CHAPTER FOUR
DRAKE
“Drake.” My brother saunters into the office where I’m sitting behind our father’s desk. “I found something.” It’s been years since he’s come to me with a job, or with news, but when I meet his gaze, there’s emotion flickering in his expression.
“What?”
He throws the file on the desk, causing it to slide through the documents I’ve been working on. The yellow manila file has the words SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT emblazoned in black ink on the front. I lift my eyes, meeting his arching eyebrow in question.
“Just open the fucking thing,” he bites out. I watch Dante settle in the chair near the desk, crossing one ankle on the opposite leg. He pulls out a cigarette, lighting it and inhaling a long draw before looking at me again. “If you don’t want to find her, I’ll go.”
“Find who?” I chuckle, flipping the cover open to find a photo that grips my lungs, forcing all the air from them. Big eyes meet mine from the image of a girl, a ghost. Her hair is matted to her forehead. She’s older. About twenty-two or so, I’m not sure. Her lips are still as pouty as I remember, but the dark circle under her left eye is new. It’s purple-blue, darkened by someone’s fist, or foot. A small scar along her cheek reminds me of the moments I held her trembling body against mine as she bled out.
Her neck is covered in ink, a tattoo which makes me wonder if she has any others on her porcelain skin. She’s still as beautiful as I recall in my mind. Even though I haven’t seen her in so long, it’s as if I’m back in that room, holding her, bathing her.
“Is this some kind of joke?” My voice is raspy when I finally look at Dante again.
He shakes his head. “She’s been bought. According to the research Hunter found, when they removed her from our compound, Thanos bought her from Malcolm.” He spits our father’s name, and I don’t fucking blame him. I’ve hated the man all my life. The only good thing he ever did was bring River into my life.
“So, you mean to tell me she’s alive?”
“Indeed, dear brother, and tonight we’re heading to the club to find out where Thanos is,” Dante smirks. “And once we get the location, we can find your girl.”
“She’s not mine.” It’s a lie. Dante knows it; I know it. I claimed her without a second thought, and I’d do it again and again if it meant I get to hear her voice one more time.
“Look, Drake, you’ve beat yourself up about this for far too long,” my brother sighs. “It’s time we finish this once and for all. We all have our lives to live. We’re not even thirty yet. We have our lives ahead of us. We can move on.”
Sighing, I run my fingers through my hair. Dante is adamant. His expression tells me that much. I lift the photo, my eyes glued to the girl staring back at me. If she’s still alive, I can finally save her. I can do the one thing I promised before I lose who I am.
The club where we’re meeting Thanos is well guarded, and I know this because I’ve scoped it out each time I’ve been here. There’s no way to take the fucker down on his home turf. If he really has Caia, I’ll get her back. One way or another.
River is beside me as always, but he hasn’t said a word since we left home. Dante opted to come alone, and I know it’s because he’s planning on taking one of the girl’s home tonight. We’re the only clients of Thanos's allowed to do so.
Each girl who works for the asshole can do what they want onsite, but going home with a customer is forbidden. Since Malcolm was good friends with Thanos, we’re always allowed special privileges in his clubs. They’re dotted across the country, and what goes on inside is nothing short of a porn set.
“What’s wrong with you tonight?” River final questions.
“Nothing.” My response is clipped, signaling end of the story. Pulling into the parking lot, I turn off the engine and exit the car before he can get into the emotional shit I don’t want. I didn’t tell him Caia could still be alive. I also didn’t tell him I think she’s working for Thanos. From the photo, I picked up tattoos all over her porcelain skin. Her hair is a deep red, clearly different from what I recall. And she’s grown up. Older. More beautiful than before.
As we near the door, I notice the entrance is guarded by two bouncers dressed like CIA agents. When we reach them, I offer a nod, and one of them opens the metal door, allowing us entrance. I’ve been here a few times before. Even helped them stop fights, so when I walk into the VIP area, I’m welcomed.