Page 18 of Depths of Desire
I say nothing. I wasn’t seen. But I’m pretty damn sure Luna was. And if I tell my old man that, he’s going to demand we sacrifice her. And I’m not ready to do that.
Nico,figlio mio,my father’s voice comes again.Do I have to remind you that you are a vampire and you do not need to behave like a human? Why would you let yourself be seen?
Great. He’s not going to drop it, and now I have to control my temper.The situation was fast-moving. I wasn’t on deck when the explosions happened. I was below and I didn’t want to fight my way to get topside as the ship started to list. I used a side door—there may have been a camera. I didn’t see one, but logically, there would be one there.
Renzo cuts in.That makes sense. You think whoever is behind this has access to those cameras?
I exhale slowly.It’s a possibility. If I wanted that ship to sink and wanted everyone to go down with it, I’d make damn sure I had access to the cameras. Besides, what better way to know exactly what’s going on than watch it live?
Luca?I nudge my brother, the one who deals with these types of things the most.
You’re right,Luca confirms. There’s a good chance there was a camera. And if they wanted to sink that ship and makesure no one survived, then yeah, they probably accessed those cameras. If it were me, I’d watch the whole thing play out in real time.
Can you get into them?my father’s energy had an edgy tone to it. It wasn’t really a question, more of a direct order.
I’ll see what I can find, Luca agrees.If the footage is stored somewhere, I’ll access it—if it hasn’t already been erased. I will check and see who else might have accessed it as well.
Sounds good. In the meantime,my father continues,I expect you at this meeting.
I hesitate.It’s been a long night. I’m not coming. There are things I need to follow up on.
Nico, we need to discuss what’s happening in the magick realm.
I roll my eyes.Fine. What’s going on in the magick realm?
Silence.
Both my brothers are thinking I’m insane for egging our father on. Luca sends a low warning through the link. A burst of angry, cold energy hits me. My father is not happy with me.
We’ll discuss it when we’re all together.He abruptly ends the connection.
Luca’s amusement echoes in my head.Great job! You pissed him off. Thanks. Now we get to sit through a meeting where he’s pissed at the world.
I smirk.Yeah, well, I’m tired of him acting like he’s the lord and god of everything. He never used to be this insufferable.
Renzo breaks in.Keep us updated. If we find anything, we’ll let you know.
Will do.The connection severs, leaving silence in its wake. I reach out to Luca again.
What?he asks.
I need you to check the cameras, all of them, not just the one by the door. If you see—something, erase it and don’t mention it.
See what?”he demands
You’ll know if you see it. Whatever you do, don’t mention it to Renzo or Father.
Luca’s hesitation washes over me.
I’ll do what I can,he says, and terminates the connection.
I let out a breath. I’ve done what I can for Luna, and I have a feeling I’m going to have to pay for it. I have no idea why I feel so driven to protect her, but I do, and not just from everyone else, from me too.
I head back up the stairs to find Luna staring into the refrigerator, unmoving. She looks exhausted, but the way her eyes are darting around tells me her brain is still going a mile a minute. This isn’t going to work.
I check my phone—Rinaldo’s text just came in.
The car is here.
