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Revealed
Revealed
Revealed
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Revealed

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FROM EXCITING ROMANCE AUTHOR ZOE ALLISON

The sequel to Impervious

Valentino has a secret—but he's not the only one.

Valentino Bianco is the leader of a covert league named The Organization. Made up of benevolent vampires, its objective is to thwart and destroy the malevolent of their kind and protect humanity. Operating under the anonymous guise of Mr. X, Valentino's identity as leader is shrouded in secrecy, as is the very existence of vampires.

Victoria Black has her own secrets, one of which is that she's in love with Valentino. However, that isn't the only matter she must keep from him at all costs.

Valentino and Victoria, along with their allies, must investigate a devastating malevolent campaign that is destroying humankind on a massive scale. But can they unravel the mystery of who is behind it in time to prevent the fall of both humanity and The Organization? And in the end, will all the secrets be revealed?

LanguageEnglish
Release dateJun 22, 2021
ISBN9781839435157
Revealed

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    Revealed - Zoe Allison

    Totally Bound Publishing books by Zoe Allison

    Single Books

    Impervious

    Collections

    Love’s Bloom: Second Chance at First Love

    Sun, Sea and…: Sun, Sea and Summer Vibes

    REVEALED

    ZOE ALLISON

    Revealed

    ISBN # 978-1-83943-515-7

    ©Copyright Zoe Allison 2021

    Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright June 2021

    Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

    Totally Bound Publishing

    This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

    Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

    The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

    Published in 2021 by Totally Bound Publishing, United Kingdom.

    No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

    Totally Bound Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

    If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

    Valentino has a secret—but he’s not the only one.

    Valentino Bianco is the leader of a covert league named The Organization. Made up of benevolent vampires, its objective is to thwart and destroy the malevolent of their kind and protect humanity. Operating under the anonymous guise of Mr. X, Valentino’s identity as leader is shrouded in secrecy, as is the very existence of vampires.

    Victoria Black has her own secrets, one of which is that she’s in love with Valentino. However, that isn’t the only matter she must keep from him at all costs.

    Valentino and Victoria, along with their allies, must investigate a devastating malevolent campaign that is destroying humankind on a massive scale. But can they unravel the mystery of who is behind it in time to prevent the fall of both humanity and The Organization? And in the end, will all the secrets be revealed?

    Acknowledgements

    Thank you to my brilliant husband Mark and my trusty beta reader Natalie, to Ruth Long for her advice on this novel as well as Impervious via the RNA New Writers’ Scheme, and thanks to Simon for teaching me the theory of hacking.

    Trademark Acknowledgements

    The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

    James Bond: Ian Fleming

    Carmen: Georges Bizet

    Botox: Allergan Inc.

    Chapter One

    Valentino studied the data that Priyanka was displaying on the virtual screen.

    We now have the last of Glassmarsh’s allies in custody, she said, as a list of names accompanied by pictures flashed up. But none of them has yielded any information regarding the background of his sibling.

    Therefore, Vale said, we are no further forward than when we captured him over ten years ago. The only advance is that we now know he is Glassmarsh’s brother.

    Correct, Priyanka said.

    Victoria examined the details. We don’t know where they came from?

    No, Priyanka confirmed.

    How can we find out, Victoria asked, if none of these guys knew anything?

    The three sat in silence for a moment. Vale stole a glance at Vic as she frowned and bit her lower lip. Her blue-green gaze seemed troubled. Priyanka tapped the keyboard and the screen changed to display intelligence from other agencies around the world. We need to cast the net back out again, she said.

    The door opened and Lorenzo entered, followed by Gareth.

    Lorenzo took his place next to Priyanka, leaning across the table to shake Vic’s hand. Hi, we’ve not met in person yet. I’m Lorenzo, Priyanka’s deputy.

    Vic smiled. Great to meet you. Victoria Black.

    Lorenzo smiled back. I know. We’ve been very impressed with your work on this case so far.

    Vic flushed. Gareth approached her from the other side and kissed her cheek as he sat next to her. Vale blinked and looked away.

    Priyanka frowned, glancing at Gareth and Vic as she moved some images around on the screen. We’re checking to see if there’s anything here that could help us.

    Vale scanned the information, but it all pertained to human issues…mainly the latest spate of terrorist attacks that were sweeping Europe. He read through the details of the most recent bombing, in Berlin. Why do humans do it to each other? Their life spans were short enough without these atrocities.

    There were no particulars that might aid them in their own cause, however.

    What’s that? Vic asked.

    What’s what? Vale said. I cannot see anything here that would help us.

    No, she said. It’s not something I see. It’s something I hear…outside.

    Vale tuned into his sensitive vampire hearing, detecting a subtle noise. He pressed a button on the desk and the tint of the glass wall morphed from opaque to transparent. He moved over to the window. The noise was a low-pitched rumbling, too low for the human ear to pick up. It was coming from the tallest building in London.

    What’s happening at The Shard? Lorenzo said. He typed a few things into the keyboard but nothing of value appeared on the screen.

    Vale peered more closely, trying to zoom in on any slight giveaway as to the source of the noise.

    Just then, a boom emitted from The Shard, loud enough this time for the human ear to detect. Shattering glass sprayed out from the top floors. Everyone froze for a split second. Vale looked at Vic and the two of them broke into a sprint toward the stairs, Priyanka, Lorenzo and Gareth hot on their heels. Within seconds, they’d made it to the lobby of HQ.

    Get to the main entrance of The Shard, Vale told them. We can sneak in while everyone is running scared, then divide up to search for survivors and pull them out.

    They ran onto the sidewalk and toward the damaged building. The panic on the street was palpable as people ran past them in the opposite direction. No wonder they call it terrorism.

    It didn’t take long to get there. They couldn’t go flat out and alert the public to their superhuman speed, but they could go faster than usual because the petrified humans were too focused on escaping danger to realize the velocity of their group.

    They entered the building. Something didn’t sit right with Vale. Why is no one exiting? he asked the others. This lobby is deserted and there was no one coming out of the main doors.

    There were a lot of people on the street running away, Vic said. Maybe whoever could get away is out already?

    He shook his head. They didn’t look as if they had come out of the building—more like passers-by on the street who were fleeing.

    Let’s stick with Vale’s plan, Lorenzo said, determination in his dark eyes. Divide and conquer.

    The others made noises of agreement.

    Vale adjusted his earpiece. They all carried them to stay in contact during such situations. Take a section each and start searching.

    Priyanka gestured to the rear of the lobby. Use the stairs, because the elevators will be out of commission.

    Gareth smiled. We’re faster than the elevators anyway.

    Priyanka glanced at him and he gave her a wink.

    Fall out, Vale said. I will take the top.

    They entered the stairs and Vale streaked ahead, arriving on the highest habitable floor within seconds. A smoky atmosphere greeted him, but it impaired neither his enhanced vision nor his breathing. He listened for the sound of injured humans but could only hear silence, and it increased his unease.

    He walked into one of the bars and scanned the room. Bodies were apparent, lying on the floor and the chairs, yet none of them made a sound or any movements. The blast cannot have immediately killed everybody in here. Someone must still be alive.

    Vale checked the lifeless form of the nearest person. Nothing…and not the next. He rubbed his forehead as he scanned the area and something occurred to him. None of these people had a mark on them. For all intents and purposes, they appeared to be sleeping. A gut feeling told him to check their necks. As he moved the nearest person’s head to the side, two small puncture wounds on the neckline became apparent—very neat, with no laceration of the flesh.

    His insides turned to ice. Guys, he said, speaking to the others via their earpieces.

    I know, came Vic’s reply. I see it too.

    So do I, Priyanka said. This is the work of the malevolent.

    Everyone, Lorenzo said. "They’re all drained. But how?"

    Vale exited the bar. So what was the meaning of the explosion?

    A cover-up, Gareth said.

    But it isn’t covered up, Priyanka replied. The authorities will find these bodies once the search and rescue get here, which could be any minute.

    The true meaning behind it hit Vale, just as another rumbling started deep below them. Get out! he said. The building is coming down!

    He dashed to the stairs and joined the group zipping down and out onto the street, where they accelerated into a sprint. Another huge explosion ripped through the building as they traveled flat-out along the road, a huge cloud of dust and debris overtaking them.

    Chapter Two

    Valentino brushed off his clothing while Priyanka moved various pieces of information around on the virtual screen. They had managed to outrun the worst of the falling debris to reach their HQ. Getting caught in the rubble would have led to trouble, with questions being asked when they climbed out unscathed. The existence of their subspecies was the biggest secret in human history.

    Vic was staring out of the window toward the dust cloud that had once been the tallest building in London, her face twisted into a pained expression. Vale walked over and lifted his hand to a piece of debris in her blonde ponytail. She startled out of her seemingly uncomfortable rumination to look at him.

    Are you all right? Vale asked.

    Vic glanced at his hand as he trailed the scrap of rubble out of her hair. Yeah, she said, I’m okay. She shifted her gaze away from him and back out of the window.

    Vale frowned. It was and had been a traumatic experience but they had witnessed equally disturbing events in their time, so he wasn’t sure why she was uncharacteristically subdued. He wanted to ask what was really wrong but was interrupted by Priyanka.

    Vale, come see this.

    He took another glance at Vic, who remained in her pensive stance, then reluctantly moved away to go over to the screen by Priyanka and Lorenzo. As Vale reached the others, Gareth walked over to Vic and put his arm around her shoulders. Vale frowned and turned to look at the data.

    Look… Priyanka told him.

    Vale read through the information regarding the terror attack in Berlin. It described an initial smaller explosion sending everyone in the vicinity running, before a larger, more destructive detonation brought the building down. The events sounded identical.

    Do you think that was also them? Lorenzo asked Priyanka.

    Yes, she said. And here. She pointed to recent events in Lisbon. Here and here, indicating Rome and Monaco.

    Vale rubbed the back of his neck. The scale is getting larger.

    Priyanka fired him a grave look.

    Vic and Gareth appeared at Vale’s side.

    The same person did all this? Vic asked.

    Priyanka magnified some of the details on the screen. I think ‘people’, rather than ‘person’.

    Gareth shook his head, a shock of dark hair falling nearly to his eye. The malevolent work alone.

    Vale folded his arms. Not anymore.

    Vic massaged her temples. That was different. Glassmarsh was the first and only one to do that.

    Vale blew his breath out through pursed lips. Times are changing, it seems.

    Priyanka nodded. This cannot be the work of a single malevolent. One vampire isn’t fast enough to drain a whole building full of people within minutes.

    Vale stared into the middle distance. A group of malevolents working together hadn’t been seen until Glassmarsh. Now we are seeking his sibling, and this is the breaking news…

    Vic frowned. You think the person behind it is the Glassmarsh sibling?

    Don’t you? he asked, bringing his gaze back onto her.

    Vic didn’t reply.

    Lorenzo brought up a picture of Glassmarsh alongside a grainy picture of a wizened man with long gray hair, which flowed into his beard. This is the only photo we have of the sibling. It was taken over a decade ago, when he was captured for that short period prior to Angelique liberating him.

    There’s not much similarity, Vic said, quietly.

    I think only because of age, Vale said. The sibling had let himself advance to an ancient level then kept himself static with blood. Glassmarsh was biologically in his fifties when he died.

    Vic stayed silent.

    Vale studied her, wondering what her aversion was to the seemingly clear link between the current atrocities and the Glassmarsh sibling. You don’t believe that they are even siblings? Glassmarsh already told us as much.

    "Like we can trust anything he said, Vic replied. She shook her head. But I’m not denying that part. I’m sure they are brothers."

    Vale examined her demeanor. She was contradicting herself and still wasn’t projecting her usual outgoing persona.

    Sometimes, Vic said, I feel like it was almost a shame that Hayden killed Angelique. She freed the Glassmarsh sibling and so might have had some knowledge of his activities. We really could do with pumping her for information right now.

    An icy grip seized Valentino’s chest. She would not have been inclined to tell us anything anyway.

    Perhaps not, Vic said. But maybe we could have made it look like it was in her best interests.

    Vale felt keen to change the subject. Luckily, Priyanka did it for him. This should be our next move, she said.

    Images of the recently destroyed building in Berlin were on the screen.

    Go to Berlin? Gareth said.

    Yes, Priyanka replied. It was the most recent site before London. We need to confirm similarities. I’ll okay it with Mr. X. She glanced at Vale imperceptibly.

    Vale met her eyes through the virtual screen as he flicked through the images. I will go.

    You’ll need a partner, Priyanka said. I’ll assign Vic to help you.

    Vale looked at her. A smile was playing at the corner of her mouth. What was she up to?

    He shifted his gaze toward Vic, who still seemed distracted. Vic? he said.

    She seemed to snap out of her ruminative state. Yeah, she said, brightly. Awesome idea. I’ll tag along with Vale.

    Are you sure? he asked, studying her expression.

    Of course, she said quickly. Then she winked at him, seeming more like herself. I’m your woman.

    Something about that statement caused his heart rate to spike. Just then, a video call came up on the virtual screen and Priyanka answered it.

    Prime Minister, Priyanka said.

    Good morning, the PM replied. Though I have to say it’s far from good so far. Apologies that I’m later than expected. The events of this morning have overtaken matters and I’ll have to be brief.

    No problem, Priyanka said. We have a lead. We’re planning to investigate both the London and Berlin bombings.

    Oh? the PM raised her eyebrow. Isn’t that a human matter?

    We aren’t so sure, Priyanka replied.

    Very well, the PM said. I trust Mr. X’s judgment. Keep us updated.

    Priyanka signed off.

    Lorenzo turned to Priyanka. I’ll speak to Catarina in European Liaison and get Vale and Vic identities on the forensic team in Berlin. When do you need them by?

    ASAP, Priyanka said.

    No problem, Lorenzo replied.

    Okay, Priyanka said to Vale and Vic. Go get your stuff packed. We’re getting you out on the next flight to Berlin.

    Vic gave her a thumbs up and picked up her bag, heading for the door, followed by Lorenzo and Gareth.

    Priyanka glanced at Vale. Aren’t you going to get ready?

    He raised his eyebrows. I would like a word with you first. He shut the door.

    Oh? she said, flicking her black hair over her shoulder.

    He took a seat. Do not act all innocent with me. He pointed to the seat next to him.

    She shrugged and sat down. I don’t know what you mean.

    Yes, you do, he said. You volunteered Vic to go with me on purpose.

    She frowned. What’s wrong with that? In any case, if you didn’t like it, you could’ve just said no.

    He shook his head. "Not in front of everyone. They think you’re my boss, not the other way around."

    She raised her eyebrow. Maybe you should just tell Vic the truth.

    Vale sighed. Why do you keep trying to convince me to tell her? You have never previously spoken of anyone else knowing.

    Priyanka looked at him, a serious tone to her dark eyes. That’s because you were never withholding it from so many people that you cared about before.

    He frowned. You mean Amber and Hayden?

    She held his gaze. In the past, it was only one or the other of them, not both. She raised her eyebrows. And now it’s not just them.

    Vale couldn’t understand what she meant. Amber and Hayden were his family, and he loved them dearly. He had known Hayden since he had been a child and was like a brother to him. Amber he had taken under his wing as a surrogate sister a decade previously, watching out for her as the only human being on their team. He cared deeply for the others in The Organization too—of course he did. He had responsibility for them. But it wasn’t the same thing. Who else are you referring to? he asked.

    She hesitated. I think you know.

    The penny dropped. Victoria?

    Yes, she said.

    He shook his head. She and I have worked well together tracking down the last of Glassmarsh’s recruits. We have a good professional relationship, but that is all.

    Priyanka raised her eyebrows, her lips pursed.

    Anyway, he continued. The identity of Mr. X has always rested only with the deputy. We have to keep with tradition.

    But you’ve already broken tradition, she said. The role of Mr. X was a desk job until you took over. You’ve remained out in the field, Vale. That was unprecedented, though I have to admit it’s been the perfect cover. No one here would suspect an operative as being in the role.

    He leaned back in his seat to study her. I had my reasons for doing it this way.

    Because you wanted to keep working alongside Hayden, she said. But you stayed out after he’d gone.

    Vale gazed at the wall. I needed the distraction.

    And now? She stared at him. Why do you need the distraction now that he’s back?

    He opened his mouth to give her an answer and realized that he didn’t have one. He didn’t know why. He cleared his throat. In any case, he said, relationships between operatives have been deemed inappropriate.

    Priyanka gave him a hard stare. "A rule that you made up. Ergo, a rule that you can break."

    He met her gaze. A rule that I created to protect myself, so maybe I do not want to break it.

    She gave him a gentle smile. We’ve been friends as well as colleagues for a long time. I just want to see you happy. You seemed lost for so many years.

    He reached over and squeezed her hand. "I am fine now. I have my brother back, and he and Amber are very happy. That makes me happy."

    She shook her head and sighed. You and I both know that isn’t the same thing.

    * * * *

    Vale went into his wardrobe and pulled out a compact wheel-along suitcase. His basic overnight items were already in there because he liked to have things on standby in the event of a hurried departure. He only needed to add a few clothes into the mix.

    Just as he was selecting garments and laying them on the bed, his phone rang. He lifted it from the bedside. Amber’s name was on the screen. He smiled. "Sorella."

    Hey, Vale. Her bright smile flashed into view. How’s it going? The boss not working you too hard?

    I like hard work, he said, still smiling.

    She rolled her eyes. All work and no play makes Vale a dull boy.

    He propped the phone up on the bedside table. So you are saying now that I am dull, are you? He started folding his clothes into his case.

    She’d smiled and opened her mouth to answer, when a dark-haired man nudged her out of the way to interrupt. His blue eyes sparkled. Nope, Hayden said. She’s saying that you’ve always been dull, bro.

    Vale laughed. I thought you would be sticking up for me. You are supposed to be my best friend.

    "I am, Hayden said. She’s the one saying it, not me."

    Amber playfully pushed Hayden back out of shot. Seriously though, Vale, you need to chill. Even the way you pack that suitcase is unbelievably uptight.

    Vale zipped the case. "My being neat and orderly has kept me in good stead so far in life, sorella."

    Ugh, she said, gesturing to Hayden off screen. "You tell him."

    Hayden appeared in the frame next to Amber and the camera turned from her to him. Bud, we wanted to know if you could take a break? Come out to meet us?

    Vale hesitated, taken off guard by that request. Meet you? Where?

    We’re in the North of Scotland. We think you’d love it here.

    Vale briefly considered what it would feel like to uncharacteristically drop everything—to be selfish, to run away and see his family and sights that had eluded him so far in life due to his unwavering commitment to his job.

    He shook his head. No, he shouldn’t even contemplate that. There was too much to be done, too much at stake.

    Hayden visibly registered the shake of his head. C’mon, Vale. You need some time away. Priyanka can clear it with Mr. X.

    Vale snapped his eyes up to meet Hayden’s on the screen. No, he said. Priyanka has enough on her plate. And Mr. X needs me to complete the mission.

    Lorenzo can help her, Hayden said. He’s the third-in-command, after all. And he’s in a much better mood nowadays. He must have finally gotten over you being offered the role of deputy over him and Priyanka being given it when you turned it down.

    "I am still needed, though, Vale said, the weight of his secret playing on his mind. He might have turned down the deputy’s role, but then he had secretly been given the boss’ job. Though it is much easier as a team now. I think the issues we had with Glassmarsh’s infiltration of The Organization and the subsequent investigation of all remaining agents brought everyone closer together, including Lorenzo."

    Hayden’s expression visibly deflated as he clearly realized Vale wasn’t going for his plan. He let out a sigh. Where’re you going?

    Berlin.

    Alone?

    Vale shook his head again.

    Hayden raised his eyebrow. Is Vic going with you?

    Yes, Vale said. How did you know?

    Hayden smiled. You work well together.

    Vale rolled his eyes. You sound like Priyanka.

    Hayden shrugged. It’s true. You’re a good match.

    I assume you mean professionally, Vale said.

    Yeah, Hayden told him, grinning. Of course, that’s what I mean.

    Vale laughed. Okay. Well, I have a flight to catch, so I will need to call you again later.

    Amber squeezed into the frame next to Hayden. Phone us when you get back. As soon as this job is finished, you’re coming out here.

    Vale didn’t have the will to argue just now. We can speak about it once it is over.

    Good. Amber said.

    Vale didn’t want to volunteer that the mission was becoming more complicated and therefore was nowhere near completion. He would tell them later, once he knew what they were dealing with. Speak soon.

    They both waved as they signed off.

    Vale stood and grabbed the handle of his suitcase, lifting it off the bed and surveying the room for neglected items—not that he had forgotten anything in his life before. There is nothing wrong with being organized.

    * * * *

    Vale sat at the gate, checking his watch. Vic wasn’t late, but he was so early that he felt as if he’d been waiting an eternity for her. He’d noticed that she always showed up at that last moment, the one that meant she was just in time for things but without being tardy.

    His phone rang and he answered it. Catarina, the head of European Liaison, came on screen. She pushed her glasses up her nose and peered at him with her dark eyes. Vale.

    He smiled. Afternoon.

    I have the identities ready for you, she said. The driver in Berlin will hand you a manila envelope containing lanyards with photo IDs. Lorenzo will message you documents containing the backgrounds of your personas.

    Thank you, Vale said.

    We’ll see you when you get back. Good luck, she said brusquely, and signed off.

    Vale shrugged and placed the phone in his pocket.

    The announcement came for business class passengers to board the flight. Right on cue, Victoria came striding toward him across the departure lounge. Her hair was

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