Page 79 of Demon's Angel

“You want us close formation, or spread out?” Crash calls out.

“Close. Don’t want him to be able to pick us off one by one.”

They’re right to be cautious, but my money’s on Angel not being organised yet. He doesn’t know what’s gone down, whether his plan succeeded. At the moment, he has no reason to instruct his men to attack.

Watching Wraith leave, Drummer turns to me. “When you going to get sorted and get a fuckin’ VP, Demon? Once we’re on the other side of this, make that your fuckin’ priority.”

He’s right. Everything’s all on my shoulders at present. While Thunder’s more than capable, he’s holding part of himself back. Unfortunately, it shows.

“Thunder will be okay,” I tell him, pinching the bridge between my eyes.

“Sure he will. But your second needs to be able to take the helm, and I don’t think Thunder will do that.” His eyes soften slightly as his hand clasps my shoulder. “Not stepping on toes here, Brother, but told Wraith to step up. Do what’s necessary if Thunder is lagging.”

I don’t mind. Don’t mind that at all.

“Thunder’s the best sergeant-at-arms,” I tell him.

“He is. But the VP spot needs more than that.”

“We have a problem,” Red starts. “If Angel is watching this house, he’ll be aware of this Roberto arriving. I don’t like anything that might make him suspicious.”

“No, he won’t.” Lucio, who’d stayed in the background until our men had left, comes over to join us, and picks up on the last comment. “I’ve got a secret access which very few people know. A tunnel under the grounds. I’ve warned Roberto to come in that way. The rear entrance is the code I used in our conversation. No one will see him arrive. Angel knows about it, but under the circumstances, I suspect it’s highly unlikely he’ll have a man looking out for anyone using it.”

Only a few moments later, there’s a sound in the hall, and a doorway opens. It’s hidden in the panelling and impossible to see unless you knew what you were looking for. Hell and I glance at each other.That wasn’t on the plans,he mouths.

Without waiting, Lucio introduces the newcomer as the mysterious Roberto. Then he wastes no time giving hisconsiglierean explanation.

Roberto’s face goes through a range of emotions. At last he turns to me. “Your woman got in the middle of a mess which is not of her making. Angelino, well,” he breaks off, turns to Lucio, his head shaking sadly. “Angelino’s gone too far this time. I have warned you not to trust him.”

Pain lines form on the don’s face. He ages in front of my eyes. “As any father would, I hoped Angel would temper his ways with time. It seems it was a mistake to give him too much free rein.”

“You made him the underboss, Lucio. It was then he started to get power-hungry. Wanted to take thefamigliain different ways. But now, it’s time for action, not reflection. Time to bring thecapitogether. We both know who we can trust, and who have been swayed to Angelino’s more violent ways.”

Lucio nods. “You call them, Roberto. Get them here.”

“Won’t that be suspicious?” Drummer asks.

“No,” Roberto replies. “If, indeed, Lucio was dead, that’s what Angel would expect to happen. Much like yourselves, I suspect, we consider it no business of the authorities, and a council of war is the first step we’d take.”

Theconsigliere’s face mirrors the misery on the don’s. It seems both knew this day was coming, but hoped it was still a long way off. Sideways glances thrown our way also indicates they’re uncomfortable airing their dirty laundry in public.

I’m sympathetic, sure, but despite the pain they’re feeling, I have a different goal than who’s leading the Mafia family. “I need to know where Angel is. Where he’s taken Violet. What he’s planning for my club. Other than that, we stay out of it.” I’ll fight for Violet, sure, but I’m not having the club brought into the Mafia power struggle.

Roberto’s eyes come to mine. He pauses a second, then accepts the condition I’ve laid down. “Understood. We’ll get your answers. I’m confident we’ll have the majority of our men on our side.”

I’m antsy, impatient. The men Roberto is calling together may well hold the key, the information I need on Violet’s whereabouts. But I hate this delay with every fibre of my being.

I pace while he’s placing his calls, arranging a meeting for later on this evening. Far too slow, but he needs time to get all thecapostogether.

My phone rings. It’s Cad.

“Got a list of properties owned by Angel.”

“How many? Can you text it to me?”

He gives me a number and a ping shows he already has. I end the call and pass the info to the others.

Drummer’s stroking his beard, his steely grey eyes watching me, giving me the lead and letting me decide what to do.Christ, what a fucked-up situation this is.I curb my initial reaction to tear off and start searching because I need to be here, adding my thinking into how we’re going to take Angel down.

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