Alek looked at the darkened house he’d been lured to and knew right away it was a trap. He’d received a text from a blocked number an hour after he left Petronela’s. She had kept him there almost all damn day. He had started to dismiss the message, but he knew he couldn’t. If he could deal with this tonight, then nothing would interfere with his and Nicole’s weekend.
It did, however, take him a minute to figure out how the person got his number, and then he remembered Logan had had access to Nicole’s phone, which told him exactly who had sent him to the house: Logan.
But still, Alek showed up. Because in the end, he had to make sure he brought Unrie to Petronela. What condition the man would be in, Alek was still deciding.
A light went out in the front room, and Alek got out of the car. Closing the door silently, he sent his magick out, searching the area around him. Most people were asleep at this time of night, but a few minds remained active—including Unrie, whose agitation crawled across his mind like fire ants.
Yes, definitely a trap. But it didn’t matter. He’d take the man down.
Starting for the house, Alek pulled the hood on his shirt over his head and made his way around back. His magick reached out and touched Unrie’s mind. All the many ways he could kill him pushed Alek into that dark place. He smiled as he tried the back door. Locked. Didn’t matter. Using his lockpicks, he got the door open, and the sound of a gun racking stopped him inside the darkened doorway.
“Must have outlived my usefulness,” Unrie called, his voice coming from deep inside the house. “Took you long enough to get inside.”
So, the man wanted to talk. “Why wait, then?” Alek asked, stepping further into the cool house. The warmth pushed at his back. He shifted to the side to shut the door. “Open or closed?” he asked.
“Doesn’t matter. One of us will be dead shortly.”
Alek shut the door and seized Unrie’s mind. The gun clanged to the floor, giving away Unrie’s position in the house. Alek moved forward, still latched onto the man’s mind, freezing his ability to breathe. Ragged sounds started. Unrie was trying to pull air into his lungs.
Stopping in front of the man, Alek reached down and picked it up. Moonlight filtered into the room, hitting the full glass of alcohol sitting on the little round table. Once he had the gun, Alek found the light and switched it on. He blinked against the glare, releasing Unrie’s mind at the same time.
Unrie bent forward and pulled in a deep breath. He started hacking, coughing up phlegm. Alek gave him a minute to compose himself while he looked around the sparse room. It was definitely a step down from the hotel he’d been staying at. It looked more like a hideout; a place of last resort. The walls were covered in unidentifiable stains, with similar markings on the carpet. No furniture except two chairs and the card table with an almost-empty bottle of alcohol and one glass.
“You must have realized you would eventually,” Alek said, responding the man’s first statement. “Why else would you be here?”
Unrie picked up his glass and drained it. He glared at Alek. “I guess that answers my question.” His voice sounded strained. “Magick could win in a gun fight.” He hacked again, bending over, possibly reaching for the gun taped under the table he was thinking about.
“Don’t,” Alek said, leaning back. “I can shut down more than just your breathing.”
Unrie straightened. Licking his lips, he stared down at the bottle in front of him. “I’ve been killing for half my life. Never once did anyone best me. But I guess it was bound to happen.” He looked up, meeting Alek’s eyes. “Do the people you associate with know about your past?”
“I take it you do,” Alek said, ignoring the question. Devlin and Rachel knew, and Jonah suspected. He’d have to tell the others later. Especially Nicole. That was not a conversation he was looking forward to.
“Tell me, what did it feel like to destroy your brother’s mind?”
Alek lashed out and knocked Unrie to the ground. The man stayed there, blinking up at him. “If you didn’t have that magick, I’d own you.”
Alek smiled. “Your research on me is lacking.”
Unrie got up and sat back in the chair, keeping a wary eye on Alek. “Never said I did research on you.”
“Then how do know about my past?”
“It’s all Logan talked about.” Unrie’s hand shook as he poured himself another drink. “The man has some serious hero worship.” After draining the glass, he continued, “He also changed the plans on me. Told me to pull back. You all were now off-limits.” He slammed the glass down. “Fuck! I just wanted to get paid and leave.”
“Not before you see Petronela.”
Unrie harrumphed. “Then you might as well kill me. I have no plans of letting that bitch torture me.”
Without thinking, Alek lashed out, shutting Unrie’s ability to breathe down so abruptly, the man pitched forward, banging his head on the table. He slid down and landed hard on the floor. Alek crouched and got in his face. “Showing respect might keep you alive.” He released Unrie’s mind. “Tell me, what was Logan’s plan?”
Unrie hacked. His eyes watered. He pushed himself up, reaching for the gun. Alek kicked him in the gut. “I already warned you. The next time I use my magick…” He got in the man’s face. Rancid breath filled his nostrils. “I will break your mind.” He stood, helping the man up. “What was Logan’s plan?”
“Hell if I know!” Unrie slid into the chair and swiped at the tears on his face. “He told me he wanted you and Jonah dead. Along with the girl, Rachel. He was going to take care of Nicole and the rest of the people she trained with at Tribec Insurance.” Rage rolled over Alek.
“What about Devlin?” Alek asked.
Unrie shook his head. “He’s always been protected. Off-limits. Fuck. Do what you’re going to do and get it over with!”
“Why are they killing people who worked at Tribec?” Alek asked.
“Loose ends,” Unrie said, glaring at him.
Alek started to hum—a dark melody to send Unrie to sleep.
When Unrie pitched forward and fell on the floor again, Alek dug his phone out and called Devlin. “Logan is killing the people you trained with at Tribec. Have Rachel send me the address for Veronica, since I’m sure he’s going to kill her first.”
“I’ll take Jesse,” Devlin said.
Alek stood. “Is Nicole back yet?”
“No.”
He smiled, thinking about her asking him what his favorite color was. Just what had she bought for their weekend?
He hung up, and a few seconds later, Veronica’s address popped up on his screen.
On the way to the door, he sent a quick text to his cousin Cristian and told him to come pick up Unrie. He’d deal with Petronela later. Right now, he had a man to kill.