Viper's Kiss (Back Down Devil MC #8)(95)

The empty restaurant had a horror movie feel to it. The tables were all in place except for two that were near the kitchen doors. They were both tipped over, small broken vases on the ground, a container of salt broken, spilled across the floor like a small pile of snow.

As they walked toward the kitchen door, Jett stayed in the lead. “Angelo has his personal office in the back. It’s like a mini-apartment. That’s where he has to be.”

“If he f*cking killed him…,” Miller growled. “I’m going to string that f*cking punk up by his ankles.”

Lena flickered a smile. She’d love to see Victor hanging by his ankles.

“Miller, you should hang back,” Jett said. “You don’t need heat over this.”

“And you do? We do?” Miller asked.

Jett squeezed Lena’s hand tighter. “I know what this is like, Miller. What it means. I’ll take my cut off right now if it’s against…”

“Jesus Christ,” Gaige snapped. “We’re in this together, bro. Until the end. No matter what happens. Got it?”

Jett nodded. “Then we bust into the off-”

There was a sound behind the counter. A utensil hitting the floor.

Lena watched as everyone turned, lifting their weapons, all ready to blast the hell out of whatever was behind the counter.

“Stand up!” Jett bellowed. “Right the f*ck now!”

“Please…” a voice said.

“Stand up!”

Lena watched as a woman slowly stood from behind the counter. She had her hands up, shaking. Her hair was black, messy, her face looking worn and terrified.

“Shit,” Jett said. “That’s Stacey. Angelo’s daughter.”

“Are you here to save Papa?” Stacey cried out.

They all approached the counter, guns still out, making sure there wasn’t an ambush in the making.

Jett went to the counter and put his hands out for Stacey.

A shot of jealousy went through Lena’s body as she watched Jett lift the woman up and over the counter. He put her down and Stacey kept her hands to Jett’s shoulders.

“I knew you’d come,” she said. “Please save Papa. I can’t believe this is happening.”

“Is someone back there with him?” Jett asked.

“Yes. Victor. He’s so… angry…”

Lena saw the calmness in Stacey’s voice when she spoke Victor’s name.

“You know him?” Lena asked. She started to push through. “Tell me…”

Stacey looked at Lena. “Yes. I know Victor. He’s my… well, my boyfriend.”

Boyfriend?

All the guys let out a groaning sound.

Lena looked at Jett. Then she looked at Stacey.

“What?” Lena asked.

“Well, I guess he is… he told me he loves me…”

Jett put a hand out and touched Lena’s belly. For whatever reason, that was the trigger for Lena. She knew in her heart any anger should have been for Victor. But Stacey was closer, she was a woman, and she was as dumb as Lena to fall for Victor’s bullshit.

Lena dove at Stacey and grabbed her by the hair. She pulled, twisted, and Stacey let out a cry. Jett was right there to grab Lena and pull her back. He turned as Blaine grabbed Stacey to keep her away.

“Fuck,” Jett growled. “What is wrong with you?”

Lena looked at him. “I don’t know. I knew he had… it doesn’t matter…” Lena looked at Stacey. “I’m so sorry. It’s not your fault…”

“He was with you too?” Stacey asked.

“Lots of others, honey,” Lena said.

“What did he say to you?” Jett asked.

“That he was investing in the restaurant,” Stacey said. “That he was going to take care of Papa. Take care of me. We were going to move to a big apartment together. That he had been ring shopping to make me the most beautiful bride ever.”

“Christ,” Jett said. “And you bought that shit?”

“Look at this place!” Stacey cried out. “Papa has ruined it… and Victor… he’s been the one taking…” Stacey lowered her head and started to cry.

Blaine put an arm around her. “Come here, sweetie. It’s okay. If you get really angry, you can hold my cock, okay? It’s big and can take a pounding.”

“Blaine,” Miller said. “Time and place, man. Stop.”

“What else happened?” Jett asked. “Where is Victor right now?”

“He’s in the office with Papa. Victor showed up hurt. Said you guys were attacking. That you were going to take the restaurant down. I’m hurt and confused…”

“Hurt?” Lena asked.

“He slapped me,” Stacey said. She gently touched her cheek. “He called me a whore and slapped me. So I ran. And his guys came after me. I’ve been behind the counter for hours. Waiting. Praying. Wondering…”

“We’ve got it,” Jett said. “Okay?”

“I’ll take her out,” Blaine said. “Keep her safe.”

“Keep your pants on,” Jett said.

“Can’t guarantee that,” Blaine said with a grin.