Page 58 of Chains of Blood and Darkness

“No idea. But I’m betting it’s about Joy DuPont. They’re getting a bit... testy down there. Might want to hurry before they start flashing their badges at the furniture.”

A cold dread settled in the pit of my stomach, minglingwith the hot anger that still coursed through my veins. Had she been murdered, with all the clues pointing once again to me and my family? The last thing I needed was a couple of hotheaded humans causing a scene in my home.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm myself. “Tell them I’ll be right down.”

“Oh sure, I’ll just tell the angry cops to sit tight while you finish your beauty routine. Want me to offer them some AB negative while they wait? Maybe a game of charades?”

I opened my eyes and growled.

Dimitri raised his hands in mock surrender, his smirk never faltering. “Alright, alright. I’ll tell them you’re coming. But if they start a stake-whittling contest in the foyer, that’s on you.”

He turned and hurried back down the hallway. I closed the door, leaning against it for a moment as I tried to gather my thoughts. I really didn’t want to deal with the detective and his son right now, but I knew I couldn’t ignore their presence.

With a heavy sigh, I turned back toward the bedroom, my mind already racing with the possible reason for their visit. I could only hope that whatever they wanted, it wouldn’t bring more danger or sorrow into Serenity’s life. She had already been through so much.

I got dressed in my usual three-piece dark suit with a crisp blue shirt faster than the human eye could blink. During that time, Serenity slept peacefully in our bed. I liked the sound of that—“our bed.” Nothing would make me happier than slipping in beside her again, but business came first.

As I headed downstairs to the living room, a sense of unease settled in the pit of my stomach. I had no idea what Detective DuPont and his son wanted, but their unexpected visit at this hour could only mean trouble.

Dimitri was waiting by the double doors to the living room. As I approached, he leaned in with a smirk. “Ready for the Dupont family reunion? I hear they’re dying to see you. Well, not literally... yet.”

I shot him a warning glare, but he just shrugged and opened the doors for me.

The living room was dimly lit, with only a few lamps casting a muted glow over the plush furniture and elegant décor. The heavy curtains were drawn, blocking out the first hints of dawn that would break over the horizon any minute.

Detective DuPont and the young man with him were pacing back and forth like caged tigers. I had never met the detective’s son, but the first thing that struck me was that the young man didn’t look anything like DuPont. He was taller, more muscular. He had dark amber-red hair and fierce blue eyes. The look he gave me was one of pure malice, as if he wanted to slit my throat right then and there.

I forced a false smile to my lips. “Detective DuPont, to what do I owe the pleasure of this early morning visit?” I kept my voice calm.

DuPont gritted his teeth. “Where’s my daughter, you bastard?”

I studied the two men, taking in the desperation etched into their faces. DuPont’s eyes were bloodshot, his hair disheveled as if he’d been running his hands through itrepeatedly. The younger man had a determined set to his jaw, and I could see the hatred rolling off him like fiery smoke.

“I don’t have your daughter,” I said, keeping my tone measured. “And I don’t appreciate you coming into my home and slinging around baseless accusations.”

DuPont’s hand went to his gun. “Baseless? Baseless?! Witnesses saw your enforcer stalking her just before she vanished. You expect me to believe that’s a fucking coincidence?”

I resisted the urge to bare my fangs. As much as I wanted to put these insignificant humans in their place, I couldn’t afford to escalate the situation.

“No, I expect you to use your head, Detective,” I said coolly. “If I had taken your daughter, do you really think I would have left witnesses? And what possible motive could I have for abducting her, anyway?”

DuPont gritted his teeth. “I’m not here as a cop, Santi. I’m here as a father. I’ll put a bullet through your heart unless you tell me where she is right now. Did you sell her?”

I squared my shoulders. “You know my lines of business, DuPont. Human trafficking is not one of them.”

Steven looked at me frostily. “Not that we know of. But Barone says you were at Simon’s and you bought Serenity. Maybe you’ve discovered that trafficking put lots of cash in your pockets. Or maybe you’re looking for leverage against the cops and the other families.”

My blood ran cold at the mention of Barone’s name, a bitter taste flooding my mouth. I clenched my jaw, my eyes hardening into icy shards of green as the realization of the betrayal sank in. Barone had sold me out. He’d gone to thepolice with information that could have them descending onto Crescent Manor any moment and taking Serenity from me.

Searing rage exploded through my veins like molten lava. The vein in my temple throbbed, pulsing in time with the furious beat of my heart.

I refused to admit I had Serenity. Instead, my focus shifted to Steven’s insidious accusation. With menacing steps, I closed the distance between us until mere inches remained. “I am not a trafficker,” came my snarl through clenched teeth, jaw muscles twitching as barely contained rage threatened to spill over. Drawing myself up to full height, I towered over him, daring defiance. “Nor do I have any need for petty leverage. My power is absolute.”

Steven opened his mouth to retort, but I cut him off. “Enough. You’re not here to debate my family’s business practices. You’re here to find Joy. And I find it very interesting that you’re so quick to point fingers, young man, considering the recent troubles at Crimson Stakes. Tell me, what does your boss know about tonight’s fire?”

DuPont winced. Obviously, it pained him greatly to think that his son was a member of the Barone family syndicate.

Steven lifted his chin high, a good soldier defending his commander. “We didn’t have anything to do with that.”

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