CHAPTER ELEVEN

B rayden stood in the shadows along the side of a Manhattan building. He hadn't slept for two days. He wouldn't until he had Willow back in his arms.

The longer she was away from him, the wilder he felt.

Wild.

Furious.

Deadly.

He had heard his brother.

He'd heard Craig.

But he'd been unable to respond. His focus was entirely on his mate and daughter.

He knew Vincent would be furious he'd taken off, and that his warriors would think him crazy for not having a plan, but standing around the ops room talking was outside his capability right now.

Willow and Isabella were in his enemy's hands, and he needed to rip heads from necks.

Brayden needed to keep moving and hunt them down. He could move faster on his own.

He might've taken Craig with him if he'd woken at the same time, but he hadn't. Even with the tinge of Moretti blood in his system.

Yes, Brayden was well aware all those years ago. His blood had empowered his commander and best friend in a way they'd never discussed.

It was better left unsaid.

He knew.

Craig knew he knew.

So they knew.

Fuck...he was having trouble thinking straight.

Willow, stay alive. Keep our daughter safe. I'm coming for you.

He was certain the apartment across from him was Nikolay Mikhailov's. And almost certain the woman he'd seen climbing out of the black SUV was Elizabeth. The former BioZen finance manager and mistress of Xander Tomassi.

The now dead human seemed to have cared more about her than his own wife. Now he was six feet under. Where he belonged.

Elizabeth was pregnant.

It didn't take too much effort to put two and two together. Whether the Russian mob boss cared for her was another thing.

He could have raped her.

Likely had.

But she looked like any other glowing pregnant woman and the ring sparkling from her finger spoke to something.

A claim perhaps.

Dominance.

The mafia weren't unlike vampires in their need to own their mates. The difference was vampires loved. Mafia owned.

And destroyed.

Brayden was going to destroy the people responsible for taking Willow. His princess.

His love.

His life.

He felt the distance between them and somehow knew she wasn't in NYC, but until he had some idea where to go next, he couldn't just continue teleporting across the country.

A plan was formulating.

One he needed help with.

Craig.

Brayden. He could hear the growl in the commander's tone. Where the fuck are you?

Fifth Avenue. Corner of Fifth and Sixty-seventh.

How did you know I was coming? Craig asked.

I knew.

Brayden teleported to the back of the alleyway to stay out of sight and in the shadows. He should not be outside, even if it was dusk.

I'll be there in an hour. Once the fucking sun gets the hell out of the sky.

Brayden nodded, even though Craig couldn't see him.

Hurry!

Staying still to wait for the vampire was a smart move, but Brayden was fidgety. He would not sit still until he had Willow and Isabella back in his arms.