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“He volunteered. I didn’t ask,” Serenity chuckles. “He certainly gets excited by the prospect of someone killing him.”

River pumps his fist and runs back into the garage. We follow him and gape at the lines of file cabinets.

“We’re going to need help transporting these,” I say.

“Is my dad still alive?” Serenity asks.

“Yes.”

“Call Kerian. Tell him to keep him alive for me.”

“Why?” I frown.

“I have an idea,” she says. “I know how to break him.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Serenity

I fear I am addicted to power.

I am riding high on the energy I felt when I let loose on Carol. Being able to harness that magnitude of power with just a thought that crosses my mind is thrilling.

As I watched her struggle against the wall, all I felt was glee. No regret. Not fear. Not sorrow. Glee.

I detached myself from our relationship. She was no longer my mom. She was a person that threatened my mate and the world I was part of. I had to eliminate the threat. It was sweet that Ryker didn’t want me to have that burden. I knew it wouldn’t affect me as he thought it would. But I gave in to his wishes, at least for his peace of mind.

Ryker called in some of his coven members to move all the contents of the garage to the club. River calmed down enough to drive us home. He left us there so he could go to talk to Kerian and wait for us to arrive.

We showered and dressed in different bathrooms, much to my regret. Ryker refused to strain me after my depletion of energy.

He wasn’t crazy about letting me confront my dad, but he reluctantly agreed I was their best chance of getting answers.

It was startling seeing the amount of blood on the floor. He should be dead. I have to give him credit for determination. If I didn’t know better, I would think he was a shifter.

Ryker stands at my back as I face him. Kerian gives me a nod of respect as he moves out of the way. River vibrates with excitement on my other side. I’ve never met someone so enamored with blood and guts. I hope when he does find a mate, she looks past his quirks. Especially his need to eat constantly. I watch him chew on a drumstick, happy.

How does he do that?

Ryker nudges me out of my study of River.

“Dad,” I called. “I want to talk to you.”

“Nothing to say,” he mumbles. His lips are swollen and caked with blood.

“Well, I have some things to say.”

“Don’t wan..na h..hear it,” he stutters.

“You might,” I pause, but he remains silent. “I saw Mom.”

He jerks against the chains. “When? Why?” His eyes pop open.

“I just came from her.” I dropped the bait, “She asked about you.”

“She did?” His eyes fill with tears. “What did she say? Is she okay?”

I have a spark of empathy but shake it off. I remind myself of all the horrible things he’s done. “She wanted to know how you were.”