Page 102 of Demon's Angel

“Jay already has some ideas,” Pal shouts out.

“Okay, so men build and women furnish. Pyro, bikes?”

“We prioritised the bikes from the other chapters, Prez, so they can get home. Most of them just dropped so the scratches to the paintwork can be done anytime. Two were totalled, but they are both ours.” He sends a glance of apology toward Mace and Ink.

I glance at them myself. “Order what you want and the club will pay for it.”

Buzz wipes his hand over his face and cringes, but doesn’t say a word.

I turn to the treasurer. “I’m gonna ask Lucio to cough up. His fuckin’ son caused all this shit.”

“What about my bike and Snatcher’s?” Crash calls out.

“Already finished,” Pyro replies fast. “Roadworthy as of this morning.”

Bikes conversation over, Red changes topic, “What are you going to do with the men in the basement?”

Yesterday there was a moment I could have easily killed them with my bare hands. Killing when guns are firing and bombs exploding is one thing, taking a life execution-style is not my way. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I answer him, loudly so everyone can hear, “Told Lucio he can have them. They’re soldiers. They’ve knowingly or otherwise disrespected their don. They’re his problem, not ours.”

“Prez!”

A sudden shout gets me turning. The gate has not yet been repaired so it hasn’t stopped a man who’s walking across the now-cleared parking lot with a purposeful stride, his hands held out at his sides.Speak of the fucking devil. It’s Lucio himself.Close behind him is Roberto and one other man.

It’s like the Red Sea parting as they walk in. A low growled murmur greets Lucio, and hands visibly rest on guns. Snatcher looks particularly uncomfortable, but Red places a warning hand on his shoulder.

“Don Lucio. I’d say welcome, but…” I wave my hand to show the damage that’s been done.

He nods as he steps in front of me, Roberto and the other man standing either side, then Lucio turns around, facing the crews I’d been talking to. “I wish you to know the actions of my son were not authorised byilfamigliaSilvestri. The damage that has been done was not of the family’s doing, nor was it condoned. The relationship between us will continue as it was.” He waves a man forward. “As a more concrete gesture of my apology, I’d like you to accept this.” He breaks off, takes an envelope held out to him, then passes it to me. I pocket what I suspect is a check, without glancing at the contents. Lucio turns back to the assembled men. “My son has admitted that he was trying to expand our territory, dealing drugs where it was agreed we would not go. I am here today to confirm that the old agreements are still in place and you have my word they will continue. After today, our paths should not cross again.”

“And the Angel of Death?” Drummer asks a second before I do.

A flicker of pain crosses the old man’s eyes. “Is still breathing. As you requested.” He turns to face me. “I have men ready to take the deceased. But there were moresoldatiyou captured. You have them? Or have you dealt with them yourself?”

“They are alive and are your men, Don Lucio. You are welcome to take them. I don’t care what happens after that, as long as there is no further retaliation.”

When I’d been in his mansion he’d showed compassion for the men who’d failed so miserably to protect him. Now his face shows no such emotion as he follows Thunder down to the basement. Roberto and the unknown man go down too. Out of curiosity, I also tag along after them.

I may not have been able to shoot an unarmed man, but Lucio has no such repulsion. Roberto barks an order for them all to kneel. Six men, quivering, do so. One looks up with pleading eyes and shakes his head, tears flowing down his cheeks. The don approaches one man, then walks around to his back. The sound of the gun firing in the underground space is almost deafening. Two bullets to the back of his head.

When my ears have stopped ringing, Don Lucio addresses the rest of the men. “You have one chance and one chance only. If any one of you ever betrays the family again, there will be nowhere you can hide.”

Thunder leans in, asking quietly, “An example, or was that the ringleader?”

Roberto overhears, and answers, a twisted smile on his face. “An example, chosen at random. Don Lucio won’t even know his name.”

Christ. It makes me feel cold. And glad I’m in an MC and not the Mafia. I stand aside as one by one, cowed men exit the basement, two bringing their dead companion. Even those not burdened by the body’s weight move slowly. Unlike my men, these hadn’t escaped unscathed.

“Our business is almost over,” Lucio tells me. “I’ve brought what’s left of Angel to you. My men will drop him outside.”

I remember what Violet had told me. “Vitalia was part of it.”

“Already gone.” His tone is business-like. “She was killed in front of him.”

I sigh with relief. “Then that’s the end of it.”

“Yes.” He holds out his hand and I shake it. A strong grasp, neither of us back off. Then he continues up the stairs and starts making his way through the clubroom. Just before he exits the door, he turns back. “Take care of my grandson.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

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