Page 26 of Thirst
“Nazaire was up to his neck in Fleur and Lemaire’s shit. In fact, before Twilight mated with Brien, your father tried to buy her, too—at a private auction. At the Black Dahlia.”
My stomach dipped. I had a childish urge to clap my hands over my ears, like if I didn’t hear it, it wasn’t true.
The Black Dahlia wasn’t just any QCS club, it was the club, the one reserved for the upper hierarchy. Nazaire had never taken me there. I used to wonder why, used to think it was because I wasn’t important enough. These days, I knew enough to be grateful.
“She told you that?”
“She didn’t have to. I saw it for myself—I was there that night. Dussault invited Brien personally, and Brien didn’t want to turn him down; they were in the middle of the casino negotiations. Me and Talon went along as bodyguards. And in case you’re wondering, until Brien saw Twilight, he had no plans to bid on anyone.”
“Maybe my father was there because of Dussault, too. It’s not like he can refuse him. When your primus invites you to something, you go.”
“Nazaire didn’t drop out until the bidding on Twilight hit four mil. That’s a nice chunk of cash just to keep your primus happy.”
“It is.” I gulped, my uneasiness creeping back. “But if he was part of Fleur & Lemaire’s ring, why would he try to buy Twilight and Eden?”
He moved a shoulder. “Maybe he wanted exclusive access. Or maybe he was just fucking with us. I’m not sure he knew what Twilight was to Brien, but he definitely knew Eden was carrying Talon’s spawn.”
It made sense. It even sounded like my father.
I still shook my head, rejecting his logic. “I’m telling you—my father doesn’t keep blood slaves. I’d know.”
Wouldn’t I?
“That you’re aware of,” Cain murmured like he’d read my mind.
“I’ve been in all three of his lairs. My guess is Dussault wanted him to push up the price so Brien would have to pay more.”
“So you’re saying they tried to cheat Brien.”
“He didn’t have to bid.”
The QCS primus pretended to be willing to work with Brien, but behind his back he called him the “princeling.” He resented that Brien had been groomed to be the next Maritime primus, that he hadn’t had to work his way up through the hierarchy like Dussault had. And, like my father, Dussault hated how powerful the Maritime Syndicate had become. The two of them would’ve happily cheated Brien if they believed they could get away with it.
“True,” Cain said. “But I was there, and it sure seemed like your father wanted Twilight. You should’ve seen his face when Brien outbid him. That wasn’t a man trying to keep his primus happy.”
“Maybe he had a reason I don’t know about.”
Cain grunted, clearly unconvinced. I was grasping at straws, and we both knew it.
I worried my lower lip. “Well… if he had bought her, I would’ve helped her.”
“Like you helped Eden?”
The words hit like a slap. I flinched, and he exhaled.
“I’m sorry. That was low.”
I jerked my chin in acknowledgment. It hurt, but I deserved it. “I really have to go. But first, can I ask you something?”
He eyed me moodily. “What?”
“If you go to Dussault, don’t bring The Haunt into it. You can tell him you found out I was on the island. Just don’t out me. Please?”
His brows lifted. “They really don’t know?”
I shook my head. “Only you. I know I don’t have the right to ask this, but…” I spread my hands.
His chest heaved. “Only if you promise me something in return.”
