Page 47 of Dead Devil's Playground
"Sixteen hours until the Playground opens," Hudson says, checking his watch. "Whatever they're planning, it'll happen there."
Ry says nothing for a long moment, her face unreadable as she stares at a point somewhere past Hudson's shoulder. When she finally speaks, her voice has that deadly calm that always precedes her most vicious moments.
"Fine," she says with a casual shrug that doesn't match the cold fury in her eyes. "Let them come."
Rev pushes off the wall, moving closer to her. "Ry—"
"No," she cuts him off. "We've been chasing shadows for days. Let's stop running and let them come to us. We know the battlefield now. We know when they'll strike."
"I can increase security at all properties," Hudson offers. "Double the men at the Playground, put snipers on the surrounding buildings—"
"No," Ry interrupts again, and now I see the plan forming behind her eyes. "Don't change anything. Don't show them we're scrambling. We rule this fucking city, and we're not going to roll over and show our belly for someone pretending to be a dead man."
The gunshot from the main floor punctuates her words, marking the end of our captive. None of us flinch.
"You want to use the Playground opening as bait," I realize, a slow smile spreading across my face. "Let them think we're vulnerable."
She nods, a matching smile curving her lips. "It's about time they knew who really rules this city. I'm not running anymore. Not from ghosts, not from shadows." She looks between the three of us, her eyes gleaming with that beautiful madness I love so much. "We're going into Dead Devil's Night fully fucking armed. And if the Devil himself shows up looking for a fight, we'll send him back to hell wearing his balls as a necklace."
Rev laughs, the sound dark and appreciative. "That's my girl."
Hudson studies her face, something like admiration flickering in his eyes. "It's risky," he says finally. "But it could work. Draw them out on our terms, on our territory."
"Exactly," Ry agrees. "We've been reacting. It's time to force their hand."
The second gunshot makes us all turn toward the door. Camden must be making sure our captive is really dead. Thorough, at least.
"What about Oliver?" I ask quietly, watching Ry's face closely.
Pain flashes across her features before she locks it down. "We need to find his body," she says, voice tight. "Give him a proper burial. He deserves that much."
"He saved your life," Hudson says softly. "That means something."
Ry nods, a muscle jumping in her jaw. "It means everything. And whoever is behind this will pay for taking him. For taking all of it." She straightens, rolling her shoulders back. "But first, we have a club to open."
The door opens and Camden steps in, his expression carefully professional despite the blood spatter on his sleeve. "It's done," he reports. "Clean-up crew is on the way."
"Good," Hudson says. "Have them be thorough. Then I want you to coordinate with the team at the Playground. Business as usual, but I want eyes on everyone who enters that club."
Camden nods and retreats, closing the door behind him.
"So what now?" Rev asks, cracking his knuckles. "We just wait?"
"We prepare," Ry corrects. "We rest. We get ready for war." She moves to the small window, staring out at the city lights in the distance. "And tomorrow, we remind this city why they call us the current devils."
I cross to her, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind. Rev joins us, his hand sliding into her hair, grounding her between us. After a moment, Hudson steps closer too, not quite touching but part of our circle nonetheless.
"Whatever happens," I murmur against her ear, "we face it together."
She leans back into me, her body finally relaxing slightly. "Always," she whispers.
The night stretches before us, full of shadows and ghosts and impossible names. But for the first time since this all began, I feel like we're finding our footing again. Whatever comes for us, they'll find us ready.
And if by some miracle it really is Silas somehow back from the dead? Well, I'll just enjoy killing him a second time.
Chapter 19
Ry
