Page 19 of Killer Confections (Syndicate Killers #1)

Green eyes narrow on me as her hand falls to her side.

“Going for the Southern Belle trapped in the big city?” I ask. “Seems like a cliche.”

She takes in her smashed equipment and broken computer. I may have done a little redecorating while I waited.

“The Calaway hit is mine,” her thick southern drawl nearly makes me gag. “Either tell Thalia to back off or I’ll go downstairs and end this right now.”

I laugh, rolling my shoulders. “It’s funny you even think you’re gonna make it to the elevators.”

She bolts, heels clicking down the carpeted corridor as I get that tingling rush. The chase has begun and there’s three starved animals in this building, dying for a chance to maim.

I follow her, watching as she barrels through the fire exit doors and disappears down the stairs.

“She’s in the fire exit,” I call.

The elevator dings and Dom stalks out, his gun drawn as he clicks off the safety. We move together, throwing the fire escape doors open and following the clicking of heels.

“She’s sloppy,” my friend observes. “She’s out here with no protection.”

“Wrong,” Alana interjects. “There’s been a distress call from the South syndicate. Three different assassins have answered and are on their way, but it’ll take them hours to reach her.”

“Really fuckin’ sloppy,” I say. “And really fuckin’ dead. We’ll make quick work of this, then move Thalia’s location.”

“I’ve already got her another hide-out on the opposite side of the city,” Alana smiles into the wire, sounding proud.

“Good work,” Dom praises as we hit the first floor.

There’s scuffing in the distance and we track the sound until we round the end of the hallway. Thalia is straddling the blonde, pinning her with tight legs. Jane kicks, harsh grunts leaving her as the two struggle against each other.

I spot the gun in Jane’s left hand. Thalia holds the woman’s wrist in a bone-breaking grip before tucking the arm under hers and using her fist to hyperextend Jane’s elbow. There’s a loud pop as the blonde assassin screams and the gun clatters to the ground.

“You’re so fucking stupid,” Thalia laughs, the sound maniacal. “I know you’ve been onto me. I had the plan to break into your room and waterboard you for information, but it seems my family can’t stop meddling. ”

Thalia grips the woman’s right arm, tossing her legs around until she has the blonde in an armbar. She wastes no time lifting her hips and breaking the bones with a sickening crack.

Jane wails, tears streaming down her face as thick black makeup leaves tracks on her cheeks. “Fuck you!”

“I want your teeth for a necklace,” Thalia smiles wickedly at her prey before pulling out a pocket knife.

“Seriously—” Dom begins to protest, but I put a hand on his shoulder.

“Let her work. Let’s see how this goes.”

We watch silently as Thalia shoves a piece of cloth into Jane’s mouth before digging the knife into her gums. The gag muffles the screams of the assassin, and she can’t move either of her broken arms as my sister saws away at the bone.

Thalia pops out a few teeth, collecting them in her hands as she goes. Once she’s content, she ceases Jane’s sobs by plunging the knife into her neck.

Everything stops. The blonde’s limbs go slack and the only sounds are the light trickles of her blood as it leaves her body.

My sister’s head whips around, and she looks pissed. “I had it under control! What are you doing here?”

I shrug. “Rowan didn’t seem to think so, and now you have the whole South syndicate in a frenzy.”

“Fucking cowboys,” Thalia stands, staring down at the dead woman. “Let’s get this cleaned up, then call Row. I’m sure he’s dying to bitch me out.”

Dom collects a suitcase and a few blankets for us. We all work silently, mopping up the remains and using a harsh cleaner from the supplies we brought to get rid of any evidence. Dom and I fold Jane’s body up before cramming her down into the suitcase and zipping it closed.

Once everything is squared away, we carry the evidence back to the room and get on a call with our brother.

“IF YOU WOULDN’T WASTE YOUR TIME DOING STUPID SHIT…” Rowan bellows into the speaker. The phone rests on the room’s desk as we all sit around it, listening to the ass-chewing of the century.

Thalia’s eyes find mine, and my lips pull back in an over-exaggerated wince. A hand flies to her mouth as she attempts to hold her snort in.

“…AND YOU HAD BETTER NOT BE FUCKING LAUGHING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I WILL DRIVE UP THERE, THALIA!”

Her lips turn downward, her face looking ridiculous as she finally lets a single, loud snort out. My shoulders shake as I bury my face in a hand.

There’s a slew of curses from the other end of the phone before it goes silent and Rowan gives a loud, defeated sigh.

“Get to your new hotel and try not to do anything else stupid. Atlas and Dominic will handle the body. I’ll deal with the South syndicate and Alana will erase the camera feeds, but when you get back, you’re paying that fucking fine. Do I make myself clear?”

My sister rolls her eyes, “Crystal.”

“Good,” he barks. “I’ll keep in touch.”

He hangs up, and we break out in hysterics. Dom shakes his head at our antics.

“ Your brother is PMSing,” Thalia wipes a tear.

“ Your brother has been a pain in my ass,” I return. “Well, looks like our trip is over. About damn time.”

“Going home to the misses?” My sister wiggles her brows.

“I can’t stay gone too long. She’ll miss me,” I smirk. “Get out of here. Pack your stuff and go straight to your new hotel. Worry about Calaway tomorrow.”

She nods, giving us a wave. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll see you guys in like a month.”

“If I have to come back out here, I’m killing Calaway myself,” Dom grumbles as he shoves our equipment back into his bag .

Thalia’s bottom lip juts out as she gives the assassin a faux pout. “Awe! Are you upset you had to come all the way out here for little ‘ol me? How about I make it up to you?” She holds up her right fist that has about seven white teeth in it. “I can make you a really cool necklace—”

Dom points a warning finger at her, his expression deathly serious. “You send me the fucking tooth necklace and I’m having you committed.”

My sister smirks. “Piss me off again by coming back out here, and I’ll send you full body parts in gift boxes with bows.”

My friend shakes his head, “You’re both psychotic.”

Thalia returns to her room and we finish packing, leaving our keycards on the bedside table before heading for the parking garage. We crammed everything inside of the suitcases we brought, so it makes for an easy and discreet get away.

Dom starts the car and we load everything in before I pull up directions for a junkyard that’s in the next state over. It has an on-site incinerator and I get another connection to secure our usage of the machine that will destroy the existence of Jane.

It took us only two hours to complete our mission. Even though there’s no pay-out for us, Thalia usually splits her earnings between us three siblings. I do the same, splitting my keep between Loxley’s account, my own, Rowan, and Thalia.

Since Loxley has been back, I haven’t felt the drive to hunt for hits. I used to wait for the kill catalog to update every week, itching to get another rush. But here lately, Short Stack has been all I need to feel that high.

I could never take a hit again and be just fine in the funds department, but I know some jobs will still find me. Certain hits are hard to ignore when they might threaten the peace you’ve found.

And I worry our disposal of Jane may be one of those cases. Depending on how much sway she had in the South syndicate, we may have targets on our backs now .

Only time will tell, but I know for sure that if that does happen, my girl will be safe.

Because I’ll toss her right over my shoulder and lock her beautiful ass up in the cottage I built for us.

Where she belongs.

We drive for hours, handling the assassin in the trunk and getting closer and closer to Columbus.

We’re about two hours out when I fish for my phone.

Loxley has taken the weekends for herself and left the bakery to Janette and Riley for a few days.

I know it wasn’t her decision because I heard the whole argument she had with Addison while the brunette tried to convince her she needed time away from her craft.

My girl ultimately lost and agreed to taking Saturdays and Sundays off.

I pull up the feed, noting the empty kitchen and living room. I can hear the low sounds of the shower, so I know she’s home.

Time passes as I listen to her move around her room. The closing of dresser drawers reaches me and my brow furrows.

It sounds like she’s getting ready.

Hmm, where is my girl going?

The bedroom door is open, giving me little peeks as she passes in front of it, but I can’t make out anything until she steps into the hallway.

My cock hardens instantly, pressing against my zipper painfully, and I repress my groan.

Loxley is dressed up in a moss-green wrap dress that hugs her curves perfectly.

Her smaller chest is pushed up under the sweetheart neckline, giving me the perfect view of the rounded tops.

I imagine dragging my tongue between the valley of them, her little breathy moans sounding in my ear.

Then I imagine ripping that dress off of her, exposing her pink nipples and soaked pussy for my hungry mouth.

I spot her shoes—black four-inch stilettos.

Fuck me heels .

The shoes stay on. I picture her naked, her knees touching the floor beside her head as my hands grip the backs of them, black heels in the air as I pound into her.

Fuck, I need her.

But I know who she’s dressed up for. She didn’t just spontaneously decide to give me a show. Nah, this has to be for that stupid fucker that gave her his number at the grand opening.

Chance Miller.

A dead man.

“Get me home, now,” I command.

Dom hits the gas, turning on the illegal emergency lights he had installed last year. Cars move out of our way, getting into the right lane as we speed.

I type out a message to my girl, smiling when I press send.

Me : You’re fucking stunning, baby. I hope your little boyfriend knows how to fight.

I watch as Loxley checks her phone, her head shooting up as she surveys the apartment. She looks toward the kitchen’s camera and I hold my breath.

“Are you watching me?” She asks out loud, her tone hard.

My fingers fly across the screen, and I wait for her reaction. She looks down when her phone vibrates.

Me : Such a smart girl. Fuck, I can’t wait to make your mascara run.

She scoffs at the screen before shoving her phone in her clutch and looking around her apartment. “Fuck you! I’ll deal with this when I get back.”

She stomps to the door, locking her system before throwing the door open and entering the hallway.

I switch the feed over to the apartment cameras and follow my girl out of the building.

I pull up the outside cameras, getting a good look at the license plate number on the white Honda waiting for her at the curb.

Chance gets out of the driver’s seat, dressed in black slacks and a navy button-down and looking like a fucking tool.

He moves to the passenger door, taking Loxley’s hand as he helps her in.

My fingers grip the phone tighter, nearly cracking the device. My eyes remain on the spot where their hands are joined, every way I can remove the appendage from Chance’s body playing like the goriest snuff film in my head.

Oh, he’s definitely dead.

Once I separate them, my girl is getting her punishment for this little display of disobedience, and I’m going to mount Chance’s fucking head over my fireplace.

“Drop me off at my house,” I say ominously to Dom. “I need to get a few things.”