Page 24 of Killer Confections
I sigh, not even worrying about the lights, as I toss my bag down on my kitchen counter top and grab a bottle of water from my fridge. I toss my head back, take a long sip, and notice something in my peripheral. A flicker of red light—it’s quick and I think I’ve imagined it as I turn to face the baby blue cookie tins I have lined along the back corner of my countertop.
I squint, willing the light to show itself. Then, I realize how crazy I sound and shake my head.
I’m definitely sleep deprived.
Spending the last few days working late into the night by myself has the no sleep catching up to me. I have staff, three full-time bakers and two part-time student hires who need the credits, but I choose to stay late. Something about working overtime for myself makes me feel a whole new level of accomplishment.
I’m overjoyed for what I’ve achieved in such a short time, but there’s always that nagging feeling…
Wouldn’t this be better if I could share it with someone?
I know the answer, but don’t indulge it. I retire to my room, taking a quick shower before falling into bed and tossing and turning for most of the night. The sounds of Columbus traffic filters in through my window, but that’s not the reason I can’t sleep.
In the early morning hours, just when my eyes grow too heavy, I swear I hear a low beep echo from my living room. I write it off as my imagination before falling into a deep sleep.
Chapter Ten
Atlas
“Come on!” Thalia shouts at the TV screen situated over the bar with the kill catalog displayed. She pounds her fists on the table, rattling my beer. “Give me a big fat fucking CEO!”
I ignore her, watching my phone intently as Loxley gets home from work, kicking off her shoes before pulling the ingredients out of the fridge to cook with. She looks worn out from her day, puttering around her unit as she clutters the counters.
The kill catalog finally updates, throwing a few new names with pictures at the top of the list. Their bounties are displayed beside them, giving anyone the option to grab it.
“Calum Calaway?” My sister’s mouth drops in excited shock as she stares at the highest hit. Calaway is a CEO for some major medical industry that often refuses medicaid. He’s a fucking leech and knows it. It was only a matter of time before the syndicate finally got him.
Thalia smiles widely, her eyes glinting with murderous glee. “I’m going to wear his skin as a fucking suit!”
Rowan’s lips downturn at our sister’s proclamation. “That’s disgusting.”
She shrugs before tossing her whisky back. “You’re just boring. When’s the last time you had an interesting kill?”
My brother grunts, swirling the warm beer he’s been nursing. He usually isn’t one to come to Dale’s. Since dad basically beat what little happiness my normally sunny brother had out of him after discovering his girlfriend in highschool, Rowan has become the most organized and structural person I know.
Whatever dad did to him the following weeks after he found out about Harley, it changed my brother. He was basically restructured from the inside out, turning into the hardened no-nonsense guy he is now.
“This is a job, Thalia,” Rowan scolds. “It isn’t meant to be interesting.”
She rolls her eyes, “You never see blood during your kills, Row. That’s like the most heinous shit ever. The blood makes a kill a kill.”
He crosses his arms, giving our sister a pointed look. “I’m sorry if I don’t fantasize of bathing in the blood of my enemies, but I treat a job how it’s intended. That’s why I have the highest kill count for the third month in a row.”
Thalia smirks, “Oh, that’s right! Golden boy gets the medals for being perfect. Learn to live a little, will you?”
He huffs, ignoring her as he looks over at my phone. “What the fuck are you doing?”
I turn the screen away from him before it’s snatched from my hand.
“She’s pretty!” Thalia beams at the feed before I grab it from her. “Is she my future sister-in-law?”
“What?” Rowan frowns, leaning towards me again. His brows go up when he sees Loxley on the screen. “No, Atlas,” he shakes his head, reaching for the device. I hold it above my head. “You’re fucking stalking her? Give me that!”
“Relax,” I sneer, pushing his outstretched hand away. “This is just surveillance. I’m making sure she’s safe.”
“Uh huh,” Thalia backs me up with a smile. “Safe from any threats. He’s being a good husband.”
Rowan looks between us, “Heisa threat and they aren’t married.”
