I turned to look as Dalton helped my dad navigate down the stairs from the house to the cement patio, and a rock settled in my belly. He couldn’t get out of his chair.
“You need to sit down,” Daniel said, leaning close to my ear.
“I’ll meet him on my feet,” I countered, shifting my weight a little so my good leg took most of it.
“Stubborn.”
“Your family is rich,” I muttered, changing the subject. “I mean, I had an idea when I saw the front, but it was dark. This is… whoa.” I gestured toward the lawn.
“So is your pop,” Daniel replied with a small laugh.
“We’ve never had to worry about money, but this is another level.”
“Does it matter?” he asked curiously.
“Hell no,” I said, leaning against his side. “I’m going to get pedicures once a week.”
“That’s the spirit.” He kissed my jaw just as Beau and Chance half-carried and half-dragged the Vampire we were waiting for into view.
He cursed when he lifted his head and saw the commandant.
“Arthur, arrest them all,” he blustered. “They took Keihley and Morren’s heads. It is a direct attack on the Vampire Federation, article 254, section?—”
“Stuff it, Edgar.” Arthur spat.
He literally spat in disgust.
I had to hold back a highly inappropriate giggle.
Edgar Adamson’s face turned red as a beet as Beau and Chance dropped him hard into a lawn chair.
“Start at the beginning,” Erik ordered quietly. “Leave nothing out.”
“I don’t know what they’ve been saying, but?—”
“Can I just end this now?” Chance asked, nonchalantly unwrapping a piece of gum. “If he’s not going to tell the truth, I’d rather go back to my room and watch some porn until I pass out.” He lifted his head and glanced around at us. “It’s been a long couple of days.”
Daniel lifted his hand to his mouth, covering it while pretending to scratch his cheek, but I could see the smile he was hiding.
“I have nothing to say, and you cannot hold me,” Adamson said bravely, lifting his chin. “I am a general in the United States Vampire Command. I’m afforded a court-martial judged by my peers.”
“Get a load of this guy,” Chance said with a laugh. He reached out and ruffled Adamson’s hair, making the Vampire practically vibrate with rage.
“You’ll tell us everything,” Uncle Dalton said calmly. “And if you do so, I’ll give you a clean death.”
Adamson huffed.
“If you do not,” Uncle Dalton continued. “I’ll get the information anyway, and it will be far less pleasant for you, but I will have a very good time.”
His tone never changed. His expression never faltered. That’s what made the words so incredibly chilling.
“Arthur,” Adamson said, looking away from my uncle. “I’m afforded?—”
“You’re afforded nothing,” the commandant replied flatly. “Vampires who turn on their own are put down like dogs. Stop stalling, Edgar. You’ll give us the information we need whether you tell us willingly or not.”
“It was supposed to be only a few newly mated couples,” Adamson said angrily. “Ten at the most.”
I shuddered at the irritation in his voice. There was no remorse.
