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“Right. That’s what the samples were for.” More than a year ago, I’d given her permission to retrieve blood from everyone I employed, vampire and human.

I took the gun case and exited the room. She followed me to the waiting elevator.

“Keep tracking the rental car. I want to know every move they make.” I ordered.

Natasha nodded. “Are we closing down The Castle until further notice?”

“No, business as usual.” I replied. “Teresa wants a reaction from me. I won’t give her the satisfaction of disrupting my life or my business.”

Natasha nodded once again as the elevator doors closed.

As I headed back to my car, I called Harlen. He answered on the first ring.

“I need you at my loft. Now.” I didn’t wait for his response before hanging up.

The drive back feels endless. Five innocent women were dead because they shared a name with the woman I loved.

Five lives ended as a message to me. My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly the leather creaked in protest. Teresa had always been vindictive, but this, this was something else entirely.

By the time I reached my building, my decision was made.

Chanel and Morgan needed to be separated.

I greeted Josh downstairs and sent him to The Castle to see Natasha.

I left Viktor downstairs alone to watch the area around the loft.

Donté was asleep in the apartment I set him up in, connected to my building.

I needed him close, but I wanted him to still have independence.

The elevator door to my loft opened. The weight of what I needed to say made each step heavier than the last.

The scene that greeted me felt like a punch to the gut.

I found the three of them already gathered in my living room.

Chanel perched on the edge of the sofa next to Morgan.

Harlen was leaning against the wall. His usual smirk was replaced with something solemn.

Their faces turned to me in unison. They knew something was coming.

They just didn’t know how gruesome it was.

“You got here fast.” I said to Harlen. I placed my gun case and car keys on a table by the elevator.

“You said now,” He answered.

Chanel rose and walked over to me. She wrapped her hands around my left bicep and looked up at me. “What did Natasha want that was so urgent?”

I gently guided her back toward the sofa. “You should sit down.”

It was such a cliché thing to say before delivering bad news.

Harlen followed Chanel’s lead and planted himself down in a chair. I remained standing to deliver news that I knew would devastate Chanel.

“Teresa and Marisol have teamed up.” I began, forcing myself to meet Chanel’s eyes. “Over the past nine days, five women have been murdered across Chicago.”

Morgan’s sharp intake of breath was the only sound in the room.

“All five women,” I continued. “Were named Chanel Taylor.”

The color drained from Chanel’s face. She gripped Morgan’s hand so tightly that Morgan tensed.

“What?” Chanel chanted out a single word.

“Coco, remember, you saw that one postal worker on the news.” Morgan blurted out. I was unaware that they both knew of a victim.

“Yes, she was one of five. Natasha found the pattern with the murders because of the name. The police haven’t released the names of all of the women because it would be all over the place.

CPD has been covering the crimes up and keeping them from the public.

But they all are Black women that share your name. ”

Morgan’s free hand flies to her mouth. “Jesus Christ.”

“The murders are getting closer to us.” I explained, pacing now, unable to stay still with the anger coursing through me. “The most recent was less than ten blocks from The Castle.”

“This is Teresa sending a message.” Harlen added.

“What message?” Chanel asked, her voice stronger than I expected. “That I’m next?”

I stooped in front of her, taking both her hands in mine. “I won’t let that happen. We’re increasing security. No one is going to get to you or Morgan.”

I stood up and looked at them. “We need to separate you two. It’s safer that way.”

The words landed like physical blows. Chanel and Morgan exchanged a look that spoke volumes.

“That’s not happening,” Morgan said flatly.

“It has to.” I tried to keep my tone gentle but firm.

“Teresa and Marisol are working together. We know the Lopez family killed Craig. Your association with Chanel puts you in grave danger. We need to assume they are hunting the both of you. If you’re together, you’re an easier target.

If you’re apart, they will have to split their focus and their resources. ”

Harlen quickly stood and stepped forward. “He’s right.”

“Where would I go?” Morgan demanded, crossing her arms over her chest.

“With me.” Harlen replied before I could answer. “Somewhere they won’t think to look.”

I nodded, grateful for his quick understanding of the dire situation.

“But where?” Morgan asked.

I had this part already figured out. “I have a two-bedroom condo in northern Michigan that no one knows about. It’s in a large building with a lot of tenants. It’s upscale, secure, with a state-of-the-art security system. You’d be safe there until we eliminate the threat.”

“And what about Chanel?” Morgan’s gaze shifted between me and her friend. “She just stays here as bait?”

“She’ll be surrounded by guards every minute.” I insisted. “And I’ll be with her. With me is the safest place for her.”

Chanel was quiet. Maybe she was in shock. When she finally looked up at me, her expression was a complicated mix of emotions.

“How long is it going to take to kill them?” She asked, and we all paused to let her question sink in.

“It won’t be long. We have leads, and we have a way to take them out from a safe distance.”

Morgan shook her head. “This is crazy. We should both go to this condo. Splitting us up feels wrong.”

“It’s a good strategy.” Harlen explained. “Two separate targets are harder to hit than one. And they won’t expect you to leave the city. They’ll waste time looking for you here while you’re safe up north.”

“I was supposed to be going back to work soon. I can’t extend my leave forever.” Chanel complained. “I was planning to go back next week, but?—”

“That’s not happening.” I said firmly. “You’re not going anywhere in public. I have money. You don’t have to work at any job.”

Chanel shot me a look that informed me I’d said something wrong.

Morgan took Chanel’s hands. She turned to face her directly. “I don’t like this. I don’t like leaving you.”

“I don’t like it either.” Chanel’s voice cracked slightly. “But I guess it makes sense. I can’t let something happen to you after what happened to Craig.”

Their connection was something I once shared with my brother. Their friendship had survived so much already. Asking them to separate now felt cruel, but necessary.

“When should I leave?” Morgan asked, looking at me.

“Tonight.” Harlen answered for me. “Now, if possible. The sooner you’re out of the Chicago area, the better.”

“You can take my Jeep.” I added. “It’s less recognizable than Harlen’s car. You’ll drive straight through, no stops, except for gas. Seven hours to the condo. No social media posts, no responding to texts from unknown numbers and emails.”

“This is bullshit!” Morgan barked. “This all started over some low-life drug dealer that isn’t even here anymore.”

She was right. “Lonzo might have started this, but Marisol has taken over with the help of Teresa. Now we have two vampires to worry about. Maybe more.” There was nothing else to hold back. I wanted them to know the danger they were in. They needed vampire protection.

“I still can’t believe Marisol is a vampire.” Chanel said like she was talking to herself and not to us.

“Believe it. I saw it with my own eyes. She’s a fucking vamp.” Harlen barked. He’d seen it firsthand.

I’d seen Marisol as a vampire, too. It was from a private businesses outside surveillance cameras. So far, Harlen had been truthful with me. I felt I could trust him.

I continued outlining the plan and emergency protocols.

I shared the layout of the condo and handed the keys over to my brother.

Harlen’s focus surprised me. There was none of his usual flippancy.

He understood the gravity of the situation and the responsibility of keeping Morgan safe.

At first, I thought he was just eager to win me over and get back on my good side.

Now, I believed he really had a thing for Morgan.

I’d never seen him like this, and I didn’t know how to react to it.

Morgan disappeared into the guest room. She returned minutes later with a small duffel bag, a backpack and a large rolling suitcase.

“I’m packed.”

Harlen took all of Morgan’s bags and left her with only a small purse. “Chanel, I won’t let anything happen to her.”

I studied my brother’s face. He was different. I could see there was determination, focus, and a hint of the responsibility he’s long avoided.

In minutes, we were standing at the elevator door. Morgan pulled Chanel into a warm hug. Their arms were wrapped tightly around each other.

“Don’t you dare get yourself killed while I’m gone.” Morgan whispered as she pulled away. It was her attempt at humor in a terribly dangerous and uncomfortable situation.

“Same goes for you.” Chanel replied, holding back tears.

They broke apart reluctantly. Morgan glared at me. It was a silent command to keep Chanel safe. She turned to follow Harlen into the elevator.

As the doors closed on them, Chanel’s fingers found mine. She didn’t speak. She didn’t need to. I wanted to tell her we would all survive this. But I didn’t because I didn’t think she would believe me.