Chapter 12 #3
The stacks of cash were organized in bands of two thousand dollars, and as the first people approached, I started handing them out.
Everyone recognized us. There were people I knew growing up and even some I went to school with, and while all of them were grateful, there were some who were apprehensive.
My name was synonymous with the Barones for years, so it was understandable some might think it was a trap.
But they were still here, which was what mattered.
I didn’t want anyone to get hurt in the crossfire.
I couldn’t say the same about Angelo. He’d made it clear that he was willing to burn the town down just to eradicate us.
“Thank you.” One elderly woman clasped my hands as she took the money, her bony fingers trembling around mine.
“You’re very welcome.” I gave her hands a light squeeze. “Please get out safely.”
“We will, thanks to you.” Tears lined her eyes as they met mine, and I was grateful for the sunglasses hiding the moisture that pooled in my own.
Some of the bank employees even lined up, including Glenn. His eyes barely met mine as he took the cash, but I said nothing. They needed the help getting out more than anyone, after all. If Miller tried to get anything, the nick on his neck would be nothing compared to what I’d do to him.
“Guess he did end up getting one.” Spade snickered, and I choked on the laugh that bubbled up. There was a lightness in my chest that hadn’t been there in years. Like a weight had slid off my shoulders with Tommaso’s death. I had these men and Sophia to thank for it.
Kellan and Spade asked some of the guys to get more bags as we cleared out the ones we had.
We kept going until everyone in the group had gotten their cash and knew where to head if they needed more assistance.
Our next stop would be the motels that Merrick had already contacted so we could pay for the rooms.
“You realize this is the first time they’ve probably gotten anything in this town, right?” Kellan grinned, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “All the Barones have ever done is take and lord their power over everyone. This could make a tremendous difference in a lot of their lives.”
“I hope this doesn’t go on for much longer.” Exhaustion weighed me down for a moment before I pasted on a smile as another woman approached. I handed her the money and returned her thanks. “I want to make sure they have enough, especially since we’re the reason they have to leave their homes.”
“Angelo is the reason why, not you,” Kellan said vehemently.
He tugged me to the side as Spade and Francine continued handing out the cash.
He clasped his hands around my face, nudging my glasses lower so his gaze bored into mine.
“We’re the reason they’ll be able to return, and you’re the reason they have a safe place to go while we’re fighting.
Don’t take on the guilt that should only weigh on Angelo’s shoulders. ”
I blew out a long breath, my shoulders slumping. “You’re right.”
“I know I am.” He grinned smugly.
“Does it ever get annoying always being right?” I scowled.
“Never.” He placed a tender kiss on my forehead. “Especially when it means I get to take care of you and talk you down anytime that mind of yours starts working overtime.”
I leaned into him, his arms slipping away to wrap me tightly against him.
I relaxed into his warmth, letting the steady beat of his heart relax me.
Reluctantly, we broke apart and rejoined the others to hand out cash to the few who remained in line.
Most of the others were smiling and milling about the street, connecting with friends and making plans for what was to come.
A familiar woman approached me, her hands gripping mine tightly as I handed her the money. I narrowed my gaze on her, trying to place her face, when realization smacked into me. “You’re the woman from the alley.”
She sniffled, tears streaming from her brown eyes. “You saved me.”
“I wasn’t alone.” I nodded to Spade, who rushed over, his gaze pinging between us like I might somehow be in danger. “Spade helped that night.”
He hadn’t gotten a good look at her since he’d gone the other way, but his eyes softened as she assessed us.
“Th-thank you,” she said, her slender body shaking. I didn’t blame her. If I were in her shoes, it would take me a while to trust a man again, let alone one as lethal as Spade.
His eyes darkened, and I knew it wasn’t with anger for her, but for the dead men who’d held her down and tried to take from her.
“And thank you for this.” She glanced at our hands, a blush blooming on her cheeks. She released her hold as though she’d only just realized how tightly she was grasping me.
“You’re very welcome. I’m sorry that there are men like that in the world.”
She nodded, her eyes downcast. “I’ve never said anything like this before, but I hope you kill them all.” Steely determination emanated from her as if she were an avenging angel blessing us with her power.
“Oh, we will.” I grinned back at her, and a little spark returned to her as she lit up.
She backed away and joined her friends. She couldn’t have been more than college age, and I hoped none of them ever had to go through anything like that again.
There were only five more people in line when Luann opened the door to her stationery store, her eyes wide as she took in the crowd celebrating in the street with stacks of cash in their hands.
She was married to one of the Barone’s higher-ups, which was why we hadn’t included her in the plans and she wasn’t going to get a helping hand from us.
I tipped my sunglasses down and cocked a brow in amusement as I gave her a mocking finger wave and blew her a kiss.
Her face flamed, her red hair swishing around her as she turned on her heel and stomped back into her shop.
The door slammed shut behind her, and I would assume that she locked it now too.
We’d only have a few moments before she called her husband and this place was swarming with Barone goons.
“Everyone move out!” I shouted, gaining the attention of most of the crowd. “Barones will be on their way now that Luann has caught on. Go to the exit points Francine gave you earlier.”
The crowd dispersed at my direction, everyone heading toward their homes or cars. Soon enough this would be a ghost town. The perfect place for a hunt.
“Let’s head out, boys.” I grinned as the guys closed up the back, and Francine followed me to the van.
Kellan helped her first and then me as the four of us filed in and drove away. Ready to enact the next part of my plan.