“Stop,” Chase said. He tried to get up, but Wolly pushed him back down with ease.
Snoe let it go on for a little while longer, even as Chase’s tears started to form in his eyes and he pleaded for Dev to be let go.
“Blade, let him go,” Snoe said.
Dev fell back to the bed, coughing and trying to suck in much-needed air. Chase was there, reaching out to Dev his hands limp, and Snoe knew it had to be painful but he still wrapped his arms around Dev. Chase truly had feelings for the man; Snoe hadn’t seen it coming. Snoe wasn’t about to pass judgment on Chase’s choices. Instead he was going to use them to his advantage.
Snoe snapped a picture of them together.
“I also recorded your confession earlier,” Snoe lied. “If you don’t want the information getting out, you’re going to do exactly as I say. Chase, you will keep me informed on your mother’s every move.”
“What? There is no way I can do that,” Chase said.
“How do you know? You haven’t even tried. I’m sure a smart guy like you can figure out a way. Or you can watch your lover here be torn apart right in front of your eyes.” Snoe smiled.
“Chase, don—”
Snoe didn’t even have to tell Blade. He moved fast, his fist colliding with Dev’s stomach and knocking the wind out of him as his words died off and he slumped forward.
“I don’t make threats I can’t deliver on. I don’t think you would enjoy being covered with your lover’s blood. Then again, if it’s your kink, who am I to judge,” Snoe said.
“You don’t know my mother. She isn’t someone you cross and live to see another day,” Chase said.
Dev was still wheezing, holding his stomach.
“Thanks for the warning, but I know her better than you think. Now, are you going to take my offer?” Snoe asked.
Chase’s watery eyes went to Dev. “Okay,” he whispered, as if scared to say it out loud.
“Good. And Dev, I’m sure you will do as I ask because your children’s lives depend on it. Please don’t make me kill your kids because you can’t get your act together.”
“You’re dead once Hilde figures out what you’re doing,” Dev said.
Snoe shrugged. “We all will die someday.” Snoe took a step toward their bed, looking into both of their eyes. “She won’t be finding out from you since you know all too well you would be her first target before me.” Snoe laughed. “What would you even say? A masked man attacked us while we were caught in bed together confessing our love?”
Dev and Chase didn’t say anything to that since it was the truth. Hilde would kill anyone she thought was a loose end, and these two were exactly that. She just didn’t know that yet.
“Why don’t you remove your mask and let us see who we are working for,” Dev said.
“No, knowing Mr. Whyte is good enough.”
“You want us to work for you, shouldn’t there be some trust?” Dev asked.
“Seems to be a misunderstanding. I have no trust in you whatsoever. I just expect what I ask for to be done, and then there will be no reason for me to deliver on my threats,” Snoe said.
He turned around. “You can keep the cuffs. I have plenty more. Maybe it will put you both back in the mood. I’ll leave the key in the living room. Don’t come out here for five minutes. If you do, then, well, I’ll just have to find someone to replace you.”
Snoe left with the threat in the air. He originally went in with the thought he’d get Dev and maybe hold his lover hostage, but it being Chase, that wasn’t possible. But Snoe simply tweaked his plan, and now he had Dev backing him and an informant close to the one person who could ruin everything. Tonight was turning out to be the best night so far.
Chapter Nineteen
Evil StepBrother
Vanessa wasn’t answering the phone, and it was driving Dash insane. That woman was nothing without him, and now she acted as if she was constantly too fucking busy for him.
“Dash,” Mother called out.
He tamped down his growing annoyance. If Mother found out he’d lost contact with Vanessa, she would flip, and not in a good way. He would most likely suffer at her hands. Everything was going to shit—deals were being broken, and Blake Industries was steadily losing money. It was almost as if someone was attacking them from the inside, but it wasn’t possible.
“Yes, Mother?”
“We will be meeting with the Charming family. They are a branch from the Blake coven and hold good standing. You will marry the head of the family’s daughter.”
It was a matter of fact, no question. Mother didn’t want to hear anything Dash might have to say about the situation even if he disagreed. Even if he would rather not marry some woman he’d never met. It was always like this; Dash wasn’t ever trusted to make his own decision. Mother knew best. Always.
“Of course, Mother. I look forward to meeting her.”
“You need to cut things off with Vanessa. She is no longer useful,” Mother said.
And Dash knew when she stated something, it was supposed to be the end.
“Vanessa still ha—”
“Don’t argue with me. You have someone else you need to be focused on. Can’t have you messing it up now, can we?”
Dash balled his fist under the table, caving to his mother’s order like he always did. “Yes, Mother.”
She nodded, sipping on her cup of coffee. “I expect you to be above average at the meet and greet today. Things have already been finalized, but we can’t have the bride running away or causing any problems.”
Dash had always lived up to that standard. Lived up to her expectation that anything less wasn’t acceptable.
“Chase, how are things with Dev? I saw his wife at an event; she looked unhappy. I hope you’re making sure he keeps up appearances. Can’t have any mishaps when we’re so close.”
Chase was lucky he was the younger brother; his only job was to support Dash and follow their mother’s orders. But he was allowed to do whatever he wanted as long as it didn’t look badly upon their family.
Chase audibly swallowed, never looking up from his plate. “Good.” He fidgeted a bit in his seat. “I mean, I’ll have a talk with him the next time I see him.”
“Make sure you do,” Mother said.
Her attention was back squarely on Dash, and at times he wished she would set her sights elsewhere so that maybe he would have a break.
“And how is business?” Mother asked.
Dash was at an impasse. He so badly wanted to lie because the truth would result in anger. But lying would only get him punished. Why did she have to ask?
“We’ve had a few buyers back out,” Dash rushed out.
The passive look on Mother’s face may have fooled others, but Dash knew the ugly anger that boiled just below the surface.
“Oh, and do we know why?” she asked.
Even Hina, who got only love and adoration, could feel the change in the air. She lowered herself closer to the table. Dash straightened his back.
“No,” he answered.
“No,” Mother stressed.