“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 fornot 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. Itwouldwork 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.
