The Dark Prince (The Dark Prince Trilogy #1)

by Autumn Winchester

  At that moment, a different waiter who wasn’t as fearful of the table full of men, took the orders. Chase ordered Summer a glass of water while he ordered himself food and a drink, claiming he’d share with his wife.

  “So, what makes you think we have a rat in the group, Tony?” Chase asked after taking a sip of his drink after it was delivered. Even though his posture was more relaxed, his voice was demanding the attention of the table.

  “A few of our men have been found shot, then left to be found at some of the compounds where our items are held. But I can’t place who it is on my own. I am sure it’s not these three that I brought today with me,” Tony answered, glancing at his men.

  “How can you be so sure?” Chase asked hotly.

  “Well, Troy has found two of the dead men on his rounds, and Asher, well he’s just Asher,” Tony laughed, thinking his reasoning was clear. To Chase, he didn’t believe it. Tony was a lazy man, so that ruled him out. And Asher was his secret weapon here, so he knew it wasn’t him. But Troy always had a vibe to him that Chase never trusted. Only reason that man was still alive was because of his father’s say in the matter.

  But it was long past overdue now. His father wouldn’t know until next week at the earliest if Chase finally put a bullet between Troy’s eyes. Or even Tony’s for that matter.

  “Kenny has been working close with me, and never has warrantied an extra set of eyes,” Tony said with a shrug.

  “Interesting,” Chase said in thought. “When did this start?” He leaned forward in his seat, wanting to know the details. Details that he already knew, of course.

  “The deaths? About a month or so ago. But there’s an issue with missing items that have not been accounted for. And a few of the items have turned up at the police department, so the men that have handled them before that have been under arrest,” Tony went on, not pleased his working men were being caught. Men that knew to clean up their paths.

  Chase was pleased to hear that Tony wasn’t hiding anything from him, at least not right out. Asher had been the one to take items and turn them in like Chase wanted. Of course, neither one of them would say anything about that. Asher was good at what was asked of him without ever questioning.

  “Any links or ideas?” Chase asked as the food was set in front of them and he leaned back, placing his hands on either side of his plate.

  “Nope,” Troy answered this time. “I have personally checked every camera in the shipment areas, along with bank statements. I did see a few deposits in a few other accounts but they had no name attached to them.”

  “I’d like to see them,” Chase demanded, his green eyes dark.

  “I’ll put them on a drive and give them to you before you leave,” Asher answered. “I have a number of the accounts on my computer drive. I can also get you the documents before you leave here.”

  “The only thing, the account that was being used, I can’t get the entire bank number they used to route it,” Troy jumped in, but his voice wasn’t as strong as Tony’s.

  “That’s not important right now,” Chase said with a wave of his hand. He knew he could find that information easily enough, but also knew that he was lying. “I’ll look over the files after I get back home, and we'll let you know at once I find out who the mole is, or if anything needs done.”

  The rest of the meal went smoothly. Summer would glance up a few times, but would drop her eyes as they connected with the men across from her. For some reason, they both put her on edge, even as Chase laid his arm across the back of her chair, staking claim over his wife. His fingers played with the ends of her hair.

  Kenny had a look of shock and lust on his face the entire time. And he wasn’t very sneaky about watching every move Summer made. It made her on edge, and she wished she could be anywhere but under his watchful eye. Chase already secretly sent a text to Asher, telling him to slip something to White after this meeting, or during if he could. He wasn’t going to allow a man to eye fuck his wife. Ever.

  “I’ll take care of the check,” Tony said. “It is my fault that I dragged you out here, and probably for nothing.

  “I’ll hang back. I need to talk to Chase about my parents; make sure they aren’t wanting to start looking for me,” Asher said, leaning back in his seat as the three other men stood up. “I have things to do downtown after here.”

  “Your nerd girl, again?” Tony laughed, slapping a hand roughly on the much younger boy’s shoulder.

  “She’s sweet, Tony,” Asher said, his eyes holding secrets.

  “Keep a closer eye on the shipments. I’ve had threats from home about them being not delivered correctly,” Chase said, trying to get the men to leave and not be a bother as he took Summer to see a few of the attractions.

  “Got it, Mr. Marcel,” Tony said with a nod of his head before making his leave.

  Kenny White staggered before getting his footing. Chase wasn’t surprised the least bit that Asher had poison on him. That man wouldn’t even make it a mile before whatever was given to him took full effect.

  Once the men were out of the restaurant, Asher turned to the older man.

  “I have the files here,” Asher spoke, keeping his voice low and handing over a thumb drive discreetly. “I know Troy will change things before I get back, and I will get those files to you too. But these are the real deal. Troy had been transferring money to a Valerie Sate, who gets the money from a Mr. Meads. I’m not sure what is going on though.”

  “Thank you, Asher,” Chase said, pocketing the drive. “You know what needs done.”

  “Not an issue,” Asher said, not bothered. “It’s really too easy. They trust me, so neither of them will see it coming. By the time you return home, Troy will no longer be a problem.”

  “How is everything else going?” Chase asked.

  “Good. A few of the guys are on our side and ready for commands,” Asher answered. “They have helped get most of the drugs out of the city, and either burned them or turned them in. All but Kenny. I’m not sure what’s up with him, but he’s been strange for a few months now, and I don't trust him. But that’s taken care of now, no longer a concern.”

  “Good. You are the best, Asher,” Chase said, patting the boy on his shoulder.

  “I’ll just a phone call away if Mr. Meads gets to you, Chase. You know he loathes you because you won’t let him have part of your territory.”

  “Everyone wants it. And I’m not letting the land that my great grandfather worked hard to get pass between my fingers. I want everyone to be safe, and to do that, I have to do what I have set out and started already,” Chase said. “Plus, that man and I have more business to deal with than land.”

  Summer was lost on the whole talk, which was probably a good thing. She knew her father was a bad man, a man who wanted to make her life a living hell. But Summer didn’t know what he had already been able to get his hands on, or how far his reach truly was. But if he wanted this land, he’d be sure to find a way to get it. And Jason Meads was known to use any means necessary to get what he wanted, blackmail and murder included.

  Chapter 20

  Once the men had left their table, Summer had relaxed instantly. She was taken with Asher, who promised to meet up with both of them the next day for a late breakfast. He was a sweet boy, and polite considering how he had grown up. Asher was almost like a brother already just by the way he joked with both the Princess and Prince, not concerned at all for any punishment. It seemed like Asher felt like there was nothing better than to live the life he has without blinking an eye.

  “You did wonderful,” Chase said near Summer’s ear as they walked hand in hand down the busy hot street of the Las Vegas Strip. They had taken a monorail from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel down to the New York, New York hotel before walking to a few of the casinos. It was a lot easier than walking the long strip.

  They had both changed, Chase more than Summer, before they hit the crowded street. Chase changed into a more comfortable t-shirt and then he put on sh
orts, showing his pale legs to everyone. He even threw on a baseball hat to hide his black hair. He had told his wife that it was to blend in more, as there was a number of men here that would recognize him easily. And he didn’t want to deal with business the entire day if he could help it.

  Summer had taken off her leather jacket, opting to just leave the tank top and skirt on. It was much warmer here in Las Vegas than it had been in Michigan, and no one had said anything about packing for warmer weather. It hadn’t crossed anyone’s mind of the temperature difference between the two places.

  Summer gave Chase a small smile as they took their time walking to the next hotel to look at a few shops. Each hotel had different stores and food, and Summer had no idea where to go first. She let Chase lead her around. Nothing caught her eye so far, but she didn’t’ expect things to anyways. There was so much to see in every direction.

  A few salesmen for certain tours and small independent sellers were pushy, but Chase led Summer away, knowing that neither of them wanted anything to do with what was being sold. That was until they came across a jewelry stand in one of the hotels. Summer slowed, taking a moment to look over a few of the necklaces. They were pretty and eye catching. One necklace in particular made her stop completely as other people went around them.

  The necklace had a short chain, and had a cross dangling from it with an infinity symbol. The chain was dark in color, and Summer could see herself wearing it if she took off the one that Chase had gotten her. Or maybe with it. It was a different length that one she currently wore. Just something about it drew her to the necklace.

  “Which one?” Chase asked, not sure which necklace caught his wife’s attention, as not much did. He wanted to give Summer anything and everything that she wanted. He couldn’t stop himself from wrapping his arms around her from behind, his chin resting on her head. He was risking the chance of Summer not wanting his touch by doing so, but he felt like he needed to stake his claim on her any way he could.

  “The dark small one,” Summer said, forcing her eyes away from it. She may like it, but didn’t need it. She didn’t expect to get anything here, even though she was enjoying her time so far. She would be more than okay with just the memories. Just having this time with it being just her and Chase was already more than she could ever ask for.

  “Ok,” Chase said, pressing a kiss to the side of her head and looking it over. “Pick one out for Clare.”

  “What?” Summer asked shocked, pulling away to look at her husband. His arms didn’t fall from her, nor did she fight his hold. Her eyes were filled with questions. “No.” She shook her head. She didn't want him to think she expected him to buy anything for her.

  “You can get the one you want, if you pick Clare out one she’d like,” Chase clarified as he stepped back and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m sure she’d love to have something from our trip here, since she didn’t get to come with us this time.”

  Summer stared wide eyed at Chase for a moment, not sure why he’d spend money on her, or her sister, after giving them so much already. He kept surprising Summer at every corner. She wasn't sure how to handle it as no one had ever been so kind to her.

  “Go on, honey,” Chase said, hinting for her to pick out another necklace. He kept his voice even, hoping that his wife would pick out one, or even ten, for him to spoil her with. His eyes were questioning, hoping she’d just pick one. “I’d have set up a show for us to watch, but didn’t think you would be up to that, so instead, we shall spend money I don’t need. And my Princess deserves to be pampered with no strings attached. I won’t ask for anything in return but you being happy and enjoying the time we have here.”

  Turning back to the glass counter with a deep sigh, she scanned over a few of the necklaces. She may not know Clare well, but well enough to know that the younger girl tended to like bright flashy things, but small at the same time.

  "That one," Summer said, pointing to the flower that had a small green amber stone as the rose’s center. The chain was lighter and thinner than the one that Summer picked for herself, but it was just as pretty.

  “Perfect,” Chase said with a smile, then turned to the lady and paid for both pieces of jewelry, who then put them in a small bag and handed them to him with a fake happy smile as her eyes drifted around the other shoppers.

  Chase then pulled Summer by the hand gently, away from other people and dug out her necklace. He then helped her put it on by going around her facing her back.

  “Thank you,” Summer whispered, still shocked that he let her get it, even though she didn’t ask. Her fingers felt the chain as it hung around her neck as the weight registered against her skin.

  “Of course, Summer,” he said, running the pads of his fingers down her soft cheek as they faced one another. “You can get whatever you want on this trip. Unless it’s a tattoo. I don’t think you’d like that.”

  “On you, I would,” Summer said as her gaze got lost in her husband’s eyes. Her cheeks instantly heated at the words registered in her brain that she had said that out loud. She had never been so bold like that before. She’d never even said anything in that manner to him. Was she flirting with her husband? Summer wasn’t sure what had come over her.

  “I . . .” Chase said, stopping before he said something that would cause her to be upset. Now wasn’t the time. Instead, Chase pulled her to him after shaking his head in amazement, kissing the top of her head in a sweet loving manner. “Ti adoro, Summer. Io voglio dare tanto, ma non posso come non lo accetterà ancora. Ma col tempo, ti mostrerò il mio amore per te.” (I adore you, Summer. I want to give you so much, but I cannot do that yet. But over time, I'll show my love for you). He paused, before taking a deep breath and pulling back. “Let’s walk some more and maybe find a place to eat a snack and rest our feet.”

  His words, whatever it was that he said, held Summer frozen, and something else she couldn’t place. The way they rolled off his tongue did funny things to her.

  A snack did sound like a good idea to Summer, now that he brought it up. She only took a few bites of Chase’s food at lunch hours ago, which he didn’t finish either.

  They made their way to a pastry shop that was nearby, ordering a donut like cake to share between them, since it was so huge. They took a seat farthest from the front next to one another in a small booth, hiding them from view of most of the other customers. He knew that Summer would enjoy a break from being around so many people for a few minutes.

  “Are you enjoying your time here?” he asked between bites, making sure that Summer ate most of the desert.

  “Yes,” she answered truthfully. She was enjoying it here, being able to be free of any chores, and even get to know Chase a little bit more.

  “Good,” Chase declared. “I want you to have fun, Summer. I may have to deal with business, but it is nice to get away from home and all the everyday stresses.” she simply nodded, agreeing.

  “What’s your favorite color?” he asked, wanting to know as much as he could about her.

  “Green?” she answered with a question. She wasn’t sure what her most favorite color was, as she never gave it much thought, like a lot of things. Simple things didn’t really ever occur to her before now. But she did love to look at his eyes.

  “I like blue. Especially on you,” Chase said, giving her a wink and watching as her cheeks tinted pink. As it dawned on her, that she had a blue tank top on, and it was just a bit darker than her eyes..

  “If you could do anything you wanted, what would you do?” he asked.

  Summer wasn’t sure about that. Months ago, she would have answered with running away, living a life that she could do whatever she wanted, even knowing that was never possible. She had wanted out of her life so badly, she would have left at the first chance she got. Even if it killed her. And it would have. But it would have been so much better than being forced to do things that she hated.

  But know, she didn’t know. She knew that the chance of running, and getti
ng away once and for all were slim to none. She could feel her father’s eyes watching her, knowing he had his men keeping tabs on where she was. She would never get away. And living with Chase, being married to him, wasn’t as bad as the life she had known before. He was caring, sweet, and even loving.

  Summer wasn’t sure if it was love, but it was as close as she knew considering how she had been forced to grow up. No one showed her love. Not really. Now, she had other dreams of what she wanted to do. And she would, nothing would dare stop her. Summer would find a way.

  “I want Jason Meads to pay,” Summer said, her voice dark, but quiet; her look just as dark at the thought of that man. Chase had to strain to hear her voice. “I want to watch him bleed, begging for mercy as he slowly dies. I want him to feel the pain I had to endure for years.”

  Summer was shocked as she said the words, knowing they were true. She never wanted to hurt anyone so bad, no matter how much she hated someone. She had never voiced the thoughts out loud, but knew they were true. She truly wanted that demon of a man to suffer.