mine,” Atlas muttered.
I held my hand up to stop any more markers from being tagged on. “Whoa! We don’t give markers out willy-nilly. Elise is part of the family anyway; she doesn’t need markers.”
“Thanks,” Elise retorted, her tone full of sarcasm. “Maybe I like markers.”
The men chuckled, except for Atlas, who bit out, “Willy-nilly’s almost as bad as deary me. Get a fuckin’ grip, will ya, Prez.”
I looked to the heavens and sighed.
“You better stop winding him up, guys,” Elise murmured, smiling fondly at the men. “His brain’s about to explode, especially after the girls gave him shit, too.” She clutched imaginary pearls. “I mean, women in Church? How dare they?”
Atlas flashed his white teeth at Elise through his beard. “See how much we think of you, Ma?”
My lip curled in disgust. “Fuckin’ brown nose.”
“John,” Elise snapped. “Behave.”
Grudgingly, I shut my mouth.
“Now,” Elise said. “Why don’t you tell me the reason you got me in here? I haven’t got all night. We’ve got a wedding tomorrow to prepare for.”
I sat straight in my chair, softening my voice. “An FBI face recognition system in Mapletree snapped Henderson and Bear Rawlins a few days ago. They were in the same gas station, on the same day, a few hours apart. We think they may be meeting somewhere near there, but we’ve got no leads to indicate where they’d go. We were hoping you’d know something.”
Elise’s eyebrows drew together. “Robert hasn’t had dealings in Mapletree for years. He used to, but it was back when we first got married. As far as I know, the only connection he has to the town is an old mistress who Monica Barrington kindly told me about a few years ago. He’s always looking for the next young, pretty little thing to throw his money at, so I doubt he’s still seeing her. Honestly, even if he was, I don’t know where she lives or even if she’s still in Mapletree.”
A wave of disappointment washed over me.
“Fuck,” Colt muttered. “I really thought you’d have an idea of where the fuckers were holin’ up.”
“I’m sorry.” Elise shot me an apologetic smile.
“Not your fault, baby,” I assured her. “You can’t force a lead. Thanks for comin’ in to talk to us.”
She smiled sadly again, getting to her feet and making for the door.
“And there was me thinkin’ Loaf and Jug would give us somethin’ back after all the money we’ve put in their coffers for gas over the years,” Atlas muttered. “I’ve no doubt that our club single-handedly stopped the damned place from gettin’ closed down.”
Elise’s steps faltered, and she craned her neck, her eyebrows drawing together questioningly. “Loaf and Jug? The gas station to the North of the town? Near Hilton Heights?”
I leaned forward, watching something flicker over her face. “Yeah. D’ya know it?”
“I used to,” she confirmed. “Years ago, back when I still believed you were dead, I was terrified of running into Bandit. I begged Robert not to bring me back to town, so he took me to his mother’s house in Mapletree. I went into labor there…” She cleared her throat. “It was where they took Sophie from me.”
A low growl emanated from my throat.
Atlas spat out a curse, his face twisting with rage.
“Go on, Duchess,” Cash encouraged softly.
Elise chewed on her bottom lip nervously and straightened her spine, physically pulling herself together. “The house was about a mile down the road from that gas station you just mentioned. It belonged to his grandparents on his mom’s side. They left it to her when they died, and she gave it to him. It was a big place with at least eight bedrooms. It also had staff accommodation built at the back of it, about six apartments in total. It sits on three acres, just past Hilton Heights.” Her eyes widened as an idea hit her. “Oh my God, John. Robert liked the place because there was plenty of room and total privacy.”
My gut surged, and I glanced at Colt. “Look it up.”
“Already on it,” he replied, his fingers flying across his iPad.
“I’m sorry, John,” Elise whispered, her eyes boring into mine. “Robert told me he sold it when she died, so I haven’t thought about it in years. I can’t believe it never clicked before.”
“I’m in the property records now,” Colt murmured, his eyes glued to the tablet as he tapped away. “What was her name?”
“Donna,” Elise replied immediately. “Her maiden name was… shit.” She clicked her fingers repeatedly as she tried to think. “It began with an M.”
“Got it,” Colt shouted, looking up. “Milford!”
“That’s it!” Elise shouted excitedly.
Colt’s mouth twisted as his fingers flew over the iPad. “Lawrence and Mary Milford died in nineteen-seventy-two, four months apart. They left their family home to their only child, Donna, who passed later.” He glanced up at me. “The deeds were never transferred. They’re still in the Milford’s name. It’s why we never traced the house back to Henderson.”
“Of course he didn’t,” Elise said flatly. “He needed a safe house because he was already trafficking women. When Donna died, it fell in his lap.” Her expression became distressed. “Why didn’t I put it together? I’m such an idiot.”
I shot out of my seat, and my palms hit the table. “Don’t, Leesy. You’ve just given us the best lead we’ve had since we found out about this shit. We’ve gotta man in the area who can scope the place out, so I reckon within a few hours we can plan our next move.” I walked around the table to approach my woman. “Is there anything else you remember?”
Leesy shook her head. “No. I wasn’t in a good state of mind when I was there. I’d lost you, and they took my baby…” Tears filled her eyes. “I was a mess.”
An ache gripped my chest. “I’m sorry, baby.”
She swiped at her eyes. “It wasn’t your fault,” her lip curled, “it was his .”
“He won’t get away with it,” I vowed. “I swear to you, Elise, he’ll regret the day he crossed us.”
A watery smile played around her mouth. “Good. Do you need me for anything else?”
I shook my head and watched her turn on her heel and leave the room without a backward glance.
“Abe, put a group text out,” I ordered, my eyes still on the door. “Cancel full member Church. We need to give Hendrix time to gather intel, plus Kit and Ned are gettin’ married tomorrow. After the wedding, we’re goin’ on the offense. If those fuckers are holed up in that house, we attack.” My stare finally slid to Colt. “Get Hendrix on the phone. Tell him to get over there and scout the place out, then get back here for a meet. They messed with the Demons,” I scraped out. “Now, it’s time to raise hell.”