CHAPTER NINETEEN

" T ook you long enough." Brayden said, leaning against the corner of the alleyway, a black cap on his head and his arms crossed.

He'd had a shower and purchased some new clothes after booking a room in the Dufort Manhattan Hotel after the sun went down. When Craig had telepathed he was near, Brayden had headed downstairs.

"Thought I'd go up to the Empire State Building for a look-see first." Craig shrugged as he walked the last few steps and closed the gap. "Got a fridge magnet."

Brayden's lips twitched.

The male he trusted the most in life was here.

And a liar.

Craig could scale the Empire State Building if he wanted. Or teleport to the top. There was no way Craig had the patience to wait in line with tourists.

Or buy a fridge magnet.

But the image was amusing.

Brayden uncrossed his arms, and they gripped forearms as their eyes locked. A moment of emotional understanding passed between them.

Willow and Isabella were missing.

Kidnapped.

From right under their fucking noses. Them. The most powerful males on the goddamn planet. It wasn't okay—ego aside—and Brayden was going to make sure it never happened again.

Craig slapped his back, and they pulled apart.

"By the way, fuck you," Craig grunted.

"If you'd been awake when I was leaving, you still would've needed to speak to Bri. I couldn't wait," Brayden said.

Craig knew he was right, and he would've done the same if it had been Brianna.

Actually, New York City would be burning to the ground right now if it had been. Not because Craig loved his mate any more than anyone else, but because the commander was a warmonger at heart with less control than Brayden had.

As prince, he had responsibilities on his shoulders than kept his dark nature slightly at bay.

Or perhaps it was just that he couldn't yet fucking find his mate or find his enemy to strike.

But he would.

The fire of fury was simmering, barely controlled under his skin. Images of his mate and daughter being mistreated, or worse...

Fuck.

He just had to close down his mind and focus on finding them.

"I know. But still, fuck you for not replying and fuck you for risking your life, even though I know you had to."

Brayden nodded and slid his hands into his pockets. "Nikolay Mikhailov lives across the road."

"Nice." Craig palmed the brick wall and glanced around.

New York was busy, as always. The sidewalks were filled with hundreds of people running to a show or catching a bus or racing to get to the subway.

Who knew what they were doing.

"I've seen Elizabeth. The woman he took from Xander. Not a sign of Nikolay," Brayden shared.

"So she's alive. Interesting."

"And pregnant."

"No kidding?" Craig shot him a look. Then narrowed his eyes. "This your plan?"

"Yes," Brayden answered without guilt.

"Jesus, Bray." Craig cursed, rubbing a hand down over his face.

Seriously?

"So you're happy to toss a few bombs into Central Park, but not kidnap a woman who is now aligned with the criminals killing our vampires?" Bray laughed darkly.

The commander turned. "First, I wouldn't just toss anything, they would be carefully placed...actually rocket blasters are more fun. My point is, I run my mouth, and you know it. Kidnapping a woman? Shit Bray."

"They have the princesses." He seethed. "I'm about ready to fucking explode here, Craig. We have no leads and for all I know, they're experimenting on Willow and Isabella as we fucking stand here."

Do not go there.

Mentally, it could kill him if he did. As a warrior, he was trained—by the best—to tune out emotion and stay focused.

Never had he been tested like this in his life.

Brayden drew in a breath and then pointed up to the top of the luxury building. " She is leverage."

"Yeah. Goddamn it." Craig groaned knowing Brayden was right. "Guards?

"Four. I think. Possibly more inside," Brayden replied. "Bulletproof car."

Craig snorted. "Lucky I'm not a bullet then."

No, he was far more dangerous. As was Brayden.

He wasn't sorry Elizabeth had just become collateral damage in this war. Even if it was unlikely, she chose to be with the Russian asshole.

"Update me on the broader plan." Brayden ordered his commander.

It was time to look at the bigger picture and make sure he had all the information before they took action.

"Ari is standing in as captain." He shared and Bray was a little surprised, but happy Vincent trusted their uncle enough to appoint him.

In theory, it should've been Craig, but likely his brother knew the commander would have taken off after him. Ari was the most ancient vampire alive and the most experienced soldier among them. Hell, he'd taught all of them how to win at war.

So it made sense.

That and he had his own team of assassins with him and could coordinate everyone.

"Vincent let you leave," Brayden said, almost as a question.

"The king and Ari were a breeze to convince compared to Brianna." Craig frowned. "Fucking hate leaving her."

He felt that.

Being away from Willow was destroying him from the inside out. It felt like battery acid eating at his heart. He needed her back in his arms. He needed to see his daughter's face.

He needed Nikolay's neck in his hands so he could snap it.

Soon, he would.

Craig proceeded to update him on the strategy he'd been privy to before leaving and that there was a senior team of warriors ready at their disposal.

"Good."

"Once we have a location, backup will be right behind us," Craig added.

"How's the king?" Bray asked.

Of everyone, he felt the most guilt toward his brother. All his life, he had been told Vincent's life was the most important. And it was. For all of them.

But protecting your mate was a guttural instinct.

It was simple.

Vincent was alive and breathing.

Willow and Isabella were in the arms of their enemy and missing.

A warrior makes swift decisions based on facts.

"He understands," Craig replied, zipping up his black jacket. "He's concerned about the girls."

Bray smiled. Willow would milk every second out of it and make Vincent suffer once she returned home.

Not if. When.

There could be no if. If her life ended, so did his. It was how their race worked. Insanity—true madness—kicked in and eventually the mate left behind could no longer stand it.

"He has reason to. He knows my life depends on it." Brayden said, taking a few steps out onto the sidewalk, then turned back to his friend. "Let's go pay a visit to Elizabeth."

Craig joined him as they walked to the crossing.

"You need to know the king has declared we're at war. Anyone tries to interfere or harm you; I will kill them." The commander growled.

Two teenagers in hoodies and backpacks glanced at them.

Craig let out a growl, and they moved away.

"Depending on it, buddy. I'm depending on it," Brayden said.