Niccolo (Blood Brothers) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Marco a great deal of pain. “If I thought they were responsible, I would gladly do it myself. I didn’t get the impression they’re behind the attack, but I have a sneaking suspicion they’re hiding something.”
    The Council of Immortals had been a thorn in his side for as long as Dante could remember. Formed several hundred years ago by a warlock, vampire, and shifter, it began as a social organization for immortals. Over time, its purpose evolved. The Council decided immortals deserved their own communities, away from humans, so that they could be unashamed of their immortality. They also created a task force to police immortals who got out of line. In theory it was a good idea, but in practice, it was something different altogether.
    Initially, Dante had had no problem with this arrangement, but as new and more outspoken members joined the Council, and it gained more support in the immortal communities, the council members grew pompous and annoying.
    The Grimaldis and other like-minded immortals were seen as threats because they mingled with mortals and were considered renegades. That they weren’t hunted down and killed owed to the fact that most of the Underground members were very powerful, and that no one except Dante and his brothers knew for sure how many agents there actually were. He had no doubt, however, that once the Council gained more support the order would be given to eliminate Dante, his agents, and his allies.
    The Council shunned anyone connected with the Underground. Dante had vowed he would never ask them for anything, but when he realized the danger his brothers were in, he’d swallowed his pride. And what had he gotten in return? Locke had sneered at him.
    “Why should we help you, renegade?”
    “Because the purpose of the Council is to prevent things like this from happening. How can you let Il Diavolo and his minions run wild?”
    “Isn’t that what your precious Underground is for, Grimaldi? Can’t handle it, can you? And what a shame about your friend, Trent Black.”
    The smug smirk of satisfaction on Locke’s face was enough to make Dante pounce and tear the arrogant bastard’s throat out but common sense held him at bay. The two shifters on either side of Locke had immediately changed to wolf form and growled at him, baring their large, sharp teeth. Two other vampires slowly stepped out of the shadows as Dante had held himself in check. Individually, he could have taken them all, but he knew they wouldn’t fight fairly. Cowards!
    It was unseemly how Locke was able to make these outrageous comments while the rest of the Council sat back and did nothing. But it was quite possible Locke had someone much more powerful backing his actions. It seemed the most logical explanation.
    Damn.
    He would give anything for two minutes alone with the head of the Council. Dante bet Locke wouldn’t be so cocky then.
    “If I find out that you know something about this, I will be back,” Dante had threatened savagely.
    “Aww, what’s wrong, Grimaldi? Not so big and bad without your little brothers dogging your heels?” Locke had taunted.
    Dante knew in that moment that one day he would kill Devlin Locke. After shooting a malevolent glare in the man’s direction, he’d turned and left. He still couldn’t shake the feeling they were keeping secrets, but it wouldn’t have been wise at the time to take action without backup.
    Marco spoke, bringing him back to the present. “The Council has never been a favorite of mine, either. What I want to know is who the hell Adonis is? We have no other relative I know of. You said Papa didn’t have siblings.”
    “As far as I know he didn’t. Whoever it is, he might be using that name deliberately, possibly to throw us off.”
    “Why do you think that?”
    “It was Papa’s middle name.”
    Marco frowned. He looked as though he were about to speak; instead, he turned toward the front door. A few moments later, Maggie walked into the living room,