Page 71 of Vicious Souls

“I asked if you had any information regarding Tate’s whereabouts?” When Dante shakes his head, I continue. “It’s more important than ever that we find him, Dante. I can’t keep looking over my shoulder waiting for him to put a bullet in my back. Especially now that I know my father’s will left him nothing.”

* * *

A crushingfear seeps through my bones and coats every single fiber of my being as I slide into the car in the underground garage. Dante sits beside me, clutching my hand in his, giving me a supportive smile. He knows how hard this is for me. He is also worried what today will bring. The car moves through the garage, falling in line behind another, which falls behind two others – all dark SUVs – and then merges into traffic. I know there are also cars behind us. We drive around the city for a few minutes, seemingly in no direction, with some of the cars branching off then merging together again when we hit the freeway. It is an elaborately orchestrated dance that Claymore has constructed to ensure our safety as we are whisked to an undisclosed destination. Undisclosed because no one will know until Saul decides on a location and sends that location to Dante via text. No one, it would seem, is above suspicion today. Not even the security team, who I know Claymore trusts with his life.

Yet even with all the extra security measures, which have my anxiety antenna up on the highest frequency, I was never more glad to see Stella than when she whizzed into my living room shortly before we were scheduled to leave the suite, followed by Claymore.

“Darling,” she breathed, a barrel of energy, as she leaned into me and gave me air kisses. “This was important enough that Clay had to come and oversee the logistics of your safe transfer. I’m here for moral support.”

I loved this woman. Loved that she was so real and direct and cut through all the bullshit. I loved that she would take the time to come and support me, knowing I had no one else to lean on.

“Is my boy treating you well?” she had asked, tugging on Dante’s tie playfully. I had to giggle at the look on Dante’s face as he smoothed his tie down. It was a maroon tie he had tucked into the vest of a gorgeous three piece suit. I was disarmed by how my body reacted to him whenever he wore a suit and the way he pushed back a lock of hair that had fallen into his eyes.

“Overbearingly so,” I told her, smirking at Dante. Oh, the betrayal.

“I’m glad Stella came,” Dante says, cutting into my thoughts. I know he’s trying to keep my mind occupied. I also know that Clay and Stella are in the car right behind us.

“Me too. She’s quickly becoming my favorite person.”

He shoots me a fake horrified look and asks if she’ll soon replace him. No one could ever replace Dante. The first true friend that I have ever had.

I reach a hand up to his cheek, settle it there, looking at him warmly. I hope my eyes are doing all the talking, because I have no idea what the actual fuck I’m doing. “Thank you,” I whisper. “For everything.”

* * *

At some pointin his life, my father realized that Tate had developed ambitions that he could no longer fulfil unless they were handed to him. He had ill intentions, and my father had lost faith in him being my right hand man when he passed. This was all the more apparent after we learnt the contents of his last will and testament. There are also a few surprises in there; surprises that I did not see coming.No sir.

Tate was effectively cut out of the will. He would receive nothing. It was unheard of in our world for a second in command who had served so long to be gifted… nothing. Tate had been with my father since before I was born. His omitting him from the will could only mean that he had seen, heard or felt something which dictated that Tate should be exiled.

My father had left donations to several charities, and none surprised me more than the huge pledge he made to a charity that supported victims of domestic abuse. I had never been more proud of him, and made it a point to look into each and every charity to continue his legacy long after he was gone.

He pledged a large sum to establish schools in African countries. Another donation to a youth center and lifetime support if they dedicated their resources to rehabilitating the children, not merely incarcerating them. My eyes are moist with tears as Saul continues to read.

“And finally, we come to the bulk of the estate left by William Reginald Murdock Murray, otherwise known as Maddog Murray.” Saul looks up, catches my eye, then looks back down at the document in front of him. There is apprehension in his eyes, and I’m not sure why.

“I request that the remainder of my estate, including all real estate, vehicles, businesses and accounts, be transferred to my one and only child, Kingsley Murray, with the exception of one item –that being the Harborside docks and all storage facilities connected with it. The docks I leave to Durian and Dante Accardi.”

Saul looks up.

My mouth drops open, then slams shut.

My body starts to vibrate, and I realize I’m shaking. I had thought that when Dante rescued me from Tate, he didn’t care about the docks. He had said he didn’t want them. I don’t understand what’s happening as my body literally goes into shock. It’s not that I want the docks. I wouldn’t have a clue what to do with them. I don’t care what they’re worth, and I have no need for them. It is the specter of betrayal that is coiling deep within my soul, begging to be let out, that devastates me. It is fire with ice and a heavy weight sitting on my chest.

Oh my God.

I can’t breathe.

Can’t breathe.

I look up. Dante is watching me with concerned eyes. His father is saying something about contesting. Saul starts talking again. There is a rush of voices as everyone starts speaking simultaneously. I feel an overwhelming surge of nausea enveloping me and I stand, sway, then feel myself folding unceremoniously to the ground.

62

DANTE

Idon’t know what Maddog was thinking when he re-wrote his will.

Saul was meticulous and kept notes on everything.Everything. So when I ask him to, he gets me the information I need.

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