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“I found out,” Abel finally says. “When I was digging around.”
“Digging around?” I’m so confused. What was Abel digging around for?
“We look into anyone that might be close to our circle.” This time Nikolai answers.
“Hold on.” Abel stands, placing me in his chair, and leaves the kitchen. Riley gives me a sad smile. He comes back a few minutes later with some pictures. “All missing and connected to your brother and his girlfriend.” Abel places some photos in front of me. I swipe at the tears that run down my cheeks.
“So, then what? Did he get arrested or what?” I close my eyes. “Please don’t tell me that my father got him off or something.” I could see that. This would be so bad for my father’s reputation. If my brother is some sicko and the news of what he did got out, I’m sure my father’s days in politics would be over.
“Not yet.” Abel speaks softly, like he's trying not to spook me.
“Not yet!” I jump up from my seat. “Then, where is my brother?”
“We don’t know.” Nikolai's words drip with anger.
“I’m sure my brother-in-law knows where he is.” Riley tries to calm everyone down.
“Wait. Why would he know?” They all look at me as though I’ve just asked the most ridiculous question they’ve ever heard.
“My sister is married to Matteo Cattaneo.”
Holy fuck. Of course I know that name. Everyone does. I’ve even heard my father say it more than a few times.
“Isn’t he kind of like a mob boss? A criminal?” I take a step back. What the hell is happening? This is all insane.
“Least he’s not assaulting girls and killing them.” Nikolai utters this before taking another bite of his meal. Riley elbows him in the side. “What? Like her family is much better.”
“Hey.” Abel’s hand comes down on my hip. I turn to face him.
“Where do you fit into all of this?”
“I’m here to make sure you’re safe. That no one hurts you while this all plays out.” I step into him, wanting his comfort.
“What is my father doing? Does he know I’m gone? Is he trying to find my brother?” I’m not sure what my father would do with Brent. I’m sure he doesn’t want his secrets to get out.
“We’re going to wait. See how some things play out,” Abel tells me.
“And I get to stay here with you while we're waiting.”
“You’re staying right here,” he confirms.
“Okay,” I agree. I honestly don’t want to know any more right now. This is already so much to take in. I rest my head on Abel’s chest. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close.
I trust Abel will keep me safe.
11
CHURCH
“How do you think your captive is going to respond when she finds out you’ve killed more people than her brother?” I ignore Nikolai’s question. It's not something I want to face right now. Maybe I never have to tell her.
We could leave. I could take her away from here and start a new life somewhere else. I could stop being Church. I don’t need the money. I’ve amassed enough of a fortune that Angel and I could live extremely well.
“How about when she finds out you got her daddy in your basement?”
“Can you shut the fuck up?” I grit out. When did he become Chatty Cathy? Nikolai and I often work together, but it is usually in silence. Unless you count the screams that were not coming from us.
“She’s not from this world. She’s an innocent.”