Page 79 of The Devil We Know

They all look at me, and after a moment, I ask, “What?”

Carolina answers, “You’re the only one who might have someone in there to warn. So, really, it’s up to you.”

I frown, completely unsure of whether I give a shit if my father lives or dies.

And then I remember that if given a choice, he would most likely leave me to die.

“No warning,” I reply firmly. “If we happen upon him while we’re in there, he can be given a choice. Come with us, or die.”

Antoinette frowns and says, “If that’s what you want. But are you sure?”

I meet her gaze unflinching as I reply, “Yes. He hasn’t been my family for the majority of my life. So, either he’s with us, or he’s against us. I expect you all to act accordingly.”

She nods and turns back to the computer screen. Zooming in, she turns to Lilith and says, “You go get our supplies sorted. This place is fucking big, and it’s going to take a lot to take it down. Also, reach out to Agatha and see where she and the other guys are.”

Lilith says nothing. She just turns on her heel and takes off across the room.

Antoinette turns to Camilla and asks, “Do you feel like playing the decoy?”

Camilla’s eyes light up, and she grins and says, “Always.”

She takes a step back, running directly into Kaian, and from the coy expression on her face, it’s obvious she did it on purpose. She turns back to him and rests her hand on his bicep as she says, “Oh, excuse me. I didn’t see you there.”

He glares down at her, and I cough back my laughter, pressing my hand against my lips to hide my smile. I glance at Antoinette to see that she’s doing the same.

He doesn’t say anything in response but backs away, putting some space between them, and her coy smile turns smug. She turns to Antoinette and asks, “Who do I get to be this time?”

Antoinette’s smile broadens, and her eyes light up as she says, “Me.”

34

Trapped

Matt

Well, that fucking sucked.

Obviously, we were well aware that we were significantly outnumbered. And while we certainly held our own for longer than we figured we would, getting taken down and chained up is always a downer.

And they weren’t even nice enough to put us all in the same cage, which is complete bullshit.

On the other side of that, though, they put us in cages next to each other, so I’m curious about the logic behind that move.

I’m sure it’s just so each of us can witness the other one being beaten and tortured, but by now, they should be aware that we kind of think that’s funny sometimes.

For example, Tony’s response the first time one of these fuckers punched me in the face was some variation of, “Hit him again.”

Not that I blame him. Tony has always been a rather straightforward guy, so the idea that he likely blames me for our current situation is not lost on me.

And then there’s his first response to someone hitting him in the face, which is basically just a challenge to do it again because he doesn’t have a fuck to give.

I never said any of us were smart.

I’m relatively certain Kaian managed to escape, which means he’ll have reported back the current situation.

And since Darius still has his watch, it seems safe to assume that they’re at least going to have eyes on us and most likely be storming the place at any moment.

There’s also the slight chance that the ladies will leave us in here just a little while longer, thinking we might learn a lesson.

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