Page 8 of Devoted

“The execution order forces us to move before we’re ready,” Gabriel mused, tapping a finger on the table. “If this is some kind of trap… perhaps we shouldn’t take the bait.”

Valeria crossed her arms over her chest. “Going back on your oath so soon, Gabriel?”

“No, but if he captures us all, where does that leave you exactly? I’m not in the habit of breaking my oaths, but I’m not endangering the people I love any more than necessary. We need time to execute properly. We need a plan.”

“We do have a plan.” I pointed out.

“We have a shit plan. Missions like this take weeks to strategize. We don’t even know what we’re walking into, how many adversaries we’ll be facing, or if your father is even alive. Given Giovanni’s history...”

“This could very well be a trap,” I conceded. “My uncle’s always a step ahead, as we’ve learned.”

I didn’t even want to go down that road, because if my uncle was using Rocco as bait—even a dead Rocco—that meant he knew Valeria saved us. Which meant it was only a matter of time before he found this island, and we were back on the run.

“Then we go tonight,” I said. “We go now. The sooner we strike, the less prepared he’ll be.”

Dante made a sound of disagreement.

“This is almost certainly a trap; we aren’t prepared, our plan is sketchy at best, and Giovanni could be expecting us.” I held my husband’s gaze. “But we have you,” I said pointedly. “And better we rescue Rocco under cover of darkness than tomorrow morning in front of the entire Dynasty where innocent people will get hurt.” I paused.

“I say we go in tonight.”

“Me too, as long as I get to fight.” Luca was way too eager for someone about to charge straight into a building full of Ashbound, but I admired his enthusiasm.

“Don’t worry, Em, your husband and I make a good team. You’ll see.” Luca leaned against the window frame, arms crossed, looking at my husband with something close to hero worship. Gods help me.

You and I are going to have a good, long talk, Luca, about charging headfirst into danger.

I can read anyone we encounter. Guards, soldiers, even any of Blackwood’s guards. I’ll know if they’re expecting us. And if they are, I’ll warn you, and we'll turn around and get the fuck out of there. I’m not dying for fucking Rocco Demente, not after what he did to you. I don’t care what oath Gabriel swore.

Fine. He had a point. I blew out a breath, nervousness sweeping in behind. “So, we go in knowing it’s a trap, which keeps us on our toes. And between Gabriel and Dante, we have better knowledge of the layout than my uncle or Blackwood. That’s our advantage.”

“Of course I’m in,” Gabriel said.

“I’m in, too,” Dante huffed air out of his nose like a bull. “But I want it on the record that I find our objective morally offensive. And I still think the costumes are a stupid idea.”

“I volunteer,”—Nico jumped to his feet, raising his hand—“since one of you assholes will just shanghai me, anyway.”

“So, that’s everyone, then.” I looked at Gabriel, who, in turn, was assessing my brother with a critical eye.

Like me, he wanted to tell Luca no.

We both knew all the ways tonight could—and would—go wrong. Luca’s presence could make the situation worse, but he was right about one thing.

His magical abilities were invaluable. Most vampires had some innate ability to sense other people’s thoughts. Luca’s magic was rarer. He read everything. Not just their current thoughts, but memories, too. But I didn’t want to discuss my brother’s magic in front of Valeria. The less she knew when it came to Luca, the better.

“Luca’s coming,” I decided. “Like he said, he can handle himself in a fight.” Then I gave him a stern, sisterly glare and dropped my voice. “Stay close. Do what you’re told. If I tell you to run, you run, and you don’t argue. Got it?”

Luca grinned. “Understood.”

“My staff is preparing clothing for you to change into.” Valeria was back to her composed self. “I have an extensive weapons room where you can arm yourselves. My men will meet you at the rendezvous point with the boat, and once you have my father, we will make sure you get out of the city, no matter the cost.”

Gabriel glanced up at the ceiling, like he was sending up a prayer, then said, “We leave in an hour.”

Valeria intercepted me in the corridor as I walked toward the bedroom we’d been given last night, intending to gather myself in the few moments of quiet before everything went to shit.

Apparently, I was to be cheated even of that.

“Emberline. A word?”