"Blasted everlasting hell."

Devlin wiped the sweat that was trickling down his brow with his sleeves and angrily let out another string of cringe worthy curses. How could this be happening now of all times? How could his perfectly laid down plan be going down the drain as fast as one could blink?

"He was supposed to be here! Why the fuck isn't he here?!"

"Boss."

"What?"

"I think you should keep your voice down." Cody said, almost warily.

Devlin gave him an icy glare. "Say that one more time and I swear will hurl you through that window."

Cody nodded quietly and Devlin sighed.

"You're right. I need to keep my voice down. I could make thing go way worse than it has."

Devlin looked down at the large screen which was divided into four compartments and which was a live CCTV feed from the two corners of the ball room, one from outside the gate and one at the passageway leading to the surveillance room which they had hijacked. Security men were supposed to be in the room, watching and surveying the things going on outside and in the hall, but they were unfortunate to be on duty that evening as they were all blindfolded, tied up and soundly asleep.

Devlin had gone to so much trouble, risking his life and that of his boys to get to where they were. He didn't want anything soiling the perfect plan he had made to reveal Deaton. The plan was flawless and would be the perfect bait to trap him.

Only that he had to be present.

Devlin stood and started pacing around the room in worry. If he lost this opportunity, it would be very hard to come across another. He sat again and looked at the feed from inside the hall that was showing the people moving around, greeting each other and drinking.

His eyes caught a figure in the crowd, one that was hard to miss. Maybe because she was the best dressed, or because she was fucking beautiful, or because she moved around with a certain grace and composure that was hard to ignore. All Devlin knew was that his wife was hard to miss. She was like a light that shone in the midst of palpable darkness, blessing people's eyesight with glorious luminosity.

She was greeting people, hugging and laughing with them. Her smile was bright enough to lit a whole town. His heart swelled with pride and adoration. How had he gotten so lucky with her? How had she fallen in love with him? How was she his wife? He had none other than her parents to thank. And the thought of her parents only served to make him firm in his resolve about the plan. He had to protect her.

He watched a young man approach her and she hugged the man and laughed with him. Devlin balled his fists. Why was the stupid man smiling so brightly at his wife? Why was he trembling like a man with palsy? Why was he sweating like he was going to shoot his load right in front of her?

"Cody, go check the air conditioning vents." He said suddenly. He needed to take his mind off the devilry he was seeing.

"Yes sir." He turned to leave.

"Be careful." Devlin said, stopping Cody in his tracks. "Try not to look suspicious and avoid being seen. I don't want the fire to be traced back to the vents. if it is, it won't take long for eye witnesses to trace it back to you."

Cody nodded and left. Devlin looked back at the screen and was relieved to see that Pamela was standing alone. His relief was short-lived though, because he realized that she was looking lonely. He wished he could march right into the hall and hug her until she felt comforted. He wished he could crack jokes that would make her laugh in her sweet, timbre voice.

She started walking to the podium admits applause and his heart swelled again in pride. His wife was making him proud, and that was one of the reasons he had to protect her from wolves that wanted to feast on her flesh.

Just as she started to speak, Cody entered.

"Sir, there's a situation."

"What is it?"

He shifted his weight from side to side. "Well, two. Good news and bad news."

Devlin looked at him with irritation. He sat back and folded his arms. "Hit me with the bad news."

"There are cops around. They are guarding the entrance to the roof top and so I couldn't go."

Devlin furrowed his brows. "That won't be a problem. Tell Keith and Caine to create a distraction to get them away long enough for you to enter."

"Yes sir."

"And the good news?"

"One of the workers we incapacitated woke up and saw my face."

Devlin's mouth hung open. "What? That's good news?" He sighed and drew his hands down his face. "Tell me you handled that."

"I punched him. He's sound asleep again."

"He's seen your face. That's a problem. But you have an alibi don't you?"

He nodded. "Susan is willing to help. If anyone asks, we went to Disney land with her and Alexander. The graphics designer is photoshopping my image into theirs as we speak."

"Good."

Loud shouts and applause reverberated over to the room and they both were drawn to what was causing the commotion. Devlin hoped that it was Deaton who had decided to finally show up and had tripped and fallen and had made a joke of his sick, stupid self. His wish was not granted.

It was a group of blind performers who were giving impressive dance steps. He wasn't interested in stuff like this but this time, he watched with interest. Despite his strength, he knew he would never have the courage to dance or do anything if he became blind. He commended the dancers in his mind for making him appreciate what he had and making his wife smile.

With that appreciation came the fixity of purpose to protect his own. And the first step in that direction was to expose Deaton but his plan was going down like a lead balloon.

Why the hell did he decide not to come today of all days? Had he suspected something was going to hit him? Had his intuition helped him today? Devlin didn't know the answer to his numerous questions.

"About Deaton," Devlin started, trying to balance his thoughts like a ball joggler. "We'll wait. If he's not here by nine, we'll leave and wait for another opportunity."

"Yes, sir."

It took a lot to say that but he had to accept his woes and hope for another opportunity. Things might be too late by then, things might have become worse by then, but he would not give up. His phone rang, jarring him from his disturbing thoughts. He looked at the caller ID and swore.

He picked the call and placed it on his ear. "I know what you're going to say."

"Thanks. Will save my spit then."

"Look Art, I know I messed up."

"No shit."

"I had to stop her from marrying Deaton. I had to."

"There's something called divorce. Or are lawyers out of business?"

"Legal shit is messed up. I prefer stopping it altogether."

"Look, you made your choices. You're not a kid and I'm not in the driving seat of your life. You said you had to do it, fine. I won't tell you not to scratch your balls or bite your nails or pick your nose. That's your problem. But when the shit hits the fan don't come running to me."

Devlin sighed. He understood where Art was coming from. A lot had happened within the five years he'd been away and they had been at the last lap of their investigations when he'd gone AWOL. He hadn't even kept his promise to expose the dirty cops in the service. He'd truly disappointed his mentor.

"I'm sorry Art. Really, I am."

"Okay. How have you been?"

Art still cared? If he'd been in Art shoes he would have hung up millenniums ago. "Fine."

"Oh no. What scheme have you got up your sleeves this time?"

Was Art a freaking shrink? Trying to input as much nonchalance into his voice, he said,

"Nothing much, just following a hunch." He looked at the screen that was showing a live feed from the parking lot and froze.

He saw a figure and had to blink rapidly to be sure of what he was seeing. It was Deaton. Marcel fucking Deaton. He was here! He almost screamed in joy.

He was brought back to the present when Art called his name again.

"What?"

"I said you should let the blind kid go. I don't trust him but since your wife cares for him enough to want to marry him, just let him go."

What Art was saying was making sense but Devlin was too invested in what was happening on the screen to care. Deaton and his aide entered the hall, leaving the range of view of the parking lot's camera.

He shifted his gaze to the hall and saw that a man was smiling seductively at his wife as he offered her a chair. He wanted to grab the lanky bastard, crack his skull open and write in a piece of paper "She can get a chair by herself you dolt" and put it into the skull and leave it open. But he would deal with the man later. He was invested in Deaton.

Devlin's blood boiled when he saw Deaton lean in seductively to whisper into Pamela's ears. How dare he? He hated even more when her eyes lit up when she saw him.

"Leo?"

"Uh, Art, I gotta go." He hung up before Art could offer his goodbyes. Only after Devlin had hung up did he remember that he'd forgotten to ask of his daughter and grand daughter. He made a mental note to call them. They both had been like a family to him. He would surely call them. Later.

Now, he had a business to take care of. Deaton.

"Cody, go get everything ready. At my signal, you blow the damned fuse and I'll depress the fire alarm."

Cody nodded curtly and left.

Devlin turned and saw that Pamela's and Deaton's hands were linked. He clenched and unclenched his jaw. Just a little more time. Just a little, and Pamela would be repulsed by the mere mention of Marcel. He sought and found solace in that conviction.

He stood and started to pace the room. He hoped that his boys would be able to create a distraction for the cops, he hoped with all his might that things went as planned. His whole existence depended on that. His walkie-talkie beeped.

"All set." Cody's granite voice rang through.

"Alright."

He walked out of the room, careful to avoid being seen and went to a wall that had on a fire alarm and waited for ten seconds. When the fire that Cody had started hadn't triggered the alarm, he pulled it and everywhere started to blare. He raced towards a fire escape entrance and entered the hall where people were running in confusion. He moved with precise, purposeful steps, his eyes on the brown haired woman looking around with worry and confusion.

The lights suddenly went off and the flames gave allowance for him to see her. He heard her call for Deaton and heard him reply. She tried to reach for him but he got there in time and held her back.

Sorry, Deaton. I have special plans for you.

"I'm fine! Let me go! I need to help Marcel!" She struggled by wriggling but Devlin held on tightly and started herding her away from the hall. "Let me go! Marcel! No!"

Devlin was mad that she was worried about Deaton in a situation that was supposed to be every man for himself.

"Stop struggling." He said through gritted teeth.

He felt her tense. Was she shocked that he was here? That he would save her? He kept leading her and was glad she had stopped putting on a fight. Most of the people had escaped through the various fire exits and the fire was under control by Cody and one of his boys. It was just perfect for what he wanted.

He kicked open the outer door and led her to his car that he'd parked there for the very purpose of getting her out in case things went south. Or according to plan, which it was.

"Devlin, wait. Marcel." Pamela said stopping and looking up at the building with concern and worry. Devlin followed her gaze to the flames that was engulfing the building. His gaze snapped to hers when she started to cry.

"Marcel is still inside! Help him please!"

Devlin didn't know what possessed him to smile at that very moment. He hated seeing Pamela sad but he just couldn't resist playing devil. She would absolutely forgive him after she finds out what it was all about. He reached out and wiped her tears with his thumb.

"Trust me, Pam Pam, he's gonna die in that fire." He said with conviction.

She reeled back in shock. "What?"

"Just as I said."

She slapped his hands away. "You're insane!" She started to struggle with him but he held onto her more tight than before. "Someone would have called nine-one-one and fire service will soon be here so you have no power over what's going to happen!"

Devlin did all he could not to laugh. Fire service? He almost snorted.

"I do." He looked straight at her. "Because I started the fire myself."

"What?" She shrieked.

"You heard me."

"Why would you do that?! Are you crazy?!"

"You noticed?"

Devlin didn't know why but he was enjoying himself. Maybe because of the contrast her shouts was to his cool, lazy replies. He was enjoying himself so much that he could burst out laughing.

He didn't expect her to hit him across the face. Hard.

"Why? Answer me! Why will you want to kill an innocent man?" She cried.

Devlin scoffed, trying to ignore his singing cheeks. The fact that tears were rolling down her face was making him feel angrier than any other thing.

"Innocent indeed. I hate him so much and wish I could skin him with a chain saw."

"Don't you have human emotions?"

"The only human emotions I have is for you."

She slapped him again. "I hate you. I swear I hate you!"

"You will thank me for this."

She laughed snidely. "If anything happens to him, I will divorce you."

She pushed him away and he let her go. Her statement had shocked him. What? Divorce him? She better be joking. But on the other hand he wasn't really worried. All he needed to do was complete the last phase of his plan. After he showed her the results, she would come to her senses. Soon, she would rid herself of Deaton for good.

He saw Cody walking towards the car from the side mirror.

"Take her home. I have unfinished business." He said when Cody got to hearing shot.

He looked at her and they maintained eye contact; she was giving him icy glares while he was giving her a reassuring look. He made sure they had driven off before walking into the blazing building. He heard sirens wailing in the distance. They were right in time.

He put a mask over his nose and walked into the hall. One side was blazing, while the other was filled with smoke. He stood at the fire escape entrance and waited. He didn't wait long before he saw Marcel making his way towards him. They were the only ones in the building.

Deaton was staggering and coughing as he made his way weakly towards the door. Devlin almost wavered, almost gave up, almost accepted defeat, but he decided to wait. There was no crime in waiting was there?

"The cocksucker broke my fucking tooth." Deaton said to himself, oblivious to Devlin's entrance.

"Then call the fucking tooth fairy." Devlin said and Marcel jerked up in fright. Devlin walked two steps further.

Deaton wrapped his arms around himself, probably nursing broken ribs. His face was bloodied, his nose was bleeding. Devlin was angry he hadn't been the one who had personally beaten Deaton up but he couldn't trust anyone else to get Pamela out except himself. But he was gratified that Deaton was in pain one way or the other.

Deaton looked to the direction of Devlin's voice and jaw tightened stubbornly but he grimaced in pain.

"So I was right." He said and wheezed. "I knew you did this. What do you want from a poor blind man? What have I done to you?" His face was crumpled up in sorrow.

"Don't make me laugh. Save yourself the trouble and admit it."

"Admit what?"

"I don't have all day, Deaton. If you don't, I'll leave you in here to burn into crispy toast. Something tells me you want to live because you have a lot you want to do."

"I - I don't know what you mean."

"It's okay if you don't want to admit it. I have it on tape anyway. I started this fire and left you in here on purpose. I bet you would have done a lot of things in your desperation."

"You went to all that trouble for me?"

"You're welcome. Now talk."

Marcel straightened and his piteous demeanor switched immediately into a stubborn, cool gaze. He looked at the floor and said with a voice as rough as sandpaper,

"Fine, I'll admit it. I am not blind. Never was, never will be." Then he looked straight at Devlin, right into his eye balls that Devlin almost shivered. "Now get out the fuck out of the way. We're sitting ducks out here."

~

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