Page 125 of Ink's Devil

Beef taps the side of his nose. “Got a plan for that, Brother. Don’t forget, even if we give him his Horse, he’ll still want to hit us where it hurts. Taking it in the first place shows disrespect, and he won’t allow that to stand. But my guess is we’ll avoid a fight until after he got what he came for. He’ll be back to take us out.”

Hellfire’s raising and dipping his head in agreement. “He’ll have a million dollars’ worth of shit on him, he won’t risk a fight until he’s got that locked down. I’d bet once he’s got what he came for, he’ll leave town. For now.”

It sounds like the plan does give me a chance of having my old lady back in my arms. Either she’ll be brought to the compound, or I’ll rescue her myself. Then I’ll make plans how to kill Phil on my own if no one else is going to do it.

Demon raps the table. “Decision made. You’ll need daylight to get the best from the drone, so we’ll do this tomorrow. Ink, can it. I know what you’re going to say, but if we don’t do this properly, we’ll fail.”

I hate the thought that Beth will stay with her cunt of a father one more second than necessary. But Demon’s right. There’s a lot at risk, possession of the H being the least of it. We’re risking our home and our lives.

“So, Ink, Cad and Pal know what they’re doing. Now onto the rest of us.” Prez pinches his nose. “We need him to come and leave peacefully. I hear what you say, but how about we negate the risk and head off a fight?”

“How?” Rusty asks what we’re all thinking.

“He won’t expect us to simply hand it over because we’re intimidated, even he must know Satan’s Devils don’t roll that way. But if there’s something in it for us, it will allay his suspicions. We give him his Handwe offer him our premises to deal in. For a sum to be agreed, of course.”

A thunderous roar goes around. Fuck noes, and nevers come from all sides. But Beef’s chuckling, and Prez is joining in. My eyes narrow suspiciously.

Pyro’s seems to have cottoned on quick as he’s staring at Beef. “What exactly is your plan, VP? I take it, it involves me?”

“Yeah.” Beef grins. “Ro, can you make up some bombs? Sacrifice some of the brown powder so if he opens them up, he won’t suspect?”

“I can do that,” says Pyro, his brow furrowing. “They’ll need to be the right size and weight and packaged the same way. Will take me some time, but I’ve got all night.”

“So, if he actually follows through, brings Beth with him, you’ll let him take his Horse and ride out of town.” Hell’s mouth is curving up.

“And then dispatch him to meet Satan in fuckin’ pieces. Once he’s out of the residential areas of course.” Bomber’s hand bangs the table in appreciation.

I like that plan. Like it a lot.

“Beef, you work on getting our snipers in position, guns readied, and traps set, in case they come in guns blazing.”

The VP jerks his chin in agreement.

“Women?” Hellfire offers. “Want Mo to have company tomorrow?”

I try to hide my grin. They need to be off the compound but doubt the ex-prez’s wife will be happy with a house full of sweet butts though she won’t mind the old ladies.

“Yeah, Hell. Thanks.”

“I can organise the whores.”

“Sure you can, Brother.” Liz winks at Judge.

Prez relaxes back into his chair. “Pal, Cad and Ink will set off first thing in the morning. We give them enough time to get into position, then I’ll give Phil a call. Tell him we’ve got his stash, and we’re offering it in exchange for Beth.”

“If I get the drone in place before you make that call, we’ll be able to see if he’s bringing her along.”

Demon nods at Pal. “We’ll keep in contact. Be useful for any info about how many men he’s bringing along so we can be prepared. Everyone know what they’re doing? Okay then, church dismissed.”

I sit for a moment while the others get up and leave. What a homecoming this has been. I’d been bored out of my head in the prison cell, worried what my future might look like, and whether I could cope behind bars.

I never dreamed anything other than Beth was safe at home. It’s been devastating to learn she’s anything but.

Have we got time? Would Phil keep her unharmed, or will she be shipped over the border tonight? If he’s no intention of handing her over, he might.

Then I’ll follow her and find her. Not letting her out of my life now. Every obstacle put between us just makes me more determined that I’m right. Beth belongs to me. Now and forever.

“You alright?”

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