Page 89 of Demon's Angel

“Bomber and Rusty.” They nod back when I call their names. We don’t know what we’re heading into and another sniper could come in handy. There’s also a good reason why the older red-haired biker might come in handy, though I hate to even think, other than he’s coming along as a spotter for Bomb. He also doubles as our medic.

“Mace.” The enforcer nods.

“Me, Prez?”

“No. Thunder. You stay here. And wear both your fuckin’ hats.”

I suppose I deserve the finger sent my way.

Eyeing the rest of my crew, I consider who else I’ll be taking. As far as we know Angel has twocaposloyal to him. That means he could have twenty men, maybe more, theirdecinassometimes don’t limit themselves to ten. The don will also have the same information. Deciding to pick a few more, I start calling out names. “Liz.” He’s an obvious choice given his experience, Ink, of course, will already be there with Pyro. “Sparky.” He always tops everyone’s score at target practice, and his injury yesterday wasn’t much more than a graze. “Pal and Skull,” I finish up. Time to see what the youngsters are made of.

“Prez…”

“Nah, Hell, Buzz,” I address the two men who’ve spoken simultaneously. “Need you here.”

My phone pings, giving a location. I don’t need to say a thing. All the men coming with me are already moving, Red’s moved fast and is out the door. I’m checking the coordinates as I go to the bike, picturing the location. Yeah, I know roughly where we’re heading toward, or at least, the turn we’ll need to take.

I indicate I’ll take point, and get into position, Drummer and Red settling behind me, the rest falling into place behind. Then as the sound of exhausts starts rattling the windows, the eight of us ride out through the gates Wills has already opened, followed by Dan driving the truck.

Forty minutes later and my memory of the turn-off is all that I needed. Little more than a mile up there are cars and alongside, Ink and Pyro’s bikes. It’s Pyro who’s waiting for me. “Ink’s gone up on foot. Someone’s used this place as a base to restore cars at some point. There’s a residence attached next to a shop.”

“Any sign of Violet?”

Pyro shakes his head. “Nah, but we reckon we’re in the right place.”

Lucio comes over. Without wasting time on greetings, he gets straight down to business. “We’ve been discussing this along the way. I suggest we surround the house.”

“I don’t want bullets flying.” I want Vi safe, not riddled with holes.

“Understand your concern for your wife. There’s no sign she’s here,” he confirms what Pyro says, “and no sign she’s not. But if she isn’t, Angel must be left alive to talk.”

But not for much longer. I nod.

“Your proposal?” I’m confident he has one from his manner.

“You, I, and some of my men approach the front door. I will take the lead, you will remain out of sight. I would suggest you remove your cut.”

My teeth grind. Not something I want to do but wearing it will make me an immediate target. Again, I raise and lower my head.

“I am taking the chance the men inside will be surprised to see me alive but won’t want me dead. I’m banking on Angel’s deviousness in trying to set me up. If he had his men behind him, he would simply have executed me himself.”

What he says makes sense.

“Angel must know his plan failed, immediately he sees you.”

He grimaces. “He will. So that’s who my men will be taking down. With me there, I thinkCapoFerri andCapoSanna won’t dare show their support for him. I don’t see this as anyone’s except Angel’s coup.” He looks down, then back up. “If I’m wrong, then your men and mine surrounding the building will be alerted by the shots. That will be the sign for them to make their attack.” His eyes hold mine. “I’m suggesting you come with us to search for your woman. If you want to hold back…”

“Fuck no,” I breathe out. “I’m one of the first inside.”

He gives a quick grin. “I did not expect you would leave me to go in alone.”

“We’re wasting time.” I want this over and done with. Angel is in there with my woman.

“My men are being briefed now. I suggest you do the same with your own. Five minutes for them to get into position. As soon as they are, we’ll go inside.”

I explain the plan. Drummer’s eyes narrow when he sees me remove my cut, but Lucio’s right. The men inside will be astounded seeing their don alive when they’d heard he was dead, and we’ll be taking advantage of that surprise. But if they saw my cut, they might fire first and ask questions after. With the size of the family I’m banking on that they don’t know every man under everycapo, and with my colouring, I could easily pass for being Italian, especially with my deep summer tan.

With back slaps, fist bumps and demands to fucking take care, I watch my men, Drummer and Red move with the don’s men to take up their positions. I can see Mace is particularly twitchy, knowing my enforcer would prefer to have my back. After a quick word withCapoFabbri, Rusty and Bomber set themselves up hidden by bushes in front of the house.

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