Page 292 of The Devil's Fire

I positioned the SAW, bracing it against my shoulder, took aim, and fired. My shoulder jolted back from the force, and if she tried it, she would end up on her back and shoot us all, given her lack of experience.

Returning the machine gun to the table, her mouth was slightly ajar.

“I see what you mean. That’s a powerful one.” She said in awe.

“It is. This is an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon; a reliable, belt-fed light machine gun with a length of close to forty inches and a loaded weight of around seventeen pounds.” I explained, setting the SAW back on the table.

“Oh, I want one!” Althaia exclaimed, fascinated.

“This isn’t something civilians can get their hands on.” I informed her.

“Then how do you have access to these weapons?”

I stepped closer to her, enclosing her between my arms as I leaned down.

“I may love you, but there are certain things I won’t share.” I spoke in a low tone, locking eyes with her green gaze. I was especially cautious about what was being said around her now that she was wearing her family heirloom. I had warned the others about it as well.

I needed to get rid of it.

“Worried I’ll spill the secrets on how to access your weaponry to my father?” Althaia wiggled her brows, making me smirk as I slightly shook my head.

“No, I’m not concerned about your father. We have a deal.” I said, stealing a quick glance at her necklace; a deal that led him to believe he could gain access if he played his cards right.

I stepped away and pulled out my phone when it buzzed in my pocket.

Antonio: I just received an update.

There are signs she might wake up soon.

Damiano: Good.

I’ll call you later.

“You’re not going to ask how I know about your weaponry?” Althaia continued.

“I assume someone ran their mouth to you.” I put the phone back in my pocket and looked at her. I knew it was that shitface who told her.

“That was awfully specific for an assumption.” She crossed her arms, giving me a suspicious look.

“Is it?”

“Yes. You don’t assume; you know things for certain.” She slightly squinted her eyes at me.

“There’s a first for everything.” I half-shrugged, dismissing her, and began reloading my gun with the bullets I had fired off earlier.

“No, wait a minute. You know who told me, otherwise you wouldn’t have made that so-called ‘assumption.’”

I ignored her and tucked my gun into my waistband.

“Did you bug my hotel room?”

I sighed. Of course, she went there.

“And what if I did?” I raised a brow, tilting my head a little. Althaia’s face contorted into a scowl, her cheeks getting flushed.

“How much could you hear?”

I stepped closer to her.

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