Page 24 of Chains of Blood and Darkness

He studied me curiously. “He’s important to you?”

I hated giving him the slightest bit of intel about me, but I had to know that he hadn’t killed that sweet man. “Yes. Did you?”

A small glimmer of surprise flickered in his gaze before his eyes hardened once again. “No, he’s alive. He hasn’t crossed me…yet.”

My heart thudded as I took in his words, realizing that this powerful mobster and vampire had control over the life of a man I cared about deeply. I narrowed my eyes. “But if he does, his life is forfeit?” The sharp words stung my mouth like a wasp.

He held my gaze steadily, not saying a word. My blood thumped in my temples as I waited for his answer. Finally?—

“He will pay the ultimate price, yes.” His words cut through the tense silence like a knife.

A twinge of anger pricked me at the unfairness of it all. “He’s a cop. You’re a mobster and a vampire. Of course he’s going to cross you.”

A slight smirk formed on his lips. “Detective DuPont and I have played this game of chess together for quite some time. The only thing that would cost him his life would be if he tried to take you from me.”

With Angelo threatening another person that I caredabout, now both Joy’s and her father’s lives were at stake. I sagged in defeat, refusing to cry, much as I wanted to.

“Is there anything else you desire? Something I can actually grant you?” His offhanded question sent rage swirling through me. Two could play this game. I’d make him think that I was a meek and mild victim.

I swallowed back a sharp retort and instead forced a demure smile, trying to mask the turmoil raging inside me. “Could I please have a small television in my room?” My voice sounded distant, as if it belonged to someone else. I looked down at my trembling hands, still stained with Enzo’s blood. The crimson streaks stood out starkly against my pale skin, reminding me of the horror I had just experienced.

My gaze then drifted to my blue sundress, once a symbol of innocence, now marred with the same sickening red. The blood had smeared across the fabric, leaving what looked like macabre finger-painted flowers. The sight made my stomach turn, and I fought the urge to rip the dress from my body.

“And I need to take a shower right now,” I added, my voice barely audible. I couldn’t bear to look at the blood any longer, couldn’t stand the feel of it drying on my skin. I needed to wash it away to cleanse myself of the physical reminders of the nightmare—even though I knew no matter how hard I scrubbed, the memory of healing Enzo would be forever etched into my mind.

Angelo’s face softened. “I’ll escort you to your room.” He turned to Jacques. “Send someone to purchase a television for Serenity.”

Jacques immediately left to carry out the order.

I glanced up at Angelo’s wooden face. He wasn’t looking at me, but at the man stretched out on the bed. I couldn’t believe he had granted my small request so quickly. Maybe this was my way out. If I continued to please him, maybe…just maybe…he would grant me my freedom.

Chapter Eleven

Angelo

Guilt slid down my throat as if I had swallowed vinegar, the bitter taste of my selfishness consuming me. Enzo was like a brother to me, yet I hadn’t revealed to him, or indeed anyone else, that it was Serenity’s blood that had healed my wounds. If he had fed on her, her blood would have healed him and made him even stronger, but I couldn’t bear the thought of even my best friend feasting on her. She was mine and mine alone.

My family was growing desperate; I feared they would attack her to survive, draining her dry. That couldn’t happen. I had to protect her.

I had suspected that, as a Nephilim, there was another way Serenity could heal someone besides her blood, and I was right. When she touched Enzo’s shoulder, I had watchedtransfixed as a stream of white light flowed from her and into him. Even in his unconscious state, he was still surrounded by a soft, white glow that matched Serenity’s own aura. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing—her healing abilities were beyond anything I had imagined.

She sat on the velvet chair, her once-vibrant energy now almost completely depleted, visibly struggling with a bloody nose. The guilt of using her in this way weighed heavily on my conscience, but there had been no other option. Her life—and Enzo’s—had depended on it.

She had mentioned she couldn’t heal her own wounds. That was something I would have to investigate. Was she referring to the scars on her lower back?

Granting her small request for a television and access to a shower seemed trivial compared to what she had done for me.

Serenity stared at Enzo as if in a daze. “Who did this to him?” She looked at me inquisitively, waiting for me to expand, but it was better that she not know.

So I only gave her a reassuring smile. “Someone who will regret what they did.” Something in my voice must have frightened her. Fear crept into her eyes, and she looked away. Her face grew pale, as if she was about to pass out. What was wrong with me? I was terrifying the poor girl. I had to get her out of here.

She sighed and glanced down at my enforcer, concern in her eyes. “W-will he live?” Her voice shook as hard as her body.

I took a deep breath, forcing the turmoil inside me to settle, and plastered a smile on my face. “Enzo will be ingood hands with Elena. She’s as skilled as any healer in our ranks.” I winked. “Well, except for you.” My words were calm and confident, but inside, my emotions were swirling like a storm.

Elena wiped Enzo’s face with a damp cloth. “Oui, bien sûr, I will take care of him.”

I gestured with my hand toward the door. “Please, come with me. I’ll take you to your room so you can have that shower.”

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