After leaving the vault, I sealed it shut and stood in front of the retinal scanner. Then I pressed my hand to the screen on the wall. Only a Salvatore could access the vault, which required a two-step verification.
Alex would learn our family secrets after the wedding. That was my father's one rule I would not break. He didn't let anyone outside of our family have access to any of our secrets.
On our way down the narrow hallway, my cell phone dinged with several missed calls from Bastian. I
turned to look at my brother. "Did Bash call you?"
Marcello checked his cell phone and shook his head. "No, why? Is something wrong?"
"I don't know." I stuffed the phone into my pocket and ascended the stairs leading to the secret passage. "He called a few times in a row. That's not like him."
I stopped at the top landing and glanced down a few steps at Marcello. "Why would they lock the door when we were right behind them?"
A worried look crossed his face as he reached for his gun. I kept my gun at my side as I unlatched the lock and pushed on the door connected to the bookcase.
Inside the library, it was dark and quiet. I liked this side of the house for that reason. It was easier to think with all the silence.
When I was a boy, I spent hours each day in the library.
While inside this room, I didn't hear the voices in my head telling me to be more like my father, urging me to keep sinning.
This room was my sanctuary.
Marcello followed me into the library.
At first, nothing looked out of place. Not until I spotted Bastian passed out on the floor a few feet from Damian.
I dropped to my knees beside Bastian and checked his pulse. He was still breathing. Then I repeated the same process with Damian. They were unconscious but alive.
I shot up from the floor and glanced around the room. "Where the fuck is Alex?"
