Page 88 of Taste of Blood

If it’ll give us the identity of the Python, it might be good enough to get me out of torture duty. “I hate to ask this, but do you think you could bring it by Dante’s warehouse? If it’s as good as you say, he’s going to want to hear it, and I’d rather it be firsthand.”

He hesitates for a minute, then sighs heavily. “Sure. Give me the address.”

I ignore the reluctance in his voice and give him the information he needs to get here. I really don’t like getting Asher involved in this part of my life, and I know what a volatile combination he and Dante can be, but this goes beyond personal feelings. We’ve got to catch this guy, and any leg up we can get is worth the trouble.

After I hang up, I grab a towel and wipe myself off then head upstairs to tell Dante about this latest development. Hopefully it’ll soften the blow from my failure with the prisoners.

Dante is out on the floor with Gio huddled over something Uno is showing them. When I walk up to them, Uno turns to me.

“You use it?”

“Yeah.”

He looks like he’s ready to explode. “So, tell me. I need details.”

You’d think he’d never used the stuff before, though according to Zeke, he came from a death squad in Japan.

“It was loud and messy,” I reply. “His skin turned first red then black and smelled like he was burning from the inside out. Took him about ten minutes to die. I might add he was screaming the whole time.”

I don’t miss the sadistic gleam in Uno’s eyes. “So he suffered?”

“We all did, having to smell and listen to it. But as far as it being an effective weapon, I’d say yes. A few bolts of that could wipe out anything the Python could throw at us. Plus it scared the hell out of the other two vamps.”

“See, I told you,” Uno says to Dante, who turns back to me.

“What did you learn from them?”

“Not much, unfortunately. They aren’t Outliers; make of that what you will. And whatever hold the Python has on them, it’s strong. I’ve never seen that kind of loyalty before.”

“You were convincing?”

“I used my best tools on them,” I snap, biting back my temper. “You can go look at their bodies yourself.”

“That won’t be necessary. Where do we go from here?”

“Funny you should ask. I got a call from Asher a few minutes ago. He’s on his way over here with what might be the identity of the Python.”

Dante looks surprised. “He’s coming here?”

“Yeah. I told him if it was as important as he says, I’d rather he give you the information firsthand. You guys can play nice, right?”

“I have no problem with Asher.”

I can hear the lie in his voice, but I’m pretty sure Asher can handle himself. He’s not that shy kid I used to stick up for anymore. And I don’t think Dante would be stupid enough to pull something on him with me here. They may not like each other, but hopefully they can work together.

We’re heading back to Dante’s office when Roland approaches. “Boss, there’s a guy here wants to see you. Says he’s a friend of Cord’s.”

Dante glances at me. “Bring him to my office.”

If Asher is uncomfortable when he enters Dante’s office, he doesn’t act like it. He looks around, nods to me, then approaches Dante’s desk.

“Dante.”

“Asher. Cord tells me you found out something about the Python.”

He sets a folder down on the desk and opens it, pulling out several pages. “Once we had the name of the bar, we were able to follow the money back to its ultimate owner. That’s his picture.”

Dante picks up the page and looks it over. “Who is he?”