Bloodbound: The Alliance
Chapter 21 - 25

Chapter 21: Chapter 25

Silas POV

I hurl a gut-wrenching punch once, twice—Landen grunts, doubling over. I swing again, but this time he’s ready. He jerks away before I land another blow, swerves and nails me with an uppercut and right hook. I dart back to evade what follows, using the momentum to whirl around and slam my fist back into his gut. He groans, fumbling back, then he charges at me, tackling me to the ground with his arms locked around my waist. I drop flat on the ground, and he releases a volley of punches. I block, throwing his weight off me before I climb on top of him to exact my retribution. An arm hooks around mine, caging me. One of the guards tears me off Landen, holding me back.

Dad runs onto the scene. He sends me a punishing glare before he goes to offer his hand to Landen. Blinded by his own rage, he slaps it out of his face and gets by himself, glowering at me.

"I’ll get your daughter."

"Don’t you fucking touch her!" Spittle flying from my mouth.

My dad gives him a halting hand and approaches Avara by himself. He goes over and helps her out of the car. She slings her arm around him, her head appearing to be too heavy for her neck. And he lugs her away. Landen eyes me down one last time, his tongue sweeping over his teeth before he retreats to the driver’s side of his bugatti. I shrug the guard off me and he relinquishes his hold. I go back to them and I pick up Avara bridal-style, walking back to the house and through the open front door.

"Once I put her down, I’m going after him."

"No," dad says, right behind us. "You’ve done enough."

"Not nearly," I say through clamped teeth. "Have you ever seen Avara drink? Because I haven’t. Now Landen brings her back, wasted out of her mind."

"If he was intending to do her harm. Why bring her back in this state? If he was planning to do something unspeakable to her. He would’ve kept her overnight and waited for her to sober up. Threaten her to say nothing about their encounter, then bring her back. But he didn’t."

I hike up the steps, her arm curled around my neck. "They left together at eight. It’s early morning. Alot could’ve happened between then and now."

My retort renders him silent. For a moment.

"Landen is reckless, but he isn’t foolish. He wouldn’t dare do what you’re accusing him of."

We reach the top floor. Dad walks ahead to open the door for us and I carry her inside. I move to lay her down delicately on her bed. She shifts instantly, turning on her side and placing her hands beneath her temple.

"Daddy?"

He comes forward. "I’m here."

She lifts the skirt of her dress sluggishly. "Can you put my pajamas on?"

I quickly remove her hand from her dress. "Not if you want daddy to go to prison." I come closer to her. "Avie, I need you to listen to me. It’s important."

"Dan." His hand clasps my shoulder. "It’s not the time to interrogate her."

I jerk my shoulder away. "Avie. Did Landen touch you?"

She nods with a whimsical smile.

My dad pushes me aside with surprising strength. "He touched you?"

"Yep, but I—I liked it," she sings, raising her brows with her eyes still closed. "Because I thought he was someone else."

"Someone else?" he questions. "Vance?"

She shakes her head with a naughty smile.

My eyes widen, clapping a hand on his shoulder to draw him away. "You’re right. This isn’t the time to question her. She’s clearly tanked. Let’s let her rest and talk to her tomorrow. I mean, later this day."

I usher him out of the room, practically shoving him out. And I close the door behind me.

"Someone else? Who is she talking about?"

"No idea." But I know who does. "It’s late. I think we all could use some sleep."

***

I open the front door to see a smiling Kelsey.

"Kels."

I welcome her with a tight hug before I allow her inside.

"What’s up? You said it was an emergency."

"It is." I close the door. "I just wanted to see that beautiful smile."

She wrestles with it, but her smile triumphs.

"That’s the one."

Kels rolls her eyes, unable to contain her smile. "Shut up. What’s your emergency?"

"Avara."

Her smile vanishes. "What, is she okay?"

"I think so. She came home drunk last night—"

She waves her hands frantically to stop me. "If we’re talking about drunkenness, then to clarify we are talking about another Avara, right? Because Avara Du Pont doesn’t drink."

I lift a shoulder. "Not on her own. She was with Landen."

She nods knowingly, her shock dissipating. "They have been getting quite close lately. More like he’s been relentless in trying to... get to know her."

"What?" All I can get out.

She exhales deeply. "They’ve been texting and talking a lot ever since they had a reconciliation lunch at some fancy waterfront restaurant. When she told me about it, I warned her. I only know him by reputation, and he doesn’t have a good one."

I come desperately closer. "So, what did she say?"

She blinks many times. "She said she doesn’t trust him. But for Vance’s sake and for the alliance. She figured that it was best to be on good terms with him."

This damn alliance.

Kelsey revolves and struts to the staircase. "You know, the house looked a lot better when it was consumed by flowers. Sort of a dark fairy-like aesthetic."

"About those," I say slowly. "I saw a bit of the card that was left with them. And it wasn’t signed."

"So?"

"Vance seems like the guy that likes to claim his merits. And he doesn’t strike me as the romantic type."

She takes a moment to respond. "He’s the rich type. Do you know how much those bouquets cost? They weren’t bought on the side of the road."

"Vance didn’t send those flowers. Did he?"

She freezes at the top of the staircase, then twirls around.

"What?"

I can see the lie written over her face like graffiti.

Even more certain. I say, "He didn’t send those flowers."

"Why would you even think that? Who else would?"

She has me there. I think fast, looking everywhere searchingly. "I don’t know, but when she was wasted. She admitted that Landen touched her, but she liked it because she thought he was someone else."

Shock unhinges her jaw, eyes popping out of her skull because she knows who it is.

"Tell me," I demand. "You know who I’m talking about."

She shakes her head and goes for the room, but I impede her path.

"She was drunk, as you said," she whispers fiercely.

"Drunk minds speak sober thoughts." I point to her face. "Your reaction betrayed her truth because now I know there is someone else. If she doesn’t talk to Luciano and I. She definitely talks to you. I want a name."

"I don’t got one," she says stubbornly. "Because there is no one. I am as shocked as you are. But I know there is an explanation because the only person she’s involved with is Vance. And you know, Avie. She’s as loyal as a golden retriever."

My resolve on the matter wanes.

"All you should concern yourself with is that she’s okay."

I nod grudgingly. "Yeah, but—"

"But nothing," she says with a dismissive hand. "I bet you got things to do." She comes close enough to pat my cheek. "I’m here now. I’ll take care of her and you take a shower, please. And do what you gotta do. I’ll let you know when she’s up and ready to talk."

I concede another nod.

She sends me a thoughtful look. "She’s really lucky to have brothers like ya’ll that got her back."

I offer a smile. "You’re just as lucky as she is because you got us just the same."