Page 16

S ighing, Dante threw the case file on his desk. Boring—it was all so boring. Criminals today just seemed to lack the cunning, the intelligence, the drive to try something innovative.

What was exciting about doing things the way everyone else did?! Initiative, that’s what they lacked. They didn’t want to try any harder than they had to—lazy bastards.

How could they expect to get away with it if they didn’t even bother to put in any effort? Where was their sense of adventure?!

Sighing, he spun in his chair. His secretary popped her head into his office. A single well-manicured eyebrow rose when she spotted him.

Oh, my! Dante could just feel her judging him from across the room.

He stopped his chair and smiled innocently, asking, “Something wrong, Judith?”

Rolling her eyes, she snorted, “You have a call from Stephan Everwood. Line one.” With that, her head disappeared.

His curiosity piqued—what could Mr. Everwood possibly be calling about? Dante grabbed the phone and pushed the button to connect. “Dante Kozen here. What can I do for you, Mr. Everwood?”

“ I have something I wish to discuss with you. Unfortunately, none of it can be said over the phone. If possible, I would like to meet with you at my home. The situation is rather urgent, so the sooner the better. ”

Dante’s excitement built. What could it be, what could it be? Something dramatic, for sure—or maybe just sensitive! Whatever, it had to be better than the cases on his desk right now!

“How urgent?” Dante found it a struggle to remain still—one of his legs began to bounce. It had been way too long since something truly interesting had happened.

“ Urgent enough. Are you available anytime soon? ”

“Let me check my schedule.” He picked up his cell phone and looked through his appointments. There was something scheduled for later today, but he could put it off—just two neighbors getting a bit too vindictive.

Dante winced. Then again, maybe he shouldn’t. It would be bad if the twits killed each other when he could have stopped it. A big mess, that’s what it would be.

He snapped his fingers—Lily! He’d have Lily meet with them. Problem solved!

Dante turned his attention back to the phone call when Stephan cleared his throat. “ Mr. Kozen, are you still there? ”

“Ah, yes, I was just moving some appointments around. Would five p.m. today work for you?”

“ Yes, that would be perfect! ”

“Okay, then I’ll see you at five. Your address is still the same, right?”

“ Yes. ”

“Okay, see you soon. Goodbye.”

“ Goodbye. ”

Setting the phone in its cradle, he hummed. If he wasn’t wrong, Liam was living with the young businessman. Maybe he should call and ask what was going on. Nah…where would the fun be in that? Why spoil the surprise?!

S tephan pointed at Jayden, who was standing there looking uncomfortable in his white dress shirt, black slacks, dress shoes, and ordered, “Stay out of sight until I call you. I need time to discuss everything with Mr. Kozen. Not to mention, getting him to promise a few things.”

There were only a few minutes left before his meeting with Dante Kozen—the Zaytari leader would be there any minute.

“I don’t like it…so many things could go wrong. We shouldn’t be doing this,” Jayden said firmly, with his arms crossed.

Sighing, he rubbed his eyes. “It’s too late to back out now, Jade.”

Liam walked in with a tray of milk and cookies. Setting it down on the coffee table, the vampire announced, “Dante is here, Stephan. I’m going to go let him in. I suggest you do whatever you’re planning to do quickly. ”

Stephan peered at his godfather as if he’d never seen him before. Had the man lost his damn mind?

“Milk and cookies?! Really?!” Stephan’s voice had come out sounding a bit hysterical.

Liam shrugged. “Dante enjoys his baked goods. As for the milk…the man hates coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks, so it was either that, juice, or water. I thought milk was most fitting, considering.”

Stephan opened his mouth, but only a puff of air came out. His eye twitched, as he somehow managed to say, “Do as you see fit.”

His nerves spiked as he watched Liam walk away. Turning back to Jayden, he pleaded, “Please, Jade. Please, go.”

Jayden grumbled, but walked out of sight. His timing had been perfect, as seconds later, Liam returned with the head of the Kozen Zaytari group.

Dante Kozen was a tall man, about the same height as Jade. His eyes were mint green, he had short, spiky hair the color of candy apples, and his skin was pale.

Stephan stood and shook the man’s hand. “Welcome to my home, Mr. Kozen.”

“Feel free to call me Dante.”

“Then you must call me Stephan.” He waved his hand toward the other couch. “Please, sit.”

Once they were both seated, and after Dante had eaten a few cookies, the man inquired, “So, what did you wish to discuss?”

“It’s a rather delicate situation…” Stephan hesitated as his doubts filled him. What if everything went wrong? What if Jade go t hurt?

“And?”

“Before we get into that, I need you to make a few promises.”

“Oh?”

Tucking a stray curl behind his ear, he said, “Yes. First, I need you to promise that you will let me explain everything before making your decision. Second, that you will not hurt the individual I’ll be telling you about.”

“Considering I don’t know what we’ll be talking about, I am not sure I can promise the second. You must know the kind of people I deal with daily. I have learned to never make a promise unless I know I can keep it. I will, however, listen to all you have to say.”

Stephan supposed that was fair, but he still wanted more. He wanted a guarantee. He wanted Jayden safe.

“If that’s all I can get from you…then fine.” Pushing down his doubt and fear, he confided, “There is an individual who is having some problems. I believe he requires your guidance. In fact, my wish is for him to join your group.”

While one of Dante’s brows rose, there was also a small grin on his face. “As joining a Zaytari group is a rather simple process, and not one that would require much secrecy, I’m guessing there’s more?”

“Yes, well, this individual is a bit rough around the edges.” Stephan fought to avoid rolling his eyes at his own words—rough, hah, what a fucking understatement. “ Really rough. This person has certain urges that would terrify most. Those urges have resulted in…” Stephan trailed off.

How the hell should he say this? How was Stephan supposed to confess to one of the people who carried out their laws, that someone was a murderer? How did one admit that not only did they know this person was a murderer, but that they had also told no one about it?

There sure as hell wasn’t a book on it. Jayden had murdered and tortured numerous people. That wasn't really something you could just blurt out. They were bad people, but still.

“Urges?” Dante’s gaze turned speculative.

When Stephan said nothing, the man just grinned and crossed his legs. “Stephan, let me ask you this. What position would your friend be most suited for? I’m assuming, of course, you have one in mind.”

“Well…yes, I do.” He gulped, then straightened his shoulders and said, “Executioner.”

Dante’s smile widened. His eyes began to practically sparkle—from what, Stephan didn’t know. Considering the implications of his response, it was an odd reaction.

“What naughty things has your friend done, Stephan?”

“This isn’t a game, Mr—Dante!” Stephan snapped. “Murder. My friend has committed multiple murders, with a little torture thrown in for fun.”

“I assure you, I’m not playing any games, Stephan. I just want to know the truth. You do, of course, understand that, usually, murder is a disqualification when it comes to joining any Zaytari group.”

“I realize that, but there are special circumstances.”

The man’s eyes dilated slightly, and he began to basically vibrate in his seat as he licked his lips and uncrossed his legs, leaning forward. “Special circumstances? What special circumstances?”

If Stephan wasn’t mistaken, the vampire looked downright ecstatic.

Eyeing Dante warily, he clarified, “ The people he tortured and killed were murderers themselves. Those he hurt, I believe most would agree with me in saying, they deserved what happened to them.”

This had to work. It was the only option they had. If not, he didn’t know what they’d do. By the Gods, Stephan felt so helpless.

“Please understand…” He winced at how shaky his voice now sounded. “There is no stopping for this individual. He tried, but he couldn’t. This is the only option we have left. Please…I don’t know what els?—”

Stephan cut off, frowning at how unusually still Dante now was. The vampire didn’t even seem to be paying attention. Dante’s brow was wrinkled, and he was no longer smiling. The man appeared to be completely lost in his own thoughts.

Suddenly, Dante snapped to attention. The bright smile that appeared on his face was blinding—then the man began to laugh.

Dear Gods, the vampire was insane! Stephan should have asked another group. In his opinion, compared to Dante, Jayden was almost normal!

Oh, but Stephan had heard such good things about the man. It had been the reason he’d contacted him. People had told him Dante was kind, compassionate, level-headed. A good man, they said—fucking liars, all of them.

Something so important, and he had screwed it up! Looking down, Stephan tried to calm himself, but tears still welled in his eyes. Clenching his hands into fists, Stephan dug his nails into his palms while he tried to keep them from falling.

“I see you still suck at reading the mood, Dante. ”

At Liam’s words, Stephan's head popped up, and Dante’s laughter stopped.

“Sorry, sorry, Old Friend. It’s just the implications are astounding. A great mystery has just been solved! Can you feel it? The excitement, ahh, it’s wonderful!”

With his arms crossed, there was a look of disapproval on his godfather’s face. “It’s not me you should be apologizing to.” When Liam nodded towards him, Stephan dropped his head back down.

“Ah, I apologize for my behavior, Young Man.”

Still struggling not to cry, Stephan continued to look down and said nothing. The couch shifted, and Liam’s familiar scent surrounded him.

His godfather laid his hand on one of Stephan’s. “Stephan, I apologize. I should have warned you about how strange Dante can be. He really didn’t mean to upset you.” Liam tsked in disgust. “It’s just how he is.”

When Stephan peered up at the man, Liam smiled softly and wiped the forming tears away. “Though I am curious about what caused his reaction.”

“I apologize. Again, I didn’t mean to undermine the importance or seriousness of what you were telling me.”

Gathering up his courage, Stephan spoke. “Yes, well…it’s not something to laugh about.”

“Yes.” Dante rubbed the back of his neck—the man appeared embarrassed. “The reason I laughed…well, it’s because I know all about your friend’s ‘victims’. But who exactly he is has remained a great mystery. We were at a loss when no more showed up. For five years, the case has been cold.”

He wrinkled his nose. “It’s not cold anymore.”

“I see…where is he?” the vampire hummed, tapping his fingers against his legs.

Stephan eyed the man for a moment, before asking, “Can you make that promise now?”

Dante grinned. “I believe I can. Though, whether or not I can allow him to join my group is up to the king. Usually, it wouldn’t be necessary, but considering everything, he must be informed.”

Stephan’s heart skipped a beat—he hadn’t even considered that possibility. What if the king decided Jayden couldn’t be saved? What if he ordered his death? Stephan wouldn’t allow it! He refused!

The Zaytari leader chuckled softly. “I can see you’re worrying about that already. But I wouldn’t worry too much. King Adrian isn’t one for snap judgments, and I guarantee, he will do what is best for all involved. He also happens to already know all about the case.”

“If…you say so…” Stephan wrung his hands nervously. “Liam, could you go get him?”

Liam nodded and left. A few moments later, he returned with Jayden in tow.

“Dante, this is Jayden.”