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CHAPTER TWENTY

ZAND

The shore of Lake Michigan laid shrouded in fog. A ghostly veil that swallowed the beam of our headlights. The violent sounds of the crashing waves lapped against the rocky harbor. I stepped from the SUV. My hand automatically found the small of Chanel’s back as she emerged from the truck beside me. Her warm body was a stark contrast to the chill that ravaged this isolated stretch of the shoreline.

This place held memories, violent ones. I was a pillar of nonviolence until Alonzo entered my life. His body was buried beneath the dark waters that stretched into invisibility and beyond. Somewhere out there, I had disposed of Lonzo Lopez. I thought the lake kept my secret, but Layla’s loose lips made that a mistruth.

“Spread out.” I instructed in a voice barely above a murmur. I knew my vampires could hear me clearly. “Marco, take the north side of the cliffs. Donte, south. Natasha, find high ground.”

They moved with supernatural silence and disappeared into the fog like ghosts. Only Josh remained visible, positioninghimself between our vehicles and the water. His large frame was a reassuring presence.

Harlen and Morgan took their positions closer to the shore. Three additional members of my security team were all vampires I befriended when I arrived in Chicago. These vampires established a perimeter that appeared hidden in plain sight.

“Stay close to me.” I muttered to Chanel and drew her against my side. She was dressed in black with her hair pulled back. We were all wearing dark colors.

“I’m not going anywhere.” She assured me.

My team and me, Chanel, plus three, moved toward the water’s edge. I thought having Morgan as one of my three people might rattle Teresa. She knew Harlen and Josh were my muscle. Teresa would probably see Morgan and Chanel and think I was at a disadvantage.

The fog swirled around our ankles, creating the illusion that we were walking through the clouds. Ahead, the lake stretched into utter darkness. The lake’s surface was visible only where our flashlights caught the fierce movement of waves.

I scanned the striking Chicago skyline, an oasis of tall buildings. Then, in the direction of Canada, I scanned the horizon. Beautiful. My vampire vision penetrated the fog. I watched for vehicles that entered the harbor and there were none. Nothing yet. Teresa wouldn’t arrive until the last possible moment. She had to make a grand entrance. It was a power play. It was a reminder that she thought she could force us to retreat simply by delaying.

“This is where you brought him?” Chanel asked while looking into the dark water.

I didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “Yes. Weighted down and taken out here where he wouldn’t be found.” The admissioncame easily. I’ve stopped hiding the darker aspects of my nature from her. “His body should have been unrecoverable.”

“Should have been?”

“Sometimes bodies raise to the surface in the springtime.”

My fingers tightened slightly on her waist. I had lied to her before. The truth was simpler. It might be more brutal, but Chanel was tougher than I knew. I would never apologize for keeping my future bride safe. I eliminated the threat he posed permanently. Lonzo asked for violence, and I was just better at my brand of violence.

The minutes ticked by slowly, but time waited for no one. The sky remained dark, and the stars and the moon gave us a bit of light. I could feel drama approaching like a pressure against my skin.

“There.” Harlen’s voice came from my right. He pointed toward the lake.

At first, I saw nothing. Then a shadow separated the darkness. A small motorboat cut through the fog. Its engine was muted to near silence. It approached slowly, deliberately, making no attempt at stealth now that we spotted it.

What the fuck? She showed up on water instead of land. If she isn’t careful, her little boat could crash into the rocks under the surface. I hoped to see her careen out of the vessel and into the cold lake.

“I count five figures.” Morgan reported, her new vampire vision serving her well. “Teresa at the front and three others I don’t recognize.”

Now Harlen was homed in and looking. “That’s the lady that drove the getaway car for Marisol. The other two are from Club Caliente Bailar.”

“Who?” I asked Harlen.

“The Mexican woman. I think the cousin. The other one was the tall male. Maybe an uncle?”

Morgan said. “I can’t believe the bitch only brought three people with her.”

“Don’t underestimate her.” I warned.

“Never. She’s the bitch that killed me.”

Chanel shifted beside me. She pressed closer into my side as the boat continued its approach. She squeezed my hand and then let my hand go.

“Hey.” I said, worried about her actions.