Page 13 of Depths of Obsession
Just what I need. In my youth several hundred years ago, I loved to be the center of attention but now, low profile was all I did. “Can you get me the autopsy reports for all the overdoses?” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “I want to know what we’re dealing with. And I want to know who the fuck is targeting me. Then, I want to kill him.”
Rocco stands, ready to leave. “I’ll take care of it.” He hesitates, his jaw tightening. “I should offer you my resignation. I can’t seem to get a handle on this situation.”
“Fuck you,” I snap. “I don’t want your resignation. I want you to figure this shit out.”
Rocco meets my gaze, his expression dead serious. “Then you should know, I believe magick is involved.”
The words hang in the air between us, absurd yet undeniable. He’s finally put words to what I’ve known in my gut all along. Confirmation does not make me feel any better.
Rocco gives a small shrug. “That’s the only explanation for why I can’t catch anyone dealing this shit. They slip by me, seconds before I arrive. And when I ask for a description, it’s always the same. Tall, dark, and handsome. They think he’s related to you.”
I clench my fists. Rage burns inside me, making me want to tear down the stairs and rip apart everything in my path. “We need to figure this shit out, Rocco. Fast. Reach out to your contacts in the magick realm. See what you can find out. I’ll do the same.”
Rocco stands. “I’m on it. I’ll ask my family. My grandfather, in particular, might have some ideas.” He turns to go but turns back. “There’s definitely a whiff of magick behind this. I sense it whenever I get close.”
“I’m not surprised. It’s the only way really that we could be in the dark after three months of trying. And yes, please ask your grandfather. The man is a legend in the magick realm. The wisest of mages.”
Rocco nods. “He’s also a huge pain in my ass but you know how family is.” He shakes his head and relaxes onto one hip. “What’s got you bent out of shape tonight? You were pissed off before I told you the latest.”
I close my eyes and swear again. “Pippa Dominici’s got herself mixed up in some stupid shit. It’s a long story but it boils down to Tommy Gazzago thinks she owes him for a slight and he wantsheras payment.”
Rocco frowns. “What do you mean, ‘he wants her as payment’?”
“I mean he wants her as his new bride.”
Rocco whistles. “That’s fucked up. No wonder you’re all screwed up.”
“You don’t know the half of it.” I gulp my scotch as Rocco heads to the door. “She cried tonight, Rocco. Cried.” I point to my shirt. “It was my undoing. I couldn’t breathe or think. I just wanted to kill Gazzago and Pippa’s boss, Marcello De Carlo. He got her into this mess. I almost—” I stop talking. Saying it wasn’t going to help matters.
“That’s bad.”
“No shit,” I snarl.
Rocco shakes his head. “I don’t have to remind you what the tarot reader at the engagement party said.”
“No, you don’t,” I snap. I rub my eyes with the heal of my palms. “Renzo wants me to take care of Pippa and make sure she’s safe.”
Rocco groans. “That’s gonna be brutal.”
“Nogoing to beabout it. It is brutal. She cried real tears. I can stomach a lot, but I can’t take tears, especially hers. I’ll give her anything she wants if she cries.”
“Maybe you should tell Renzo the truth. Tell him you and Pippa have some past life history and she’s likely to bring your world crashing down.”
I grind my teeth as I shake my head. “I made a promise to look after her and I will. I just…need to keep my distance. Getting too close to her is like getting too close to the sun. I’ll burn up in her atmosphere.” But at least I’ll die happy, I add silently. No need to share that thought.
“Whatever you think, boss.” Rocco reaches for the door handle.
“She’s at my place so send her some food, okay?”
Rocco’s eyebrows raise. “Will do, boss. You gonna be okay with her there?”
I grunt in response. “I won’t go home tonight.”
Rocco smiles. “So that’s a no. Let me know if you need anything.” Rocco opens the door, and the music slams into me for a second before the silence takes over once again. I stare at the scene below. All those humans. They have no fucking clue that they are just a means to an end for someone trying to punish me.
Three months ago, I had a dream. I’ve always had dreams—all of my family does. But this one was different. This was its own special kind of hell. I was surrounded by impenetrable darkness. I couldn’t see or hear anything, but I knew someone was out there. Someone was coming for me. They made several swipes with a blade of some sort, slicing the air next to me, making me flinch. Something was enjoying my fear, feeding off my growing dread. I woke up when they swung the blade and I saw it, just as it was about to hit me.
I get up and pour myself another scotch from my private bar in the corner. Retaking my seat, I let out a long breath. With everything that’s happened lately, mentioning the dream didn’t seem important. I had convinced myself it was just a dream, which was stupid. They’re never just dreams. Rocco’s confirmation that the overdoses are only happening in my clubs proves it. Someone is coming for me, and they are shrouded in darkness. Rocco is also not wrong that magick is involved. It has to be, which leaves me no choice.
