Page 15 of Chaos Crown

“I would’ve, but no.” A look I’d never seen before crept across his handsome face. “Old man didn’t come home. I ended up calling the station. The receptionist picked up and said he left hours ago. Something’s wrong.”

“Wrong? You said a new body meant late nights.” I got to my feet, vision clearing on the clock. It was two in the morning. “Could he be out tracking down leads on Zoey’s killer?”

“He would be, if there was any report of a body found on Chaney Bridge.” Cold understanding dawned. “Connie didn’t know what the hell I was talking about. She’s never heard of Zoey Mariner or that she’s dead.”

“He took her.” The truth ripped from my throat. “Arsenio was bleeding out. Zoey was dead. We had no choice but to get out of there and get him help. After we left, he took the body. Whoever killed her was watching the whole time.”

He nodded—a sharp jerk of the head.

“But if the sheriff isn’t out chasing her killer, where is he?”

“We’ve established that I don’t know everything that guy gets up to. He prefers to do his drinking alone here where gossip won’t spread, but he could’ve hit up a bar. I’m going out to look, and taking you to Paris.”

“No, I’m going with you,” I said before he finished the sentence. “Why should we split up?”

In a blink, he was in my face. “Because I want rid of you, but I also want you right where I can find you. You’re going to Paris. Stop wasting my time arguing.”

Cairo marched to the door, expecting me to follow. I did. I was going everywhere he went whether he liked it or not. Let him drive to Paris’s place, unless he planned to carry me inside, I wasn’t getting out of the car. I would be there when he spoke to his father. I was getting the truth—all of it. Tonight.

Cairo yanked on the knob, stepping aside to let me through first. I froze, eyes widening.

“Cairo.” My lips went numb. “Cairo... look.”

Frowning, he followed my gaze to the welcome mat, and the single black letter lying upon it.

He stilled.

A minute passed.

Two.

Three.

I took a step. Then another.

Cairo didn’t move or stop me. Bending down, I picked up the letter and cracked the seal.

Cairo Sharpe,

Apologies for our associate. She went rogue and forgot our true purpose. For that, she had to go.

We are now under new management. Mine.

We do not wish the Bedlam Boys dead. You serve too important a function, fighting Steven Ellis and his plans out in the open while we’re confined to the shadows. As long as you continue serving that purpose and give up any attempts to find us, you, your friends, your girlfriend, and your father get to live.

Of course, the Bedlam Boys are used to doing what they want, whenever they want. Taking orders is hard for you, so as an incentive to stay in line, we’re hanging on to your father until our joint goal is complete, and Steven Ellis is gone for good.

It’s for the best. For us to do what we do and assist in the fight, we need a sheriff whose loyalty is without question.

Bedlam will not be had by the descendant of a coward who abandoned the fight. We’ve stayed right here, bleeding and sacrificing for the legacy that is our birthright. Bedlam will be ours.

So get to work.

Signed,

Dante

Cairo didn’t say a word as I read. He still wasn’t moving.

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