Page 25 of Crave Me

He was investigating Dante and he’d tasked Asher with such a difficult task.

If he’d gone this far, his suspicion was more than simply borne from jealousy or paranoia because I’d allowed Dante into our inner circle. He would have just pursued information on his own if that was the case. Going to the likes of that psychopath was a whole other level, marking its severity.

Bastian was the one who could read people exceptionally well, but he hadn’t spent as much time around Dante, nor even up close, as Caleb had. During our dealings of the last couple of years, I hadn’t brought Dante around Bastian at all. That had only changed very recently.

Even as much as his disapproval of my more extreme methods had pissed me off, there still wasn’t a single part of me that believed he had any ill intent toward me and mine.

But seeing this from Caleb now, his determination to investigate him, it did spark suspicion that there was actually more to his alliance and friendship than met the eye.

I shoved my hand through my hair. I’d been so focused on this war, on accounting for every little thing, then dealing with Caleb and Skylar returning, Bastian’s health, that I’d needed an ally and support in Dante so much that I hadn’t delved any deeper beyond making certain he wasn’t actually a threat.

I just didn’t have time to attend to the issue at the moment.

But somebody else did.

Of course, it wouldn’t come without consequences to reach out to him. Being who and what he was, that was a given.

My own phone buzzed on my desk and I put Caleb’s down to snatch it up.

I tensed, my muscles locking as I took it in.

Blocked ID: Long time since we’ve had direct contact, King. How have you been? Oh, that’s right, interfering with my shit, you vindictive fuck. XOXO Elijah B.

“Son of a bitch.”

Before I could respond, another message came in.

Blocked ID: Your beloveds are settling in very well with me. Miss them yet? How about we make a deal for their safe return?

I gritted my teeth, my fingers tightening around my phone.

King: What do you want?

Blocked ID: Simple. Compensation for what you took from me.

King: What’s your price?

Blocked ID: King.

King: Your negotiation skills are lacking. Coming in far too high. The ask needs to be reasonable.

Blocked ID: That’s not how I run my business.

King: And behold the fallout of that.

Blocked ID: My ask stands.

King: King is not equal compensation to Bane Industries. It’s miles beyond.

Blocked ID: Fortunately, I have powerful leverage to close that gap, don’t I? You’re finally going to have to make the choice you thought you could avoid, that you believed you were above making. Power or love, King?

Blocked ID: I’ll give you some time to think about it.

King: Proof of life. Now.

Blocked ID: Certainly.

In the next moment, two photos came through. He’d obviously been prepared.

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