“I… I don’t know,” he panted.
“So you and your friendshaven’tbeen cavorting at Bloodbath—a known Duchanes establishment?”
“Point of clarification, brother,” Gabriel said, “Bloodbath is aformerDuchanes establishment. Your friend at the NYPD made certain of that.”
“Very true, Gabriel. Thank you.”
“Do Ilooklike the club-hopping type?Fuck.” Jordan slid partway off the chair, his ruined eye still smoldering, his legs trembling. “All I do is work. If I’m not here working on the cars, I’m running my ass all over Queens like a fucking errand boy.”
“What sort of errands?”
“Drop-offs, pickups—shit like that.”
“Dorian!” Gabriel gasped and pressed a hand to his chest, his voice laden with mock concern. “I believe he’s referring to… to drug trafficking!”
“Rogozin has lots of different businesses,” Jordan said. “I don’t ask questions. I just do what I’m told.”
“Were you doing what you were told when you kidnapped a teenaged girl?” Dorian asked.
“What? Look, I’m not saying I’m the most upstanding citizen, but kidnapping a girl? No. Nofuckingway.”
“Right. Because you have so much respect for women?”
“Look, that bitch you saw in there? She had it coming. Her brother tried to welsh on his deal, and—”
“Nowthatwasdefinitelythe wrong thing to say.” Dorian grabbed the torch and scored a fresh gash across the demon’s chest, carving his flesh open from one shoulder to the other. “Women are not property to be bartered in deals.”
“Fuck!Fuck! I know. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Fuck, man, I’ve never been more sorry in my life. I swear.”
Dorian returned the blowtorch to Gabriel. “You’re doing a lot of swearing today, Jordan, but not a lot of sharing. So tell me—what is Rogozin’s relationship to House Duchanes?”
The demon remained silent.
Dorian glanced at Gabriel, who took a step closer with the torch.
“Comeon!” Jordan cried. He was fading now, his breathing becoming more erratic. He’d lost a lot of blood already, and the pain alone was likely enough to drive his human vessel into unconsciousness, even if the demon himself could withstand the agony.
He was still lucid, but Dorian knew they didn’t have much time.
“Duchanes,” Dorian said again.
“Look, Rogozin doesn’t waste his time with vampire bullshit,” the demon said. “Duchanes? Yeah, I seen him around, but he’s not part of the crew.”
“You’re certain? Certain your boss isn’t working with Duchanes vampires to break a few more demons out of hell? Build an army, perhaps?”
“I told you—Rogozin doesn’t give a fuck about vampires. Doesn’t give a fuck about bringing in more demons either. Our numbers are rock-solid.”
Dorian smacked him twice on the ruined cheek. “Slightly less solid after today, perhaps.”
“You don’t get it. If Rogozin wanted an army, he’d fucking build one. Meat-suits are a dime a dozen in this city—everyone’s looking to make a deal.”
“If he doesn’t want more demons, then what is he after?”
“Same as every other supernatural in this city.”
“Fae pussy?” Gabriel blurted out.
Dorian rolled his eyes. “Must youalwaysbe so uncouth, brother? Honestly.”
