Page 22 of Devil's Game

“Because they know exactly who did this, and they were just stalling to see if they could find some way to pin this on us,” Merrick grumbled.

My gaze sliced to the newcomer, who I assumed was the sergeant. He looked familiar, his square jaw and blond hair cut short into a buzz cut tugging on a memory.

He eyed the cars still parked on the edge of the street with an incredulous glare before barking into his radio. “You can all clear the scene. Don’t make me tell you again.”

The cars pulled out at the same time, nearly getting into an accident in their haste to flee. The sergeant groaned in exasperation as each of them took off down the street.

“Well, they’re done now. Just try not to drag too much attention to yourselves,” he said gruffly, giving Merrick a pointed look. “Not many strings I can pull if one of them gets brave and decides that they want to use you to prove their loyalty to the Barones.”

“You don’t want to see what I’d do if that ever happens.” Merrick gritted his teeth and arched a brow, his biceps bulgingin anticipation, like he might launch himself at the man just for the insinuation.

Anticipation raced along my skin, my fingers twitching as it zapped my body to attention.

“No, I don’t,” he agreed. “I trust everything is fine now.”

“I guess you’re not going to look at the video footage for your report, so I can make an insurance claim?” Kellan huffed as he wrapped an arm around Giana, pulling her tightly to his side.

Dammit, I was so poised for any opportunity to attack that I completely missed my chance to steal her away.

“I didn’t see any video.” Apparently, all the cops were good for around here was body removal since the asshole shrugged and stomped back to his car, casting assessing looks over his shoulder every so often before he climbed in.

He was smart, at least, because judging by the way Merrick clenched his fists at his sides, he’d been about two seconds from clocking the guy.

“Should’ve known that was going to happen.” Kellan sighed and placed a kiss on Giana’s head.

My fingers itched to steal her away, to wrap her tightly in my arms, but I suppressed the urge . . . barely.

“Thank you for your help, Francine,” Giana said, pulling out of Kellan’s hold to gently wrap the older woman’s hand in hers

Even at her age, she was a force to be reckoned with. If looks could kill, I’m sure those cops would’ve been goners the second she narrowed her look of disdain on them.

“Of course, sweetie. I wish I could’ve done more.” She gave Giana a tender look before glancing around at our group. “I need to get back to the shop before school is out, though.”

She hugged Giana tight before turning to Sophia and doing the same. “Boys.” She eyed us, a mix of affection and warning in her eyes before she left.

I couldn’t help the grin that tugged on my lips. She might have no idea what Giana could do, but she wasn’t wrong in her silent command. The three of us would do anything, pay any cost to keep our devil safe. I would rip the world apart, tear the Barones to shreds if I had to, damn the consequences.

“What about Francine? If they—”

“We’ll have a few of our men watching her and her grandson,” Merrick cut in, his near-permanent scowl disappearing like it did any time he looked at our girl.

“I’m going to clean up, but you and Sophia should go back to the house with Merrick.” Kellan’s hand wrapped around Giana’s, dragging her gaze from Francine as the mother figure disappeared behind her shop door.

“I want to help,” Giana insisted, shaking her head. “But you should go back.” Giana pulled Sophia a little tighter, seemingly afraid her friend might disappear if she let go.

“Are you sure?” Sophia asked, looking at the disaster behind us.

“We won’t be too long,” Kellan assured her with a smile. “I just want to get some of the glass cleaned up while I wait for the boards to be delivered.”

Giana’s face fell at that, and I barely held myself back from sweeping her up in my arms and demanding what was wrong.

“If you’re positive . . .” Sophia trailed off, gaze unsure, yet an unmistakable sense of relief slackened her features.

“Please.” Giana nodded, her grip on Sophia’s arm slowly easing.

“I’ll keep her safe, little devil,” Merrick growled and stomped over to her, wrapping our girl in a tight embrace.

“I know you will.” She sucked in a sharp breath as his lips slammed down on hers in a brief, scorching kiss.

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