Page 88 of Sinner
That wasn’t how the night was meant to go. They were supposed to be hunting him, not the other way around. He had half a mind not to go after him, out of pure spite, but that feeling was fleeting.
He wanted West too badly for that.
Nix followed, but he didn’t have to go very far.
In the dark, gloomy atmosphere of the hallway, he spotted West darting into a room to the right, and Nix rushed in after him.
The door slammed shut behind his back, and he turned, not in any hurry now that they were both here, but the man he found standing there wasn’t the Demon.
“Confused?” Demitrious chuckled as he removed the mask—the one West had most definitely been wearing earlier. Yejun had made them custom, so there was no way it was a copy. “Oh, this? I borrowed it from my son.”
“What did you do? Where’s West?” He’d always known Demitrious didn’t like him, but cornering him in a room like this? He’d obviously meant to lure Nix here, and he couldn’t think of one good reason the older man would have for doing that.
“West is with someone who can manage him. It was either find someone else who could beat some sense into him or kill him. Since murdering my own flesh and blood is a hassle, we’ve both got Beck Bardin to thank for stepping up.”
“Are you saying you sold your son to Beck?” Nix took a threatening step forward. “What kind of father are you?”
“You should be more concerned for yourself.” Demitrious nodded at something over Nix’s shoulder and asked, “Can you handle this? Or will you botch it like last time?”
“I’ve got the situation under control.” Hendrix barely paid Nix any mind when he spun around and saw him there. “Just keep your word.”
Hendrix must have been hiding in the room already.
“Don’t worry.” Demitrious reached for the door. “As long as you complete this task, I’ll make sure to find a way to get you back in the Order.”
“Perfect.” Hendrix pulled a blaster from a hidden holster on his side. “Then consider Phoenix Monroe taken care of.”
Chapter 30:
“Lake.”
At the sound of his name, Lake came to a stop, taking his time to turn toward the man currently heading toward him. “Demitrious. I wasn’t aware you were planning on partaking in the Haunt this year.”
Demitrious flashed him a smile and patted him on the back once he’d reached him. “A night where wronged spirits get their revenge? I wouldn’t miss it.”
Internally, Lake bristled, but outwardly, he gave no reaction.
“What brings you to Hunters Cross?” he asked. There was literally no reason for Demitrious to be here, of all places. Whichmeant he’d come with a purpose. “Who are you looking for? Perhaps I can help you find them.”
“It’s you, actually. I came to clear the air.”
“Oh?” Lake hadn’t bothered to put his mask back on after his time with Nix, so his disbelief was obvious, but Demitrious continued anyway, acting as though he couldn’t tell.
“Yes.” He waved an arm down the hall. “This is the way to Yejun’s studio, isn’t it? Is that where you were heading? How about I come with you, and we can talk?”
Lake considered it, but he couldn’t think of any reason to say no. If Demitrious was up to something, it made more sense to play along and see where this was leading. At least this way, Lake could be prepared and keep his eyes peeled. “Sure.”
They started walking, falling into an easy, unhurried pace. Lake assumed Yejun was long gone by now anyway, chasing after Nix somewhere. He’d get Demitrious alone and pretend to hear him out, the same way he’d pretended they were on the same side all these years. A placated Corleone was safer than a disgruntled one, after all.
“I know I’ve overstepped on a few occasions,” Demitrious began. “You aren’t a kid anymore, and I’ve struggled to remember that, especially since you were still so young when you left for Vitality.”
A part of Demitrious had always hated that the Emperor had sent Lake away, because it’d meant losing control over him while he was off planet.
Perhaps that was a part of the reason she’d done it in the first place. While he’d never been close with his great aunt, she’d never been cruel to him. At her funeral, he’d been genuinely sad for her. It was pity, not grief, but it was something.
“Still. If you were upset with me, we should be able to talk it out. Coming for my career? You know how hard I’ve worked to build the life I have. The life your friend benefits from.”Demitrious was trying to sound hurt, but he wasn’t quite hitting the mark.
Lake didn’t bother replying, and sure enough, unable to bear the silence for long, the old man opened his mouth to deliver another nugget of absolute bullshit.
