Page 44 of Vengeful Devotion
“What do you mean?” My voice sounds meek.
Declan dodges my weak attempt to brush it off. “I know the truth. I know who you really are.Gemma De Luca.”
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
Declan
My over caffeinatedhands are shaky as I rewind the video for the hundredth time. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched it in the last two days. But it still has revealed no secrets. Except one. Warren was not the one to throw the brick. My eyes move to where he stands on the screen. He’s off to the left side, watching my mother’s every move. It doesn’t change much. I’m still going to go after him. I just have to bide my time until I can prove he paid someone to do it for him.
“Boss,” Balor says. “There’s a man outside demanding to speak to you.”
“Who is it?”
“He says he’s from Boston.”
My first thought is of Gemma. Is this her family? Are they here to take her home? If they are, I’m not sure I can let her go. She’s my wildflower. The one who occupies all my thoughts. Even when she’s pissed at me.
My second thought is how the hell did he find her? Did Gemma call him to pick her up? Did I upset her that much?
“Bring him in.”
Balor nods, opening the door up for Dean to walk a man through. He’s tall and lanky. Like a character from a child’s nightmare. Dean tips his head at me.
“He’s clean.”
The man smiles at me, his murky brown eyes holding something sinister. Something I recognize in him. Because I see it in myself. It’s a sign of a killer. What is my Gemma into?
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. McBride. My name is Lonny De Luca.”
He reaches out for my hand, but I don’t give it. I gesture him to sit down in front of my desk.
“What can I do for you, Mr. De Luca?”
“I’m searching for my niece. I believe she’s here in Vegas.”
“And that made you think I would know where she is?”
“As far as I know, you’re the man to talk to in Vegas. Could you just look at her photo? Her name is Gemma De Luca. She’s been missing for a month.”
He pulls his phone out, a picture of Gemma on it. She’s smiling at the photograph. But it’s the saddest smile I’ve ever seen. Her long hair is twisted up in a knot on her head. A turtleneck and jeans hide her skin as she sits on a bed in a room that looks like it’s meant for a child. She looks broken. A shell of the woman I’ve seen her bloom into while she’s been here. It’s at this moment that I feel the last few frays of my resolve disappear. A protective demon raises within me. Born from the pain I see in Gemma’s eyes.
“I don’t recognize her.”
“Mr. McBride, let me be honest. My niece is unwell. She’s a danger not only to herself but to the public. It’s absolutely imperative that I find her.”
I bite my tongue to keep from knocking this guy out. I’m starting to not give a fuck if he’s Gemma’s family. He keeps speaking about her like that. The next time Gemma sees him, he’ll be lying in a coffin.
“I understand that, Mr. De Luca. But I still haven’t seen your niece.”
“What about your men?”
Balor and Dean take a glance at the photo, both of them shaking their heads.
“Are you sure? I have it on good authority that she’s been seen in your family’s casino.”
“As I’m sure you’re aware, thousands of people go through that place every week. It would be impossible for us to be aware of every guest.”
Lonny narrows his eyes at me. They sharpen, like fangs ready to give out a healthy dose of venom. There’s no way in hell I’m giving Gemma over to this asshole. No fucking way.
