the safety of his building?"
Marcus just stared at him.
Dmitri sighed. "Yeah, that's what I thought."
And had hoped against.
He glanced at Louis. "Ideas?"
"We need to come in from two different fronts," Louis said. "Maybe one team to the front of the building and one to the back."
That sounded about right. "Communication links need to stay open, and at the first sign of trouble, give a shout out." He glanced at the two princes. "Can you please stay in the vehicle?"
Quinn nudged him. "That might not be a good idea. The last vehicle blew up."
Damn. Quinn was right.
"If you go in the back, I can follow with them and take them upstairs to that apartment I was in with the kids. We should be safe up there."
Dmitri didn't like it He just didn't think he had a choice. Leaving the princes in the car was not a good idea, but he also didn't want them in the thick of things.
"You do remember that we can fight, right?" Marcus asked.
"I do, sire, but you also need to remember that you and Prince Nikolas are the hope for the future of our tribes. Without you, we don't stand a chance in hell of bringing the tribes into the current century, and a lot of people would pay the price if either of you died."
Marcus gave a curt nod. "I concede your point."
"I know you want to fight, but I'm just asking that you wait until you have to fight before jumping in. At the moment, you have men to fight for you, and we all would gladly do that. Each and every one of us would give our lives without thought to keep either of you alive."
"The devotion of my men is not the problem, Dmitri," Marcus said. "I just hate—"
"Sitting on the sidelines?'
Marcus snickered.
"I know, sire." He did understand it. He'd be spitting nails if he was forced to stay behind, but he was also right. Prince Marcus and Prince Nikolas were vital to the survival of their people. Not only did they lead their own tribes, but they were also both councilmen on their council of elders. They were vital, and that meant no fighting unless forced to.
"You will report to us as soon as you know anything," Marcus said.
It wasn't a question.
"Yes, sir." Dmitri turned to look at his rajaaka. "I'll come for you just as soon as I am able to." He tapped his temple. "Remember that we have this. If you run into any trouble…"
"I know what to do," Quinn replied.
Dmitri knew Quinn did, but he was also pretty sure his idea of what Quinn should do and Quinn's idea were two separate things. "Try to stay out of trouble."
He wanted to stay and protect his mate, but he knew that was impossible. Ultimately, the best way to protect Quinn—and the princes—was to catch whoever was trying to kill them.
Dmitri climbed out of the vehicle and shut the door before turning to look at Louis. "How do you want to do this?"
"I'll take the front, you take the back?"
"Sounds good. I'll take one unit of enforcers with me. If you want to take the other one with you, that will leave us one to stay here with the princes and my rajaaka."
"Man, I wish they'd just go back where it's safe. This is going to give me a stroke."
"Oh, believe me, I know." It wasn't easy being the second-in-command to the prince of a vampire tribe. Sometimes, it felt like raising teenagers.
Dmitri glanced back toward the SUV. "Don't leave the vehicle until I give the all clear. Understand?" he asked Quinn through their bond. "I want to make sure no one is waiting for us at the back of the clinic."
"I'll be waiting," Quinn replied.
"All right," he said to Louis. "Let's go."
He walked over to the lead SUV and climbed into the backseat. "Drive to the back of the clinic. Louis and the other car are going to hit the front."
"And the princes, sir?"
"They are staying behind for now." He didn't want to give out the rest of the plan. He never shared his plans for Prince Marcus unless he was giving an order. It kept the information—and the prince's safety—from falling into the wrong hands.
They drove a couple more blocks before Dmitri recognized where they were. "Take a left at the next corner. It will bring us around to the alley behind the clinic."
Dmitri watched as they turned and the car behind them kept going. When they reached