The grin spreads across his face. “Our baby sister?” He draws out the words like they’re taffy. “She hasn’t been here. Why? Did you lose her?”
My hands curl into fists. He’s lucky I don’t cross the room, grab him by the throat, make him tell me everything he knows. But Zion doesn’t know anything; he’s just baiting me. Because that’s what he does.
I force my hands to relax. “Where’s Father?”
“Talking to Lillian.” He swirls his drink, ice clinking against crystal. “They’re probably holed up discussing mating terms and conditions with the Ravenhood Pack. Apparently Violet’s mother is not the only one who knows how to trap a man. Violet is going to get her claws in Ryker after all.”
My jaw tightens. “Violet isn’t going to mate with that bastard. And don’t speak of her like that.” The words come out sharper than I thought they would.
Zion’s eyebrows climb. “Why do you care?”
I open my mouth. Snap it shut. Because there’s no answer I can give that won’t make everything worse.
My older brother wasn’t always like this. When I was young, Iidolized him. But when my mother—the woman who had protected him from the pack’s whispers about his illegitimate birth—died, something in Zion broke. Now, he’s bitter where he used to be bold. Cruel where he used to be kind. He handles tasks for Father when it suits him, but mostly he chases women and bottles, leaving messes for others to clean up.
His reputation is notorious. The way he pushes boundaries, doesn’t ask permission, uses his status to take what he wants. Father turns a blind eye. He always has.
It’s one of the reasons I know Zion would never make a good alpha. A good alpha protects. Controls himself first before he controls anything else. Zion can’t even manage that.
“Forget it.” I turn toward the stairs.
“Good luck with that.”
I ignore him and head for Violet’s room.
The third-floor hallway stretches before me, quiet and still. I’m halfway to her door when James appears, clipboard in hand, giving instructions to a young maid carrying fresh towels.
“Mr. Darius.” He dismisses the maid with a nod and turns to me. “Is the Alpha expecting you?”
“Has Violet been here? At all in the last two days?”
Concern flashes across his face. “No, sir. I have not seen Miss Violet for some time. Is everything alright?”
The words settle in my chest like stones. “I’ll ask Lillian, then.”
“Sir.” James steps forward, his voice dropping low. “Perhaps that’s not wise.”
I study him. “Why?”
He glances down the hallway, checking for eavesdroppers. “The Alpha did not tell the Madam that he sent Miss Violet with you to the gala in Miami.”
My blood goes cold. “What?”
“The Madam has been quite vocal about her disapproval of you spending time with her daughter.” Genuine worry darkens his eyes. “I’m afraid the Madam will take it out on Miss Violet when she discovers the Alpha mandated sheaccompany you.”
Of course she will.
I want to confront her anyway. But James is right. If Lillian finds out now, before I’ve even located Violet, it’ll only make things worse for her.
“Fine.” I sigh heavily. “Call me if she comes to the house.”
“Of course, sir.”
I leave the estate feeling more lost than when I arrived.
The drive back to my place passes in a blur. I have to find her, protect her, bring her home.
My phone buzzes just as I pull into the garage. Ethan’s name flashes on the screen.
