Page 98 of Vicious King

“He’s not in Vegas,” Julian continues. “As of twelve hours ago, he was in New York.”

“I’ll have my jet ready in an hour,” I announce, pulling my phone out of my pocket.

“We don’t know that he’ll still be there when we get there,” Rome reminds me.

“I haven’t had eyes on that son of a whore in months. I’m going. You don’t have to join me.”

“I’ll go,” Julian says, “but I think Mateo and Rome should stay back. I don’t like this. I worry that it’s a ploy to get us out of our city so Damien can pull some shit, and I want two of us here to protect our girls and our goddamn territory.”

Mateo nods. “Agreed.”

“That works,” I reply and turn to leave. “I’ll call Damiano DeLuca and let him know we’ll be in his city to look for this fucker.”

“I’ll meet you at the plane in an hour,” Julian says as I reach the elevator.

Thirty-Two

RINA

I’ve just crawled into bed, exhausted after working with Dr. Asgood at Rapture through the morning, when my phone lights up with a call from my husband.

“Good morning,” I say with a yawn.

“Hello, beautiful. Are you home?”

“I’m in bed. I know that some people are into some kinky shit, and I don’t judge them for that. You know I don’t. But for Christ’s sake, Carson. This guy is going to have some serious issues for a long time.”

I’ve seen more tonight than any one person ever should in their lifetime.

“Worse than working at a level-one trauma hospital?”

“Uh, I’d say it’s close, and I’ve seen some shit. I don’t understand why anyone thinks it’s sexy to put the craziest stuff up their ass. Why? Ugh, I don’t want to think about it anymore. What are you doing? Are you coming home to nap with me?”

“I’m headed for the airplane.”

I frown and turn onto my back. “Where are you going?”

“New York. I have a lead on Damien, baby.”

“Holy shit.” I swallow thickly. “How solid is this lead?”

“He was seen there twelve hours ago.”

“Please be careful. I know you’re scary and probably the toughest man in the world, but you’re mine and our family doesn’t work without you. So you’d better come home whole.”

“Don’t worry about that, baby. I’ll be home soon. I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, keep your eyes open and your guards with you all the time.”

“I do that anyway.”

“I know. Keep it up. I also want you to go into our closet. Right now.”

I frown, but I do as he asks and climb out of bed and cross to our closet.

“Okay, I’m here.”

“Push my suit jackets on the back wall aside.”

Following his direction, I feel my eyebrows climb at the wall safe that has to be six feet tall.