Page 78 of Demon's Angel

If I let him live, Angel is definitely facing death. Lucio might need to start preparing one of the others in the near future. I catch his eyes, there’s that look of pain crossing it once again. He knows exactly what to expect.

Red lets out a short laugh. “You’re buying us time.”

“And,” Drummer adds, showing he’s not slow on the uptake, “forcing Angel out of hiding.”

Of course! The old man hasn’t stayed in top position for so long without looking at things from every angle. “When thefamigliahear of your death, Angel’s going to want, need, to take charge.” Thus, hopefully, putting on hold what he has planned for Violet.

I allow Lucio to take out his phone and place a call. A look my way, then after the word, “Ciao,” he continues his conversation in English. Without passing on a warning or giving a reason for the meeting, he requests the man, a Roberto, to come directly to the mansion and to use the rear entrance.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Demon

While we’re waiting for Lucio’s man to arrive, I and the other presidents go out to find our men. They’re all congregating in the large hallway, circling the sorry-looking guards. The don comes out behind us, shaking his head.

One of the guards looks particularly sheepish. “Mi scuso. Scuso.”

We don’t need a translation, the look on his face tells us all we need to know. Lucio walks over. A rapid-fire burst of Italian, then he turns to us. “I have given a brief explanation to mysoldati. They know it is my will that they are kept out of the way for now and will give you no problem. Please, Luigo will show you the way. Then I’d appreciate those supplies we discussed.”

I nod.

“We’ll go check it out.”

This time it’s the Vegas prez I raise my chin toward. Yeah, we need to make sure there’s no way out and no means of communication down there. There’s only so far I trust Lucio.

“Luigo?” Having gotten my agreement, Red indicates to his men. When a man takes a step forward to identify himself, his hands still bound behind him, Red disappears with him through a doorway, Crash follows them through.

Moments later they reappear. “It’s secure,” Red assures me.

It doesn’t take too long. Surrounded by the Satan’s Devils, the men go to the kitchen and reappear carrying armfuls of food. The two women come along with them. There are also a couple of crates of beer going down there as well. Buzzard escorts one carrying a television and DVD player, along with a number of DVDs. Slowly the atmosphere changes. It’s almost like they’re preparing for a party. The injured ones are being helped down by their comrades.

I have to admit to breathing a sigh of relief once they’re contained and I can focus on my next worry.

“It’s not only Lucio Angel will want taken out,” I tell Red and Drummer, bluntly.

“He’ll be coming for us. He’ll have to. Might be him who set Lucio up, but all his crew will know is that the Satan’s Devils supposedly killed him. He’ll attack the compound,” Hell injects grimly, having overheard my words. “If he doubts the kid’s his, he won’t give a fuck about who he hurts.”

“That’s my thinking.”

Looking around me, I send swift thanks up to some unknown deity that all our men have, so far, come through uninjured, with the exception of Sparky, who looks more annoyed than hurt. I take out my phone and place a quick call to Bomber, telling him to be on high alert, and to put the club on lockdown.

Then I turn back to Drummer and Red. “Need as many as possible back there.”

“I’ll stay. Want to know what Lucio’s planning.”

I dip my head at Drummer, glad to have his company. There’s no way on earth I’m not sticking close to Lucio’s side, needing to be the first to know where the fuck Angel has Violet.

“Don’t like splitting our resources, but we’re going to have to. While an attack might be imminent, we also need to be able to respond to whatever situation your girl’s in. Need manpower for that.” Drummer’s hand tugs at his beard. “I suggest we send the VPs back, but we’ll stay,” he breaks off to jerk his chin toward Red, “and perhaps half-a-dozen others.”

“I’m going nowhere,” says Hell. “That’s my daughter-in-law we’re talking about.”

I’m happy to defer to Drummer and not make all the decisions myself. I’m torn as to what to do. If I rescued Vi, but lost the compound and Theo, well, that’s unthinkable.

In the end, it’s Pyro, Beef, Rock, Indian and Twister who remain. The VPs and Snatcher, who’s looking paler by the moment, though he’s trying to bluster his way through, will be returning. After catching my eye, as it’s a multi-club front we’re putting together, Drummer takes over, giving his precise instructions for how the lockdown is to be handled. Apart from being the national prez, Drummer’s had a hell of a lot of experience with fending off attacks, and I’m happy for him to give advice which I might not have thought about. Face it, I’m not thinking straight about anything other than getting my woman back.

“You keep your fuckin’ eyes peeled,” Drummer warns the group about to leave. “If I were Angel, I’d have eyes on the compound.”

“Could be an ambush,” Wraith agrees, eyeing the men who’ll be riding with him. “You keep your fuckin’ guns handy. Any truck, SUV that gets too close, shoot the fuckin’ tires out.”

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