Page 46 of Queen of The Reapers
“Change of plans.” Dimitri offers back.
“Fine.” The man says, running his hand down his face. “But I want the blackmailing to stop. I’ve done enough favors for you, Evanoff. I'm done being your puppet.”
Dimitri flashes the man a smile that's anything but friendly, and slowly shakes his head. “Poor Robert. You're done when I say you're done. Now please, kindly escort me and my lovely guest inside.”
He said please, but there was no hint of politeness in his tone. It's a demand laced with a threat. The man clenches his jaw and steps aside to allow the two of us entry. After unlocking a metal gate and sliding it aside, he leads us down a narrow corridor lined with pale blue walls and dark gray floors. The space smells of potent chemical cleaner and something else that I can't quite place. Something putrid that makes my skin crawl.
“You'll have 10 minutes with her, tops.” The officer growls as he unlocks another gate. “I’ve sent the guard on duty out on an errand. Make your questions quick and don't leave any evidence that you were here.”
“Thank you kindly, Sheriff.” Dimitri says, giving him a mocking salute.
“Yeah.” The man scoffs, pocketing his keys as he turns to leave. “You know, The Reapers and I have always been on opposite sides of the law. They corrupt my men, and I arrest theirs. But they’ve never once stooped as low as you have. You're threatening my family. My life. And some wrongs can never be made right.”
“Is that a threat, Sheriff Winston?” Dimitri asks, sounding way more delighted than he should.
“Just an observation, kid. I've been in the underbelly of this city for a long time and I've learned a few things. All things must learn to co-exist if they want to survive.”
“Survival is for the weak.” Dimitri retorts, sliding the door open and gesturing for me to enter. “Time is ticking. Why don't you go make yourself useful and grab the girl?”
The Sheriff glares at Dimitri for a few seconds, as if debating on whether or not to say more. Deciding that the conversation is done, he sets off to go retrieve Jessie.
After he leaves, Dimitri and I take our seats on one side of the metal table, leaving a single chair for Jessie on the other.
“I thought you said he was a friend.” I say, glaring at Dimitri.
“There are no real friends in this world, Kroshka, only tools. Pliable & resourceful, designed to make our lives easier. But ultimately, you can't trust them. They'll break in the end. They always do.”
“Nice outlook.”
“And yours is much better?” He retorts. “Remind me, why didn't you want to loop your men in on what we're doing right now?”
“That's different.” I say, shaking my head. “My sister is in danger.”
“But you're close to them, are you not? Sounds like two sides of the same coin to me.”
I narrow my eyes at him as a smug smirk forms on his face.
“You know what?” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “You can leave. I’m in the building, and I definitely no longer need your help.”
Dimitri laughs at the obvious annoyance in my tone. “Add miss all the action? Never.”
“Fine. Then can you just stay quiet? I need to think about what I'm going to ask her and your constant babbling isn't helping.”
Dimitri pretends to zip his lips shut and I let out a shaky breath. I don't have time to think about the repercussions of this visit, or what it could mean for my relationship with The Reapers. This isn’t an about them, it's about Alex and if talking to Jessie can help me find my sister, I'm going to fucking do it whether they like it or not.
Nineteen
I hearthe sound of approaching footsteps and my stomach dips.This is it.I'm coming face-to-face with the woman who nearly killed me and could be the one responsible for taking my sister. I flick my eyes up as she enters the room and see her mood shift the second she locks eyes with me.
“What the fuck is this?” She asks, glaring back at the sheriff who ushered her in.
“These two have a few questions for you.” He says, shoving her forward. “Don’t do anything stupid, and you’ll go back to your cell in one piece.” With that, the sheriff backs out of the room and shuts the door behind him.
Jessie stands in the corner of the room and stares at us. Her eyes flick from me to Dimitri, then back to me.
“My, my, my…” She says, slowly shaking her head. “Look who we have here. What an unexpected pairing.”
“Sit.” I order, glaring at her as I gesture to the empty chair. Time is of the essence, and I refuse to waste any of it playing into her mind games. She isn't the one in control here. I am.
