Page 90 of Depraved
Declan looks at the handkerchief with disgust, seeing his blood, and puts it back to his cut. He walks past me and Dante and points to where Dominic is standing protectively in front of Drew.
“And his twin, or should I say the mob’s Priest…that’s your real name, right? The one you go by when you take confessions of the men you kill. I have to say…you live up to your reputation the most. It’s the eyes—you’re dead behind them.”
My eyes tip to Dante, who gives nothing away. I’ve heard rumblings before about what Dom did and still does for his “family,” but I didn’t give them any weight.
Declan looks back at me, amusement in his eyes. “You didn’t know any of this? Even though you’re in bed with a man who rivals even my power and viciousness? And I was the monster you ran from?”
I hate his smug grandiose attitude as if he’s the better choice.
My voice is cutting and angry as I deliver my words. “These people are my family. They protect those they love. There’s nothing but honor in that. You bought and tortured me before you tried to rape me. The only monster in this room is you. And I will watch you burn in hell, Declan. In fact, I kinda hope I get to strike the match.”
His face contorts as he straightens his jacket, pulling it in place harshly. “Forty-eight hours. In the meantime, I’m sure you’ll all need a motivator, so I left you a gift as a reminder of what we Irish do best.”
Declan smiles and turns, pushing his hands into his pockets as he strolls out past the abandoned mask station, tossing his back in. His henchmen follow him, walking straight out of Church.
The closing door echoes through the empty space, and Dante’s arms pull me into him as he kisses the top of my head. An exhale releases in a whoosh as I realize I’ve been holding my breath. Dante shoves his gun into the small of his back and pulls out his phone, turning to Dom. “Where the fuck is everyone? The security, the extra guys…there better be a fire.”
All their phones start to buzz. A crease forms in my brow as the guys look to each other.
Dante answers his phone angrily, “Where the fuck is everyone?”
Whatever is being said immediately silences him, Luca, and Dom. I know it’s bad because I watch the life in his eyes dim, making him the scariest person I’ve ever seen.
This is the gift Declan warned about. I know it.
“What’s happened?” I question.
“Jesus Christ, he did it before he walked in here…that’s why I didn’t see any of the guys when we walked in,” Dante growls, gritting his teeth.
Luca brings his fists down on the table as he hangs up his phone. “That motherfucker came in here…knowing. He fucking knew, Dante.”
Dante’s hand lowers from his ear, and he looks at Dom, where Drew’s face is buried into his chest as her shoulders shake. Dom lowers the phone from his ear and shakes his head.
My head shifts to Luca as he puts his arm around Gretchen and holds her close, still visibly angry as he whispers into her ear.
My hands shoot to Dante’s face, and I survey his features; it’s as if pieces of him are dying, and I don’t know how to help him.
“What happened?” I plead. “What did you all just find out?”
His eyes connect to mine, and all I see is fury. “Declan blew up the apartment. The building’s a fucking mess of fire and scrap metal… Sarah, we think Matteo was inside. He was fucking inside.”
SHE SHAKES HER HEAD ANDpushes away from me.
“Who can confirm it?” she spits out angrily. “Who can confirm he was inside? I won’t treat him like a dead man before I see his body. Find him. Dante…you have to.”
I nod my head, holding her cheek in my hand. “I’ll find him. It’s going to be okay. I’ll find him, Billy.”
I press a kiss to her forehead, and she melts into me, hugging my waist.
“He’s fine. You know Matteo—he’s probably off with some girl.”
I know she’s clinging to that hope because Matteo is close to her. But where she’s hopeful, I fear the worst.
Antonio and Vincenzo bust through Church’s doors, making Drew let out a gasp, and my head swings in their direction as they stop to look at us.
They look like hell, as if they ran all the way here.
“What the fuck is going down, boss?” Vin rages. “We thought you were still at your place… Jesus, Dante. We all rushed straight there.”
