Page 68 of Demon's Angel

“You’ll what? Harm the baby? Even I know you wouldn’t do that.”

He wants the child of his blood, just as I expected. My only usable threat would be to kill Theo, and I can’t even voice that.

“No exchange? Well, that’s a shame. Your woman and I will just have to get reacquainted instead. I rather enjoyed her the first time.” Suddenly his voice changes and his mocking tone disappears. “I’ll give you twenty-four hours to decide what to do.”

The call ends.

“Something’s wrong,” Drummer says.

I don't follow him. It was exactly what I’d expected. A call for the kid in exchange for my wife. A bargain I can’t make. It would kill Violet if I do, and if I don’t, Angel might kill her himself. Or make her life a living hell and traffic her.

“You’re not thinking clearly,” Drummer insists. “His tone, his words. He didn’t sound desperate for his son. He didn’t demand him immediately, he’s giving you time to stew, Demon. It doesn’t sound right.”

Hellfire steps forward. “Nah, Drummer. He’s makin’ us sweat. He thinks we’ll be weaker tomorrow when we can’t find where she is.”

“Don’t fuckin’ care about the reason,” I snarl. “What he has given us is time to get her back. Now we tool up and go on the offensive. By tonight, I want my old lady safe.”

“What you got in your armoury, Demon?”

It’s Thunder, wearing his sergeant-at-arms hat, who answers Red, “AK-15s, grenades, probably anything you need, Red. And Pyro’s got explosives, as he just said.”

“I have plans of Lucio’s mansion.” Cad stands and brings his laptop over. Thunder, Wraith, Crash and Twister crowd around it. There’s no point all of us trying to get a look, we’d just end up blocking each other’s view.

After what seems an inordinate amount of time and mumblings and gesticulations from the three men, at last Thunder turns around.

“Our suggestion is, we use explosives to breach the walls at these three points.” He turns the screen around, his finger pointing to the locations. “Hopefully that will get the guards running in all directions. We’ll have three groups of men waiting to take them out. You want extreme prejudice, Prez?”

“Only if necessary,” Drummer puts in quickly. “Disable, disarm if we can. We’re talking about a fuckin’ bloodbath and all-out war if we leave too many dead bodies around.”

Thunder glances at me. I raise my chin to confirm my acceptance of Drummer’s sensible proposal. Then he continues.

“There’s a back entrance. One group should aim for that. Another team—I suggest that includes you, Prez—will go in the front once the walls have been breached. Hopefully they’ll be looking the other way when we do.”

“Remember, we have the element of surprise. They don’t know we’re coming.” Thank fuck I put a tracker on Violet.

The lair of the lion himself; I never would have expected her to be taken there. One of their properties we know nothing about, yes. But Lucio’s house? I still can’t believe he’s made it so easy. Well. He’s going to be left with a fair bit of damage both to his property and to his men. “How long to get your supplies, Pyro?”

“Give me an hour, Prez.”

“Go get your shit, then.” I jerk my head and he leaves immediately.

I hate any delay, but know I have to curb my impatience. We do this right or we won’t succeed. I try to put to the back of my mind that Violet will be going crazy with worry. She doesn’t know the pretty piece of jewellery I gave her is probably going to save her life. When Pyro’s gone, we get down to discussing who’s going where. There are five here from each of our other chapters; they decide to stay together, having been brothers so long they know how each other will respond. I will be leading the Colorado boys in from the front once the explosions have caused the sufficient confusion. When it’s clear, Drummer, Red and Snatcher will lead their men through the back entrance. Our pincer movement should catch Lucio and Angel unawares.

Christ. Waiting is killing me. Beers are passed around, being consumed in moderation. I watch my brothers, from my and the other various chapters, and wonder how many of us will be returning. There’s always the risk Angel will hurt or even kill Violet rather than let me take her. Drummer may want to disable the foot soldiers, but Angel? Well, he’s signed his death warrant by touching my woman. This business between us ends today.

Cigarettes are passed around; I notice Hellfire taking one and I don’t blame him, almost ready to take one myself. Conversations are subdued as final arrangements are made and discussed, any weaknesses identified and strengthened.

Cad goes back to his computers. Before too long he’s returned. “There are camera feeds in and around the house. Once you’re in position, I’ll disable them.”

I can’t leave the clubhouse unguarded. I’d like Hellfire to stay, but one look at his set face and I know I’d have an argument if I asked him. In the end, I call Mace, Ink, Lizard, Rusty and Bomber to me.

“You keep Theo safe, you hear me? One whiff of fuckin’ trouble and you get in touch.”

They look at each other, then back at me. Sharp nods come my way. I know they’d rather be in the thick of the action but are also aware I’m giving them an important task today. Angel might be expecting us to put all our efforts into finding Violet, leaving my son unguarded. With Cad, that means six men are staying behind. Eight, including myself, are going. With the men from the other chapters coming as well, it should be enough to take Lucio and Angelino by surprise.

At last, Pyro returns, handing out bundles of explosives and detonators to each of the visiting VPs.

“Peg and Blade will be annoyed they’re missing out on the fun,” Wraith tells Drummer as he secures his dangerous cargo in his saddle bags.

---