Page 13 of The Devil's Conflict

“I’m a big boy, Thea, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

“Yeah, I know, and I know you’d survive if you didn’t have that piece, but we both know you want it. So I’m not going to get in the way of that. And he made sure to prick my pride before he left, and he knows I’ll show up. Even if it’s only to prove him wrong.” I shake my head and scrub a hand down my face in frustration. “So it looks like I’ll be joining you, even if it’s only to show that asshole he’s made a grave mistake in trying to force my hand.”

Theo’s face turns concerned. “Thea,” he warns.

“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt anything for you,” I assure him. “But I make no promises where your new VP is concerned. It’s time someone took him down a peg, and the one to do it is going to be me.”

SIX

SNIPER

She pushes my buttons and I need her out of my head.

I pullup outside the security office at seven-thirty AM, climbing off my bike a bit slower than I normally do. I’m stiff from crawling around the attic space of the bar last night searching for that godforsaken journal. I’m getting too old for this shit, but it has to be done. Kaleb was on guard duty until Bowie showed up, and while I planned on leaving at two, I ended up staying until four. Meaning I’m only running on a few hours of sleep, but after so many years of going days without any sleep, I’m used to it.

Not that it makes my mood any better. Especially since I spent the few hours of sleep I did get tossing and turning, thinking about one particular smartass blonde.

I scowl when the heated images from my dreams fill my mind and my cock hardens in response. Fuck, I don’t need this rightnow. And I should definitely not be getting turned on at the thought of a woman who is most certainly off-limits. Not just because she’s the sister of our newest Prospect and soon-to-be new employee. I’m far too old for her, and I have no business thinking of her that way. Especially not when I know that if I so much as hinted about such a thing she’d probably gut me. Or put a bullet between my eyes, depending on the weapon she has closest.

And still, the image of her blue eyes staring up at me as she sucked down my cock from my dream won’t go the fuck away. A perfect way to shut up that smartass mouth, but one that will never happen.

Get a grip!

I stride inside, knowing that Shadow and possibly Crypt will already be here. The two of them are early birds, and so apparently, are Quinn and Macy since I’m sure they’ll both be here too for a bit before Shadow takes them to work and school.

When I walk in, Eric is already sitting at his desk, and he lifts his coffee cup in greeting before he looks back at the screen in front of him. “Athena Sutton will be here this morning with Theo,” I tell him briskly, gaining his attention.

He looks at me in surprise. “She agreed? Wow. I was sure she was going to decline. She’s stubborn like that.”

“She’ll be here,” I say simply. “Make sure you have everything ready for her.” Then I head back toward Shadow’s office. Technically I have no say in this business, or who they hire, but in this instance, I don’t give a damn.

When I reach Shadow’s office, I can’t help but smile when I hear a mutinous little voice say, “Daddy, you can’t tell me I can’t teach my little brothers or sisters how to trick people. It’s a val-un-able skill. Nana Rose says you never know when you’re going to have to teach a snot-nosed boy they’re not as smart as they think they are.”

I look in to see Macy, newly six, glaring at her father, hands on her little hips, and a stubborn look on her adorable face. She’s the spitting image of her mother, who is sitting on the couch in the corner of the room trying to hide her grin, other than her blonde hair, compared to her mother’s copper. Green eyes are narrowed on a scowling Shadow, who is sitting beside his Old Lady on the couch looking like he wants to lock her up until she’s thirty. “I think you’re spending too much time with Nana Rose,” Shadow tells her with strained patience.

“No, I’m not,” Macy says firmly. “All little girls need their grandparents. That’s who gets to teach us all the stuff our parents won’t and make sure we become strong women. That’s what Grandma said and you can’t go against Grandma. There are rules about that.”

Shadow looks at Quinn, whose face is bright red as she tries to contain her laughter. “I’m still saying boarding school is an option,” he tells her exasperatedly.

“I’m not going to a school made out of boards, Daddy,” Macy informs him with a stomp of her foot. “That’s dangerous and I like my school. We’re going to be painting today, and you know that’s my favorite thing ever.”

I can’t help it and let out a laugh. Shadow’s gaze turns to me and glares. “Don’t worry, honey, you won’t have to worry about that,” I assure Macy, who turns and gives me her biggest smile. “And I want a picture this time. Everyone always gets them first, but this time I want my turn.” I step into the room and reach down to scoop her up.

She gives me a sunny smile, and I already know what’s coming. “Uncle Sniper, I already promised Uncle Timber I would make him one and he gave me ten dollars to use at school today. But I could probably do one up for you too if I have time.”

“Macy,” Quinn warns, though we all know it’s futile.

“How about twenty dollars, and I’ll throw in some ice cream the next time you’re at the clubhouse?” I bargain, knowing full well I’m being swindled. But none of us will ever say no to this little girl, and we all know it. Including her parents.

“Deal,” Macy says, holding out her hand. I laugh, set her on her feet and pull out my wallet. She takes the bill and puts it into her little jean pocket before turning and walking over to her father’s desk and climbing up into the chair to resume whatever drawing she’s currently working on.

Quinn sighs. “Just think, we could have two more of her coming,” she says to Shadow. Shadow looks both thrilled and terrified.

Instead of answering her directly, he looks at me and asks, “You need me?” I nod, smirking knowingly at him. “I’ll be right back,” he tells Quinn and Macy. Quinn gives him a knowing look and then blushes when he kisses her before getting to his feet. Quinn’s still a shy one but she’s also starting to come out of her shell the more she’s around us. Macy doesn’t even look our way, humming to herself as she colors.

We step outside the room, walking far enough away there’s no chance of Quinn or Macy hearing us. “I’m screwed, brother,” Shadow groans, scrubbing his hands over his face. “I’ll be bailing all three of them out of jail by the time Macy is a teenager and they’re seven, mark my words.”

I chuckle. “Trade in their college funds for bail funds. You might be able to afford to get them out one time by then.”

---