Page 46 of Sacrifice

My phone goes off and I see Miguel has sent me a message. Alejandro’s and Bianchi’s compounds have been seized. They aren’t leaving any stone unturned. I shoot him a quick message back reminding him to be careful.

Careful of who and what, though? Why would Alejandro do this? And Bianchi? He’s a damn small ass fish that doesn’t compare to any of our wealth or power. Something isn’t adding up, and the whole situation feels more than a little off to me.

“Vincent, you may not want to continue watching.” Hypnos brings me back to the present and I look at the screen. A man that I’ve had in my inner circle, closer than even my brothers, comes out, undressed, and stroking his cock.

“If he touches her…” I trail off as I see the cane in his other hand. I don’t use canes in my red room. They are for the most severe punishments.

“The slave has not been cooperating, so she will receive a caning. Enjoy.”

The audio stays on as the bastard hits Aribella on her back. The whacking sound makes me and Hypnos wince. Although Aribella is gagged and we can’t hear her pain, we can see it. My gut sinks as I look at her thoroughly. She’s bleeding and bruised all over.

“Find her.” I grit out. I want to scream at him to hurry the fuck up, but I know he’s trying. Although he’s got one screen up on the auction, three other screens have some kind of code on them that I’m sure Hypnos can decode.

Bidding goes nuts as the clock ticks down. Ten. Nine. Eight. Each number brings a new emotion to my frazzled psyche.

“Got it.Gladview. Fuck, that’s twelve hours away.” Hypnos groans, and I look at the screen. Highest bidder won with ten point two million dollars.

“Did we win, Hypnos?” The screen goes black and my heart beats double time.

“Yes.” He takes hold of my arm, forcing me to look at him. “Ayres has Mossimo. He’s been beaten within an inch of his life.”

Looking at the phone in Hypnos’s hand, I take it from him and read the rest of the message. Mossimo was left to die right outside of Diego’s territory.

“Someone is fucking playing with you.”

Why is he telling me this? I have to get to Aribella. When I turn to leave, Hypnos stands up and grabs both my shoulders.

“Vincent,” he pauses until we are eye to eye with each other. “I’m going to pick up Aribella with a few of my men. You cannot come.”

His words hit me and I become completely feral. Gripping him by the neck, I squeeze. “Fuck you. I’m not letting you go without me.” When I try to move, his grip gets harder on my shoulders and we are locked in a staring match.

“Vincent. I need you to listen to me very carefully.” He isn’t even phased by my hand around his neck. “Stop and think. If you show up, they will kill youandAribella on the spot.”

Is he right? Yes, my brain grits out at me. Don’t be fucking stupid. Letting him go, I step back out of his space.

“Fine. Straight there and back. Take the helicopter.” I feel like I’m betrayingmi reinaby not going. But I have a feeling Hypnos is right. Showing up would mean certain death. “I will need updates.”

Hypnos straightens his tie that I’ve messed up and laughs. “You might want to work on your grip there.” He winks at me and I swear to God if I wasn’t so distraught, I’d beat him to a pulp right here and now.

“And just so you know, Vincent, you are a lot like Kronos.” My mouth pops open and he continues. “That’s why I left him with Charlotte. He would have driven us nuts if he was out in the field.”

“At least you didn’t say I was like Ayres.” That causes Hypnos to laugh harder.

“Oh, we are all nuts about Charlotte and hate leaving her, but Ayres and I can both breathe a little easier when Kronos is with her. She likes to run.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me and I realize they all may be a little crazy. No, crazy is too mild of a word for them. Psychotic. That’s the word.

When Hypnos shuts the computer down, he hands me a thumb drive. “This contains every man and woman associated with Alejandro, Bianchi, and the auction that just went down. Do with it what you want. I’ll get your girl.”

Holding the drive, I already know I won’t like what I find on it. “Let Aribella know I’ll be waiting for her.” I swallow down my emotions as Hypnos agrees to do what I’ve asked. Fuck me, I never thought I’d be this way, but I’m damn near crying as I leave the dock house to get Mossimo.

Miguel and Diego stand outside of the hospital waiting on me. When I get to them, they barrage me with questions.

“Not now. After we see Mossimo.”

They don’t push me and I’m grateful. Hell, I’m not even sure I’d be able to talk about what I just witnessed Aribella go through. I can still see the tears and the agony she was in. Fuck, my cock hardens again and I berate myself mentally. The need to kiss each and every inch of her body is driving me nuts.

Diego interrupts my thoughts as we stop in front of an ICU door. “You should be prepared, brother. Mossimo is in bad shape.”

Miguel opens the door and looks at me. “Just remember, he’s alive.”

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