Page 89 of Body and Soul

“I have every right,” I cut him off. “I was there when he cried in the night as a child. I was there when he took his first steps, and when he and his brothers all spoke their first words. I was there the night his reality shattered, and I have been looking out for him ever since. You, on the other hand…Xion doesn’t even know you exist. I have more right to all three of my brothers than you will ever have.”

“I am theirfather.”

“You may have sired them, but I helped raise them,” I shot back. “I clothed them, fed them, loved them. Where were you? Off playing mercenary soldier while better men raised your sons?”

Algerone's eyes flashed, and he took a step forward. “You forget yourself.”

“I forget nothing. I know exactly what sort of monster you are,” I snapped. “You’re not the first shitty father I’ve put in his place, and you won’t be the last.”

“Xavier, Xion, and Xander are my children,” Algerone said through clenched teeth. “Mine, Shepherd. And I will burn the world to ashes to get to them.”

“Go ahead,” I taunted. “Burn the world. But know if you do, I’ll be there at the end to piss on the flames. You’ll never find Xion. Not unless you help me rescue Daniella first.”

Algerone stared me down, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought his teeth might shatter. The air crackled between us, tension coiling like a snake ready to strike. I met his gaze unflinchingly,refusing to back down. Eli trembled against my back, but I kept my stance firm, shielding him.

After a long, charged moment, something in Algerone's eyes shifted. The rage bled out, replaced by cold, assessing calculation. He straightened his shoulders and adjusted his cufflinks, composing himself.

“You drive a hard bargain, Shepherd,” he said coolly. “But perhaps we can come to an arrangement that benefits us both.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I'm listening.”

Algerone circled back to the bar and poured himself a fresh drink, movements precise and controlled. “Father Ezekiel and his followers have pooled their resources and purchased a large plot of land in Malaysia.”

“Malaysia?” I stood up straighter. Valentine had mentioned he thought they might be trying to move out of the country soon, but all the way to Malaysia? If they moved Dani there, I might never be able to get her back.

Algerone took a slow sip of his drink, savoring my reaction. “They plan to relocate their entire operation there soon. A fresh start, as it were, far from the prying eyes of international authorities. And good timing too, considering the FBI is building a solid case against them. I heard Agent Valentine was even planning a raid. He has a whole list of suspects to round up. I wonder if your sister’s name is on it.”

Damn it! Daniella didn’t deserve to go to prison. I didn’t want to lose her to the FBI any more than I wanted her to vanish into the jungles of Malaysia. Time was running out. I had to get to her. Now.

Perhaps if I knew when the FBI was planning to make their move, I could get there first. But I couldn’t let Algerone know I was planning to move without him. I had to keep stringing him along, let him believe I fully intended to cooperate until I hadDani free. Then all I had to do was keep Eli safe, which would be easy enough once I tore out Algerone’s throat with my teeth.

He glared at me. “Now that I’ve given you something, I believe it’s only fair for you to repay my kindness.”

“Tit for tat it is,” I spat. “Xion was moved from the hospital against medical and legal advice. He is in a safe place where he’s being monitored by professionals around the clock. However, his mental state is…delicate to say the least. His schizophrenia is not well controlled and introducing him to all of this could completely shatter his psyche. I need time to stabilize his mental state with therapy and medication before he’s ready to see you. He needs a better hold on reality.”

Algerone gripped the edge of his desk, knuckles turning white. “You think you can dictate the terms of when I see my own son?”

“With all due respect,” I replied, “you have no rights. Xion is under my protection now, as he has been for years. I will do what is best for him, even if that means keeping him away from you. For now.”

Algerone's face contorted into a snarl. He looked as if he wanted nothing more than to lunge across the desk and tear my throat out with his bare teeth. But he restrained himself, taking a deep breath. “Are you certain that is a risk you want to take, considering the information I’ve just given you?”

“I’ll take my chances,” I ground out.

“Doctor Laskin,” he said, leaning on his desk. “Before we progress, I want to remind you that I have destroyed men greater than you for far less.”

I smirked. “Good thing I'm not a man then. I'm a monster, same as you. And monsters don't play by the rules.”

Algerone's eyes glittered with malice as his gaze slid past me to Eli. “A monster, you say? Well, why don't we ask your little boyfriend what he thinks about being kept by monsters?”

I tensed, a growl building in my throat. Eli's breath quickened.

Algerone circled the desk, each step precise and predatory. “Tell me, Elias, do you know what sort of beasts you've aligned yourself with? The depths of depravity the Laskin family will sink to?”

“Stop,” I snarled.

Algerone ignored me, stopping mere feet from us, his eyes boring into Eli's. “They're murderers, boy. Cold-blooded killers. They hunt down their prey and butcher them like animals. I've seen the bloody aftermath of their little vigilante sprees. Quite the body count they've racked up over the years. And your man has the bloodiest hands among them.”

Eli choked, pressing against my back. I reached back, gripping his hip to hold him steady.

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