Page 1 of Benicio

Chapter One

Benicio Moretti curled and uncurled his fist, hissing as the pain shot up his arm and across his chest. He gritted his teeth then released his breath. It was no use. No matter how hard he tried, the pain was constant.

“When are you leaving for Ridgeway?” Matteo asked as he walked into Benicio’s study. “Things are only getting worse in that city, as you know, and now humans are forming groups to try and wipe out our kind.”

Benicio didn’t need the reminder. Word had reached him of the chaos in Ridgeway. Something had to be done. Clearly Eleazar and Lazarus weren’t doing their jobs. Wolf shifters were practically running Eleazar’s city. It was Benicio’s job to step in when things were this bad.

Actually, he was supposed to step in before things got this bad. But the weakening of his body made it hard for him to do his job properly. Every time he tried to use his powers the pain would overwhelm him.

“I leave tonight,” Benicio said, finally. “I’ll take care of it.”

Matteo nodded, but there was something in his eyes that made Benicio pause.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I’m just worried about you,” Matteo said, his voice quiet. “This affliction… It’s not getting any better, is it?”

Benicio shrugged, trying to hide the pain that had seized him again. “No, it isn’t.”

“You should let me come with you,” Matteo said, coming over to him. “At least then you’ll have someone to watch your back.”

Benicio knew there was no point in arguing with him. Matteo had always been fiercely loyal to him, even though Benicio had never been able to return the sentiment in the way he wanted to. It was hard to love when you were numb inside.

The numbness wasn’t from the weakening of his body. It was from being alive for four thousand years. He’d witnessed so much, and now, very little, if anything, made him feel alive. Life held no meaning for him. Joy was a forgotten feeling. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d laughed or even smiled.

“Fine,” Benicio said, gritting his teeth against the pain. “But we need to leave in the next hour.”

Matteo nodded, his eyes flickering with concern. They both knew that the trip to Ridgeway was going to be dangerous. But Benicio had to do what he could to keep order in the vampire world. Even if it meant risking his own life.

His assistant was the only person who knew of Benicio’s weakness, and Benicio wanted to keep it that way. If anyone knew of his affliction, they would try to take him down. Benicio had too many enemies to count and, at one time, couldn’t have cared less about them.

But that was before his body had betrayed him. Now he had to be cautious, to appear as the most feared and powerful ancient being. But in the car later, when no one was around them, Benicio hissed and clenched his jaw.

“How bad?” Matteo asked, looking between him and the road.

“Stop coddling me,” Benicio snarled. “I can do my damn job without you hovering over me like a nursemaid.”

His assistant grunted. “I see the disease hasn’t affected your surly personality.”

Benicio ignored Matteo, riding in silence as they made their way to Ridgeway, which was only three hours from Benicio’s mansion. The only reason Matteo got away with such insubordination was because the vampire had been with him for the past fifteen hundred years. He was more like a son to Benicio, though he’d never told Matteo that.

Finally, they entered the city. Benicio watched as the scenery passed by. Ridgeway looked like any other metropolitan area. It was three in the morning, and cars still congested the streets. People were still walking on the sidewalks, and Benicio looked at the sign above a club that had a line wrapping around the building.

Club Lure.

He’d heard of the place. Benicio knew a lot about Ridgeway. That was his job.

Matteo took them to a home he’d rented for them. There was no way he was staying as a guest in Eleazar’s home when the pain was so great. He couldn’t afford anyone finding out what was wrong with him or seeing just how bad things had gotten.

He also wasn’t staying in the home of someone he might have to kill.

Tomorrow night, Benicio would pay a visit to Eleazar. He would find out why the city of Ridgeway was in chaos. And if he didn’t like the answer, he would erase Eleazar’s existence.

* * * *

“I found an informant for you,” Matteo said as he entered Benicio’s bedroom. “Someone who knows this city better than anyone else.”

“A human?”

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