Page 51 of Whispers in the Dark
“Watch me,” Alex responds.
“And then what? You expect her husband to sit back and be okay with this?”
“He’ll have no choice.” A moment passes before he says, “No one has seen or heard from her in weeks.”
“I understand. Really, I do.” Vin pauses. “But this is asking a lot of your family. You’d be putting us at risk.”
“I don’t take this matter lightly. I’ve looked at it from all angles, and I know the consequences that will follow, but I’m not left with a choice.”
“And what about Clara?” Silence descends upon them until I hear Vin sigh. “You have a child now. You can’t be risking your life for someone you don’t even know. That little girl needs you.”
“I know that. I do. But I can’t sit back when I promised her—”
“I’ll send one of my men to keep an eye on things as best as they can from a distance. Let’s just get past the next few weeks, and then we can discuss this matter further. Okay?”
I take the next moment to enter the room, acting as if I didn’t overhear their conversation as I plop down on the wing-backed chair beside the fire.
Vin’s sitting behind his desk, fidgeting with a pen between his fingers, appearing to have a difficult time maintaining his composure while Alex stands by the mantle, staring off into the flames of the fire.
“Where’s Leo and Eli?” Vin asks, leaning back in his seat.
I shrug.
“Sorry, we’re late,” Leo announces as he and Eli enter the room, taking the free seats. “This one overslept.” He points a thumb over his shoulder at Eli.
“Yeah, sure.” Eli grins. “Let’s call it that.”
Vin pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m not allowed to kill him, or my sister will kill me. I’m not allowed to kill him, or my sister will kill me,” he repeats aloud to himself.
Eli chuckles. “Was it not you who welcomed me into this family with open arms?”
“I’m starting to have second thoughts.” He lets out a breath, steepling his fingers before him. “I’ve called you here because we got a little present this morning that I thought you should be aware of.” He reaches inside his bottom desk drawer, pulling out a large box with a bow on top, and places it on the desk, grimacing.
Alex steps closer, peering skeptically at it. “What is it?”
“Take a guess.”
“A bowling ball,” Leo answers.
“Afraid not.” Vin loosens his collar. “It’s a head.”
Eli laughs. “You’re joking, right?”
Vin shakes his head, and Eli jumps up from his seat, stepping toward it. With a quick tug, he removes the lid, exposing the top of a dead man’s head.
“Well, fuck.” Leo drags his fingers through his hair. “I take it this is Dario?”
Vin nods, leaning back in his seat. “It was delivered to the front gate this morning. They had it checked before calling me, and it came with this note.” He holds a small piece of paper before him and reads, “‘This is your only warning.’”
“Thosestronzos,” Alex murmurs.
Eli trails his hand down his face, exhaling. “Guess this is something I should be expecting when I officially become head of security.”
Vin slowly nods. “Occasionally.”
“So, now what?” Eli asks.
Vin places the lid back on the box and pushes it to the side. “I spoke with—” His phone vibrates on top of his desk. “Ah, perfect timing.” He answers the call, turning on speakerphone. “Marco, I have everyone here.”
