Demon Marked by Anna J. Evans Page A

I’m just smarter than you,” Andre said with an easy smile.
    Francis scowled, actually looking pissed for a second before his expression cleared. “Well, cousin, if you’re so smart, why don’t you tell me why a bunch of Death Ministry stopped by our training warehouse near the old park this morning looking for the blonde who works at the Demon’s Breath?”
    â€œLooking for Emma?” Shit. Maybe the Death Ministry were the ones who’d trashed her apartment. And maybe Michael hadn’t talked to his brother, after all. This was why it paid to play dumb and never assume the person questioning you had all the facts. “You’re kidding.”
    â€œNope. Not kidding.” Francis abandoned his cashews, wiping his greasy hands on his dark jeans. “I don’t kid about assholes with knives threatening my employees.”
    â€œOf course not. Was anyone hurt?”
    â€œNot this time, but they promised to come back and leave a few bodies behind if some guy named Greg didn’t show up soon.” Francis rose from his chair, crossing to the liquor cabinet in the corner. “This could ruin that peace treaty we’ve been cooking up. If they go after our people, we’ll have no choice but to retaliate.”
    Andre couldn’t help but notice that he looked tired. The stress of running the family business in his father’s absence was taking its toll. With the Conti history of heart disease, he should be getting more sleep and staying away from the cashews and the alcohol. Especially at six o’clock in the morning.
    â€œYou want something?” Francis asked as he poured himself whiskey on the rocks.
    â€œIt’s breakfast time, Francis. I think I’ll pass.”
    â€œIt’s happy hour when you’ve been up since two o’clock yesterday, smart-ass. If you hadn’t called with your list of demands, I would be at home in bed right now, so don’t give me any shit.”
    â€œWouldn’t think of it,” Andre said, waiting until Francis took a sip of his drink before steering them back on topic. “So the Death Ministry lost track of some guy named Greg. What does that have to do with Emma?”
    â€œSeemed Greg went missing last night, right after he stepped outside the Demon’s Breath to have a few words with her.”
    â€œThat’s crazy.” Andre shook his head in confusion, trusting his ability to pull off a lie with the best of them.
    He was a lawyer. He usually made it a habit not to lie to family, but today he would make an exception. He didn’t want Little Francis finding out Greg was dead, not missing. Not until he had a chance to talk to Emma and get her side of the story. The real story this time, not some drug-inspired hallucination.
    â€œSo they think she had something to do with his disappearance?”
    â€œThey do,” Francis confirmed. “And they want to talk to her. Real bad.”
    His cousin’s words made his blood rush in a way it hadn’t in years. That part of him that had once been a card-carrying, gun-toting bounty hunter itched to have a weapon. If the Death Ministry was after Emma, he might have to be prepared to kill to keep her safe. Strangely, he knew he would, without a second thought. Sometime in the past few hours, Emma had become more than a casual acquaintance or a family obligation. He felt compelled to help her. Not just out of this mess, but with the demon drugs, too.
    No matter how many times he’d taken Katie to the doctor or begged her to check herself into rehab, he hadn’t been able to save her. But things with Emma could be different.... She was stronger than Katie; she had it inside her to kick the drugs if she had a little help, even just one person who believed she could do it. Andre hadn’t expected to be anyone’s “one” anytime soon, but despite the sister who loved her, this girl obviously felt very alone. She