Page 78 of Betrayed in Blood
When the silence continued, I considered for the umpteenth time what he was up to. It must have something to do with Rasmussen and my mother. He must think she was being kept in the house against her will. My task tomorrow would confirm that. So, if she was being held hostage, why would he want Harlow? A vamp strike team would be better suited for pulling her out.
“You don’t want Harlow, you want Roxie to deal with the house security, but you have to go to Harlow for that. But if there are vamps, wouldn’t there be more than a couple? I don’t want my mother getting hurt.”
“I haven’t told the cadre everything yet. I’ll do that with Harlow present, but Simone already knows because she’s the one who gave me the information.”
“You’ve been holding out on me?” I said it jokingly, but I was a bit hurt until he told me the rest.
“I only found out while I was at Oasis. The rumor is that Venizi is holding a Family-only party on Friday.”
I let the news sink in, and everything made sense—for the most part. “So, if April is working for Venizi, she should be attending and probably taking most of the vamps, however many there are, to the party with her.”
“It would only take one vampire to contain your mother. Or they might just lock her in a room where she can’t get out until they return.”
My blood boiled at how they might be treating her. Though April, regardless of how far off the ledge she might have gone, wouldn’t take it out on their mother. Would she?
“So, you need Roxie to handle the security while you send in a strike team.”
“I’ll have a strike team, yes, but they won’t go in first.”
When he didn’t finish, I sat up. “You’re going to let me go in first?”
He gave me that wicked beast grin with a light glow in his eyes. “You know the house, and though we’re waiting for Sergi to get the latest security details, you know the security.”
I laughed. I had to do something to release my excitement. Not at my mother being held and us having to go in, but that Devon was trusting me to do what I did best. And to be honest, I’d always wanted to break into Christopher’s house and prove that I could. Too bad the asshole was dead.
Then my laughter died. “Are you expecting my mother to leave? Because I’m not sure she will if April is committed to her path. Regardless of April’s beliefs, Mom won’t abandon her.”
“Of course, not. That’s while we’ll give you time to discuss things with your mother and see if she knows if April is behind the Rasmussen texts. Perhaps she’ll know who April is working for. Once we have those answers, I’ll send in our strike force and a full security detail. When April and her escorts arrive home, we’ll be waiting.”
“Waiting to do what?”
He pushed a strand of hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear, taking the time to run a finger down my cheek. “We’re taking over the house, unless your mother wants to leave. Then I’ll be sure she has a safe location with all the luxuries she’s used to in addition to a security detail. If she prefers to stay, then the security detail will remain until our war with Venizi is over.”
“What about April?”
He sighed. “That’s a more difficult resolution. I’m hoping your mother can tell us how involved April might be. Maybe she’s lashing out because of her father’s death and now finds herself in a position she can’t get out of on her own. If that’s the case, this is her chance to break free. She doesn’t have to like you to make that decision.”
“And if she’s fallen for Venizi’s lies?” A thought struck. “What if she’s been mesmerized?”
“It’s a possibility. There are ways to deal with that, depending on how deep the mesmerizing. The best course would be to remove her, then see what we can do for her.”
“You’ve worked it all out.”
“I always like to think so, but after many battles, I’ve learned that something can always go wrong, so we need to be prepared as best we can. April and your mother are the gambles here. The plan might need to be modified once you get in and make contact.”
I nodded. “And what if the texts didn’t come from April?”
“One worry at a time.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “I hate to have to say this, but Colantha believes this is all about you, not your father. She doesn’t know whether Rasmussen is alive or dead. She’s never met him, but she is searching. What she does know, and she had no hesitation in telling me this, is that whoever is sending texts about Rasmussen is lying to you.”
I didn’t want to admit it. It was foolish to think my father might be out there somewhere and needed my help. I didn’t doubt Colantha. Not where other dreamwalkers were concerned. But hearing it out loud. Well, that crushed that tiny ball of hope.
I leaned against Devon’s shoulder, and he wrapped an arm around me. We didn’t move for a very long time.
ChapterTwenty-Three
I scowledat Sergi when I climbed into the SUV with four other vamps from the security detail. It was all to push his buttons. Of course, it apparently had no impact because the damn vamp just grinned.
I’d been grinning too when I woke that morning in Devon’s arms. I was ready for this day, needing a face-to-face with my mother to know that she was okay.
