10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

-Jared-

I wasn't enthusiastic about this meeting, but Alison had been absent for days now, far longer than I could bear. I couldn't sleep and barely ate. Without her, my home felt like a nightmare, a place of torment. I needed her back, safe in my arms and in our bed. But to make that happen, I had to seek assistance from someone I'd rather keep at a distance. I even ventured into their territory, driving up to their house with only a handful of guards. I knew that, with their vast resources, bringing an army wouldn't guarantee success. So I relied on the hope that we might share a common enemy.

As I stepped out of the car, I was immediately searched, though we hadn't brought any weapons, knowing it would be foolish. Guided by guards, we made our way into the house. I glanced around—it was grand, luxurious, and entirely ostentatious. Despite the urge to roll my eyes at the spectacle, I refrained and followed our escort into a spacious living room where Louis's family awaited—his father, brothers, and even his mother were present.

As I entered, all eyes turned to me, a smile spreading across his father's lips. They all bore the golden hue of Southern origins. Louis didn't resemble his father much. He took after his mother, while his brothers were mirror images of Dominic. It was evident what had driven them apart.

While the men took their seats, his mother stood by the window, silently observing me. There was something about her that instilled fear in me. She may be a silent observer, but I had a feeling she was powerful.

"Jared. The Hunter," Dominic greeted, breaking the silence.

I nodded in acknowledgment, and Dominic gestured toward the seat opposite him and his sons. I took the offered seat, flanked by my guards, and locked eyes with the elder man.

"We finally find ourselves in the same room," he remarked.

"I always imagined one of us being tied to a chair if this day ever arrived," I quipped, noting the smirk on Dominic's lips.

"Indeed. Funny how things turn out," he chuckled.

We continued to size each other up until I decided to break the silence.

"Something was taken from me," I stated firmly.

"Ah, yes, I heard. Have you never been warned not to let precious things out of your sight?" Dominic replied with a hint of sarcasm.

I clenched my fists, recalling Vince saying the same thing the night he died. I fought to keep my anger in check and swallowed it down.

"Luckily, my wife is probably as lethal as yours," I retorted, nodding toward his woman. They both smiled, acknowledging that she shouldn't be underestimated.

"Most likely."

"Yet, I'm sure you're aware of who took mine," I pointed out, gesturing to myself. "It was not the homecoming surprise I had in mind. I had plans for my sweet Alison."

Dominic chuckled softly. "Yes, there are rumors circulating about the activities you two enjoy. Ever heard of a place called hell?"

"I can't wait. The things I have in store for her down there will make the devil blush," I replied, a smile playing on my lips.

They all chuckled lowly, but beneath my smile, a storm brewed within me. Four days without Alison had awakened the beast inside me, longing to unleash fury upon my enemies before reclaiming her. The mere thought of what awaited her once I had her back filled me with dark excitement.

"I want her back," I stated, the tone serious, extinguishing all jokes and laughter.

"Well, she isn't here," Dominic remarked calmly.

"I'm aware, but we both know who has her, and I want her back before I take your son, subject him to unimaginable torment, emasculate him, and then send you his parts before displaying his headless body on my wall," I declared, my words dripping with intensity.

"Descriptive," Dominic commented dryly.

"I've always had a vivid imagination. Now, are you going to stand in my way, or are you going to lend a hand?"

Dominic pondered, deliberating over his response, though we both knew he had already made up his mind. Slowly, he rose from his seat and approached his wife. Standing beside her, he placed a possessive arm around her before turning back to me.

"I would prefer not to receive any body parts, but if that's the message you feel compelled to send to make your point, I won't stop you," he admitted.

"But you won't help me either," I concluded.

"No," he confirmed.

Surveying the room, I let my gaze linger on all four sons, with Louis being the youngest. They were all relatively close in age. After carefully studying them, I turned back to Dominic.

"You have five sons, yet only four stand before me now. Something went wrong with the last one," I remarked.

"There are always bad apples in the basket," Dominic replied cryptically.

"And why did this one turn rotten? Does it have something to do with his wife?" I probed, noticing the subtle surprise in the parents' expressions.

"Did he murder her?" I inquired bluntly.

They remained silent, but I didn't need to hear them confirm it.

"And yet you will entrust the fate of my own wife to him."

"He is still our son. I will not betray blood," Dominic affirmed.

"Blood," I scoffed.

"Excuse me?" Dominic questioned, his tone sharp.

"Blood proves nothing. It's merely a fluid that runs through our veins to keep us alive. It holds no power," I argued.

"We both know that's not true," Dominic countered, his tone firm.

"But it is. I know how little blood matters. I know the strength of a bond between two people, despite it having nothing to do with blood. My own father was a demon from hell—the only one I didn't get to send back, though he deserved it. If I had gotten my hands on him, his demise would have been far slower than what your son will endure," I declared.

"I cannot speak for the weak connections in your family, but I stand by mine," Dominic asserted.

"Then you will perish alongside your son," I warned.

My threat was met with tension from his family.

"You can't speak to my husband like that," his wife interjected sharply.

"I can. This is a warning, not a threat. You must make your choice, but be prepared to stand by it. You claim you will honor the bond between you and your son, but are you willing to die for it?" I challenged.

His family fell silent, displaying uncertainty. I could see the brothers turning to their father, some with pleading expressions. However, the ultimate decision rested with Dominic.

"Does one son hold more value than the rest?" I inquired, gesturing to the others.

"Are you implying that further consequences will follow if I refuse to assist you?" Dominic asked, his tone cautious.

"There is only one thing that matters to me in this world. Only one," I declared, raising a finger. "Your son may interfere with my business, sabotage deals, or even attempt to dismantle my empire, but none of those actions would evoke the same level of anger as I feel at this moment. I have killed for her. I have forsaken everything I once cared about. My commitment to her remains strong after all these years, and it will not waver now. Anyone associated with Louis will face the same fate as him."

"I can respect that," Dominic conceded. "However, family must come first."

I sighed, shaking my head. "I can't say I don't understand. I know many who would kill for family."

Memories of Vince flooded my mind, a reminder of our shared history, yet ultimately, my obsession with Alison prevailed.

"Then you must understand my decision," he said.

Rising from my seat, I replied, "As long as you understand my response to it."

Dominic nodded once, and I held his eyes briefly, reaching yet another dead end. It appeared that Louis may have orchestrated this situation for some time. However, with each passing moment, the likelihood of finding Alison alive dwindled.

As I turned to leave, a thought struck me, and I pivoted back to the elderly couple.

"Do you have any photographs of Louis's wife?" I inquired.

Dominic and his wife exchanged glances, and she proceeded to retrieve a photo from a drawer. Handing it to me, I examined the image and felt a stirring within me. Though not identical, there were striking resemblances between this woman and Alison—long blonde hair, blue eyes, soft features, even their slender build bore similarities. A dark suspicion began to take shape in my mind.

"Are you all right?" Dominic's wife inquired.

Turning to her, I held up the photograph. "I'll be keeping this."

She offered no objection but regarded me with a curious expression. Ignoring her scrutiny, I turned away and departed with my guards, leaving their house behind.