Page 96 of Tarnished Vow

My stomach dropped.

“Alexander Adams died last night, along with thirty others. Apparently, the drugs were supplied through the Crows.”

“Are you sure it istheAlexander Adams? Maybe someone else with the same name?” pushing the packet of crackers away from me. My appetite is now gone.

“It was his birthday party. His fiancé has also been confirmed as dead.”

And it got worse. The Adams could take this as a targeted hit.

Well, that explained why they had been so busy this morning. I stared at the sliding doors. “I’ll handle the funeral acknowledgements from our family when they officially announce the deaths. Talk soon Uncle.”

I walked towards the black sliding doors. So much for keeping my distance from them. I knocked twice. Waiting until Vince said to come in.

Right now. I really regretted answering that phone. The tension in this room was intense. Staring at Vince, he looked exhausted. My poor husband.

“So, um, sorry to interrupt.” I looked between them. They all looked so tired. I was only about to make it worse. “Alexander Adams and his fiancé died at his nightclub. Apparently, there were dirty drugs at his birthday party.”

An explosion of yelling followed.

“Is there any word on his sister?” Luca asked, staring at Bastion. “She would have been at her brother's birthday.” They shared a look before both staring at me. The other three were too busy roaring at each other to notice the question.

Maybe they know Emilia. That would make sense; everyone knows everyone in our world.

“Um, I’m not sure. But I hope for our sake, she isn’t. Though if I was her, I would want to be.” I shivered just at the thought of what she would be facing. Their family was old school brutal.

Moving around them, I walked to Vince. Who was two seconds away from a physical fight with Nik.

“Maybe you all need a break and sleep?” I stepped in between them. “Seriously, this situation is fragile. Regroup tomorrow. There is nothing that can be done now, anyway.”

I was sure it took all Nik’s self-control to not shout at me to leave the room. The twitch of his jaw, the death glare between him and Vince.

“Maddy’s right, and we need to find out the full list.” Luca ran his fingers through his hair. “There could be more family dead.”

“The head of their family is dead because of us.” Nikolai turned his glare to Luca. “It can’t get any worse.”

“It could,” I added. Nik’s glare moved from Luca to me. He was intimidating. But talking to angry men when they weren’t rational was my specialty. “The death of one heir is easier than both. If Emilia is alive. There is room for a discussion.”

If Emilia was among the dead, my uncle would have known. So. That meant this could still be fixed.

“But if your response is heated, in the moment, accusations yelled from both sides. Emotions running high.” I shrugged, “Wouldn’t be the first gangland war started over a damaged ego and grief.”

Which is exactly why we all had time limits.

“Everyone, get the fuck out of our house.” Vince pulled me back to his chest. “Now.”

Bastion and Luca had already walked out. Nik waited a few moments longer before following. Rome, however, stayed, waiting for them to leave before turning to me.

“Did your uncle say we supplied the drugs?”

In other words, did everyone know they were responsible. I nodded.

He shared a look with Vince and left.

“Come to bed with me,” I turned, taking his hand. “I want to nap with you.”

He didn’t seem to buy it.

I went up on my toes, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Please, I’ve missed my home.”

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