Page 124 of Killer Confections

“There’s a lot of blood,” he says lowly. “Lots of bodies.”

I nod, standing with him slowly and keeping my eyes shielded in his chest as he walks me toward the door. He only stops when someone steps in front of us.

“Jesus Christ, Thalia,” Rowan snaps from behind us. There was so much going on I didn’t even know either of Atlas’s siblings were here. “You’re covered in blood.”

“What?” she asks. “I left a few alive. Like this guy here.” I hear hard breathing before there’s a scuffle and something—or someone—sounds like they’re dropped to the ground. “We canask him about Addison.”

“Who?” a deep voice asks in a rasp.

There’s a sharp slapping sound and a groan.

Atlas sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Listen, I’m all for senseless violence, but at least hassle him a little for information before slapping him.”

“You pansies must get nothing done,” Thalia tsks. The man makes a gurgling sound. “Now talk! Where is Addison!”

Heavy breaths leave him as he stutters. “I-I don’t know! I don’t know who that is!”

There’s another loud slap, and I wince. It sounds like it fucking hurts.

“Help me,” Rowan mumbles, sounding like a disappointed dad.

“Brown hair and above-average height!” Thalia rattles off her description as the man she’s captured sobs.Loudly.

“I don’t know!” He wails.

Another slap.

“God dammit,” Bailey curses as she joins our huddle. “Glen, did you see this girl? Did y’all kidnap someone with her description?”

“W-what?” He gasps. “No! We didn’t kidnap anyone! I swear!”

My hand tightens on Atlas’s shirt, and I draw his attention to me. “Where is she then?”

He smoothes a hand over my hair. “I’m not sure, Short Stack, but we’re going to find out.”

I bite my lip as I nod, trying to keep my tears contained for the time being. My stomach sinks further and further, but I hold myself together.

“It’s a possibility whoever took her brought her back to Texas,” Dom says. “We can get a team together and help Bailey get situated.”

“Good idea,” Rowan agrees. “Take Ross, Micah, Dale, and the twins. Report back as soon as you can.”

“Come on, big boy,” Bailey drawls. “Let’s get a move on.”People move around us, some barking orders, while others attempt to clean up the mess. Atlas talks to a few people, getting everyone on board with helping Bailey transition over to the South syndicate leader. Before she can leave, he pins her with a stare from hell.

“Put my wife’s life in danger like that again, and the fucking South won’t be your only problem.” He growls. “I know who your fiancé is, Bailey. He isn’t untouchable. Harm what’s mine again and I’ll fucking erase your future.”

My husband’s threat doesn’t faze the woman as she nods. “Yeah, yeah.” She looks down at the dirt, kicking a boot through it. “I haven’t told Liam yet…”

Dom stops dead in his tracks, whipping around to Bailey. “You haven’t told your fiancé? Does he even know you’re a part of the syndicate?”

Her eyes narrow on Dom. “Trying to be my daddy now?”

A muscle in his jaw jumps before he says something Bailey obviously isn’t expecting. He leans close to her, his voice low and guttural. “If I were yourdaddy, you wouldn’t be able to talk back with my fucking hand wrapped around your throat.”

No one else hears except Atlas and I. We exchange a look before returning to the soap opera in front of us.

Bailey gasps, her plump lips parting as she stares at Dom with a conflicting expression. “Excuse me?”

He shakes his head, closing his eyes tightly as if he just made the biggest mistake. “Get in the fucking car, Bailey.”