Page 20 of Reaper Flame

“It’s an open bar, right?” I asked Zander. “Where are the drinks?”

Zander didn’t answer and hailed over a server. Had he seriously called someone over because he didn’t want to address me himself? It seemed like having staff was the only thing he wanted to keep from his father’s old system. Zander’s ego was like a fucking goldfish, and the manor was giving it room to grow.

“How can I help you, miss?” the server asked.

“Where are the fucking drinks?” I spat, feeling my anger rise.

“Enjoy your evening, Hiram,” Zander said, continuing to ignore me. He’d never been great at customer service, but this was an all time low. “I’m sure we’ll see each other soon.”

“I’ll show you to the bar,” the server said. “Would you three like to follow me?”

I wasn’t interested in having a drink, but I followed the server. I’d seek Zander out again when I was away from Hiram’s scrutiny. We went into the old library. Bookshelves still lined the walls, but they’d turned the room into a private bar, which looked like an exclusive member’s club. The bar at the back was better stocked than the one in Lapland. Plush seats and comfy sofas gave it a cozy feel, and they even had a foosball table. It was easy to imagine the Sevens kicking back in here, joking and making toasts about how easy it was to screw me over.

In the corner of the room, I spotted Mieko standing alone. She kept glancing in my direction, then looking away. As Hiram continued to chastise Giles for losing control, I caught her eye. Mieko nudged her head in the direction of the next room and walked out.

Could she really be beckoning me over, or was this another ruse so Vixen could finish what she started?

“If you’ll excuse me,” I said. Either way, I wanted to find out. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

Hiram’s brow furrowed, but I was already heading out before he could question me. I may be walking into a trap, but it was worth it to speak to Mieko. Even if it was just to say goodbye...

* * *

As soon as I entered the next room, Mieko threw her arms around my neck. Her sudden outburst of affection was unexpected and stunned me to the spot.

“Candy!” She squeezed me tightly. “I’ve missed you.”

I pulled away and did a quick scan of the space to see if Vixen was about to taser me.

“I’m sorry about what happened at the chapel,” Mieko continued. Her eyes were swimming with tears, but she blinked them away. “I tried to talk Vix out of it. I said to her that there must be more to it. That you wouldn’t do what they said you did.”

“You’re wrong,” I said bluntly. “I did it, Mieko. I killed him. I fucking shot him, okay? There’s no more to say.”

“But you loved him. I know you did,” she said, her voice softened. “Why did you do it, Candy?”

There were many things I could say. Many things Iwantedto say. I did it to protect him. I wanted to make sure that he went on living and didn’t die because of me. Instead, I told her what I wanted everyone to believe. The truth changed nothing. Mieko wanted to believe the best in people, but it was too dangerous for her to see any good in me. Everyone who did ended up dead. Look at what happened to Crystal and Rocky. It was better for Mieko to be scared and hate me like the others.

“I shot him because he was in my way,” I said. “I’m not who you think I am. Vixen was right about everything. You should go before she finds out you’re speaking to me. It’s not safe.”

I’d already messed up Vixen’s life by killing her best friend. I didn’t want to get in the middle of her relationship and screw that up, too.

Mieko looked around to check no one else was in earshot and whispered, “There’s something you need to know—”

“Care to introduce me to your friend, Kitty?” Hiram’s voice behind us made me jump.

He looked at Mieko like he was sizing her up for a meal. I recognized that look. I saw it on the night he met me.

Think fast, Candy.

“She’s no one,” I said dismissively. “Just another whore from Zander’s club.”

This was for her own good.

“Don’t be unkind, Kitty,” Hiram purred in his most charming voice. He knew something was off. “Why don’t you introduce us?”

“She’s just leaving,” I said, shooting Mieko my scary ‘don’t you dare fucking argue’ look. “Weren’t you?”

“Actually, I wasn’t,” Mieko said, not moving an inch. Did she have a suicide wish? Mieko knew about my past and what Hiram was capable of. What the fuck was she thinking? “I’m Mieko.”

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