Page 88 of Demon's Angel

A sign he is feeling better, perhaps.

“Pyro called,” I tell him.

“Anything?”

“If there was, do you think I’d still be fuckin’ sittin’ here?”

Drummer’s eyes flare and my mouth snaps shut. I’ve heard it called his death stare, and now I know the reason.

“Nah. No movement. Seems the Mafia have sent a few of their men, too,” I hurriedly start filling him in. “They went prepared with flasks of coffee, and they’re fuckin’ sharing it with my crew.”

Luckily that causes Drummer’s expression to change as his lips curve upwards. “There’s a joke in there somewhere. The MC and the Mafia sharin’ fuckin’ java.” Now his face softens. “How’s the kid doing?”

“Okay. He’s in with Mo and Hell. He’s been a bit tearful, Mo said. Don’t know if it’s because he’s missing his mom, or whether it’s a tooth coming through.” When we’d returned to the clubhouse earlier, I’d put my head around the door and watched him for a moment. He’d been squirming a little restlessly while he slept. I’d made him a silent promise that I hope to fuck I can keep: I’ll bring your mom home, Son.

“Your kid’s young enough he probably doesn’t care too much what’s going on as long as he’s kept comfortable and fed.”

Drummer’s probably right. Hell, he has two kids of his own. He’ll know much better than I do. What do I know about raising a son?

Son. My son.The boy I’ll protect with my life. Observing him sleep, I suddenly knew why it had been easy for Hellfire to step into the role of my dad. It’s not where they come from, it’s the life you can give them, that will determine the person they’ll grow into. I’m not a throwback to my sperm donor, I’m the man Hell taught and helped shape. I know for myself there’s no point waiting for signs that Theo will bear any behavioural resemblance to his sperm donor. I’d had those worries myself. When I’d learned my true heritage, I examined my beliefs, my morals, and realised there was nothing of Blackie in me. I was more like Hellfire.

I don’t think I’m a bad man, but whoever I am, I can do better. I will. To set an example to Theo.

I’ll bring your mom back,I silently promise again. I have to. Else I’ll be bringing up Theo on my own.

Three-thirty AM. If he’s not moved by now, I doubt he will. He’s bedded down until morning.

I drowse, on and off, on the couch in the clubroom, ready to leap into action the moment we get any news.

First thing in the morning I get a call on my phone, I’ve barely had time to say my name when the screen shows another’s trying to reach me.

“He’s movin’,” Pyro says. “During the night we managed to get trackers on all his vehicles. We’ll follow to make sure he doesn’t swap cars somewhere but will hang back out of sight.”

I end the call. There’s no need for me to say anything more. I’ll only hold Pyro up. I answer the other call.

“Demon.”

The don’s velvety Italian tone reaches my ears. “Lucio. He’s…”

“Movin’. I heard.”

“My men are following.” Christ. He’s going to be leading a fuckin’ circus at this rate. “I’ll be going to wherever he is.”

The best way is to do this together. “I’ll meet you there,” I tell the don.

Replacing my phone in my cut, I check my gun and take more ammunition out of my drawer. Then I go out into the clubroom. Smells of breakfast cooking are coming from the kitchen, but I couldn’t face food. We’re so close to getting to Vi now I can almost taste victory, and I anticipate the flavour of that will be far more satisfying than bacon.

I’m not surprised to find most of my men already awake and alert; news of the phone call had spread like wildfire. I whistle to get their attention. As soon as I tell them to get ready to be on the move, they are all checking guns and ammunition in preparation.

“We can’t all go, Prez.”

“Know that, VP.”

Thunder flinches. “Said that wearing my sergeant-at-arms hat,” he grumbles.

I whistle again. “Hold up.” I wait until I have everyone’s attention. “I need a prospect with a cage.”Just in case Violet’s not up to riding behind me. I frown, hating the thought she might be hurt but needing to be prepared for it. “I’ll take five other men with me. But the rest have to stay here. There’s still a chance Angel has something planned for the compound.”

Drummer and Red step forward. “We’ll come.”

---