“Yeah,” I agreed, nodding toward the pictures. “Those were all taken here. He’s definitely been watching the house. Not sure the last time, though. Heaven’s been gone for a few days, but he doesn’t seem to know that.”
“She safe?” Ransom asked.
I nodded. “At her sister’s. Probably wouldn’t hurt to put a man on her house, though. Keep an eye out.”
Ransom nodded.
“Probably tracking Dante’s GPS,” Liam said. “Could’ve hacked all their phones.”
I’d already thought about that. Too little, too late, but whatever.
“We needed to gut the room anyway,” Isaac said, the venom in the words only slightly masked.
“Upgrade the security,” Ransom said, not bothering to ask what we currently had. Since the bastard had overridden it, it didn’t matter.
“Could you do a second sweep for me?” I asked Ransom. “Need to ensure I didn’t overlook something.”
Liam was the one who grinned. “I brought some new toys. Won’t miss anything.”
“How’s Dante holding up?” Ransom asked when Isaac took Liam through the rest of the house.
“He’s pissed.” I glanced toward him when we went back to the kitchen. “Can’t blame him.”
“No.” Ransom thrust his hands in his pockets. “Good thing you’re in town.”
I’d thought about that at least a dozen times since we walked through the door. I didn’t want to think what might’ve happened if they’d been alone when this happened. Or worse, if that sick bastard had come in while they were asleep.
“Any reason you didn’t call the cops?” Ransom asked, his dark eyes pinning me in place.
He missed nothing, I knew.
“Don’t need their help,” I said simply.
“Because you’re relying on mine, correct? Only mine?”
“For now,” I said quietly, holding his stare. I wasn’t above reaching out for help if necessary. Not when it came to their safety.
“I don’t want any blood on your hands, Ian.”
“Don’t have to worry about that.” That much was true. I would call in the ghosts who passed in the night before I would risk that.
“Need more eyes here?” he offered.
“Nay. Got it covered.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.” He glanced toward the living room. “The girls know what’s going on?”
I shook my head. “Everly saw the room, but no, Dante hasn’t told them his story.” I was hoping he would, but it wasn’t my place to push him. Not yet, anyway.
“I’ll put someone on the other girl’s house.”
I nodded.
We turned toward the basement stairs when Zeke came stomping up them. He glanced my way, gave a slight shake of his head. “Nothing. I even scanned the network. Found the back door he came in through the security system. Plugged it. He’s not too savvy, but he’s got some knowledge.” He smirked. “Can’t say the same for you. Quite talented.”
“All Isaac,” I assured him.
“Perhaps he needs to come work for me.”
“Perhaps not.” I couldn’t see my brother jockeying a desk for the rest of his life. He’d go insane.
Zeke smirked again. “Figured as much.”
For the next half hour, the five of us moved through the house, going through every room, closet, and bathroom several more times to ensure we hadn’t missed anything. By the time I watched them walk out the front door, I felt better. No way we’d missed anything.
It was only a small comfort, considering.
“I’ll get someone in to redecorate,” Isaac noted, pouring his favored whiskey into a glass.
“Yeah. I’ll tear out the Sheetrock in the morning, toss the rest.”
Footsteps sounded, drawing my attention. Dante appeared, hands in his pockets, his face expressionless save for the glint of anger in his blue eyes.
“You all right?” I asked, squeezing his shoulder when he came closer.
“I need to be part of this.”
Yeah, I had a feeling he was going to say that. Dante was damaged from years of abuse, but he wasn’t going to risk those he loved.
“I’ll agree to that,” Isaac told him. “Once you tell Everly what happened.”
Dante’s head shot up. “All of it?”
“Yes.” He sipped his drink. “She loves you. Don’t you think she deserves to know what she’s risking?”
“And Heaven?”
Isaac shrugged. “She deserves to know, too. But that’s up to you.”
Dante’s eyebrows lowered. “I won’t let him hurt them.”
I stood tall, glared at him. “And we won’t let him hurt you. Ever again.”
“It’s a small price to pay,” Dante mumbled.
“What did you say?” I got right up in his face, nose to nose.
Dante didn’t flinch. “If that’s what it takes…”
“Bullshit. You’ve tried that already. It’s our turn to take care of the problem.”
Dante’s hardened gaze scanned my face before he finally nodded.
Isaac cleared his throat. “I need you to watch Everly. Dante and I have some unfinished business.” He pinned Dante with a hard glare. “You. My bedroom. Shower first. Then do as I told you earlier.”
Something softened in Dante’s face seconds before he said, “Yes, Master.”
When Dante was out of earshot, I turned to Isaac, thrust my hand through my hair. “This ends now,” I growled. “I won’t tolerate that bastard walking into my house…”
