“We’ll bar the doors. Nobody in or out until we’ve killed every last one of them or die trying.”
I didn’t like the sound of that, but he had a point. This had to end tonight, one way or another.
“We’re trusting you tonight, Lorenzo.” Ice laced Giana’s tone, sending a shiver down my spine. I couldn’t help but smile with her as a cruel grin tilted her mouth up. “If I find a knife at my back, I won’t give you a clean death. I will tear every inch of skin from your body, until you’re begging me to end it, but I won’t stop, not until that final breath rattles from your lungs.”
Francine pursed her lips, but she didn’t argue. Hell, the tough older woman didn’t even seem fazed by Giana’s threat. Sophia didn’t look disturbed either. Obviously they’d both come to terms with the wickedly violent side of our little devil. Spade practically bounced in his seat like he didn’t care if Lorenzo went against us; he’d rather take him apart piece by piece with Giana.
“Understood.” His tone wasn’t as cold as I’d suspected, merely agreeable, like he wouldn’t expect anything less of her.
I couldn’t blame Spade. I’d rather send Lorenzo to an early grave right alongside his father, but Francine and Giana would be pissed at me if I went back on our word. Giana’s amber eyes met mine, a flicker of amusement there as she shook her head.
“No fun.” I mouthed at her, and she stuck out her tongue in response. If the kitchen wasn’t packed with our friends right now, I’d suck that tongue right into my mouth and devour her whole.
“Wait for my signal, and everything will go off without a hitch.” His chipper tone made me want to reach through the phone and pound his skull in. I’m sure he wouldn’t be so nonchalant if it were the woman he loved walking into the lion’s den. Kellan and I both scowled, our minds going to the same place. Although I wasn’t sure a Barone had enough of a heart left to truly love anyone.
“We’ll wait for your call.” Giana was about as impressed as we were. We were taking a leap of faith here trusting him, and our world could come crashing down around us if we took a wrong step.
Silence permeated the room as Giana hung up and passed the phone back to Francine. We had our plan. And I didn’t like it one bit. It put Giana right in Angelo’s clutches, but it was the only way tonight didn’t end with a bloodbath.
“You’re going back to the motel with Francine, Sophia.” Zane’s declaration cut through the tension like a knife. “We’ll have to bring most of our men with us, so one less place to guard is best.”
“But I—”
“He’s right,” Giana said before her friend could argue. “If your training was further ahead, I wouldn’t have a problem bringing you with us, but none of us want you to be in danger.”
Sophia nodded and clasped Francine’s shoulder. “I guess it’s just you and me tonight.”
Francine grasped Sophia’s hand, her smile laced with sorrow. “They’ll be coming back before you know it.”
Sophia’s cheeks reddened, but she didn’t argue.
“We’ll take you back to the motel.” Sebastian pushed back from the table and stood, straightening his suit jacket, and concealing any sign of the unease that I’d caught only moments before.
Sophia bolted around the table and slammed into Giana, wrapping her in a fierce hug. “You better come back to us unscathed this time. I’ve had enough waiting by your bedside for a lifetime. I honestly think if it happens again I might just have a heart attack.”
“Well, we couldn’t have that.” Giana chuckled, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes.
Francine embraced her the moment Sophia released her, muttering something in her ear that was only meant for the two of them. Giana nodded as she took a step back, her arms wrapping around her chest as though she was trying to soothe an ache in her heart.
I stepped in beside her before Kellan or Spade could, nestling her against my hard chest. She eagerly wrapped herself around my side and I nearly groaned at her curves pressed up to me.
Kellan huffed in amusement, while Spade glowered.
“We should call a meeting,” Kellan said as the others filed through the door. “We need to fill the Demons in on the plan and make sure we’re ready for tonight.”
“You should.” I nodded my agreement, earning myself a glare from Kellan this time.
“I can—”
“No,” I interrupted before Giana could volunteer herself. “You need some rest before tonight. You’re still healing.”
She shot me a baleful look. “So are you.”
“Exactly, that’s why we should stay here while they meet with the others.”
I expected Spade to argue, but to my surprise he clasped Giana’s face between his palms, capturing her attention. “There’s no reason that all of us should go. You and Merrick rest, we have this covered.”
He slammed his lips to hers in a brief, intense kiss before letting her go. As Kellan stepped into his place and gave our girl his own parting kiss, Spade met my gaze, his eyes tightening in warning.
