Twenty-Seven

Dante was on the verge of going crazy as he dialed his grandfather's number. The first time Alaric decided not to pick up his calls was when Dante needed him most.

"Daddy, where are they taking Natalie to?"

He had been asked this question for the tenth time tonight and he didn't have a clue as to what was happening.

"I don't know honey, but I'll bring her back," he replied.

Chloe was already in tears and he was having a hard time pacifying her. What he couldn't understand was why Lee hadn't come out when all this fiasco was going on.

He headed to the butler's room and found him handcuffed to his bedpost. His mouth was gagged and his ankles were tied securely too.

Gently, he untied the old man and helped him out of the handcuffs—the keys were left on his nightstand.

"Dante, you guys are safe," he heaved a sigh of relief.

"It's alright, Lee. You're ju