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Ten figures emerged from the shadows at the mention of bags, the smoke still so thick I couldn’t make out anything more than the outline of semi-automatic rifles pointed at the crowd, the beams of the lasers shortening as they approached. Judging by the amount of red light beams that remained unmoving, I could only imagine how many others they had with them. The figures circulated through the crowd, the click of metal and jewels audible through the gasps and whimpers of fear emanating from the guests.
I could only register the movement of those figures through the ballroom, still unable to make out the faces of who they approached. Finally they stepped back into the shadows, their lasers rejoining the others as they steadily held the crowd at bay.
“We’re the Devil’s Demons, and you’ll never put your hands on her again, Tommaso Barone. If you try, I’ll take my time breaking you—day by day, piece by piece—until you’re begging for us to take mercy upon you and end your pathetic existence,” Merrick declared, stepping forward and pulling something from his pocket. “But even then, just know our devil doesn’t do mercy, doesn’t feel remorse. Our devil feeds on violence and mayhem and now that we’re at their side, you’ll be seeing a lot more of it.”
My breath caught in my throat at his declaration, at the claiming, at the promise of retribution. Because although he hadn’t said my name, hadn’t even revealed that the devil was a female, I knew these were my guys. This was Kellan and Merrick and the three of us would turn this town upside down—four of us, I amended, glancing up at Spade. With his white hair glowing in the faint emergency lights, face split in a childlike glee at the promise of violence. I couldn’t help but mirror his expression, as hope bloomed in my chest—even fuller and brighter than it had been even before the airport. Running had been my last resort. I didn’t stand a chance at standing up against the Barones, but now—now we just might. Curiosity bubbled up inside me as I looked back out to them, wondering what had happened since I’d left that got Kellan and Merrick to this point. They had connections with some of the gangs as teenagers, were part of fighting rings and other illegal activities, but I never thought they would’ve amassed this sort of power, especially under Angelo Barone’s nose, to be able to pull this off.
“This is a remote detonation. Those explosions before, those were just to get your attention,” Merrick’s disguised voice sneered. “If anyone tries to come after us, I’ll blow this place without a second thought with everyone trapped inside.” He paused as screams erupted. His head swiveled around the room and the cries cut off immediately at his pointed glare. I could only imagine how eerie and terrifying that mask looked in the pale emergency light shining through the thick smoke still billowing in the air as chunks of drywall crumble to the ground in the distance.
“And don’t even try to call anyone. We’ve jammed the towers, so you won’t be able to get through,” Kellan chimed in, pulling something from his pocket as well. At that an electronic beeping sounded somewhere above us, the sound constant like the ticking of a timer. “You have thirty minutes before the bombs automatically disengage, if no one attempts to leave in that time. If someone does, let’s just say there won’t be much left of this building by the time all the detonations we set up go off.”
“That’s our cue,” Spade whispered in my ear. And before I could make a move, he scooped me into his arms, striding toward the emergency exit at the end of the hall.
“You know I can walk?” I asked dryly, but I didn’t put up much effort to get away, enjoying the feel of his strong arms tucking me in against his chest. Sure, I might have daydreamed of slitting people’s throats open, but that didn’t mean a bitch didn’t like cuddles every once in a while.
“I can’t let the devil slice her feet open on the glass now, can I?” he quipped back, the crunch of crystal under his feet punctuating his excuse. “I don’t think your other demons would let me live if I did.”
I clamped my lips shut, not wanting to draw attention to him including himself in my demons, hoping it hadn’t been just a slip of the tongue. Because I wanted him to be. After so many years apart and after being forced into accepting a relationship with Tommaso, I was done playing by society’s rules. I wanted what I wanted—who I wanted, and I instantly knew Spade was someone I craved.
With that, he turned, using his back to press against the bar of the steel door, giving me one last look at the wreckage of the Barones’ pride and joy. Light filtered in past me to illuminate the hallway, cracks running along the drywall, the shattered chandelier lying in broken shards littered along the hall, and the thick smoke that still clung to my skin, and my clothes, hanging thick in the air. Muffled sobs and coughs were still audible from the hall, but I didn’t care, every last one of them could rot in there, as long as my guys got out.
I could only hope the destruction caused here today was symbolism for what would happen to them and their empire. Because now that I was out, now that I was free, I wouldn’t stop until their world came crumbling down around them for everything they’d done to me, to the childhood I never got a chance at, and for the people of this town, of this country, who scraped by day by day just to put food on their tables while the Barones raked in cash they could never possibly spend in a lifetime. Their lavish lifestyles were built upon the backs of those they took advantage of.
Spade paused as though he knew I needed a moment to let it all sink in, and only when I turned my head, unable to stomach looking at it anymore, did he step back through the opening and let the door slam shut on the past six years of my life that I’d fought tooth and nail to escape. I drew in a long, deep inhale, my lungs expanding so much it felt as though it was the first real breath I’d taken in years. A weight lifted off my chest in that moment, the invisible iron shackles I’d felt pressed against my skin for so long vanished too. I was free. But still, some anxiety remained, and I knew I couldn’t truly bask in this feeling or fully work through the trauma of the past and recover until my guys were out too, not until we were speeding away from this godforsaken place—not until every last one of the Barones were dead.
I wiggled in his grip as he turned to walk down the pathway and toward a waiting black armored vehicle idling at the back, attempting to see the mayhem they’d caused on their way in. With the number of guards out here before, they’d had to have done some serious damage not only to have them all taken out but to do so without anyone inside being tipped off. I could just make out figures clad in black, masks obscuring their faces, prodding bound, suited guards forward with the barrels of their rifles into the front doors.
“Now, now, I promise there’ll be plenty of time to see and cause your fill of death and destruction, sugar. But we’re in a bit of a time crunch right now.” Spade chuckled, and his fingers wrapped under me to pinch my ass lightly. I jumped at the sting of pain that radiated there, sending a wave of both annoyance and arousal through me. I attempted to pin him with an incredulous glare but judging by his smirk even he knew it was halfhearted. “Don’t act like you didn’t like it.”
Fuck, Spade was dangerous. I knew what was at stake right now, the enormity of this situation wasn’t lost on me. But it was almost as though he knew I was barely hanging by a thread right now, that the emotions of relief, suspicion, and dismay all warred inside of me, fighting for dominance. I had no doubt that his teasing was genuine, yet he knew I needed something to take my mind off fully going through all of the clashing feelings, and I had no doubt he wouldn’t take advantage of me, not in this state. My mind was still reeling at the sharp turn of events that tonight took.
Spade continued to carry me to the car and I didn’t complain one bit. Honestly, with everything that happened, I wasn’t even sure my legs would support me right now. Though when we got to the car, I had to push down my disappointment as he eased me out of his arms to open the door of the SUV for me.
“Get in,” Spade whispered, gesturing to the interior of the SUV before he focused on the rear of the vehicle. He drew a Glock from the holster at his side and eased forward silently. His face was drawn in concentration but there was a faint smile there, betraying his excitement as he stalked whatever threat he’d sensed.
I was about to get into the back when I paused, registering the faint crunch of shoes on the pavement as someone approached. My heart leapt in my throat as my adrenaline spiked. I glanced out of the car window, thankful for the blacked-out windows as another figure advanced, a gun in his meaty palms.
I swallowed against the lump that formed as I saw that gun pointed right toward the back of the car, prepared for any movement Spade may make. My panic ratcheted and I glanced at the floor, desperately searching for any sort of weapon to help him.
A metallic glint caught my eye under the back seat, and I hurriedly reached for it, attempting to do so silently. The cool feel of steel pressed against the pads of my fingers as I wrapped them around the middle of the bat and a sense of calm took over while the complete helplessness slipped away from the hefted weight of it. No one was going to take away my opportunity to leave if I had a say in it, and tonight was the best chance I’d been given in years.
I slipped my shoes off and placed them gently on the car floor, wanting to be as silent as possible as I stepped toward the front of the car. Ducking down to make sure the figure couldn’t see me, I stopped at the passenger’s side of the hood and watched him approach the rear of the vehicle. I clutched the bat to my chest with both hands to keep it from knocking against anything and giving me away.
“I wouldn’t take another step if I were you,” Spade said in a singsong voice. I glanced over my shoulder just as he stepped around the taillight, his gun already raised. I sighed a breath of relief at his words, grateful he hadn’t rushed forward with the other man’s gun drawn.
I eased around the front of the car, making sure he was facing Spade before I rounded the corner. My footsteps were silent on the asphalt, rocks and sand gritted against the soles of my feet, but I pushed the discomfort from my mind as I brought the bat up and over my shoulder.
“I saw you bring her out here,” a familiar male voice sneered, and my mind searched for where I recognized it. “Give me the boss’s useless slut and I’ll let you go.”
Useless.That word rang in my mind as I truly took in the guard’s face for the first time. I was so focused on helping Spade, on making sure he was safe, I hadn’t scanned the man’s features.
“I’ll take my time gutting you for that,” Spade said gleefully, and I could only imagine the sadistic grin splitting his face.
It was one of the asshole men that had stopped me at the airport, had thwarted my attempt at escape, sending all my dreams swirling down into a dark abyss of despair.He isn’t going to do it again, that’s for sure.
I set my sights on his gun, knowing what I had to do. I closed the distance between us, my footsteps light and swift, my muscles bunching as I swung the bat. The hard metallic surface clanged as it collided with the fragile bones of his outstretched hand, sending the gun flying in the opposite direction.
A shot rang out, piercing my eardrums and echoing over the cry of pain that burst from the soon-to-be-dead guard’s mouth as he snatched his hand back, clutching it to his chest. I didn’t let myself lose momentum, no—I brought the bat back and swung again, putting my hips into it as I aimed for his face. Bones crunched as I made impact with his nose with a sickening, wet smack.
