“You’re my everything, Merrick. You gave me hope in the darkness and the strength to battle the monsters on my own while I waited to return to your side.”
I wasn’t sure how long we lay there, but it wasn’t until the thud of footsteps above us that we jolted out of our reverie.
Merrick got us towels to clean up, the two of us barely getting our clothes on before Sophia came stomping downstairs. A frown pulled her lips down like this was the last place she wanted to be, even though it took her at least an hour to finally drag herself out of her room.
“I tried to wait you both out, but it looks like you two are doing a super training day today,” she said as Merrick and I were pulling on our gloves, trying our best not to look suspicious.
“Yup, you’re just in time. We’re about to spar.” I grinned, bouncing on my toes to warm myself back up.
“Yeah,” Merrick lifted a brow, his lips twitching as he tried to hold back his laugh. “You can start on the treadmill. The usual settings.”
“I thought since you’re injured, you wouldn’t be as much of a tyrant,” she grumbled as she stomped over to the treadmill.
“Enough complaining, or I’ll add more push-ups and sit-ups to the ones I’ve already calculated.” Merrick tossed over his shoulder before he smirked at me.
“He’s evil, Giana.” But she hopped on the treadmill and started her warm-up.
There was a tightness to her smile, something I’d have to talk to her about soon. She’d said she was fine, but I really haven’t had a chance to catch up with her one-on-one with so many people packed into the house. I’d have to pull her aside soon because there was no way there wasn’t some trauma lurking beneath her jokes.
“He’s evil because he cares,” I shouted out over the mechanical whirr and studied her for another beat while she put in her earbuds.
Merrick frowned at me once I pulled my attention back to him, clearly seeing the worry pinching my brows, but I shook my head. I wouldn’t talk about it here, not when I knew she still needed time to get out of that fight or flight mode I was all too familiar with.
Chapter Eleven
Giana
“It’sbeenworsethelast 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.
