Page 60 of Dimitri

“Hurry up. I have a phone call to make, and I want this meeting over before I need to do it.”

“We found a laptop. I don’t know if it was planted, but if I had to guess, I would say most likely. It indicates that there were at least three other warlocks in the coven that were directly involved. Three that the council has already cleared and deemed safe.” Marcello paused, letting us take that information in.

I shared a look with the other two, wondering if this was actually true or was a ploy to lead us astray.

“Who?” Benjamin asked.

Marcello shook his head and reached for something below him. Instantly, Damien and I were on alert, but when Marcello pulled up a laptop, I relaxed a bit.

“How do we know you yourself aren’t doing this as a scheme to keep stringing us along?” Damien asked.

Marcello looked directly at Damien. “The last thing my master and our family want is to continue this situation. You haven’t ever had to deal with the Gallo duo. Everyone in this country knows of them, and nobody likes them. They are true evil and make no exceptions. Even my family has its limits. Marco and Riccardo do not, and the last thing we wish is for them to continue their existence where they can cause our families harm.” Marcello pushed the laptop across the table. “I know some electronics. This was left behind in a run-down room on Capri. Riccardo was seen about two blocks from the place, but like always, he seemed to realize we were following him.”

This was news and possibly what we had been waiting for. “Capri?” I asked. We weren’t on Capri, but it wouldn’t be an issue for any of us.

“My team will head there and check things out,” Damien said as he stood.

Marcello held up a hand. Two more chairs slid back, and when two vampires moved toward us, Marcello nodded to them.

“Armando and Vittorio will be able to show you exactly where it was found. Perhaps a bit of extra help will be able to locate one or both.”

Damien and Benjamin shared a look before Damien turned and walked away. I sat there, staring at the last remaining vampire at the other table.

“We appreciate your help,” Benjamin said. “Is there anything else, or are you sending my teammate on a blind chase?”

“The room had been occupied for some time if you were to go by the amount of trash in it. It’s most likely a lost cause, though, because Riccardo hasn’t been back to the room since.”

“When did this occur?”

“This morning. We have been watching the room since. I called you as soon as I had news.”

Benjamin sat there a moment before he picked up the laptop. He nodded slowly. “I’ll let the council know. If they’ve been sighted, you can most likely expect an increase in council presence. I only say that because I know that despite agreeing to help the council, you are still not being completely truthful.” Marcello’s brow furrowed. “Tell me what my teammates picked up on when we first entered the café,” Benjamin said.

Marcello looked my way, most likely hoping I would speak up and keep him from giving away something he didn’t wish to disclose.

“I do not know. You will have to ask them. The room had other items, but the only thing that could really be useful would be the laptop. There were some papers but nothing beyond receipts from shops.”

Benjamin nodded slowly. “Thanks for the help. If there is nothing else, we’ll be taking our leave.” Benjamin stood and was holding the laptop by the time I joined him. We left the café, and once outside and half a block away, he gave me a look.

“Blood. There was the scent of blood in the room, and it was strong.”

Benjamin stopped and turned toward me. “Do you think they killed someone?”

I shrugged. “Possibly. It is also a possibility that they fed from some of the other patrons. I could not say though. The scent was still there when we left.”

Benjamin sighed. He shoved the laptop toward me and pulled out his phone. I started walking when he did. When he directed me toward a narrow pathway, I knew exactly what he was planning. Not that I would mind getting a quick ride back to our suite. We had only taken three steps into the pathway when everything changed and we were walking into the suite.

I felt Caspian waking as we did and couldn’t help but smile. I would have news to share with my mate for a change, and that made me feel better about having to leave him in Montana.

Chapter 20

Caspian

It was the same every day since he left. I thought about Dimitri constantly, and when he wasn’t busy with work, he was more than happy to chat with me through our bond. I didn’t realize that I could become so attached to my One so quickly. Not until he was away for several days. I made sure to keep that little bit hidden though. I did not wish to cause Dimitri stress about his job.

When I woke, he immediately reached out to me and told me how much he loved me. That immediately brightened my day, even if we couldn’t spend it together. This was part of our relationship though: Dimitri was a council enforcer, and like my brother, he had to go out on assignments.

This morning would be different though. It already was. I grinned, thinking about our good-morning conversation. I was still mostly asleep when he reached out, but I quickly woke, anticipation building in my entire being.

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