Page 46 of Blood Vows

“Stay inside the house,” he ordered.

She looked around dramatically. “I was planning on taking a walk through the woods alone.”

“Not funny,” he grumbled.

“It was a little funny.” His stare said otherwise. “Fine, I’ll stay inside.”

“Doors stay locked, too,” he said.

“Yes, Dad.” His expression turned murderous.

“Don't call me that.” She laughed and headed downstairs. His muttered curses followed her. She was still smiling when she reached the kitchen, and that felt strange, because she shouldn’t be smiling—not today. Hell, maybe not for a long time, but Dante made it difficult to stay afraid every second, and that might be the most dangerous thing about him.

An hour later, Elena sat at Dante’s kitchen island wearing one of his black T-shirts. It had not been her idea. At least, not originally. Dante had taken one look at the blood on her blouse and informed her she wasn’t keeping it on. She’d pointed out she had nothing else to wear. He disappeared upstairs and returned with the shirt. Now, the hem hit halfway down her thighs, and the sleeves nearly reached her elbows. Dante had been avoiding looking at her ever since, but Elena was enjoying that far more than she should.

“You can stop pretending I’m naked,” she said.

His coffee cup stopped halfway to his mouth. “I’m not.”

“You won't look at me,” she pointed out.

“I’m looking at you right now.” His gaze landed deliberately on her face—only her face.

She smiled. “Exactly.”

“Elena,” he breathed.

“What?” she asked.

“Drink your coffee,” he ordered.

She took a sip. “Bossy.”

“Yep.” His phone buzzed, and the humor disappeared instantly. Dante looked at the screen. “It’s Marco.”

Elena straightened. “Answer it.”

“I planned to.” He accepted the call and put it on speaker. “What do you have?”

“Vale’s gone,” Marco said.

Elena frowned. “The doctor?”

“Yeah,” Marco said.

Dante’s expression hardened. “What does gone mean?”

“His house is empty. Cars there, wallets there, and the phone is there, but he isn't.”

“When was he last seen?” Dante asked.

“The neighbor says two days ago,” Marco said.

Elena’s stomach tightened. Two days ago was before the first bodies appeared. “Is it a coincidence?” she asked.

Dante looked at her. “No.”

Marco apparently heard her. “Is Elena there?”