Page 71 of Into the Fire

“Dominic is my brother,” he finally said. “My little brother. I’ve never spoken to him.”

“Do you think maybe you should? That maybe you can help him? I know you have connections in the Underground.” I winced as I said the words, not wanting him to go back there, but I couldn’t help but think that Bianca was probably a sweet person who didn’t deserve this shit. Love could hurt sometimes, and it wasn’t fair. It seemed tragic to have to pay for something so pure and wonderful as love with your life. I didn’t know how I could help. All I knew was that I wanted to. It kept me up at night. Maybe it was because I knew what it was like all too well to be in a similar situation.

I didn’t know Bianca, but what I did know was that she didn’t deserve what had or was happening to her.

“I’ll look into it,” he said. “I’ll call my father and see what he knows.”

“I listen in sometimes. To the guys’ meetings they have in the office.” My face heated at my omission. No one knew I was lurking outside the doors sometimes. It wasn’t often, but it had happened. “Matteo and Dominic don’t get along. They hate each other. Why would he help?”

“Because maybe there’s a human still left inside of him? Maybe he’s not all monster?” Anson sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I don’t know him well enough to say. I can do some digging to see if I hear anything in the Underground. If I do, I’ll bring the horsemen the information. Sound good?”

“Thank you.” I turned to him and gave him a hug. “I worry about a girl I don’t even know.”

He hugged me back. “That’s because you’re a good girl. The world needs more people like you in it.”

We broke apart, and I offered him a wobbly smile.

“Let’s get you home. Fed. Watered.”

“The guys aren’t home. Maybe you could stay until they get back?” I asked hopefully as I got to my feet.

“I don’t know why you’d think I’d be leaving.” He winked at me. “I told you I’m here to stay.”

I bumped shoulders with him as he scooped up my bag.

“I’ll look into things after the guys get home. Deal?” he asked as we walked to his Challenger.

I nodded. “Deal.”

It was the best shot any of us had at finding her. I’d take it and pray worse didn’t come out of it.

TWENTY-ONE

COLE

I’d made the executive decision to reach out to Vincent just over a week after Bianca went missing. I knew he hated my ass after the shit that went down at the warehouse, but I liked to think I could grow on people.

So, I sat on the edge of my bed, and tapped Vincent’s name on my phone then listened as it rang. It was driving me insane to know that Bianca was out there hurting. Or worse. When I said I thought she was a cool chick, I meant it. Deep down, I knew she and my Rosebud could be best friends if given the chance. There was no way I was going to let someone take that from either of them.

“Hello?” Vincent’s voice came over the line, sounding exhausted.

“Vincent? It’s Cole.”

“Hey dick face,” he said, not perking up at all. I guess he was still pissed over the warehouse.

“Hey, man. That’s not nice. I called you by your name.”

“And I called you by yours.”

Any other time, I’d have told him to go fuck himself, but I knew he was under a lot of stress so I let it slide.

“I’m just checking in on things. Seeing if there was any news on your hellcat.” I held my breath, hoping for good news.

“Nothing. Dead ends all around.”

Fuck.

I said nothing for a moment as I let the emotions swirl around inside me.

---