Demons hellfire, p.6
Demon's Hellfire, page 6
“He took one of ours from us. That will not go unpunished.” Nitro rose to his full height, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Jagger, all the information you need to get started is in your office. I want him found. Now.” His gaze landed on each of us individually. “I’m sending the rest of you to the homes of the two families that were taken. Talia and Roarke, you’re going to Houston. Bastian and Rian, to Dallas. I have files on each family ready for you. I want you to comb through the crime scene, see what you can find. Anything, even the smallest detail, could help. Send it to Jagger to work his magic. And I expect you to report in every two hours.”
My heart began to pound in my chest, both in excitement and fear. I wanted revenge for Risa, the same as everyone else, but I’d never gone up against anyone like Killian Reed before. He was pure evil. A vicious son of a bitch who wouldn’t hesitate to slit your throat if he thought you posed a threat to him. But I knew I was going, no matter what. Those family’s lives depended on us. There was no one else to save them.
“Team.” We all looked as one at Nitro, waiting for him to speak. “Reed should be long gone from both abduction sites, but on the off chance that he sticks around to see if one of us shows up, you will not engage. You will get in, get the information we need, and get out. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir!”
“Good. We will get vengeance for Risa, but none of your lives are expendable. Be safe and come home.”
It was an order. One he expected to be carried out. I, for one, intended to do it. I had too much to live for now.
9
DEMON
“I need some of you to run a shipment of guns to Dallas tonight.”
“Demon, Shyla, and I can,” Shadow volunteered, not even bothering to ask me. He already knew if he went, I was going. And he very rarely went anywhere without Shyla by his side.
“Sounds good. Holliday and Slash, you go with them. Take Taz. He can drive the truck.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “You sure you want him on the truck? Guy’s magic with a computer. Not so sure about his driving.”
Taz flipped me off but kept quiet, which was surprising since he’d seemed to have so much to say to me recently.
Wraith grinned as laughter filled the room. “Good thinkin’ Demon. You drive. Taz can ride with you and see how it’s done. Be a good chance to get to know your new brother-in-law better.”
Well, shit. That backfired quickly. “Naw, I’m good, Wraith. You know me, I do better on my bike.”
“You’re driving,” Wraith growled in a tone that allowed no argument. “Taz is with you, Shadow and Shyla leading, and Holliday and Slash in the rear.” He leaned forward, elbows on the table, glaring at us. “Anyone got a problem with that?”
I shook my head, pissed but knowing there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. I was now stuck in a truck for three hours with an asshole I wanted to throat punch for hurting my woman.
“Good. Guns are being loaded now. You leave in an hour.” Standing, he nodded to us. “Church is over.”
I rose with the rest of my brothers, and we filed out of the room. Stalking directly out of the clubhouse, I went straight to my bike. I needed to get out of there; at least, until my temper cooled off. I hated the way Taz was treating Rian. Refusing to acknowledge the fact that she was a grown woman, able to make her own decisions. It hurt her, and that just pissed me the fuck off.
“Demon!”
For the first time in a long time, I ignored my brother. Shadow meant well, but it wasn’t going to help. Not this time. Throwing my leg over my Harley, I started it, revved the engine loudly, and was out of the parking lot in less than a minute. I opened it up on the highway heading out of town, away from all the bullshit. Thoughts of Rian ran through my mind as I urged the bike over eighty miles per hour. She was so beautiful with her soft, auburn curls I loved to feel against my skin. Eyes I could get lost in for hours. Lips I ached to touch with mine again. I had fallen fast and hard, was willing to give her anything because I wanted her to be happy. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem she was willing to do the same. All I’d asked before she left me standing in the parking lot alone at the clubhouse yesterday was that she text me randomly to let me know she was okay. Almost twenty-four hours later, and I hadn’t heard from her once.
I was angry, but more than that, I was worried. She’d seemed to clam up before she left. Giving me a quick kiss before sliding into her car and leaving. She hadn’t let me claim her. Was she having second thoughts about us? We were mates. No getting around it. She couldn’t take another, but that didn’t mean she had to accept me, either. If that was her choice, there wouldn’t be a damn thing I could do about it.
The thought of that had me going even faster. Fear clouded my judgment as I swerved around a wide turn, almost losing control of my bike. Cursing, I slowed down some, knowing it wouldn’t do me any good if I dumped it.
It’s okay, brother. I got you.
I stiffened at the sound of Shadow’s voice in my mind. Calm, controlled, the complete opposite of what I was feeling right now. I heard the bike, sensed them both near. Shadow and Shyla, my ever-present companions. My brother and sister-in-law. The two people besides Rian who meant the most to me in life. They were always there for me, no matter what. I should have known they wouldn’t let me tear out of the clubhouse without them following.
What am I going to do if she denies my bite?
I was worthless without her. Nothing. She held the other half of my soul. If she chose not to claim it, what would happen to me? I’d already lost my heart to her. Would I lose my soul, too?
She will not deny you, little brother. She just needs time.
It was Shyla, her voice full of love and understanding. Slowing my bike down even more, I whispered my biggest fear to them. The one that held me captive whenever she wasn’t near. The one that brought forth nightmares of holding my mother’s hand while the last breath left her body.
What if something happens to her while she’s out on one of her missions? What if… she doesn’t make it home?
There was a moment of silence, and then Shyla murmured, None of us knows what the future holds, Brady. What I do know, is you have to live for the present. You can’t hold on to her too tightly, or you will lose her. Just be there for her.
I can’t lose her.
Just love her, little brother, Shadow said gruffly. That’s all you can do right now. All you have control over. Love her.
I do, I admitted, slowing my bike down even more so they could ride up beside me. I do.
Good.
Coming to an intersection, I glanced over at my brother and his mate, a small smile on my lips. “Thanks.”
“Always,” Shadow replied with a nod. “Now, let’s get to work.”
Grinning, I revved the engine of my Harley and turned my bike around, a clear invitation to race sent to my brother. He didn’t disappoint. Soon, we were flying back to the clubhouse at breakneck speed, Shyla’s laughter slipping into my mind.
The first couple of hours in the truck were quiet. Taz watched the mirrors and outside in case of an ambush while I drove. It didn’t happen often, but every once in a while some dumbass crew decided to try and hijack our guns, so we had to stay alert.
We were almost to our destination before Taz spoke. “Have you heard from her?”
I heard the nervousness in his voice, which made me hesitate before I gave a smartass response. Her family had to be just as worried about her as I was. But whereas before they hid behind the idea that she had some cushy office job, now they didn’t have that luxury. Now, they knew without a doubt that where she was, she was very likely in danger.
Sighing, I shook my head, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “Not yet.”
“This fucking sucks.”
“Yeah.”
“Look, Demon,” Taz paused, glancing around outside again before saying, “I know I’m being a prick. It’s just, she’s my baby sister. If anything happens to her…”
“I get it,” I grunted, glaring into the darkness. I couldn’t leave it at that. Couldn’t keep quiet. Taz had a right to his feelings, but so did Rian. “She needs to know she has your support. It’s hard enough for her to do what she does. She doesn’t need to go into it thinking you all can’t accept her for who she is. Thinking she’s alone.”
“Alone?” Taz said in surprise. “Rian is never alone. She has all of her family.”
“She has a family who sees her as a child. Who wants to coddle her and protect her from life.”
“What’s wrong with wanting to protect the people you love?” Taz demanded.
“Not a damn thing,” I said, glancing over at him, “as long as you don’t smother her while you do it. She feels like she has to pretend to be someone she isn’t around all of you. It hurts her. Breaks her heart. She wants you to accept her for the woman she is, and to stop trying to hold her back.”
“Just who is she, Demon?” Taz snarled, baring his fangs in my direction. “Since you seem to know so much about my little sister, who the hell is she?”
I spared a look in my mirrors and out the side windows before replying. “Rian is one of the strongest, most courageous people I’ve ever met. She’s confident in herself and the person she is, even though she pretends to be someone else in front of her family. She lives to save and protect others, and will rain fire down on anyone who gets in her way. She would give her life for those she is fighting for without a second thought. She’s the light in a world full of darkness. My light.”
“Well, shit.” I heard Taz take a deep breath, then he muttered, “How do you handle it? She’s your mate, man. She’s out there in danger, and you aren’t there to protect her. How can you sit there sounding so fucking calm when my sister could be in trouble right now?”
“I’m not calm,” I admitted quietly, coming to a stop at a red light, and then slowly taking off again when it turned green. “I’m terrified. Every second that goes by that I don’t hear from her, I want to kill someone.”
“You’re her mate. Can’t you make her resign from whatever job she’s doing?”
I shook my head, looking over to meet his troubled gaze. “I’ll lose her if I try. Not only that, but what she does is a part of who she is. I refuse to take that from her. I want the person she is, not the person you all want her to be.”
Taz nodded slowly, then turned to look out the window again. “I just want her safe. She’s my baby sister. I can’t help wanting to protect her.”
“I get it,” I muttered, slowing down at the entrance to the parking lot where we were meeting the group we were selling the guns to. “I feel the same way.”
Pulling up next to the other truck parked in the back of the lot behind an old warehouse, I put it in park, but kept the engine running.
Be careful, Demon. Something doesn’t feel right.
When Taz would have opened his door, I reached over and placed a hand on his arm. “Hold up. Shadow says something’s off.”
This place is surrounded, Shyla whispered in my mind. They didn’t come to deal. They came to steal the guns.
“The place is surrounded,” I said quietly.
A car door slammed shut, and a voice rang out. “Good to see you all made it safely with our weapons.” I stiffened at the Russian accent. That wasn’t right. The group we were supposed to be meeting were Americans.
“No problems at all,” Shadow replied in an even tone.
Where are you, Shyla? I asked, knowing my brother had dropped her off before we hit the site. Slash was also somewhere under the cover of darkness. Shadow and Holliday were out in the open, the ones in charge of dealing with the humans.
Right above you, brother. I took out the stupid idiot they had covering from the top of the warehouse. He didn’t know what hit him.
That’s my woman, Shadow said, his voice full of pride.
My brother’s woman was right smack in the middle of danger, and he was proud of her. He wasn’t rushing to try to get her out of there. He was trusting her to handle business on her end, so he could take care of things on his.
Shyla is more than capable of the task she’s been given, Shadow said confidently.
Yes, she is, I agreed, knowing it was the truth. Just as Rian would be, if she were here.
Where do you want me? I asked, debating on leaving the truck to come help.
Right where you are until I get this shit figured out. I may need you to haul ass out of here.
“Your guns, huh?” Holliday drawled, from somewhere near. “That’s funny, I could have sworn the bossman said we were meeting up with humans.”
“We have some humans on our team,” the Russian replied smoothly, a hint of persuasion in his voice.
“I see,” Holliday said. “Smells like a bunch of bullshit to me.”
“Excuse me?”
“Are you going to tell me you have Americans on your team as well?”
What the fuck is Holliday doing? I growled, my hand on the door handle, ready to jump from the truck if needed.
Stupid fucker’s drunk, Shadow snarled. I can smell him from twenty feet away.
I’m coming out, Shadow.
Just wait.
No, you need me.
Wait, Demon. I got this, Shyla promised.
“Yes, I have several Americans on my team.”
“More lies, motherfucker,” Holliday said. “There are no Americans, and no humans. And we weren’t selling these weapons to a team. It’s an MC club. Get it right.”
Good thing this gun has a silencer on it, Shyla said quietly. I had the impression of her taking one shot, and then another, dropping two men from their hiding places. Holliday is about to get himself killed.
How many men are left, baby?
I got three of them, and Slash took out two. I don’t see any others, except for the ones with you.
Demon, you’re up. See how many you can connect with. I need to keep my focus on this shady bastard in front of me.
I glanced over to see Taz holding a gun, his gaze steady as he trained it on what was going on outside the truck. “Shyla took out three of them, Slash two. I’m going to see how many are left.”
Taz nodded in understanding. “I got you.”
Closing my eyes, I concentrated on the area around me. At first, several thoughts bombarded me at once. It took me a moment, but finally I was able to separate them by voices.
I can’t let him die. My sister will kick my ass. And, by the sounds of it, she really might be able to.
I almost smiled as Taz’s thought came to me. He was right, Rian could easily take him. That was my woman.
Where the fuck are my men? They should have infiltrated by now.
Any day now, dumbasses. We need to get these guns out of here and on the ship before Slicer figures out we slaughtered half of his crew and stole his guns. He’ll come after us as soon as he does. Especially, since we stole his little bitch from him.
Shit, what did I get myself into? I should have stayed with my brothers. I never should have sold them out. She’s just so hard to resist, though.
I can take the two in front of Maxim first. Then the two hiding in the truck. They’ll never see me coming.
A slow grin crossed my face, as I whispered to my brother and Shyla, There is one left that isn’t with the three you are talking to, Shadow. He’s getting ready to make his move. Doesn’t think he needs a gun. He’s tougher, stronger than anyone here.
Where? Shyla asked calmly.
I focused on the man, a wolf shifter, who relied on his strength for everything. Which was probably good, because he didn’t seem to have much for brains.
Warehouse. On the corner, by a dumpster. Getting ready to make his move.
I was aware of the kick of a gun against Shyla’s shoulder, and then she whispered, Not anymore.
Okay, Demon. Time to come play.
A slow smile spread across my face as I looked over at Taz. “The only ones left are the three with Shadow. He’s ready to get this over with.”
Taz nodded in understanding, opening his door at the same time I did mine, and jumping to the ground.
I walked over to where Holliday stood, swaying slightly on his feet, and inhaled deeply. It was obvious that he was not only drunk off his ass, but that he’d been drinking recently. Which meant the fucking idiot was drinking while riding his bike. Wraith was going to be pissed. Not only was he putting his life in jeopardy right now, but also those of his brothers. The Prez was not going to go lightly on him this time.
“What do you think, Shadow?” I asked out loud, moving to stand by his side. “Maxim here wants our guns. Guns promised to someone else. He wants them so badly that he killed for them. The question is, do we let him have them?”
Fuck no, we weren’t letting him have them. But there wasn’t anything wrong with having a little fun at the bastard’s expense. Not after he’d planned to murder all of us and steal our weapons in the first place.
“How do you know my name?” The Russian asked in confusion before his face became a steel mask. “You did something to my men, didn’t you?”
“No more than what you had planned for us,” Shadow drawled, meeting the man’s gaze. “You screwed up, Maxim.”
“How?”
“First of all, when the Dark Leopards in East Texas make a deal with someone, they honor that deal. No matter what someone else tries to bring to the table. Second of all…”
“What?” Maxim snarled, taking an aggressive step toward my brother.
A slow grin crossed Shadow’s face as he said, “You pissed my mate off. Trust me, it’s not wise to do that.”
That’s right, asshole. One more step in my mate’s direction, and you are getting a bullet between the eyes.
“What the hell does your mate have to do with any of this?” the man next to Maxim demanded as the one on the other side of him seemed to cower back away. Ah, the little bitch. He wore the cut of the human MC club we were supposed to be doing business with. He wasn’t going to live through the night. None of them were.
