Page 15 of Depths of Desire (The Emerald Dagger Mafia #3)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

T rying not to grind my teeth, I stare at the wreckage of my apartment.

Broken glass glints in the low light like jagged teeth, mocking me.

The fact that there were Blood Orcs in my place has me seething.

That stench—metallic, burnt, and vaguely sulfuric—still clings to the air like a curse.

Orc stink is notoriously hard to get rid of.

It sinks into the walls. Into the bones of the place.

I think I’ll just clean the place up, have it painted, and sell it.

Start somewhere new. But the fact that I even have to do that?

That alone makes my hands curl into fists.

I want to snap those fuckers’ necks and grind their tusks to dust. More importantly, I want to find out who they work for, and then I want to kill their employer.

Yes, for destroying my place, but moreso for hurting Luna.

Wrecking her place was a blow to her, and no one should be allowed to hurt Luna in any way and get away with it. I won’t let that stand.

I don’t know when I became so protective of her. Why she haunts me so much is a mystery. I’ve felt a connection to her from the moment we met, and now that she’s near me, I can’t control my protective nature. She’s mine now. Mine. No one will ever hurt her again.

I go over the video footage again, frame by frame.

They’re good—whoever they are. Professional.

Coordinated. I don’t catch them on camera until after they’ve already killed my feed.

That’s not amateur work. That’s surgical.

They must have used jammers to kill the signal before physically severing the wires.

Which means this wasn’t random. Thank fuck for the nanny cam.

I send copies of the images to both Luca and Renzo, knowing they already have feelers out. I do the same.

Then I call Esme.

“What’s going on?” she asks immediately. “I can tell something’s up. Your energy’s bouncing all over the place. You okay?”

“There were Blood Orcs in my place,” I say flatly. “They trashed it. Whoever blew up the ship I was on—they came looking for us.”

There’s a pause on the line. “Yuck. Blood Orcs.” She sniffs like she can smell them through the phone. “All right, I’ll do my best. But honestly, I think you and your brothers are better at this part.”

“Do what you can but do it safely. No big waves. As discreet as possible, please.”

“No worries,” she says and then hesitates before adding, “I’ve made a bit of progress on the other thing, but I don’t want to get into it just yet. I’ll ask around about the Blood Orcs and get back to you.” She breaks off the call.

I drop the phone and lean forward, bracing my elbows on my desk.

I don’t even have time to think about my mother at the moment or what it means that she’s alive.

I’ll have to deal with that later. I stare at the grain of the wood, trying to pull my thoughts together, when suddenly—something clicks. “Fuck,” I say aloud.

If they’ve already searched Luna’s place… and she’s not there… and my place…Then the next logical step is anyone else she might run to. Shit. I open a telepathic channel to Renzo and Luca. It takes a second, but they respond, our minds linking through the ether.

Luna’s parents , I say. Since the Blood Orcs already tossed her place looking for her, her parents’ house is the next logical step. We need to send someone there—keep an eye on them. Make sure they’re safe.

Shit, Luca mutters. I didn’t even think of that. I’ll put someone on it right now.

Anywhere else you can think of? Somewhere they’d look for Luna? Renzo asks.

I have no idea. People know Pippa and Mia are her best friends… I don’t bother finishing the sentence. They already know.

Yeah, already on that, Renzo replies. I’ve beefed up security around Pippa and Mia. Luca and I discussed it. Do you want me to send more security your way?

No. I’ve already added guards at the gate. Too much security will draw attention to the fact that we’re here. As long as we can stay under the radar, we’re better off a little light on bodies. Less is more.

Agreed, Renzo says. We’ve all got feelers out into the magick realm. Hopefully, something turns up. Once we know who the Blood Orcs belong to, we’ll know who we’re dealing with.

Good. I start to break the link when another voice cuts in, sharp and layered with command.

Hold a minute, Renzo commands.

Just what I need—more conversation. I brace myself as the presence thickens like smoke in my chest. My father.

Va tutto bene, Nico? His voice is deceptively calm, but the steel under it is unmistakable. I can feel the heat of his displeasure pressing against me like a hand around my throat.

Yes, Father. I’m fine.

You should have told us Luna was with you . His thoughts bouncing in my head are cold and controlled.

It didn’t seem relevant. I pause, then push forward . It was just an odd… coincidence that she was on board. And speaking of that—any idea who would want to make that kind of a statement? It’s a very bold move ,” I offer to distract him.

I agree. Very risky behavior , my father replies with a sigh. I’ve held off asking any of the other vampire kings, but I’m worried. Honestly, it would be better if it were just a human enemy—someone who wants to take over the drug trade. Inflict a major loss, then swoop in. That we could handle.

But if it’s a vampire trying to sabotage our new blood trade, I reply quietly, that makes things more serious. And much more complicated.

He doesn’t respond, but I can feel his agreement like a tremor under my skin.

Do you think you’ll have to ask the vampire kings eventually? I press. I mean… there are orcs involved. Doesn’t that lean toward the magick realm?

Yes and no, my father replies. As much as we’d like to believe humans don’t know we exist, some do. We’ve seen what happens firsthand.

The memory of Luigi Catelli slams into me like a blow to the gut. The betrayal. The blood. The pain. I can almost taste the bitter metal of rage on my tongue.

I guess you’re right, I concede. It’s a possibility. One I really don’t want to be true.

The other option is no better, Luca chimes in. If it’s someone from the magick realm trying to step into our world and take over the blood trade, that could lead to an all-out vampire war. And no one wants to go down that path.

Renzo, who’s been unusually quiet, finally speaks.

You’re all right. None of this is good. Either way, someone has declared war on our family. We need to take this very seriously—and come up with a game plan as soon as we have more information.

Renzo is correct, my father says. Until then, everyone lay low. Keep your eyes open. Pause business operations where you can, and if not—double your security. No risks.

Confirmed, Renzo replies. Already in place.

All right then, my father says. Be very careful and watch yourselves. No risky behavior. I will not lose one of you over this. We have many enemies who would love to see us fail. Do not give them the opportunity to hurt us.

The connection goes silent.

And that’s the crux of it.

How the fuck am I supposed to keep myself—and Luna—safe… when I don’t even know who the enemy is?

The next hour is a blur of dead ends and frustration. I reach out to every informant, contact, and back channel I know of. No one’s heard anything. Not a whisper. Not a hint.

I go over the video footage again. Pause. Rewind. Zoom.

Nothing. I don’t recognize the creatures trashing my flat. No identifying marks. I pick up my phone and call Rinaldo.

“Boss,” he answers, voice steady.

“Has anyone come by yet asking about the cargo that was on the freighter?”

“Not yet. But I’m expecting them anytime now,” he says. “There’s too much heat for them to stay away long.”

“See if you can get anything out of them about the explosion. Any details might help.”

“Will do, boss.”

I pause, then lower my voice. “Rinaldo, do you have any idea who might want to start a war with us?”

It feels absurd, even asking. But someone already has.

“Boss, if I knew, you’d already have the names and addresses. I’ve got nothing. But I’ll ask around. See if any of the guys have heard anything.”

“Thanks. Let me know once the investigators come and go. You good with the paperwork?”

“Of course. It’s all in order. We were shipping coffee and olive oil. We’re angry about losing the shipments. It’ll hurt our bottom line, even with insurance.”

I can practically hear him smirk.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got it under control.”

“Thanks, Rinaldo,” I say.

After I hang up, I stare at the phone in my hand, wondering just how far this thing is going to reach—and how many bodies it’ll leave behind.

War is coming for the Valdicis. Whether we want it or not. I lean back in my chair and rub my temples, the pressure behind my eyes like the edge of a migraine. Who would dare challenge us like this?

If it’s a human—cartel, rival mafia family, mercenaries—it could be anyone.

But it would be bold. Reckless, even. Renzo, with all of us at his side, has built an empire carved from blood and ash.

And Luca’s sleek, glittering nightclub empire, walks the line between power and temptation. Could he have pissed someone off?

A quiet throat-clearing breaks through my thoughts. Carson stands just inside the doorway, his posture immaculate as always, but his expression edged with concern.

“What is it, Carson?” I ask, already knowing I won’t like the answer.

“Sir, I believe Miss Luna is quite upset. I wouldn’t normally disturb you, however… you did ask me to keep an eye on her.”

I sigh and glance at the clock. Just after nine. Much later than I realized. Time bends when your mind spins with vengeance.

“Thank you, Carson. Did you start supper?”

He nods. “It will be ready shortly.”

“Excellent. Luna and I will eat in the dining room.”

“Very good, sir.” He gives me a slight bow before vanishing down the hall like a shadow.