Page 25 of Queen of The Reapers
“We said, ‘everybody out’.” Cyrus hisses through gritted teeth. “That includes you.”
The words are friendly, but the way he delivers them is anything but. He gives Dimitri a hard glare, but the stubborn asshole just looks back at Cyrus with bored disinterest.
Instead of being thrown off by Dimitri’s blatant disrespect, Cyrus shakes his head and smirks, almost as if he was hoping for that reaction all along. Cyrus advances towards him. His movements are predatory and his gaze is cold, like a hunter who’s about to corner his prey after a long chase.
I see a challenge in Dimitri’s eyes as he stares back at him. Like he’s just begging him to come closer. There’s so much more to The Reapers’ relationship with Dimitri than I thought. The tension between these two alone is staggering. I have no doubt in my mind that they’d kill each other if we let them. But before it can escalate any further, Tristan places a hand on his twin’s shoulder and stops him in his tracks.
“It’s a private f… family meeting.” Tristan offers, staring at Dimitri with a stiff smile. “You understand.”
Dimitri nods his head with a small chuckle and sets his empty glass on the bar top.
“Of course.” He says, turning his large body towards the exit. “Gentlemen, it’s been fun and Kroshka,” he pauses, looking at me in a way that is anything but friendly, “I hope you have very sweet dreams tonight.”
I really fucking hate that guy.
After brushing off Dimitri’s useless distraction, the three of us bolt for Atlas’ office and find the door locked. Tristan tries to knock, but when we don’t get an immediate answer, the twins decide to kick the door in. After about five tries, the door finally flies off of its hinges and the dust clears just in time for us to see Atlas jerk himself awake. Even half awake, his survival instincts kick in. Without hesitating, he pulls out his gun and levels it at us with deadly precision.
“Down boy.” Cyrus says, reaching out to lower Atlas’ gun. “It’s just us.”
“What the hell are you guys doing here?” He asks, rubbing his tired eyes into focus. “I thought we agreed you’d stay with her at the house?”
The twins hesitate, as if deciding how to even begin describing the events of the evening. Hell, it would be hard for anyone to describe that much horror, but we don’t have time to waste. Not when Alex’s life is in jeopardy. So I say the first words that come to my head.
“We have a fucking problem.”
* * *
I reluctantly plopdown into the center of the black chesterfield and cross my arms over my chest. As soon as I explained my thoughts on what we found, Atlas said he needed a second to think. But really, what the hell is there to think about?
Its obvious Melanie took her. She’s the only person on the planet who A. knew about my sister and B. would think I stole from her. Case fucking closed. Unfortunately, it seems as if I’m the only one who’s convinced of her guilt. When Atlas asked, Tristan and Cyrus both hesitated to back my theory, saying we needed to look at every possibility before jumping to conclusions.Fucking cowards.
I shoot a hard glare at the twins, but they’re too busy watching Atlas slowly pace back and forth to notice.
His office smells like him. Like expensive cologne and refined taste. Every detail in the room suits him. The furniture is modern and the walls are decorated tastefully, but what’s even more impressive is the bird's-eye view the office provides. With his two-way mirrored floor, he’s able to see the entire club from this room. No wonder he felt comfortable crashing here. That view, combined with the security teams, and the three deadbolts the twins had to kick-in to get through, would make anyone feel comfortable enough to sleep like a baby.
My exhausted body would love nothing more than to hide in a haven like this. To slow down and rest for just a few minutes. But I can’t, because for every second I sit here, it’s another second Alex could be getting hurt.
“You’re being awfully quiet.” Atlas notes as he takes a seat next to me.
“You guys won’t listen either way.” I mumble, picking at the stray denim strands on my cut-off shorts. “Figured I’d just save my breath.”
“We’re trying.” He responds. “But what you’re suggesting…”
“It doesn’t make sense, P.” Cyrus says flatly.
“Really?” I ask, glaring daggers at the three of them. “It’s never a crime to steal from a thief? Tell me, who else would think I stole from them?”
“Jessie.” Tristan points out, leaning against the desk as he crosses his legs.
The thought of Jessie having something to do with this hadn’t even crossed my mind, but now that he mentions it, she too could’ve done something like this.
“No.” Atlas says with a dismissive wave of his hand. “She’s locked up. Besides, she wouldn’t have the power to orchestrate something this complex.”
“Then if it’s not her, it has to be Melanie.” I say, looking at Atlas with pleading eyes. “She’s the only one who knows about Alex. She thinks I stole you. Taking my sister is her way of getting back at me.”
Atlas’ face contorts into a scowl.
“We still shouldn’t jump to conclusions.” He says, slowly shaking his head. “We did last time, and it almost killed you.”
