Page 20 of Killer Confections
Loxley accepted the offer, wiring the money in full for the store. I stashed it away in the savings account I had opened for her a few years ago, portions of my bounties already stacked in the untouched account. She has no idea she’s set for life.
After the paperwork was handled, I had to make a quick trip to Arkansas. On a mission a month ago, I killed another syndicate member who thought it would be a funny little joke to place a bounty on my head.
Holding sway in an organization of this size means power. People will do anything to get to that power, including setting a hit against you.
I found his house, turned his stove on, and roasted him like a marshmallow. Personally, I like my marshmallows a little crispy, but he was definitely over done.
I had to pay a fine for killing him, since the hit was considered a prank and everyone knew better than to entertain it, but I knew if the information got into the right hands, I would have assassins beating down my door.
Regardless, once I got back, Loxley had already started setting up her bakery. She moved into an apartment, but no eyes had been on her for the move.
I had to do things the old fashioned way, stalking her until I had the apartment building address.
Then I needed her unit number.
That’s when I discovered Charles. His patterns were odd, only coming during the night two days a week. I recognized him from the hit list. He was a lower bounty, someone claiming he wasn’t worth a whole lot dead. I was just going to leave him alone, that is until I saw him and Loxley leaving at the same time one morning.
They chatted casually, like they were acquainted enough to hold conversation. That settled Charles’ fate, and we took him from the club he frequented in Columbus.
I have all the answers I need and Loxley is now underthe syndicate’s direct protection. I already have her security system ready to go.
She’s working late at night to get ready for the grand opening in two days, so I have some time to get everything set up.
“I have another job for you,” I say as Dom pulls up to my house. I had the cottage commissioned the very night my dad died. It has a rustic aesthetic, making it seem like a small farmhouse. It’s one story with small square windows and wooden siding. The porch out front is quaint, a few lanterns lighting the patio furniture.
Truth be told, I’m not used to little homes with more intimate space. Growing up in a massive house like my father’s ensured we all had our alone time when we weren’t training (being tortured). If we were of no use to dad, he didn’t want to see us.
But Loxley wouldn’t like a big house. She had shown me images of small cottages she loved on the library’s computers during one of our many study halls. She enjoyed the cozy feeling of a close knit family. She wanted something that felt like a home since she bounced around a lot as a kid.
And I didn’t want alone time from her. The small space is a change, but a welcome one. Watching her get cozy in the reading nook with a book from the library I stocked for her is becoming a daydream I live in. Walking into the wide counter topped kitchen to see all of her recipes, whisks, baking trays, and flour overcrowding the surfaces as she tests new recipes is a vision. I would sit down at the bar, letting her talk endlessly about her new dessert as she used me as her test subject.
She really has a talent.
While attempting to get Sweet Haven, her bakery, up and running, I was one of her biggest supporters. She had no idea she was selling to me, but I would order regularly. She did most of her work through her social media, so she had a select few baked goods that could be overnighted.
I would order dozens of cookies and some little cakescalled Petit Fours—the best fucking cookies and cakes I’ve ever had. I would bring them to Dale’s, one assassin on the compound that erected a bar in his backyard, and give them out for everyone to try. A few people on the compound started ordering from her regularly, boosting her sales almost overnight. I never disclosed who Loxley was to me, but everyone had their suspicions.
Dom groans, “What now? Am I ever going to sleep tonight?”
I laugh, opening my door and showing him my phone. “Just go to this address and watch over the woman in the store. You don’t have to go in, but I’ll text you when I’m done setting up her security system.”
His head rears as he stares at my phone. “This woman is really doing a number on you. Who are you and what have you done with Atlas?”
I smirk, “What can I say? I’m a changed man now that she’s back.”
He deadpans, “Sure you are. Are you trying to convince yourself or her?”
He taps the address into his gps and I get out of the car, leaning down so he can see me in the window. “If you tell her anything, I’ll kill you.” I threaten with a smile.
He gives me a blank expression. “Hurry the fuck up. I’m starting to see double.”
I tap the hood of his car, watching as he peels out of the driveway.
I walk up the steps of my porch, opening the front door as I lumber straight to the bedroom. The security system is laid out on the bed, just like Connor promised, ready to be assembled and linked to my phone.
I snatch it up before grabbing the key to my bike and the black balaclava off my dresser.
After so many years, it’s easy to forget the promises made long ago. Loxley has lived her life to the fullest, going to college, traveling, and even dating. The dating never reallybothered me, because in the end, I knew her little flings wouldn’t outlast me.
