I found him pacing his room, his phone to his ear and a hard look on his face.

“Unacceptable. No,” he snarled into the phone. “It’s been weeks, and I still don’t have an answer. Get me some information or start looking into funeral arrangements for yourself. Got it?”

I sat in the chair near his bed and watched as he stopped pacing and closed his eyes. He breathed in and out slowly. I knew that look. He was beyond irritated.

“Fine. Do it. Keep looking.” He hung up and focused his green eyes on me.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Fucking people. I gave Wagner a simple task. Get me information on Bianca’s father. Anything. Everything. He’s gotten shit I could’ve gotten on my own. I want to find him for her, but I can’t when I have incompetent fucks like Wagner on the case.”

Wagner was the go-to guy for most information in our world. He did take his sweet ass time with things though, so I could understand Dom’s frustration.

“I also have him looking into stuff on Stefan,” he continued softly.

My heart jumped in my chest.

“I don’t know if he’ll find anything, but I thought it was worth a shot.”

“I appreciate it,” I said, swallowing thickly before I cleared my throat. “Vin is on his way with bumblebee. She wanted apple juice. The commons vending machine was out, so they went across campus to get some.”

“Fuck. I forgot to get her some,” he grumbled, pulling his phone out. He thumbed out a message before stuffing his cell back into his pants and sinking onto his leather chair. He looked so tired.

“Aren’t you sleeping?” I asked, sitting forward in my chair.

He sighed. “Not really. Bianca has been upset with me over Vasiliev. I only started back sleeping in our bed last night. I was on the couch before. Every now and then she gives in and lets me between her legs, but those moments are few and far between. It’s hard for me to sleep without her next to me.” He scoffed and looked at me. “See what I’ve been turned into? Pathetic.”

“It’s not pathetic, man. I was the same way when I was away from her. I get it,” I said.

He yawned and let his head fall back. “And we have the dip tonight.” He sighed.

“We don’t have to go.”

“We’ll go. Make an appearance. Looking forward to sleep will help me get through it,” he said as the door opened and Vin stepped inside with bumblebee.

Dom cracked his eyelids open and watched as she came deeper into the room, her apple juice in hand. I could see the tension in his body. He wanted to go to her but restrained himself.

“How was the meeting?” Vin asked, flopping onto the bed.

“Good. I think it’ll be a great alliance,” Dom said, watching as bumblebee went to their closet and stepped inside. He frowned and cocked his head as she rummaged around in her purse.

It looked to me like she was putting something into her mouth, but I couldn’t be sure. Maybe it was gum. Or maybe I was imagining it. I knew Dom saw it too though because he sat forward, his frown deepening.

She emerged a moment later holding a jean skirt and black top.

“What were you doing in there?” Dom asked as she closed the door.

“Getting my clothes.” She started to walk past him, but he reached out and pulled her onto his lap.

“I’m going to ask you again, and you’d better tell me the truth. What were you doing in there? I saw you put something into your mouth.”

Her hands shook. Vin shot a quick look at me. He’d seen it too.

“Getting my clothes. And a mint. See?” She flashed a white mint in her mouth.

He studied her for a moment. “I’m sorry. Come here.” He dragged his knuckles across her jaw before bringing her forward to meet his lips. He gave her a gentle kiss and released her. “Go. Get dressed. Vin will get you something different to wear.”

“But I like this outfit,” she said, frowning.