Page 46 of Bloody Kingdom

When they’ve been gone long enough and the only sounds are from the cars driving on the surrounding roads, I ease forward some. It’s too dark way back here to see what I’m doing.

I pull out the bobby pin I used this morning to pin back the front pieces of my hair. Now loose, the strands fall forward, sticking to my sweaty skin. After bending it just right, I hold it between my teeth before turning the case so the locking mechanism is visible.

Once again, I’m a little flabbergasted at Silas’s lack of security. It’s a simple lock—easily pickable. When you’re as big and scary as Silas, I guess you start believing that alone will act as enough security. Or he truly thought no one was watching this reoccurring exchange that Della participates in. Either way, the man needs to reconsider some of his safety precautions. I’m a nobody, and after less than three minutes of twiddling with the lock, a satisfyingclickfills my ears.

I pause before opening the case, realizing I didn’t think this through. Della swore on her life there weren’t drugs in here, but what about something else dangerous? The possibility of there being a bomb floats through my head for all of a second before I decide Silas would never have Della be in charge of explosives. In whatever way that is possible to him, he cares about her and wouldn’t put her in that kind of danger. Whatever is in here, he’s deemed safe enough for his beloved housekeeper to handle.

Despite knowing this, I hold my breath as I slowly pry the case open.

There’s a hissing sound and awhooshof cold air escapes the case when it’s first opened, almost like I’d just opened a miniature freezer of sorts.

A dozen or so bags of blood sit inside the insulated case, a couple ice packs sit between the bags to ensure they’re kept at the right temperature. They have the same kind of label on them as the ones I found in the mini fridge in the cellar.

This confirms what I already know, Della knowseverythingabout Silas. His darkest secrets are trusted with her. Does this mean Duke also knows? I’d bet everything I own that he does.

I’m the only one left in the dark.

This wasn’t a drug deal, or an illegal exchange, it was simply a—food?—run.

The urgent heavy footfalls outside of my bedroom tell me something is wrong before the loud banging at the door echoes through the darkness of the room.

Just like my bedroom at the house, my room here at the apartment is also completely UV protected. The windows have a protective layer on them, and the heavy blackout curtains ensure no remaining sunlight may enter the room. I don’t sleep the full twelve hours a day the sun is up, for many of those hours I work in the confines of the bedroom. Bedroom isn’t exactly the right term for this space, it’s more of a small apartment. There’s a sitting room with a television that is hardly ever turned on and a spare room that is an additional office space for me.

I’ve been awake, working in here for hours on things that are still in my control. The attacks that have been taking place against me are out of my control until I can discover who the bastards are behind them. Duke has been out searching and talking to his connections throughout the state in hopes of finding us a lead.

He’s not supposed to be back until sundown and based on the countdown timer on my desk, the sun won’t be down for another thirty minutes. The persistent knocking combined with his erratic heartbeat instantly sets me on edge. I know without a doubt I’m really not going to like what he says.

With my unnatural speed, I’m at the door within seconds. The stench of his overwhelming anxiety comes through the door. Duke is one of the most levelheaded people I have ever met. He’s been in war zones and some of the situations I’ve put him in would have made weaker men dissolve into a puddle of tears.Nothingrattles Duke, but he’s afraid now.

“What the hell happened, Duke?” I demand through the door.

I can hear him swallow hard as he tries to find his words. “Had I known, I never would have let her go.” He’s stalling.

For fuck’s sake. “Tell me what’s happened!” I roar at him, my hand slamming against the door.

“It’s Quincey, Silas.” Anger builds in me, instantly thinking that she’s made an escape attempt. I should have known this would happen after being away for two weeks and leaving her upset like I did. The lack of my constant presence must have made her feel daring. I’m going to hunt her down and make her beg me for forgiveness. “Della couldn’t make it to the weekly drop today, she sent Quincey instead and something’s happened.”

The anger drains from my body just as quick as it appeared, it’s replaced with an emotion I didn’t know I was still capable of. Given the world I live in, I should experience a healthy dose of it frequently, but I’ve become the man I am today by inflicting fear on others, not feeling it myself.

But now, as I stand here, listening to Duke tell me that Della sent Quincey to the Quarter without any protection to pick up this week’s delivery of blood, dread creeps into my being. The cold hand of fear slithers around my heart and squeezes until there is physical pain.

“We knew they were watching your movements, we never thought they’d be watching your employees. I think they planned on jumping Della and Q just happened to be there instead,” Duke rambles on, but my care for why this is happening is borderline nonexistent. I’ll care when Quincey is safely back with me.

“Where did she say she was going?” I ask between clenched teeth as I begin to pace in front of the shut door. This conversation would be better done in person, but the door can’t be opened until the sun sets. I can’t leave until the sun sets.

“She didn’t,” Duke tells me yet another thing I don’t want to hear. “There was a loud crash, and the line went out. I’ve been calling her nonstop, but she hasn’t answered. It’s been five minutes since I heard from her, she could be anywhere now.”

She’s out there alone and in danger.

An angry roar comes from my chest as my hand sweeps across the shelf full of various décor and books. The glass pieces crash to the ground, shattering around my feet. Some of the items were irreplaceable, but I can’t muster a fuck to give about it right now. Breathing hard, I return to the door. “Get out there now, Duke. I don’t care what you need to do, fucking find her.” With a glance at the timer once more, I growl in frustration. “I’ll join you when I can.”

“I’m leaving now,” Duke assures me.

Before he can leave, I stop him. I barely recognize my voice when I speak, “If anything happens to her, there is no saying what I’ll do.” This isn’t a thinly veiled threat directed at him, it’s a silent order that if I become out of control, Duke will have to put a stop to the destruction I’ll cause.

“She’s smart, Silas. Knowing her, she got away and is with Lucy as we speak.” Duke’s attempt to put me at ease fails.

With each step he takes away from the door, the darkness and anger consume me. The anger isn’t directed at her, this time, it’s not her fault. The anger stems from the overpowering sense of helplessness that has started to eat me alive.

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