CHAPTER FIFTEEN

B rayden placed Anna on the bed and stood back as Sofia leaned over her, speaking into her phone. She had Dr. Abbott, the doctor from LA, on a video call and was anxiously updating him on Anna’s condition. Which hadn’t changed.

She was either in a coma or a catatonic state. None of them really knew which one it was.

Lance pulled the linens out of the way and then over Anna’s lower body. He’d had no idea the male was such a fucking gentleman before he mated Sofia.

“You just need to monitor her and be patient,” Dr. Abbott said. “Someone should remain with her, and if more than seventy-two hours pass, I recommend you syringe some blood down her throat.”

Jesus.

They just weren’t set up for this kind of shit. For thousands of years, vampires had never suffered from medical issues. They healed. They weren’t immortal, but they lived a really long life—length yet to be determined.

“Where is she?” Vincent asked in his usual growl as he stepped into the room.

Sofia spun around and frowned. “She’s here. I have Doctor Abbott on the phone.”

“Talk to me,” Vincent instructed.

“Your Majesty,” Dr. Abbott replied. “It appears Ms. Vitale is in a catatonic state after something at the bar triggered her. Observe her and keep her safe. I would expect her to come out of it in a few days.”

Vincent ran his hand over his head and stared down at Anna.

“Also, I suggest, given the past year, you consider setting up a medical team, or at least facilities, so you are more equipped when these situations arise.”

Vincent looked over at him, and Brayden nodded. They shared a quick telepathic conversation of, Yeah, the doc is right.

“Send Seraphina a list of what we need, and I’ll make it happen,” Vincent replied. “And also, I want some recommendations on who to hire. Unless you want the job.”

The doctor nodded. “I’ll consider it. If you return to the US.”

“Fair enough,” Vincent replied without any commitment.

Well, fuck , Brayden thought, shaking his head. This was another one for the history books. Vampires were getting a damn medical center.

Sofia ended the call and sat on the edge of the bed, tidying Anna’s hair. It was eerie to watch her just lay there with wide, open eyes.

Vincent walked over to him just as Craig stepped into the room. The three of them stood there, all massive arms and hands on hips, brooding.

And it wasn’t just about Anna, although she was becoming very special to them as she built relationships with the wider Moretti fam. They all wanted her to thrive and be happy.

No. This was also about Ben. Craig had found him inside the damn center.

“He’s locked up,” Craig informed them, rubbing his jaw. “Fucker is strong.”

Sofia glared at them, and they all stepped out into the hallway. She didn’t know yet who they were talking about or what had gone down, but as soon as she went into her office, she would.

“And he still didn’t talk?” Vincent asked.

Craig shook his head. “Nothing. Honestly, I’ve never seen anyone fight like that. Except...”

Brayden raised a brow. “Spit it out.”

“You.” Craig looked directly at him.

Both of his eyebrows shot up while Vincent muttered, The fuck?

What the hell?

Brayden had been trained centuries ago by his predecessor, Ari, who had disappeared long ago. He’d had a long life and unique training style. Brayden had passed on his learnings to many soldiers since, many of whom were still serving the king, but there was only one Ari.

“You think someone has started a secret training school somewhere? Creating an army to overtake the throne?” Vincent asked, voicing his own thoughts.

Could something like that have gone undetected for so long?

Ben would have to have been training for years to achieve the level of skill and strength needed to challenge Craig. He had said he was living in the United States, therefore, the damn place had been right under their noses. Assuming he was telling the truth about that.

Assuming they were on the right track.

“I don’t know. He seems more interested in Anna than your throne, Your Highness.”

He couldn’t help himself. Brayden smiled.

“What?” Craig snapped.

“You a fan now?”

“Fuck off. I just don’t think he’s the enemy,” Craig responded. “I’m trusting my gut on this one, even though I don’t like his secrets. He’s damn smart, and I watched him tonight; one eye on his girl and the other on every-fucking-thing else. We could do with a guy like that on our team.”

Brayden nodded.

“Just don’t tell him I said that.”

Brayden agreed, but breaking into the rehab center and going through top-secret files was a breach of trust and the conditions of his employment.

Nothing was more important than trust in an army.

“I put him in the room we held Sofia in,” Craig added. “I didn’t want him near the prisoners this close to the execution day. He could be in cahoots with Russo. It’s just not worth the risk.”

“Good move,” Vincent approved. “How did he take the news about Anna?”

“Very badly.”

Brayden pressed his lips together. He was starting to feel like the damn mate whisperer. How was it he picked these things before the males knew themselves? Yeah, okay, fine; he had been a dimwit himself when he had met Willow, but damn, it was obvious on the other side of it.

“When he’s calmed down—” Brayden started.

“Unlikely,” Craig muttered.

“—I want you to bring him to see her.”

“The fuck for?” Vincent demanded. “He’s dangerous.”

Brayden rolled his eyes. “She could be his mate, Vince. You know the impact his voice could have on her. It could help wake her up.”

The king shrugged and nodded reluctantly.

“Update Sofia on our plans,” Brayden instructed Craig. After all, that’s why he had subordinates. He wasn’t doing all the fucking dirty work.

“Oh, great. Thanks.”

Brayden grinned and slapped him on the shoulder, then walked out with Vincent. “I’ll head back with you. I want to see my nephew,” Brayden told him, turning right toward the royal wing. “And we can walk and talk.”

Vincent gave him a look and nodded.

“If this trainer is out there— if— who do you think it could be?” Vincent finally asked.

Brayden waited for a few staff members to pass them before slowing down at the high-security entrance.

“I don’t know. There are a few names floating around in my head, but none of them make sense.”

“No. They don’t.”

“I’ll do some digging, but if this person exists and has been in hiding this long, then they don’t want to be found,” Brayden said.

“We should send Craig over,” Vincent suggested. “This could potentially be a real threat.”

Brayden was having the same thoughts.

“Yes and no. One step at a time. Give me some time to think on it, and we can reconvene in a few days,” Brayden told him. “We need to get the executions over with first. Craig is needed here for that.”

“Agreed,” Vincent said, laying a hand on his shoulder. “Come and see Lucas. Every day he grows bigger and more like his mother.”

Brayden knew that was untrue. Prince Lucas was the spitting image of his father.

And damn, he wanted Willow to carry his own little prince.