Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Giana
“It’s been worse the last few nights.” Nicholas shook his head, his shaggy blond locks brushing his face. “The Barones don’t care about anyone getting hurt in the crossfire. I don’t know how much more of this we can handle.”
The Demons milled about the bar, their spirits not as high as they were a few days ago. A few of them were injured in a fight with the Barones last night, so we spent the last few hours visiting them at their homes to check on them.
“Thanks, Nicholas,” Merrick said. He insisted on coming with us after his workout yesterday, proclaiming he was ‘healed enough to leave the house at least.’ I honestly couldn’t argue after what we got up to in the training room yesterday.
He motioned the three of us behind the bar, leading the way to his office. The space was cramped with all four of us in there, but there wasn’t any other room to get some privacy in.
“We have to take this to the next level then,” I said as Kellan shut the door behind us. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me back to lean against him.
“Agreed.” Merrick flopped down into the office chair and leaned back, his hands scrubbing over his face. “I’ll get everything in order with the motel.”
We already discussed that we’d need to evacuate the town and find a place for those who either couldn’t afford to leave or weren’t able to travel far.
The four of us stayed out of the fights last night, needing to fortify the property if we were going to stay there.
Sebastian had a crew come in to set up security cameras and alarms, but they would only work for so long.
If Angelo brought the full force of his might down upon us, then no amount of warning would help us get out unscathed.
There were really only six of us in the house who could fight—eight if we counted the two guards Sebastian had guarding the house day and night.
Despite the tasks that had to be taken care of at home, we all felt responsible for the injuries that happened last night. Thankfully no one had died, but at least two of us would need to be on every stakeout from now on.
“I have an idea on how we can infuse some cash flow into the town and incite Angelo’s rage.” I grinned, glancing at my three men. Judging by the way Merrick’s jaw tightened and Spade’s eyes sparkled with interest, I knew mischief was written all over my expression.
“Do I want to know what this plan of yours is?” Kellan murmured, resting his chin on my shoulder. His breath caressed the shell of my ear, sending a shiver of need straight to my core.
“Oh, you will, but I need to speak with Francine first. She has the most reach in this town.”
“I’ll call her; she’s only staying a few minutes away since the funeral.” Merrick pulled out his phone.
We’d put Francine up in one of our safe houses nearby since we knew Angelo would have his men scouring the camera feeds after the fact to catch anyone who helped us.
Kellan opened the door and led me through it. Spade followed us, closing the door behind him. “I’m excited to hear this master plan of yours, sugar.” He threaded his fingers through mine and tugged me out of Kellan’s hold to wrap an arm around my shoulders.
“Seriously, Spade?” Kellan huffed, his palm warm and comforting as he grasped my free hand.
“You already got to hold her in the office; it’s my turn now.”
The room quieted as the three of us rejoined, hopeful gazes watching our every move.
They were worried, for their friends and family, about the reasons they’d joined the Demons in the first place.
We were all united in our hatred for the Barones, and none of us wanted to watch them turn the fight against the innocent town they’ve terrorized for far too many years.
“We have some of Sebastian’s men coming in to help us tonight, but we’ll need some of you with them,” I said, glancing around the room.
They seemed to sit up straight as though they were just waiting for some direction to revive their spirits.
“I know you’re all exhausted from last night, which is why we’ll split you into two teams; one will go home to get some more sleep for tonight, the other will be with us this afternoon. ”
“What’s happening this afternoon?” Jeremy, one of the youngest Demons, asked, excitement sparking his hopeful tone.
“There are still a few puzzle pieces we have to put in place, but in short, we’re going to cause a riot.” A shocked murmur rumbled through the room.
Kellan’s brows furrow, his lips parting like that was the last thing he thought I was going to say. But Spade’s smile only grew as he beamed down at me. “Tell me I get to tear someone apart.”
“That would be tonight.” I grinned back at him. “Today we’re going to steal the keys to the castle.”
“I can’t wait.”
Before I could get out another word, the door squeaked open behind me, and I could only assume it was Francine by the fond smile Kellan directed over his shoulder. His eyes met mine, and he nodded like he could read my mind.
“I’m going to come around, and we’ll figure out the teams.” With one last squeeze of my hand, he strode toward the others.
Francine marched over to us like a woman on a mission, her lips curled into a scowl. “I’m glad Merrick is here this time so I can give him an earful about this bar.”
“I would pay to see that.” Spade chuckled as we followed her back to the office.
Merrick was already in the doorframe and backed up at the sight of us, letting the three of us enter.
“Francine, I—”
“Don’t you Francine me.” She wagged her finger in admonishment as she took the seat. “I hope Giana told you about my thoughts on your establishment.”
Heat bloomed in my cheeks because I definitely didn’t. My lips quivered as I tried my best to hold back my laugh as he looked helplessly from me to Francine, seemingly lost for words for once.
“Priceless,” Spade said in my ear as he leaned against the door and pulled me back to rest against him, exactly as Kellan had held me before. Their petty squabbles always brought a smile to my face.
“We’ve had a few more … dire events to think about,” I said, deciding to help Merrick out since this was kind of my fault for not warning him.
I should have known that despite a gang war breaking out in town, Francine would still rake him over the coals for the bar’s dilapidated appearance.
“Angelo sent a team of mercenaries to take Merrick out in the middle of the night a couple of days ago.”
That wiped the outrage off Francine’s face as she scanned him head to toe, looking for any fresh injuries. “Well, I guess that makes sense. As soon as all this mess is over, I expect a renovation.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Merrick stood up straight, not daring to argue.
I couldn’t hold back my laugh as memories of yesterday in the gym flitted through my mind.
Merrick’s eyes narrowed to slits as though he knew exactly where my mind had gone and was already filing it away to punish me again. Not that it was much of a punishment. With consequences like that, it was almost like he was provoking me.
“Good.” Francine nodded, ignoring the smoldering way Merrick’s gaze devoured me as she directed her attention on me. “Now why am I here?”
“We need you to get ahold of as many townspeople as you can by this afternoon if it’s possible.”
Francine frowned and then nodded. “We have to get them all out, don’t we?”
“We do,” Merrick said.
She glanced between us, her brows furrowed in thought. “I should be able to do it, or at least send a message to most to leave, but there will be some who can’t.”
“I know, that’s why we need everyone downtown around three this afternoon. I have an idea that I think might allow us to get everyone out safely while making a statement to Angelo.”
It had to work. It would work as long as I was making this move before Angelo.
“Are you going to tell us what this plan is?” A crease formed between Merrick’s brows.
“Let’s just say I’m going to make a withdrawal from the bank.” I grinned, and Merrick groaned, scrubbing a hand over his face.
“Oh sugar, I love that devious mind of yours,” Spade drawled, lightly nipping my earlobe.
I preened, some of the nervous energy churning in my gut easing away at his praise.
“I’m going with you then,” Merrick said, his chest puffing out like he could convince me by his purely bullheaded declaration.
“You’re not.” I pursed my lips. “You’re still injured, and I won’t allow you to be an open target if any of his men show up.”
“Giana—”
“No,” I interrupted, cutting him off with a glare. “If I were still hurt, you wouldn’t let me out of the house, let alone bring me into a dangerous situation. I’d be pissed about it, but you’d hold me back, so I’m doing the same for you.”
His jaw worked, but after a few moments he gave me a terse nod.
He knew just as well as I did that he was not ready to get into a fight.
After our session yesterday, he had to spend the afternoon in bed after taking more pain medication.
He was close, but there wasn’t any point in injuring himself further when we’d need him once we went on the offensive and took Angelo out.
“Have you heard anything from Lorenzo?” Francine asked, cutting through the silence as she refused to meet any of our gazes. She focused on her hands as she nervously wrung them in her lap.
“We haven’t.” I frowned, hoping for all our sakes she was right about him. Francine needed to still believe he was the boy she remembered, and we needed an edge in this fight.
“You’ll let me know though, right?” Her eyes met mine, glassy and filled with hope.
“You’ll be the first to know.”
“Good.” She nodded and stood, pulling in a deep breath. “Then I’ll get to work organizing the town.”
“Do you need anything from us?” Merrick asked as Spade opened the door.
“Some water would be nice.” She took her seat again and rolled closer to the desk. Pulling the phone toward her, she dug her phone book from her pocket and flipped through the pages. “My voice will be gone by the time I’m finished with all these calls.”
“Of course.” Merrick dipped his head and followed us out, closing the door behind him.
“Let’s get ready for our heist, sugar.” Spade beamed, spinning me around to face him. “This will be a first for me.”
“Yeah, I can’t say I’ve ever held up a bank before.” I chuckled, ignoring Merrick’s grumbles behind us as we joined the others in the bar. He was just jealous he wasn’t coming with us.