50. Church
CHURCH
T wo weeks later, I still hadn’t heard back from my father. I knew better than to hope for good things because the man was like a disease that kept coming back. Like a nasty case of herpes.
“Where are you going?” I demanded as Cady came down stairs. Her baby bump was starting to show.
“I have therapy,” she muttered.
“I’ll walk you,” I said, following her to the door. Sirena was occupied with Shadow and Stitches in Shadow’s bedroom, and Ashes and Sin were already at therapy. I put my shoes on and headed out the door with her.
“How are you feeling?” I asked as we walked the path.
“Like shit. Morning sickness isn’t so bad now. Still haven’t told my mom. Thank you, by the way.”
“For what?”
“Sealing my records by threatening to murder the doctor so he wouldn’t run back and tell my mom and Jerry.”
I said nothing. It wasn’t their business as far as I was concerned.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” I said. “You’re a pain in the ass when you’re not.”
She rolled her eyes at me but smiled.
We’d been getting along a little better lately. She wasn’t fighting back so much, and I’d tried to stop pushing so hard because it upset Sirena.
We made it to the therapy building.
“Go,” I said. “I’ll come back for you. Text me when you’re done. Ashes and Sin will also probably be around if you need anything.”
She smiled and stepped toward me. I froze as she hugged me.
“Thank you, Dante. You’ve been good to me and Rina. I don’t think you get told that enough.” She pulled away.
I didn’t say anything as I watched her go.
I didn’t need to be told. I loved Sirena with everything I was. Doing what I did for her just seemed…right.
* * *
Two hours later, I stared at the unanswered message I’d sent Cady asking her where she was. I’d heard from Ashes that her therapy had run longer because one of the guys in the glass tried to jump out the window, and it created an issue while they tried to talk him down.
“I’m going to go look for her,” I said, pushing away from the dinner table. Sirena signed to me, but I shook my head at her. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” I dropped a kiss on her lips and left quickly.
It didn’t take me long to run to the therapy building, but when I got there, people were coming out. No Cady, though.
“Hey.” I grabbed a guy named Kevin and pulled him to a stop. He stared back at me like a scared deer in the headlights.
“You seen Cadence Lawrence? She’s in group therapy today.”
He shook his head. “N-No. She left like an hour ago. Got called out and told she had to meet someone. I don’t know anything more than that. Please don’t murder me.”
I scoffed and shoved him away.
Like I’d waste my time on a little piss ant like him.
I did three rounds of the campus, and couldn’t find her. My heart pounded hard, wondering where the fuck she was. I was just about to storm Sully’s office when my phone rang.
“Father,” I answered, my adrenaline soaring to new heights.
“I found something that belongs to you,” he replied in a wicked tone. “Are you missing a little kitty cat, my son?”
I balled my hand into a fist. “What did you do? Where is she?”
“I was surprised to learn she’s carrying my grandson. Honestly, Dante, why didn’t you tell me?”
“It wasn’t any of your fucking business,” I snapped.
“Oh, but it is. You were told not to touch Adam, but he was a smart boy and left me a gift. Isn’t that wonderful? And because he’s gone now, I fully intend to open what was left to me.”
“Don’t you fucking touch her,” I snapped into the phone.
“I won’t,” he said, cutting me off. “If you do what you’re told. She’s already on a plane here to join me. I’ll put her with her father. She’ll be safe. If you don’t do what I ask, I will cut her open and feed on the little delicacy she has growing. So consider your answer carefully.”
I steadied my breathing. Asylum said we’d be going to Chicago. The fucker was right. Again.
“I want the sugar daddy. Lorenzo De Luca has an engagement party coming up. I want you to storm the party, kill whoever you have to kill, and bring me Ethan Masters.”
“When?” I asked, my voice hoarse.
“Two weeks. The party was moved forward. Isn’t that lucky? I almost thought I’d have to wait until the end of the summer, but luck would have it, Lorenzo talked his beauty into moving the date. It’s almost as if fate is smiling down on us.”
“Seren-fucking-dipity,” I muttered.
“You’ll be receiving the information shortly. Be discreet about it.”
“I’ll do what I have to do in order to get the job done. You swear you won’t harm Cady or the baby? That no harm will come to her from anyone?”
“I swear it. You have two weeks, then I want what’s mine. Bring me Ethan Masters. Alive. Once we have the sugar recipe, you’re free to go until it’s your time to rule. Sound good?”
“Yes,” I answered, my jaw aching from clenching so hard.
“Perfect. I’ll be seeing you. Keep a close eye on that little ghost you have. She truly is a beauty. She’d make a good mother, don’t you think?”
“Don’t even fucking think about it,” I snarled.
He let out a laugh. “Goodbye, Son.”
The call ended, leaving me to stand on the edge of campus, my guts twisted.
Telling Sirena Cady was gone was going to hurt.
If I had to guess, this would fuel her hatred more and would end with a lot of these fucks dead.
I was game if she was.