Chapter 32 31

Chapter 32 31
Darius’POV

“Sir, your photoshoot was set for 10 a.m. It’s already 10:25. Everyone’s waiting,” Vanessa—My secretary 
said, standing neatly in front of me.

I rubbed my forehead. “Tell them to postpone it. Set it for tomorrow noon or something.”

“But sir,” she hesitated, “it’s already been postponed to today.”

I gave her a harsh look. “Am I the boss, or are you?”

Her lips parted slightly. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“I can’t do the shoot now. Tell them tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.” She nodded quickly and turned to leave.

Just as she was heading out, Dante stepped in. He gave Vanessa a polite nod before sitting across from me.

“You shouldn’t be so harsh on your staff, Darius,” he said, resting back in the chair.

I sighed and leaned forward, elbows on my desk. “There’s a lot going on, Dante. I’m not in the mood to stand under flashing lights and fake smiles.”

He chuckled quietly. “Come on, it’s part of the industry. And your image, too.”

“I know,” I muttered, staring at the papers scattered on my desk. “But I’m not in the mood to be featured on a magazine cover right now.”

Dante’s expression softened. “Yeah… I get that.”

“When are we visiting the hospital about Aunt Ronnie?” He asked after a long pause.

I exhaled slowly. “Soon. Maybe later today. We’ll go with Sam.”

Dante nodded once. “He’s still not there yet, is he?”

I shook my head. “No. Not yet.”

Just then, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen. It was an unknown number, but the ID read Central Police Station. 

I picked up. “Hello?”

“Alpha Darius?” a deep voice came through.

“Yes. Who’s speaking?”

“This is Officer Omarion, sir. We have some information we thought you’d find useful.”

My spine straightened. “Go on.”

“We managed to capture one of the Patriarch’s men.”

I slammed my hand on the desk then rose up on my feet. “You what?”

“Yes, Alpha. After the ambush that day, we kept the investigation running. One of his men was spotted and apprehended. He’s in custody now.”

“Right now?” I demanded.

“Yes, Alpha. We just thought to inform you first.”

“I’ll be there. Immediately.” I cut the call without another word.

“Dante, let’s go,” I said, already reaching for my keys.

He stood up. “Where to?”

“The police station. They caught one of the Patriarch’s men.”

“What?” His eyes widened.

“Yes..”

Without wasting another second, we were already moving. Every step out of the office made my heart race. 

The mention of the Patriarch was enough to make every muscle in my body tense. That monster who had destroyed everything and left his stain on my past. I had been tracking him for years.

And now, one of his men had finally been caught.

I wasn’t going to let this chance slip through my hands.

I couldn't hear anything else throughout the ride. All that played in my head was the Patriarch. We pulled up outside the police station and moved straight to the front desk. “I need to speak with the Chief officer,” I said.

“Sir, he’s inside,” the desk sergeant replied. “Right this way.”

Omarion greeted us in his office with raised brows. “You’re here fast. Ten minutes, maybe?”

“You know I don’t joke about the Patriarch,” I said, dropping into the visitor chair.

“Where is the man?” Dante asked.

“Calm down, Alpha Darius,” Omarion said. “He’s locked up in one of the cells. You can see him. But I need to make things clear. I called you because of your history with the Patriarch, but you mustn’t take the law into your own hands. This man is under our custody. Do not kill him, or we’ll have serious problems.”

I let out a slow breath. Even the police knew how much I hated the Patriarch. “I won’t kill him,” I said. “Killing him would destroy whatever chance I have to learn what I need. I need more information. He’s a link. Killing him would put me at a loss.”

Omarion studied me for a long moment, then nodded. “All right. This way.” He stood and led the corridor toward the holding area.

I could feel Zeus wanting to take over,  the whole way. I breathed slowly, counting each inhale like a mantra. The sound of the Patriarch pisses me and my wild off. But losing control was not the best.

Omarion stopped at the barred door. “He’s in this one,” he said.

Through the bars, I saw the man. He had dirty blonde hair matted to a bruised scalp. He was dressed in all black and looked really beat up. He looked up as we approached, and a sneer tugged at his lip.

“Open the cell,” I said.

Omarion’s eyes held mine. “Remember what I told you. Don’t kill him.”

“I give you my word,” I said.

“Don’t worry, Omarion. I won’t let Darius kill him,” Dante added, as if my restraint needed reinforcement. Dante always had the annoying habit of saying the obvious out loud.

The officer slid the key in and opened the cell. The man in the cell tilted his head, looking at me. “You the Alpha?” he rasped. 

I stepped inside until I was only a few feet from him. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and disinfectant. 

“Yes,” I said. “I’m Darius. And you’re going to tell me everything you know about the Patriarch.”

His eyes bored into mine, and then he laughed. “You think I’m scared of you?” he said. “I don’t roll like that.”

“You should be,” I said. “Because right now you have two choices: help me, and maybe you walk out of here one day; refuse, and whatever’s left of your luck runs out fast.”

“You think I’ll tell you anything?” he spat. “You must be mistaken. You’re wasting your time, Alpha Darius. I would never say a word against my boss. Not a single one. So get out.”

My jaw locked. Who does he think he is? He was bruised and licked up, yet still had the nerve to mock me. I took a step forward before Dante’s hand on my shoulder stopped me.

“Relax, Darius,” Dante murmured. “He’s only trying to rile you up. Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

I forced my shoulders down and breathed. 
I moved quickly and grabbed his face hard, my fingers digging into his jaw as I stared into his eyes. His expression didn’t change at all, he still had that infuriating smirk on his bruised face.

“Darius—” Dante’s hand clamped on my shoulder again.
“I’m going to kill you right here if you don’t speak,” I snarled, tightening my grip on his jaw.

The man’s smirk deepened, and before I could register it, his hand slipped into his pocket and brought out something.

“I’d rather die,” he spat through clenched teeth, “than betray my master.”

Before I could react, he threw it into his mouth. My eyes went wide.

“No—” I tried to pry his jaw open, but it was too late. He swallowed.

In seconds, his body started jerking violently. He collapsed to the cold floor of the cell, convulsing, foam gathering at his lips, his hands clawing at his own throat as his eyes rolled back.

I let go of him, stepping back as the reality hit me. “What the—”

Dante pushed past me, crouching by the prisoner. “The bastard poisoned himself,”