Page 29 of Veiled Vengeance (The Devils of New York #3)

SPENCER

S aying that I have butterflies in my stomach isn’t accurate. It’s more like my stomach feels as if it wants to fold into a ball of goop and venture outside of my body.

We were all tense as we waited through the night and all day. We didn’t talk much, we just existed in the same space together. When it finally comes time to leave, we pile into the mobile bat cave.

Rio and Zane are supposed to wait in the van while Asher and I go inside Euphoria. The note said to come alone, but none of my men were willing to comply with those demands. Asher insisted on being the one in there with me in case bullets start flying.

Gabriel, Mateo, and Diego are supposed to be there already.

Their job is to blend into the audience and find out where they’re holding Carmen.

Once they know, they’re supposed to let Rio and Zane know.

From there, Rio and Zane are to cause some type of distraction outside the building to draw attention.

Then we’re supposed to find an exit. MS-13 members are supposed to be standing by in case we need help.

“Everything’s going to be okay,” Rio tries to reassure me. He pulls me close, and we rest our heads together. We breathe together, basking in our connection.

Rio’s phone vibrates in his pocket, breaking the moment. He pulls out his phone and reads his screen, furrowing his brows. “They found Carmen already,” he apprises us.

“What?”

“How?”

“Where is she?”

“ Mierda . She’s on stage.”

Fucking hell. This just got more complicated.

Asher keeps a hand on my back as we walk down the sidewalk in the dark of night. Beads of sweat form at my temples from the summer heat. Rio and Zane dropped us off a block away while they drove closer to the club to park and wait for our signal.

“We got this.”

I peek at Asher. “Are you trying to comfort me or yourself?”

“Both, I guess.” He shrugs.

At least he’s honest.

We’re stopped at the door where one of Anthony and Pierce’s henchmen stands guard. “I need to pat you down.”

“Over my dead body,” Asher maneuvers so his body shields mine.

“No one gets in without being checked.” The guard doesn’t budge.

I place my hand on Asher’s arm. “Hey, big guy, it’s okay.”

He gives me a skeptical look over his shoulder, and I give him a half-smile in return.

Stepping forward, Asher goes first. The guard removes Asher’s guns and magazines hidden under his jacket.

When it’s my turn, the guard finds the throwing knives, handgun, extra magazines, pocketknife, pepper spray, and the rape whistle.

My guys loaded me up before we left my apartment. I didn’t even try to argue because I knew it made them feel better.

The guard gives me a judgmental look as he glances back and forth between me and my pile of weapons, but I ignore him.

Once he’s satisfied that we’re no longer armed, he opens the door, granting us entry. Another guard escorts us through a dark hallway and into the club.

Game time.

Masking my emotions has never been my strong suit, but I would walk barefoot across broken glass to save Carmen. I can do this.

The bright lights and heavy bass music fill the room. I spot Carmen right away.

Carmen is handcuffed to the pole on a small stage in across the room.

She’s in sky-high heels, a lacy push-up bra, and a thong. Her makeup is perfect and dramatic, and her hair hangs in natural waves down her back. Her cuffed hand clutches the pole as she walks in a circle around it. Carmen doesn’t bother to put any effort into trying to dance to the music.

We lock gazes, and her lips part in silent surprise. Her eyes bounce back and forth between Asher and me.

Explaining everything is going to be a fun conversation.

A row of chairs surround Carmen’s circular stage, but only two are occupied. Anthony and Pierce lounge in their seats, ignoring her forced performance. They track my every step toward them.

Carmen discreetly glances at Diego who sits at the bar.

Mateo is in an armchair at the main stage, where a gorgeous woman with black hair spins around on the pole.

Gabriel lounges in another chair in front of the other small stage, where a woman with red curly hair removes her clothes for the customers.

Anthony stands from his seat and rounds the edge of the stage while Pierce remains seated. There are two more men stationed behind them. The bulge of their guns is visible beneath their expensive black suits.

“You’re dismissed.” Anthony waves his hand, indicating that the men should leave us, but he doesn’t look away from me as he says it. He makes a point to ignore Asher’s presence, but he can’t help it when he’s been defied. “You were supposed to come alone, Flower.”

“We can’t always get what we want,” I retort and cross my arms. Holding my chin high, I refuse to flinch.

Anthony’s condescending laugh has a sharp edge. “I do. Every time.” He looks me up and down. “I got you.”

I dig my fingers into the skin of my arms as I keep myself from acting on impulse and punching Anthony’s throat.

Coming face to face with the man who has hurt me for years and knowing the full story, I feel this urge to start swinging my fists. But we have a plan, and if I want everyone to make it out alive, then I need to follow that plan.

“You purchased me. There’s a difference.”

Anthony grips my chin roughly and steps close. “I was the one to take your virgin pussy. I still remember what your innocent blood looked like on my dick.”

Fuming, my lips tighten into a stubborn line. “Again. Purchased .”

“It seems you already forgot my lesson. I’ll be happy to teach you again, though. Don’t you worry.” Anthony’s smile is full of malice. “And what do you think you’re wearing? You look ridiculous. Are you auditioning for a G.I. Jane role?”

I raise a brow. “I actually like this outfit. I’m thinking about making this my new look.”

Anthony’s fingers dig into my skin. “You need to watch the way you talk to me, Flower.”

Asher’s breathing is deep, and the vein in his neck pulses dangerously fast. His gaze is locked on Anthony’s hand. The longer he stares, the closer he seems to get to breaking Anthony’s fingers one by one.

“Run along, Agent,” Anthony dismisses Asher, and another guard approaches Asher, grabbing his arm.

Asher roots himself in place and yanks his arm away. “I’m not leaving without Carmen.”

“Ah, yes.” Anthony turns his head so Pierce can hear him. “Help our guest down, won’t you, Pierce?”

Pierce looks affronted. “Why me?”

Anthony doesn’t enjoy the questioning of his authority. He goes rigid and commands, “Just do it, Pierce.”

Pierce gulps down the rest of his drink and slams the glass down on the side table. A dribble of alcohol trickles from the corner of his mouth, and he swipes it away with the back of his hand.

How graceful.

He jumps up onto the stage, bypassing the steps, and removes a key from his pocket. Pierce’s grip around Carmen’s wrist is visibly too tight as he uses the key to remove the handcuffs, but Carmen doesn’t let the pain show as she glances at the bar again, subtly shaking her head.

“Come on. Big brother gave up his bitch to get you back. Time to go.” He shoves Carmen off the stage in our direction.

As she falls, she lands on her side and hits her head on the ground.

He hops down, bending his knees to brace himself, and lands beside Anthony.

He squats down next to Carmen and whispers something else in her ear.

Carmen’s cheeks flame, and she lifts her head and spits right in Pierce’s face. Pierce rears his hand back and smacks her across the face. The force causes Carmen to fall back down.

Anthony drops his grip on my chin and leans his head to the side. I follow his line of sight, and my breath catches in my throat.

Shit.

With guns in hand, Gabriel, Diego, and Mateo sprint towards Carmen. Anthony draws his handgun from his waist while Pierce and their men do the same.

My heart stops as Anthony raises his gun and fires.