Page 57 of The Devil’s Escape (The Devil’s Soldiers #7)

“We need to get the kids out,” I say firmly. “We can’t risk them being in the middle of this. I’ll go talk to them and Avery.”

Bullet nods. “Good. Do that. The rest of us, get everything together and prepare for the fight of your lives.”

I rush upstairs, straight to Avery’s room, and when I get there, I find the room full, and Isla and Sawyer looking somber.

Avery looks tense, but she’s helping Sawyer grab the last couple of things that he had stuck in the closet.

“How’s it going?” I ask. Theo, Crypt, and Thea all nod at me and walk outside, shutting the door behind them.

Uh oh. I look back at the kids and then at Avery. “What’s the problem?”

“Avery shouldn’t be staying here,” Isla blurts out angrily, her panicked eyes glaring at me. Sawyer nods, his expression tense and mouth pulled down into an angry scowl.

“Isla, I already told you that it’s my choice to stay,” Avery snaps, clearly exasperated. She throws up her hands. “What, you just want me to walk away when I know they might need me?”

“You don’t owe them anything,” Isla yells furiously.

“Isla.” Avery sighs, her expression softening.

“No, don’t try to placate me,” Isla snaps. “Why do you have to stay and risk your life? What happens if you die? What then? What happens? You think we’re just going to be able to pick up the pieces? You’re the only family we have left!”

Avery jerks at that, and I can see the pain on her face. My stomach clenches at the sight. Shit. “Isla,” I tell her calmly, softly, trying to draw some of her ire. “Your sister will be safe. I’m going to make sure of it.”

Isla and Sawyer glare at me. “You can’t promise that,” Sawyer states sharply. “Shit happens, and you’re not going to be with her every second. We’re teenagers, not stupid. People can slip past, get to her, and then we’ll be left alone. Again.”

They really are two scared kids who are afraid to lose their only family.

It makes me want to pull them in close, reassure them.

I move forward, and though I tower over them, neither of them backs away from me.

Or look like they fear me, so that’s a good start.

“Nothing will happen to your sister,” I state firmly, “but if something did, then I’ve already promised your sister that I’ll look after you. The club will look after you.”

“You think we’ll want to stay with the people who let her die?” Isla scoffs.

“Isla!” Avery admonishes her.

“What? It’s true! If you die or get seriously hurt, they’re the ones who let it happen,” Isla protests stubbornly. “He’s saying now that he’ll protect you, but if he can’t, then we have to stay with them? You expect us to be okay with that?”

Avery looks at me helplessly. I mean, I get it, so it’s time to be frank.

“Isla, if something happens to your sister, you can hate me for the rest of your life,” I promise her.

“Both of you can,” I correct, looking at Sawyer.

“I’ll hate myself, and no, that doesn’t mean you have to live here with us.

With me. We know people who can help us get you set up in a good place, and I know a family that will probably take you in without a thought, but I definitely will be the one to step in to be there for you no matter what.

But none of that is going to happen. I won’t allow it.

None of us will allow it. You think I don’t want to tell your sister to get the hell out of here?

Where I know she’s safe?” Avery makes a low sound in her throat that I pointedly ignore.

“I also relish my balls exactly where they are, so I’m not going to force her. ”

“Nice save,” Sawyer mutters under his breath. Isla glares at him and then back at me.

“If anything happens to her, it’s going to be me kicking you in the balls,” Isla threatens. “And I’m younger than her, and I have more power and stamina. So I’ll make sure they’ll never be found. Got it?”

“Jesus Christ,” Sawyer mutters, wincing and inching away from his sister. Avery rolls her eyes.

I nod sagely. “I got it. And if anything happens to her, I’ll let you. Now, are you guys ready to go? We need to get you out of here ASAP.”

“We’re ready,” Sawyer replies. “Avery already has us pack most of our shit earlier just in case. This was just a few odds and ends.”

“Good.”

Isla huffs and narrows her eyes at me. “And don’t you die either,” she adds with what I can only take as reluctance. “It’s no fun kicking a dead guy when he’s already down. I want you to feel the pain.”

“Isla, seriously, he gets it,” Avery snaps. “And you probably can’t get your leg that high.”

“No, but I can get a knee up there if I jump,” Isla points out triumphantly.

“And I’ve been practicing my kicks and jumps.

I’m thinking of trying out for the cheer team.

The snobby bitches on it now can’t cheer for shit.

They just want to be up there and close to the football players. It’s pathetic.”

Avery blinks at her. “Okay, we’ll get into that later. Now, let’s go.”

I grab Isla’s bag from her, hefting it over my shoulder with little effort, while Sawyer hoists his own, and we head out. I lead the way downstairs, and that’s when I hear the shouting. Shit. I glance back at Avery, who clearly has also heard it, with a worried look crossing her face.

We rush down the stairs, the kids close behind, and Theo directly behind them. When we reach the bottom, everyone is running. “Kids to the fucking basement,” Bullet barks. “We don’t have time to get them out.”

“What?” Avery breathes, shock and panic filling her voice.

“Shit.”

I grab Isla, lifting her into my arms, then wrap an arm around Avery’s waist and run. Isla lets out a small screech, while Avery doesn’t bother to struggle—but the glare she gives me could peel paint.

I glance behind me and see Sawyer and Theo running close behind. Sawyer’s face is grim and a little pale, but he’s not freaking out.

Kid’s got nerves of steel and knows how to think on his feet.

If he wants to be a brother when he’s older, we’ll be lucky to have him.

We race to the basement and down to the safe room we built.

Nothing and no one will be getting inside.

We’ve seen to that. I turn to let Sawyer and Theo inside, then I walk in, deposit Isla on her feet, and then Avery.

Before Avery can yell at me, I cup her face and kiss her mouth hard, silencing her.

I pour everything I have into it—desire, desperation, and reassurance. She sinks into me, kissing me back, gripping the bottom of my shirt.

When I pull back, she gives me a dazed look.

“Medic will come and get you if he needs you,” I rasp, taking in her glazed expression. It makes me want to kiss her again—just once more—to leave with the taste of her on my lips.

But I don’t have time.

So I just hold her tight and turn to look at Sawyer and Isla.

“I’ll be back to get you all. Listen to Theo.”

Theo gives me a look that promises he’ll protect them, his gaze hard and steady.

I glance at Avery and see her watching me, confused.

“I want you safe, so you’re staying in here until Medic needs you. I’ll come back to get you, angel. This time, it’s my turn to save you.”

I let her go, and she just stares at me—but I hear her scream my name when I walk out and shut the door behind me.

Crypt’s been given the code to get in with Rose and Thea when he gets down here.

If I survive what’s coming, I’ll have to worry about surviving Avery and her wrath.