Page 16 of Avenging Devil: Part 2

As she turns back to Duke, I raise my finger to my head and circle it—the universal sign suggesting she’s got a screw loose—and I’d had to work to get my point across. For good measure, I roll my eyes.

His brow furrows further, as he continues to probe. “So you got the information that Sapphire was mine and contacted the Crazy Wolves?”

“Well, yeah. Duh.” She glances at me and winks as if to show how clever she’s been.

Taking a chance, I jump in before he has a chance to pose the question himself. “Tell him how you located his club, sweetheart.” I have no idea how she had. She knew the info about Saffie from Cyn, but even I wouldn’t have been able to contact Duke without relying on the services of Token, and I sincerely doubt Susie’s got computer skills.

She giggles. “My second cousin of course. He’s with the feds.”

And how didn’t we know that?Christ. Token is supposed to conduct background searches on hangarounds who come around regularly. In this instance, he clearly hadn’t gone deep enough. Even the Satan’s Devils wouldn’t have entertained someone with a connection to the feds. As for the Crazy Wolves? From the look on Duke’s face, she’s just signed her death warrant.

I only fleetingly care. Susie’s betrayal cuts me deep. The only mercy I’ll show her is a wish Duke will make her end quick.

Duke shakes his head, and I can almost read his thoughts. I told him the Devils were a bunch of pussies, and now he must think we’re in with the feds.

I decide to take advantage, saying angrily, “You can see how that club’s not for me. Fuckin’ security checks my ass.”

His gaze now goes to Susie, then back at me. “What’s your relationship with this one?”

“She’s a fuckin’ sweet butt who’s got her sights set on becoming my ol’ lady.”

Slit, standing behind him, snorts.

Susie’s beaming like the cat who’s got the cream. “Now Saffie’s gone, I can be, can’t I, Niran?”

“You want her?” Duke’s grinning widely as though the whole thing’s a joke. Which to him, it probably is.

But how should I answer Duke’s question? If I have any inclination to try save her life, maybe I should keep her with me. Problem is, I couldn’t stand her before. Now, I actively hate her. She deserves everything she’s got coming to her. She’s the reason Saffie and I are probably going to die. I can spare no thought of mercy for her.

“Never did,” I state forcefully. “She was a means to an end.”

Susie, waiting for me to declare my undying love, takes a moment to process my words. Then she turns and hits me. “You’re a fuckin’ animal. You tricked me.”

Crossing my fingers, I hope that Duke thinks she means in the past, and not in the conversation that we’ve only just had, where she had, in truth, decided not to contradict me.

But whether or not he trusts me, he has more faith in a man than a bitch. When Susie changes her attention to him and starts to scream, “He wants Saffie! He ditched me for her. He’s lying to you,” it’s me Duke chooses to believe.

“Take her out, Slit. The brothers will appreciate a stunner like her.”

When Slit takes a firm hold of her arm, Susie looks scared to death, especially as his hold is so tight, it looks like it will bruise. “I helped you. Let me go,” she begs Duke.

“Doesn’t work like that,” Slit informs her. “You’re here to stay.”

“What are you going to do with me?” Her voice is shrill, her eyes are wild, and she’s hyperventilating as the enormous mistake she’s made sinks in.

Duke turns and smirks. “Good-looking bitch like you? I’d guess you like sex. Well, let’s just say you’re going to get very, very lucky.” He pauses a beat for that to sink in, then adds to Slit, “Just make sure you tell them she’s related to a fed.”

I force a grin on my face as she walks out, though I have to fight back the bile rising in my throat. She deserves a bullet for what she’s done, but not to be tortured to death.

Saffie,I repeat over and over in my head, watching Susie leave without saying a word in her defence. I have to focus on the one woman who deserves to be saved.

“How did you bring her here?” I force myself to sound like I don’t really care.

Duke chuckles. “I called the informant’s number back, and surprise, surprise, I got her. And you know what? She jumped at the fuckin’ chance to join you in your new club.” For the first time, I see something akin to a look of respect on his face. Then, as fast as it arrived, it disappears. “You might even fit in here, Niran. Just like us, you don’t think bitches call the shots.”

I feel bile rise in my throat at the thought he believes I’ve anything in common with him.

As the weeping of Susie starts to fade, another man enters to take Slit’s place. This one carries an air of authority which makes me stand up straight.

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