Page 18 of Betrayed

We’ve brought in a security team to guard what’s left of the burned-out shell of the Village. I contact the team leader, barkorders, and demand security footage of the area outside my apartment on Bachman Avenue.

Nothing. They haven’t replaced the damaged cameras yet.

She vanished.

It’ll be hours before they get back to me with a trace on her passport, telling me if she’s left the country and, if so, where she went.

I’m going after her.

CHAPTER TEN

Lucian

My first order of business is to call Blaze to let him know I’ll be MIA for the foreseeable future. The two of us stayed after the Morettis bombed our village, brothers in arms, working together to gather enough information on our enemies to convince the others that we can stay here and rebuild.

He grew up here in the Bronx and feels a deep connection to this city, heart and soul. As for me, I lost my first love here—Isobel. I was with another group before the Bachmans. My best friend Carlos turned against me. She was killed in an explosion at an arms warehouse in Manhattan, and we never found her body.

Before Erin, I didn’t want to leave New York, not until I had some closure from my past.

Now?

I’d travel anywhere to find her.

Blaze scoffs on the other end of the line, clearly confused and not bothering to hide his frustration as he goes after me.“The hell you’re leaving town now, Lucian! The assessment is today. They’ve analyzed the threat. And today they’re going to recommend whether we rebuild here, in our city. Where we have our roots. Our history.”

“Or, more likely,” I say, “they’ll say we have to leave.”

Blaze’s voice drops an octave, “Lucian…”

“And if that’s what they have to say…”

“You don’t want to be here to hear it, anyway.”

“Yeah.”

A heavy silence lingers between us, then I say what we’re both thinking.

“I don’t care what they say, Blaze. We will rebuild. We will take back New York.”

“I agree, but Lucian, you may have to cool off for a bit. Rebuild somewhere else. Gather our strength, then, take back New York.”

“You know I run hot.”

“I know.”

“And you know I’m right,” I add between clenched teeth.

“I know.” His voice softens, “But you know I’m right, too.”

I hate the idea of waiting. I want to blow up every Moretti in the city and watch them burn. Then build a Village three times the size of the last one. But Blaze may be right.

I may have to bide my time.

Finally, Blaze, my brother in every way except blood, says, “Go. Find her.”

I pack quickly.

Still no update from the security team on her passport. I can’t wait to get answers.