Page 34 of Hell Breaks Loose

“Ah, yes, it’s actually from one of my vineyards in Sonoma. Excellent vintage.”

“You own vineyards?”

“Two wineries. You know, in another life, I could have simply grown grapes. I love the science of winemaking. The precision, the artistry. You’ll have to come with me for a visit one day. You won’t want to leave.”

“You think you’ll ever have time for that?” I sniff, shaking my head. “Running an empire doesn’t exactly scream free time.”

“Ha, you are too right. But one day, things will be better. I may seem like a violent, oppressive man to you. In reality, I dream of a better world. That is why your mother fell in love with me, you know? We had such hopes. But she couldn’t stomach the things I needed to do to get to the top of the heap.” He sneers the last words, accenting them with a hint of disgust, either for his own actions or my mother’s disdain.

“You’re at the top. So now what?”

“A tenuous hold at best,” he mutters into his glass, his eyes distant.

I just manage to hide my surprise. He’s being unexpectedly candid with me.

“Things aren’t going well in California?”

“I am stretched thin. This deal with the Sinful cost me dearly. And the man I was dealing with was a strawman, a pawn.”

“Mayor Vanderbelt.”

“Yes. he convinced me that he was one of them, the leaders.”

Of course he would. Tell’s dad had lofty aspirations, just like Devonde. They wanted to be the next in line for the Seven.

“And now, some powerful people, people I made promises to, are calling to collect. They want results, as do I. Which is why I had to cut through the chaff, find a real connection to the untapped power and wealth of Sanctum Harbor.”

“Me.”

“Yes.”

“We found my father’s house. His safe.” It slips out before I can censor myself.

Marco perks up, his eyes glittering. “And?”

“And I was researching his journal, the files he left.”

“What did you find?” He leans over the table.

“An explosion.” I fail to hide my grin at his immediate scowl. “I was interrupted before I could put all the pieces together. Then I was… detained.”

“If only you had been so forthcoming with me before, we might have combined our efforts. Where is this information now?”

“At my father’s house.”

“Damon. He always intrigued me, the memory of him, the mystery of him. Cynthia never spoke much about him.”

Pressing my lips together, I grip my skirt to control my bubbling anger. He talks about her so casually, like he’s not the one who broke her down for years, then killed her.

“I didn’t know much about him, either. But what I did find… there’s more. I know there is. He alluded to it. I just need to get back there and find it.”

Bait dropped.

Plant the seed. Let it grow.

Because I can’t let Marco know that I have no clue about the alleged treasure or secret of the Sinful. Or that my dad actually didn’t say much of anything other than how I might go about taking over his seat of the Seven. Even there, I barely scratched the surface.

I really do need to get his things back, to keep looking.

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