Page 35 of Sin and Salvation

Crow wasn’t the sort of demon who needed to slam a fist, or stand up, or make a scene. He merely gazed at Gian and said, “Last warning,” in the calmest voice I’d ever heard.

Gian’s mouth twisted, but he shut up, grabbing his metallic briefcase with one hand and dragging it up on the table. “Prototype’s in here.”

He’d lost the oily, wheedling tone, now sounding sulky.

Crow unlatched the briefcase and flipped it open. All three of us still standing leaned in.

I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting—mountains of cash? Diamonds spread on black velvet? I only had the vaguest understanding of what actually went on north of Granite Avenue.

Inside was a gun. Crow picked it up, gripping it comfortably. No light shone off the matte black metal.

“It’s an absolute masterpiece,” Gian finally said when the silence had gone on too long. “Light, but enough punch to cut a demon in half at close range. Magic is woven into the metal, so it's undetectable. Vila Armory has already begun mass production, and I’d suggest you have your order in by tonight.” He cut a sly look at me. “After all, certain demons from Pride will, and I don’t think they’ll be shy about using them.”

My throat closed on itself, but I forced myself to keep my expression calm. “Giraud placed an order?” I asked.

Gian spread his hands. “He’s got to arm his so-called shareholders, of course. Especially now that he’s bought that old warehouse down by Hybris Plaza for his new business venture.” His smile was ingratiating, expecting me to ask exactly what venture that might be.

I didn’t, though. I no longer cared what Maxime decided to do, as long as it didn’t involve me.

All I cared about was destroying whatever he tried to build.

“He’s got plans for another casino.” Gian’s smile faded, his irritation clear. I had the impression he wasn’t the sort of demon who took it well when a female showed no interest in him or his gossip. “It’s going to be bigger than Zelus.”

A casino. Good. I could burn that down. If it’d been an orphanage, I might’ve actually had to sort out my priorities.

“Three hundred units. And tell Vila our order is to take precedence over Giraud’s,” Crow said, placing the gun reverently back in the briefcase.

“I can’t just…” Gian stared at Crow, whose black eyes bored into him. “Okay, okay. I’ll relay it, but I make no promises.”

“In this case, you will.” Crow sounded serene as he gave out impossible orders, and somehow, I knew that they would be obeyed. “Now, when did Giraud buy this warehouse?”

I tried to listen in on the conversation, but something caught my eye.

A dark SUV, idling down the street.

There was nothing to worry about. I’d seen plenty of SUVs on this side of Concordia, plenty of sports cars, lots of motorcycles. This one didn’t stand out in any discernible way.

But the churning in my gut told me another story, that it was there for a reason.

“Aeron…” I said softly. Crow and Zane were solely focused on Gian’s intel, and Aeron didn’t hear me. Not even as the SUV pulled into the road and rolled forward.

I repeated his name louder, gripping his sleeve. The hellhound wasn’t the only one who turned, following my gaze, and it seemed like the world flash-forwarded around me.

Crow yanking me behind him. Aeron, Zane, and the rest of the Black Hearts, tipping tables over and crouching behind them.

The door in the side of the SUV swinging open and several of Maxime’s men aiming assault rifles at us.

Crow tugged me down, a pistol glinting in his hand, shoving me behind the table and covering me with his body.

Then the shooting began.

ChapterSeventeen

Isqueezed my eyes shut as bullets ripped through the street, shattering the glass windows of the café behind us, zipping by so close I heard them ringing in my ears like the buzz of bees. One came so close I actually felt it pass over my head, ruffling my hair.

Screams erupted from all around us, especially in the café as the glass windows shattered and patrons scrambled for safety, but Crow was dead silent. I felt his body tense around me, then the flex of his arm.

A single shot rang out above me, followed by a grunt from the street and the sound of something heavy hitting the pavement.

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