Jordan spit out another mouthful of blood. “Rogozin wants territory.”
“Where? Manhattan?” Dorian asked.
“Nah, that’s bloodsucker domain. Too much trouble. Rogozin wants to expand our enterprise in the boroughs, maybe set up shop in a few more states.”
“Chernikov’sterritory?” Dorian glared at him, shocked at the revelation. The two factions had a lifelong rivalry, but going after Chernikov’s holdings was a suicide mission, even for the most powerful demons. “Rogozin wants to make a play against bloodyChernikov?”
The demon shot him a one-eyed glare, his silence all the confirmation Dorian needed.
“Is he looking to start a war?” Dorian asked.
“Look, you didn’t hear it from me, okay? But Chernikov… He’s been ramping shit up in a big way. Pushing his guys to close more deals, giving them quotas for souls. Rogozin doesn’t like it.”
“Well, Chernikov is top dog for a reason. You don’t get there by resting on your laurels, Jordy.”
“This is different. Bigger.”
“How?”
He clammed up again, lowering his gaze.
Dorian was nearly out of patience. “What do you know of a man called Rudy D’Amico?”
The demon’s face paled behind the wounds. “I… nothing. I mean, I’m not—”
“Are you familiar with a vampire called Silas?”
“Who?”
“Were you or were you not involved in the kidnapping of the human girl? One who’s safety and wellbeing areextremelyimportant to me?”
“Look, guys. I don’t know where you’re getting your intel, but all this shit iswayabove my pay grade. I never heard of a vampire named Silas. And all I know about D’Amico is he’s some kind of demon thief who’s got a lead on something the boss wantsrealbad.”
Dorian’s heart sputtered. Was he referring to Charlotte? To her soul? Was it Rudy who’d brokered the deal with the demon lord, selling out his own niece for a better position in hell’s ultimate army?
“Whatsomething?” Dorian demanded.
“Again, above my pay grade.”
“Is there anythingnotabove your pay grade, you worthless fuck?” Dorian kicked his chair, and the demon flinched. “You report directly to Rogozin, do you not?”
“So?”
“Who does Rogozin report to?”
“The fuck you think?”
“Ithink,” Dorian said, leaning in close, “you and your brethren should’ve spent less time stealing cars and more time studying the Shadow Accords. If you had, perhaps you would’ve known to show some deference to me today, and you’d be walking out of here with your balls still attached. Alas…”
Dorian nodded at Gabriel, who cranked up the flame and shoved it near the demon’s crotch, just shy of his most prized possession.
“I don’t know their names!” Jordan cried, desperately inching away from the terrible blue flame. “They’re demon lords, okay? They don’t fuck around with our business. They’re just a bunch of stuck-up cocksuckers who never leave hell. Half the guys say they don’t even exist.”
“And how does one communicate with a demon lord?” Dorian asked. “Assuming they do, in fact, exist—which is more than I can say for your cock if I don’t like your answer.”
“You don’t communicate with them, man! They communicate withyou, if and when they choose. But I told you—they don’t give a rat’s ass about anyone here on the earthly plane, so if you’re after a hot date with the elites of hell, good fucking luck.”
Dorian exchanged another quick glance with Gabriel, who nodded in return. They were on the same page. The interview was officially over.
