Chapter 431 Monster They Couldn't Escape
Chapter 431 Monster They Couldn't Escape
A black G-Wagon pulled up in front of them.
The last person Valduz expected to see step out was Perry.
His stomach tightened.
He and Ansley looked at each other in disbelief.
Ansley stormed toward the vehicle.
Valduz followed.
“What the hell are you doing here, you giant pain?” Ansley shouted.
Roman and Baby burst into laughter.
Perry completely ignored her.
Valduz kept his eyes on Perry.
She was supposed to be with Hope Elara and the pups.
Derek was away at a summit in Nova.
“What are you doing here?” Valduz asked.
Perry glared at him.
“I can't believe you,” she growled. “You called Violetta and not me?”
“Where's my mate?” Ansley demanded, shoving Valduz aside. “You're supposed to be with her. Someone tried to kill her two days ago. You had one job.”
“Oh, she's with Jonas and Silas,” Perry said with a shrug. “They're talking business. She wants to design their suits. Silas was saying it's hard to find nice clothes because they're so huge.”
Ansley slowly turned to Valduz.
She looked completely stunned.
Then she waved a hand dismissively and muttered, “She's Hope Elara's sister,” over and over under her breath.
“I didn't call Violetta,” Valduz said. “I called Roman. He's a rogue. Violetta just happened to be there and invited herself.”
He narrowed his eyes at Perry.
“How did you get here so fast?”
“I left when you did. Ansley's pilot always takes forever to take off.”
She grinned.
“I ran here.
“With a backpack full of unregistered guns.
“I saw her loadout while you two were talking to Hope Elara.
“Pretty disappointing. Especially for Tee Jay.”
“You knew she was married to Tee Jay?” Valduz asked.
“We all knew,” Roman answered.
“I was at her wedding,” Violetta added. “How did you not know that?”
“Why wasn't I invited?” Perry asked.
“I honestly thought you were dead,” Ansley said with a scoff. “I even prayed to the Moon Goddess for it. Instead, she handed you over to whatever gods the Lycans have. Even she doesn't like you.”
“I think Lilith can make another one without a tongue,” Perry said with a sweet smile.
“Enough,” Valduz cut in.
“I didn't know she was married to Tee Jay.
“She just told me.”
“You're a terrible brother,” Baby said.
“Even Vince makes you look good.
“And Violetta has an entire second life that he still doesn't know about.”
“Thank you, Ramona,” Valduz said dryly. “That was very thoughtful.”
“On the way here from Violetta's place, I hacked into his security system,” Perry said, handing Valduz her tablet.
“He's using the weak system Eloise was selling through Lima Tango.
“You should probably go inside and talk to him.
“He has a family.”
“Seriously?” Ansley asked, smiling.
“Unless the plan is to kill everyone and burn the place down,” Roman said.
“What's the problem?” Ansley asked, looking at Valduz.
Perry let out a quiet sigh and looked away.
Violetta did the same.
“Let's vote,” Baby suggested.
“Team 'Don't Burn the Place Down' is over here.”
She stepped behind Valduz.
Violetta stayed behind Roman and Ansley.
It was the first time since the former King died that they had faced this problem.
For so long, there had only been five of them.
Valduz had almost forgotten what it felt like to have a full team again.
“You're the one who taught me to be thorough,” Roman said with a shake of his head. “This is Tee Jay Clove. He's going to become a serious problem once Ansley takes whatever she wants from him.”
“He's right,” Ansley agreed.
“This isn't just about the diamonds anymore.
“I wanted this to end cleanly. But if he already has an heir who can take over his pack, I'm not risking him coming after us later.
“We can go in there and talk to him.
“But no one is leaving that house alive.”
Perry let out a low growl and opened the back of the G-Wagon.
“We're horrible people,” she said quietly. “No matter how hard we try, that will never change.”
She unzipped a large duffel bag.
“I brought some good toys too,” Violetta said as she lightly smacked Valduz's stomach.
He followed her to the back of her vehicle to help lift the heavy case from beneath the seat.
“She’s right, Valduz,” Violetta said. “We sold our souls.
“And just because he's gone doesn't mean we stop being what he turned us into.
“This is just another mission.
“This is for—”
“Shut up, Vy.”
Valduz pulled an assault rifle from the case.
“Just... shut up.”
Roman looked at him.
“So what's the plan?”
“No talking.”
Valduz checked the weapon.
“Let's get this over with so we can go home.”
The only sound that stayed with him was a woman screaming.
It echoed louder than the gunfire.
They had been free from the wraith for a full year.
But nothing had really changed.
If anything...
They had become worse.
Sometimes it felt as if he was still laughing at them from hell.
When it was over, Ramona and Violetta set the house on fire.
The three of them headed back to Magique, only a twenty-eight-minute drive away.
Perry stayed silent.
Ansley answered phone calls as if nothing had happened.
As if they hadn't done this for the fifth time together.
She had probably done it even more often for their father.
“Daddy!”
Valduz's heart dropped.
Zenep stood at the top of the stairs, holding Melody's hand.
“Zenep,” he said softly.
She smiled with complete innocence.
She had no idea what kind of monster stood before her.
He knelt to remind her she should be asleep.
Instead, she threw her arms around him.
The shame...
The guilt...
Both melted away.
Hope Elara had once told him that children carried heavy burdens without even realizing it.
“You're done?” Zenep asked.
“What are you doing awake?” Valduz asked as he lifted her into his arms. “It's almost one in the morning.”
He reached for Melody's hand.
She took it without hesitation.
She had been coming around more often lately.
Even when she came and went with Derek, it already felt as if she belonged with them.
Valduz walked both girls back to their room and tucked them into bed.
“We were waiting for you,” Melody said. “Ay had a nightmare.”
“Oh? What was it?”
“You were sad,” Zenep whispered as she reached for his hand.
“There was a big fire.”
“Are you okay?” Melody asked.
“Yes,” Valduz said gently. “I'm okay.”
“Are you sad?” Zenep asked.
“I'll never be sad when you two are around.”
“Iris too?” both girls asked together.
“Who is Iris?”
“My baby sister,” Zenep answered as if it were obvious.
“Iris?” Valduz repeated.
“It sounds just like Zenep,” she said happily. “It's my favorite.”
“Okay.”
He smiled.
He actually loved the name.
And he loved how excited the twins already were about the baby.
“Now it's time for two princesses to sleep.”
“Good night, Daddy,” Zenep said.
“Good night, King Valduz,” Melody said with a sleepy stretch. “See you in the morning.”