CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“ T here’s nothing more we can do,” Brianna said as she scrolled with speed through the newsfeed. “People are going to have doubts and this new video”—she pointed at a different screen—“is pretty difficult to question.”

A video had emerged and was being shared voraciously, which was of great concern.

Brayden looked up from the laptop and watched as Craig paced the room. It was late afternoon and the four of them had just shared an early meal at the new oak table Willow had ordered. Beyond the kitchen, the space opened up into a large living area with two sofas and all the usual furniture, which was apparently soon to have a makeover. Down the hall, Brayden had a private office, and next door was one of his favorite rooms in the entire castle. It had an indoor swimming pool and hot tub, which he and Willow used as often as they could. Upstairs, they had their master bedroom and bathroom, and three other spare rooms.

One day, he hoped they would be filled with their own little vampires. If they stayed in Italy.

The decision was the king’s. Although right now, they had to stay until the rebellion was under control.

Neither of the females, who were former humans and Americans, were upset in the slightest to be in Italy. Apparently, this was because it was Italy, which had “wonderful shops and beautiful accents.” Whatever kept them happy and safe. And if that meant redecorating his wing of the castle twenty times over, Brayden would let Willow do it, unless she went all out with pink or some bullshit, then he might have to intervene. A male had his limits.

Brianna tapped the screen in front of her.

“There will always be doubters—those called conspiracy theorists. And this has benefited us to create doubt,” Brianna said, then tilted her head. “But I don’t know...I think the pendulum is shifting. I’m not sure how long our luck is going to last if I am honest,” Brianna continued, sitting back and looking up at him, frowning. “This video is pretty convincing.”

Brayden rubbed the back of his neck and let out a long sigh. “Thanks, Bri.”

Sofia had not heard from Stefano again. It had been two weeks now. Whether he’d been alerted to their involvement or was up to something—and there was a strong possibility he was—he just didn’t know.

They’d reduced their teams to the bare minimum to see if that helped to bring him out of the woodwork. Craig had mentioned the idea of pulling Lance out—fortunately not in front of the guy—but Brayden had given him the ol’ eyebrow raise, and he’d dropped it. Just because Sofia and Lance hadn’t yet bonded didn’t mean they wouldn’t have a volatile male on their hands. Brayden believed he was of more use to them there. Sofia trusted him, and she needed protection, so what better vampire than her potential male.

This was certainly an interesting situation they found themselves in. They were putting a fair amount of trust into Sofia.

In theory, she was the perfect spy: they all had a common enemy, and Stefano was egotistic enough to believe her upbringing would keep her loyal. Yet, Bray still wondered about her loyalty, despite knowing she had been abused by Russo and had bent the knee to his brother. Trust took time.

Would she vanish at the first opportunity? Many females would. Or was she a double spy? There was always the possibility.

Brayden had kept his doubts to himself, but he knew Craig, and even Lance, were thinking the same.

Only time would tell.

And they had very few other options. More and more vampires were going missing, and not one of them had been found yet. It had crossed his mind that they were going into hiding, but for what reason? Also, there was a possibility they had met with daylight and turned to ash. It happened from time to time for one reason or another: suicide, accidents, and even murder, but the numbers all coming from one location indicated foul play. So where the hell were they?

The sooner they could get Sofia deeper into Stefano’s operation, the better.

One thing they’d identified was that Sofia wasn’t living her normal, everyday life. She hadn’t left her apartment since she’d escaped , and he believed it was sending warning bells to the rebellion, if they were watching her. Brayden strongly suspected they were, so it was time to send her out.

Perhaps then Stefano would make a move.

Craig had given the SLCs and Sofia their new instructions last night. Meanwhile, they had this fucking video to deal with. Eventually, the pendulum Brianna had referred to would shift, but until then, it was his job to buy Vincent enough time to build a strong network of support from human leaders around the world.

Willow grabbed the laptop and played the video again. Then she pointed at the screen. “Do you think this video is connected to the missing vampires?”

“What do you mean?” Brianna asked, frowning.

“I don’t know. Is someone kidnapping them? Like humans?”

“Not possible,” Craig snapped. His mate glanced at him in question, and Brayden could tell they were speaking telepathically. Craig shook his head at her and spoke out loud. “Unlikely, babe. Vampires are too powerful.”

“A strong human man could take me down,” Bri stated. “I’m pretty sure of it.”

“Over my fucking dead body,” Craig growled and walked over to his mate, slamming a kiss on her lips.

Brayden stared at her a long moment, considering what she had said, before shaking his head. “No, Craig’s right. You’re a young vampire, but in a short time, your strength will reach maximum capacity.”

“Have you ever tested it?” Willow asked.

Craig looked at him and raised his eyebrows.

No, they fucking hadn’t.

You think the females are right? Craig asked.

They’re worried, that’s all.

Sure. But do you think they’re right?

Brayden ran a hand over his face.

“Okay, fine, we haven’t tested it,” he said.

The room burst into noise, and he held up his hand. “Wait! Before you get your panties in a bunch, think about it. There are far too many vampires missing for this to be a group of strong-ass men kidnapping females. For one, they aren’t all females. Secondly, there’s always a reason behind humans doing anything notorious, and it’s always money or power. Usually both.”

“God, humans suck,” Bri muttered.

“If they have—and okay, I agree it’s a very small possibility—why haven’t we had a demand from them yet?”

“Do they know who we are?” Willow asked.

“Our tech team is scouring the dark web for anything, so we’d know—or will know. They’re experts at this stuff,” Craig replied. “I just feel like there’s more to it than a bunch of tough guys grabbing vamps.”

Brayden pressed his lips together and nodded.

“So, this video, Bri,” he said, going back to their original topic. It was still important they kept enough doubt on their existence flowing in the social space. While they had shut it down enough to allow them to return to their properties, and vampires had now gone back to their jobs and normal lives, it was still an enormous risk which could escalate.

“Yep,” she confirmed, clicking on it again. “It’s a worry.”

The video showed a male vampire using excessive power to break open a door and remove people from a burning building in downtown Manhattan. While he was being heralded a hero, it had raised the question about whether he was superhuman, an alien, or...a goddamn vampire. The thread was just getting started. Armchair experts claimed the video wasn’t fake, while others were saying it had been doctored.

Vincent walked in.

“I’ve just seen it. Thank you for sending it to me, Brianna,” the king said as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’ve just had a phone call with the president.”

Willow and Brianna gasped.

Craig rolled his eyes.

Brayden smiled. He understood their reaction.

As former humans and citizens of the United States, the POTUS had been their leader, heralded the most powerful one in the world, though that was questionable. Behind every leader was an army of ever-changing people dictating their hold on power. It was never one man. The only time power was ever guaranteed was when you were a royal, and even then, it was only the people’s belief in you and the monarchy which kept you on the throne. Without believers, no god, leader, or royal had any power. And every single person who held any kind of power knew this.

And feared it.

Their mates believed the president of the United States held great power. To Vincent, the president was a man he had to do business with. A man he would manipulate to ensure the survival and protection of his vampires. The vampires he served as king.

“And?” Brayden asked.

“We are meeting in Geneva, at the UN headquarters. I want two of your males to accompany me. We leave tomorrow.”

“Two? No. Are you kidding me?!” Brayden growled.

“Two. I don’t want to go in there with an army. This is a peaceful talk to discuss how we move forward. We’re a new species to them, Bray. Ask your mates.” He pointed at the females. “They were terrified when they learned about us.”

“He has a point, guys,” Bri spoke up.

“He does.” Willow nodded.

“Fine. Then I’m going with you,” Brayden declared, nodding. There was no way he was letting Vincent go with only two vampires, no matter how well trained they were. As the strongest and most powerful vampire alive, he would go and protect his brother.

End of story.

“Alright—” Vincent started to say before Willow leaped to her feet.

“The fuck? No!”

“Willow. Stop. He’s my fucking brother. The king,” he said, annoyed. “I’m going with him and that’s final. This is a highly dangerous situation.”

Across the room, Craig let out a long sigh. “No. Willow is right. You can’t go,” he interjected. “We can’t have both Morettis stepping into the lion’s den. I’ll go, and I’ll take Marcus with me.”

Damn it.

If something happened to Vincent, he would have to step up and take the throne. Rarely did one mate survive when the other mate died, so it was anyone’s guess if Kate would last long enough to give birth to the heir. With both of them gone, and even with Craig’s leadership, Brayden had little doubt the rebellion would overthrow the kingdom.

Even if she was able to last until she gave birth, it was likely someone would kill Kate, along with the heir.

Vincent looked at him and nodded. The reality of their responsibility and existence sometimes took its toll on them both.

Brianna groaned.

“I’ll organize the jet,” Craig declared.

“Just,” Vincent said, giving the enormous vampire a stern look. “Let me do all the talking, Commander. Your diplomacy skills are...yet to be polished.”

Craig tried to look astonished, but when he looked back at Brayden, the two of them burst out laughing.

The king shook his head and left.

Brianna mumbled something about stupid males and that at least she’d had love for a short time before she stomped out of the room. Craig sobered and followed her.

“Are you worried?” Willow asked, slipping under his arm. Now they had the room to themselves.

“Very,” he answered and kissed her forehead. “Very fucking worried, baby.”