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“You said you didn’t see the murder. And the more I get to know your twin, the more—”
“Stop,” Eddie said. “Why would my brother do this?”
“Why would he treat his daughter with such disrespect? Do you have any idea how much he’s hurting her?”
Eddie took a deep breath, and emotion filled his eyes. “You feel for her. She’s your bond mate, so that’s understandable, but don’t toss out harmful statements. Chao is already facing charges.”
“As are you,” Chase countered. “The FRU are looking at you for this! This whole thing is a mess. Leave. Don’t tell me where you’re going, don’t call. Let me do what I have to do. When Douglas Stone is found, and the FRU is no longer hunting you, I’ll let the Vampire Council know and they can contact you.”
He shook his head slowly. “No. You do what you have to do. Don’t worry about me.”
Chase ran a hand over his face. Damn, this was hard. “We need the FRU’s help.”
“The council is on this,” Eddie insisted.
“You, yourself, told me that you’ve had the council looking for Douglas Stone for over sixteen years. They haven’t found him. What makes you think they’ll find him now?”
“They realize the urgency now that this has escalated.”
Chase stared up at the ceiling trying to find an easy way to say this, but there wasn’t one. He looked at Eddie. “I’m resigning my position with the council.”
To his credit, Eddie didn’t look surprised. “To work for them? The FRU?”
Chase nodded.
“The bond you have for her is that strong?” Eddie asked, only the tiniest amount of hurt in his voice. What Eddie was really asking was if the bond he shared with Della was stronger than theirs. It wasn’t any stronger. He was indebted to Eddie, in so many ways, but what he felt for Della was different.
“Does she not feel it?” Eddie continued. “Why does she not join you at the council?”
“She’s stubborn. Like you.” Eddie looked at the picture of Kirsha. Chase knew Eddie couldn’t, wouldn’t argue. He knew how special a bond mate was. Hell, the man had never married again, and it had been over ten years. He might have entertained a few women, but Chase remembered him telling him that his heart would always belong to just one.
“Have you tried to convince her?” Eddie asked.
Chase realized he needed to be completely honest. “It’s not just the bond.” He swallowed. “I see the good the FRU is doing.”
“And you don’t see what good the council has done?”
“Of course I do, but the council has always run with the us-against-them policy. All supernaturals need to come together. The FRU is working toward that. It’s a good goal.”
“Because we think taking care of our own comes first, we are the enemy?”
“No. Not the enemy. The council needs to exist. But to govern, we need to unite—not only with the other supernaturals, but with the federal government and the human police.”
“If the FRU has their way, the council won’t exist.”
Chase got the feeling that Eddie’s complete distrust of the FRU was more than just a political stance. But it was something Eddie never spoke of.
“Then someone needs to show the FRU that’s wrong. I could be that someone.” He tightened his hands. “Look, I’m not saying their procedures are perfect, but I agree with a lot of their policies. United we can accomplish more. Have more resources. Sources that could help us find Stone.”
Eddie went back to the window, staring out into the night. Guilt washed over Chase. With Chase being raised like his son these past years, Eddie expected him to follow his advice.
“I know you don’t respect my decision,” Chase said.
“Do I agree with it? No.” Eddie turned around. “But I respect you enough that I will not try to stop you. You are your own person, Chase Tallman.” A sad smile appeared in his eyes. “You are so much like your father. He and I never agreed on politics either.”
“Then respect me enough to do one more thing for me,” Chase said. “Go somewhere else. Somewhere the FRU can’t find you. Somewhere I don’t know, so when they ask me where you are, I won’t have to lie. Because if they can’t find Stone, they’ll want you for this.”
“Or they’ll convict my brother.” Eddie exhaled. He looked back outside at the darkness. Several slow seconds ticked by before he turned back. “If they can’t find Stone, I’ll turn myself in.”
