Page 24 of Devil’s Candy

The look on Killian’s face doesn’t suggest he shares Angel’s opinion. My job here just got more difficult.

“You,” he rumbles, his lips thinning. “You’ve got some nerve showing your face.”

“Do I?” I ask lightly. While I don’t relish facing Killian, his attendance for this meeting might make it both quicker and easier to reach my ultimate goals. “Personally, I’m thrilled to see you again.”

“How’s the bullet wound healing?”

“Very well, thanks for asking.” I give him a wink.

His lips thin over his teeth. “What does he want?”

“As far as I can ascertain, he’d like permission to kill Vinnie Morelli.”

“Not permission,” I correct easily. “I thought you might like to weigh in on options and timing. He’s dying either way.”

“What makes you think you get to make declarations?” Killian spits.

Angel gestures for all of us to enter a meeting room of sorts. The table is chipped and worn, the walls painted near black, and there is a large bar in the corner.

Angel crosses and pours himself a drink, while Killian and I just stare at one another.

I wait for Angel to return before I answer Killian’s question. I have to be careful with my answer. I’m starting to form a plan, but if I enact it, I will not be these men’s lackey. I will be a collaborator, on equal footing.

Once Angel sits, we all follow, Killian and I taking seats opposite one another. “To answer your question, Killian, I can make declarations because I am able to follow through with them. Feel free to try and stop me if you’d like.”

“You piece of fucking shit,” Killian spits.

I lean back in my chair. I know I’ve wounded his ego. Killian is more like me than any other man I’ve ever met. Shrewd, intelligent, instinctually driven. But he and all his brothers failed to contain me, and it grinds Killian that I bested him.

And while reminding him of that fact is not the best negotiation tactic for this conversation, for the rest of the men in the room, the power I wield is an advantage. “Be as angry as you like. I thought I was playing nicely to inform you of my decision and allow you to shape some aspects of it.”

Killian snarls even as Angel clears his throat. Angel works for the Smiths, but this is his house.

“I appreciate your consideration, Sver, but for the moment we need Vinnie alive. If I’m allowing him to live after what he did to my wife, you can see how I can’t allow you to kill him over Candy.”

“Your part in Candy’s attack last night doesn’t bother you?”

Killian lets out another rumble. “You, of all men, are preaching to us about women’s safety and how they should not be collateral damage?”

I wince, knowing what he’s referring to, and the worst part is, he’s right. “All of our women should be kept safe.”

“Is Candy yours?” Angel asks.

My jaw hardens as I look back at Killian. “I could be part of the force that keeps your wife, Chloe, safe⁠—"

“Keep her name out of your mouth.”

Clearly they need a bit more information, or this won’t move forward. “Vinnie is double-dealing behind his father’s back. If he’s successful, all of your plans will blow up in your face.”

The room goes quiet.

“How do you know that?” Angel asks quietly.

I turn to him, giving him a small smile. “The same way I know that Marco tried to kill Candy last night on Vinnie’s order.”

“What do you want?”

I draw in a deep breath. “Today, I want an assurance that you will keep Candy safe whenever I can’t. And…” I turn to Killian. “I want to hear the voices of my daughters. Know that they are happy and well cared for.”