Page 138 of Massacre Monday
“Mitch McCloud purchased this from the gas station on the corner of Northview and Johnson on August eighth of this year. Video footage is on file if you need it.”
“No, I just wanted confirmation he was the one who sent them. What do I owe you?”
Vanq Wysh Veil, typed in various letters and numbers on screen, is all I know him as. His figure straightens to full height as he backs away one step. “Nothing.”
My brow furrows. “No way. I don’t do this for favors. Tell me how much it costs, and I’ll pay.”
If there was more light, I think I’d see his shoulders shudder with a shake. Like he’s laughing. “Let’s say I owedyouone.”
It doesn’t set right with me and my chest twists into a knot at the thought of not paying a fucking hacker. He’s the best,though. Or so I’ve been told. If I could find something on him, maybe I wouldn’t have to return a future favor.
Vanq… Hmm…
“Valen. Valen Von Dovish. Pippi’s cousin?”
Without acknowledging my statement, he’s already gone between the trees, as if I hadn’t said a word. Like we never met.
Acid fills my stomach when I realize he’s the one who showed Adal and Nico my video of Pen…
If so, we’re definitely not even. Not yet.
TheSigmahouseis aglow with exterior lights when I reach it. Like a gentleman, I knock on the front door, and the house mom answers. “Mr. Cardell… The sisters just adjourned their meeting. Come in.”
As I’m escorted into the small front parlor, she asks, “Are you here for someone in particular?” It amuses me that she’s careful to avoid naming names.
“My appointed, Penelope Freidenberg.”
“Ah. I see. Wait here, please.”
Several of the sisters burst out of the far room’s double doors with laughter and loud conversations as they disperse for the evening. They call out their house motto as they exit. “Sly by your eyes!”
I wander back to the entry and wait for Pen to emerge. Elina doesn’t see me at first, but lifts her eyes without any inflection on her face. Stilling her expression into an icy facade, she turns and heads up the stairs.
Amelia and Pen are the last to leave the room, both gawking over something on Pen’s lapel.
“Cardell!” Pen says with a giant smile on her face. “I told you not to do this!”
I laugh as she gallops toward me and leaps into my arms. “But I love you. And you deserve it,” I say, pressing a kiss on the tip of her nose.
“Nice going, Ryan. Well done telling the senate she earned us points in Massacre Monday. She got an award in front of everyone, and they had to eat their words,” Amelia says. “Sigma’s Savioris back on. Especially if she competes on Thriller Thursday.”
Pen slips down my body and shakes her head rapidly. “Oh no. I’m done with Sanguine House for good.”
My chest surges with pride. Thankgod. There wasno wayI wanted any other fuck to touch her during the event. But if I, as her Viscount, tell her she can’t participate, she has to obey. I just hate to pull that card…
Unless I have to.
We bid Amelia a good night and I glance toward the second story. “Want to fuck in your room, for old time’s sake?”
“No. I’d rather go home.” She narrows her eyes at me. “Why do you have that secretive grin on your face?”
“Oh, no reason. Just figured you’d pick to go to the apartment.”
“What do you have planned?”
“Let’s go,” I say as I grab her hand.
She’s silently nervous during the entire walk to our building, and even when we get inside. After we shed our coats, I dim the lights and put on some soft music through the speakers.
