Vicious Proposal: A Dark Mafia Romance

“He could be hurt or dead right now.”

“If he’s dead, we can’t do anything for him,” I said casually, hands in my pockets as I looked around. “Why don’t you show me the upstairs? Melanie, you take down here and the office.”

She gave me a knowing look. “Happy to.”

I hit the stairs. “Laurel, with me.”

Laurel was too stunned and upset to argue. Palmira remained in the entry hall, glaring at me.

“You know what he’s been up to,” Lauren said softly. “I knew something was off with that drug. He’d been working on it for years and years, and then suddenly it breezes through the FDA like it’s no big deal. Suddenly it’s all approved, even though they hadn’t changed anything. What happened? Who’s helping him?”

“Oligarchs,” I said as I stepped into the master bedroom. It was big and clean and neat. Her father sure did like to keep himself orderly. I poked around the bathroom, pretending to search while Melanie had her chance downstairs.

“I don’t know what the hell that means,” Laurel said, sounding stressed. “We should call the police. Why don’t we call them?”

“Just wait.” I poked my head in the office. I pulled open a few boxes—and found a suitcase full of cash and two loaded guns.

Laurel gaped at the money and the weapons. “Daddy doesn’t shoot.”

“I doubt these are for sport.” I closed it up and put it back. “Sit down, please.”

Laurel sank onto the bed. I glanced over my shoulder. I wanted to give Melanie as much time as I could.

“What do you know about Melanie’s side of the family?”

Her eyes widened. “Excuse me? What’s that have to do with my father?”

“Humor me.”

Her jaw worked, but she answered. “Dad told me her mom ran off after their dad died. He said she married some rich man. They live in Colorado. They have a son and a daughter. That’s all I know.”

“Ran off right after the dad died?” I narrowed my eyes, thinking.

“That’s what he said. Never told me why. I always thought it was strange, but people do strange things.”

“Yes, they do,” I said softly, turning away.

A noise downstairs. A slamming door. A man’s voice, sounding angry.

“Dad!” Laurel jumped up and pushed past me. “Dad, is that you?”

“Laurel,” Cedric called out. “God damn it, Laurel. What’s going on in here?”

I hurried downstairs after her. Cedric stood near the front door, looking like he’d been hit by a bus. His shirt was crumpled and ripped. He had scratches on his hands and face, and one eye was puffy. Blood crusted under his nose and stained the front of his chin, neck and shirt. His eyes were wild like a startled animal.

“Dad!” Laurel’s hands flew to her mouth.

“I’m fine,” he grunted, glaring at Palmira. “What the hell’s this woman doing in here? And Alex, what the fuck?” He stepped back toward the door and I saw the fear flicker in his eyes, like he was thinking about running away.

I held up my hands. “I come in peace. I’m here to look for you, actually.”

“What do you want? I don’t have anything to do with—” He stopped, glanced at his daughter, and cleared his throat. “I’m finished, all right? I’m done. It’s over.”

“I don’t know what you mean and I don’t care.” Melanie appeared down the side hall. She stared at her uncle, frowning deeply. She looked confused, but not surprised to find him mangled and wrecked.

Someone got to him. Likely Silvano. This nonsense about being done—I was willing to bet it didn’t go over well, and now Silvano was going to kill him if he didn’t keep playing along. The last few days were likely a small appetizer.

I wouldn’t want to get on Silvano’s bad side. It was a small miracle Cedric was still raving about walking after surviving that ordeal.

“You need a doctor,” Laurel said, grabbing her father’s arm.

“I need a shower,” he said. “I need Alex and these other people to get the hell out of here.” He glanced at Melanie, frowning more. “You. Why the hell are you back?”

“I went to them,” Laurel said, steering her father to the stairs. “I brought them. It’s okay. You need to get cleaned up. God, Dad, what happened?”

He grunted in reply. “Get out, Alex. Get the hell out of here.”

I took Melanie by the arm and steered her to the door. Palmira followed as we hustled outside. Laurel’s soothing, calming voice followed, but I didn’t bother to wait around and find out if Cedric got himself together.

“Something’s happening,” I said as we strode toward the Rover. “That was a man clinging to the edge.”

“We’re out,” Palmira said suddenly, her voice hard. “This is getting too dangerous. I know the sight of a man that’s been through torture, and I’d bet my life Cedric just went through something awful. We’re finished.”