28. Zan

Iled Kali through the tunnels that connected the garage to the main house. Unlike where the cars were parked, there were no lights down here. Her hand was clasped tightly in mine as she walked blindly beside me. I could feel the tension coming off her in waves, and I was just as on edge as she was. I had no idea what to expect when it came to Amaros. I knew why he wanted me to come to the property, but there was no reason for Kali to be here.

I'd taken her to the garage so that I could have a private conversation before seeing my father. Between the distance and thick walls, I didn't have to worry about anyone overhearing. I wasn't sure my words helped at all, but she needed to know how damn serious this was.

We exited the tunnels, and I caught Kali's mouth dropping open while her eyes widened in shock. The hall we entered was just like every other area of the house. It was likely the most extravagant place she'd seen. Amaros spared no expense when it came to his property. Since I'd grown up here, I was used to it. But after getting a glimpse into Project Hope, it was clear that civilians weren't treated with luxury. I did know that higher ranking officials in the government lived much better than most humans.

The floors were a rich brown hardwood, and the walls throughout the entire house were a wood paneling that matched the floors. As we walked, Kali's gaze darted to the gold-framed art that lined the walls on either side of us. Amaros had collected many prized pieces over the decades, and he loved to show them off. From what I'd learned growing up, most of these paintings used to hang in museums. Even though the humans who saw these were most likely dead men walking, my father still loved to showcase how vampires had taken over the human world.

Kali glanced at me, opening her mouth, and I quickly tapped my ear, reminding her that others could be listening. She paused for a second and then spoke.

"Is this where you grew up?"

"Yes."

"Did you have friends?"

"I had Pax and Viggo."

There weren't any other children around when I was growing up. Other than my nanny, there were no other humans I interacted with. My stomach twisted painfully. Except for that mysterious woman and the baby we saved. I looked at her out of the corner of my eye, questions racing through my mind. After finding that note from her mother, I was convinced she was the baby. But I didn't want to believe it. Especially now that she was on my father's property.

"Zan. We've been waiting for you."

I lifted my gaze, seeing my father standing in the doorway of the rotunda. Kali visibly stiffened, her steps faltering. Her heartbeat jumped, but she got control of it quickly, since a second later, it was back to thumping at an even pace. But from Amaros's amused smirk, he noticed it like I did. I hated his special interest in her. Nothing good could come from it.

"It's good to see you, Kali," Amaros said smoothly, stepping to the side and motioning for us to enter. "Welcome to my home."

Kali straightened her spine, not answering as she strode past him. I gritted my teeth, knowing her lack of acknowledgment of Amaros would anger him, even if he didn't show it. I followed behind closely, scanning the massive room in front of me. Pax and Viggo were already here, and they both gave me a nod. The rotunda was a place I was very familiar with. It was my father's favorite room in the house. He spent most of his time in here, whether it was for pleasure or business.

Floor-to-ceiling windows surrounded most of the round room. There was a special tint on the windows that didn't let any UV rays in, meaning that vampires could come in here during the day and enjoy the sun. A way for Amaros to keep his inner circle happy by giving them special treatment. The sun was beginning to rise, and Kali's jaw dropped as she stepped into the sunlight. Her eyes darted to the many vampires in the room before she looked back at me, waiting for an explanation.

"Let's sit." Amaros strode toward the huge oak table in the center of the room. There were enough velvet upholstered chairs surrounding it for at least twenty people.

A small pool was in the back, and the splashes told me there were human women and men swimming in it. Just like the sunlight, Amaros used humans to keep his vampires happy. I might not have seen them growing up, but they were always here. Ready to be used in any way Amaros wanted. There were a few couches and plush chairs scattered around the area, but most were empty right now. Everyone was moving to sit around the table.

Placing my hand on Kali's back, I led her to the table, near Amaros. He always sat at the head of the table, and my brothers and I always sat on either side of him. I pulled the chair out for Kali and waited for her to sit before taking the chair to Amaros's left. Pax and Viggo sat across from us, and the other vampires took the remaining seats.

"It's always a gift when my sons come home to visit," Amaros said, taking control of the conversation. "And this time, they brought a lovely guest. This is Kali. You might not be able to smell her blood right now, but she's human."

I eyed the vampires around the table. Some were staring openly at Kali with curiosity on their faces. A couple wore raw looks of hunger as they studied her. Kali shifted in her seat, keeping her gaze in front of her and looking at my brothers.

"If you haven't already noticed, she's wearing Zan's necklace," Amaros continued, his voice turning dangerous. "She is his. Not a human to feed on or touch. I want it known to everyone here that you all are to leave her alone."

All eyes immediately averted from her, but that didn't ease my worry. My father's words were pointless. There was no way I would be letting Kali out of my sight while we were here. Most vampires followed everything my father said, but it didn't matter. I trusted none of them when it came to her. My brothers were the only ones in this house I could fully trust.

"Leave," Amaros demanded to everyone. "I want to talk to my sons."

Chairs scraped across the wooden floor as the vampires rushed to follow his order. I dropped my hand to Kali's thigh, making sure she stayed. My father noticed but didn't comment on it as we waited for everyone to leave. The humans were climbing out of the pool, wrapping towels around their naked bodies before they scurried out of the room. Once it was silent, Amaros leaned back in the large chair and crossed his arms.

"Kali, please go enjoy a drink." Amaros nodded to the bar area that was next to the pool.

He was dismissing her. Whatever he wanted to talk about, he didn't want her listening.

"Go," I said under my breath, lifting my hand from her leg.

Her body was tense, but she didn't argue. Or say anything at all. She was attempting to keep it hidden, but her discomfort was palpable. She hated being here. I couldn't blame her. She barely tolerated my city. I couldn't imagine what was going through her head now that she was on this property.

Kali stood up and made her way across the room. She didn't pour herself a drink, but stood in front of the window and just watched the sun rise.

"Tomorrow night, I want you to go to the Pen," Amaros told me quietly. "I'm guessing you want Kali to stay with you. Which is fine. I want you to bring her."

I managed to keep the shock to myself. "Why?"

"Curiosity," he murmured, not giving me an answer.

"You never want me to bring anyone else in there," I said with a frown. "Not even Pax or Viggo."

The Pen was in the back of the property and was just as highly guarded as this house. I'd been going there ever since I transitioned. My father's plans for me were more than just having a Kane heir. Though his idea for the Pen was still a work in progress. One I thought was a lost cause. But I didn't question his decision about it. Taking Kali there, though? Not something I wanted to do at all. I knew I'd have to go there while we were here, but I planned to have her stay with Pax and Viggo while I went. It wasn't safe for her.

"I want her to go," Amaros said again, a dark edge to his voice. "Is that a problem?"

"No," I gritted out.

"Good." He snagged one of Viggo's cigarettes out of the pack that was lying on the table. "Then we prepare. In five days, we're going into Project Peace."

Unease rocked me as I took in his words. Viggo didn't reveal any emotion, but Pax couldn't help himself when he shot our father a frown.

"Now?" Pax asked, unable to keep the distaste out of his voice. "I thought we were waiting."

"We've been waiting," Amaros snapped. "It's time to act. I want the three of you with me."

My eyes cut to Kali, who was still looking out the window. Fuck me. If she even got a hint of what we were planning, she'd try to run. And if Amaros expected me to go, how the hell would I keep her safe here? We should have brought Gia to help watch her, but we needed someone in Deadwood to keep everything under control.

"How's it going with her?" my father asked, following my gaze. "Have you mated yet?"

"No," I answered with a shrug. "It's not time yet. When I feel it, you'll be the first to know."

Amaros let out a booming laugh. "No, I expect she'll be the first to know. I want you to fuck her the second it happens."

The smile on my face felt fake as hell, but I doubted my father could tell. It was the only one I'd given him in years.

"I think the two of you should stay here until that happens." His words had my stomach clenching. "More protection from PARA. They already got into your city once. They might try to take her if they realize she's important to us."

Me. She was important to me. She wasn't family business, even though that's what Amaros seemed to have in his head. I bit my tongue, forcing myself to swallow that thought. My argument wouldn't help.

"Deadwood is protected," Viggo spoke up after taking a puff from his cigarette. "She's perfectly fine there with us."

"That wasn't a request," Amaros ground out, staring at me. "You're staying here."

I jerked a nod, not trusting myself to speak.

Nothing about this visit was going to go well.