Page 24 of The Vampire's Storm

It had been twelve hours since Willow had been taken, and he’d been conversing closely with Ari.

It changed everything.

Absolutely fucking everything.

“Craig, fuck, I need you here leading this war.” Vincent cursed, dropping his arms and walking behind his desk.

“We going to war?” Craig asked, sounding a little perkier.

“Yes, we are going to damn war. They’ve taken the two princesses.” He slammed his fist down on the solid desk.

“Vincent,” Ari said quietly.

He didn’t agree.

Vincent knew why. It was in his DNA to keep the race hidden. A full-scale war with the mafia would expose them.

But he was ready.

And he was the damn king, so it was his decision.

“I agree with the king,” Craig said.

“Really? I would never have guessed,” Ari said, rolling his eyes and showing rare sarcasm.

Craig snorted.

“You’re the commander of my army,” Vincent said, pointing to him. “With Brayden gone, I need you here leading your men.”

Craig watched him for a long moment and then dragged his eyes to Ari. “No, you don’t. Ari was once the commander and then captain of the Moretti army and for far longer than I’ve been. I need to find Brayden. He needs me.”

“Shit,” Vincent cursed.

The three men stood staring at one another speechlessly for a long moment.

“I’ll find him,” Craig said, emotion thick in his voice. “Let me go, my lord.”

Goddamn it.

The two powerful vampires were like fucking soul mates. Vincent knew Craig would find the prince and do what was necessary to bring them all home.

Sure, Brayden may be successful in doing it on his own. If anyone could, he would. But the game had changed with the serum now in play. With no backup, it was dangerous and fucking stupid of him to take off.

No one blamed him.

Every single male in the race would do the same thing if their mate had been kidnapped.

But Brayden wasn’t just any male.

He was the damn prince.

Vincent might have an heir now that Lucca was born, but as third in line, Brayden was important.

Everything was just such a fucking mess.

Vincent nodded at Craig. “Go. Ari, you prepare the army.”

“Thank you,” Craig said, his shoulders lowering.

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