Page 80 of Reaper & Ruin
I knew I was useless at crime, but seriously? I wasn’tthatbad.
Silver finally shoved a small handgun into my hands, a compact, sleek one that was dwarfed by the artillery she had strapped to her. I stared at it, feeling a bit ridiculous compared to her fully armed soldier look.
“Really?” I said, raising an eyebrow. “I’m supposed to intimidate people with this?”
Silver didn’t bat an eye. “No offense, Heather, but I’d rather give you something more…easy. Friendly. So I know you’renot going to shoot someone by accident.” She handed Rowan a larger gun, something bulky and black, and the contrast made my gun look even tinier.
Rowan grinned, clearly enjoying himself. “I think you look adorable.”
“My adorable ass will shoot you if you don’t fuck off.” I tried to growl at him, but it was hardly scary. If anything, he only looked like he wanted to laugh harder. “I know how to shoot. With arealgun. I don’t need babying just because I’m not a contract killer.”
Silver’s eyes flickered over me critically. She finally gave a nod, her lips quirking just a little. “At least you’ll be safe. Atlas would kill me if I don’t keep you safe.”
“True.” I blew out a breath, suddenly not all that fussed about the gear. “I think this is stupid, but fine.”
It would make Atlas happy, and I enjoyed that idea. I also knew he and Gio would probably have put me in far worse; a giant bubble or something similar.
“Remember,” Silver said when we finally headed back toward the car, “we go in clean and fast. If we get separated, head back to the car. You stay in my sight, Heather, understand? I’ll do the bulk of things.”
I nodded, my hands clammy but my resolve growing. “Got it.”
Rowan looked between us, his usual smirk replaced with a serious expression. “I know I’m not exactly your go-to soldier here, but if we’re doing this, then I’m going in before she does.”
Silver gave him a curt nod. “Of course. Just don’t shoot me in the back. Iwillcut your throat open for it if you do.” She opened the trunk, dumping the rest of the gear inside with a single, practiced motion as my burner phone rang.
As Emilio finally called back and gave us the location of the swap for ‘evidence’ of Gio’s murder—some house in the middleof nowhere a few hours away—I slid into the backseat, adjusting the helmet so it wouldn’t slide down over my eyes. Until I got mad and yanked it off, swapping it for the ghost mask like I wanted, much to Silver’s chagrin.
I was older than she was. I pulled that card and made her listen to my wants, rather than coddle me because it seemed the public opinion of me was that I was a toddler or something.
As she started the engine, I took a deep breath, clutching my tiny gun tightly, like it was some kind of lifeline. The hum of the car vibrated under my hands as we pulled away, the scenery blurring past us. Nothing but trees and empty roads.
The closer we got to the location Atlas had dropped, the harder my heart hammered. Every inch of my body felt coiled and ready, like I was made of pure tension, waiting for the moment to snap. But it was also strangely calming, as though that fierce determination had finally overpowered the fear, or at least pushed it far enough back that I could breathe.
Rowan turned around in his seat, giving me a smile that was more reassuring than anything I could’ve asked for. “You’ll be alright, Lucky. Silver’s a badass. You should have seen the things she did in prison.”
My ears perked up. “Was it dangerous?”
She shook her head. “Nah,” she snorted. “I’d done worse when I was a child.”
She seemed far more open than Atlas. But as curious as I was, I didn’t want to risk upsetting her by digging deeper and asking questions. So I just nodded and stared out of the window, watching the trees and things pass us by. Refusing to do anything other than keep calm, pet Malivore, and promise to the trees that were listening that I would not fuck up and cause a mess.
Maybe I could actually fix a mess this time.
Chapter Twenty Seven, Sanity
Danika walked toward the whiteboard with an odd calm energy, like she hadn’t just killed a small militia outside that had been helping her. The blood on her face had dried a little as she smiled at us, eyes bright.
She picked up a marker and clapped her hands. “Alright, boys. Let’s play.” She pointed to the hats atop the podiums she’d ordered us to stand behind. “Put ‘em on. I want to see you have fun with this.”
Both of us hesitated. Then she reached for her switch, and Atlas glanced at me. “Wear it.” He said.
With a pout, I slid the damn party hat onto my head; the string twinging my chin. It was for an adult, but not quite big enough, and the edge of the thick paper dug into my skin.
I didn’t feel ready for a game. I felt like a fucking idiot. But I also had agreed to be obedient, so I forced a grin and adjusted the hat. “I love the color. But next time I would prefer gold. It goes well with my complexion.”
She nodded at me. “Noted, Reaper. I’ll get you gold next time.” She turned to the banner, pointing at it.
“Slaughterhouse is simple,” she said. “I ask a question. You have ten seconds to answer. If I don’t like the answer, or if it’s wrong?”She tapped the remote in her hand. The collars around our necks gave a little warning click.“You get zapped. But if you get it right, you get a point. The first prize is given out when you reach ten points. The final prize goes to the first to reach fifteen.”
