Page 32 of Killer Confections (Syndicate Killers #1)

Atlas

I’m a controlling guy. I’m constantly in charge of what the fuck happens around me at all times.

Which is why waking up to an unbearably sweaty and itchy chin still covered by a cloth mask and the smell of biscuits and bacon smacking me in the face as I sit up groggily from the deepest fucking sleep I’ve ever had is unnatural and disorienting.

The silky pink sheets pool at my waist as I lizard blink into the brightly lit bedroom.

What fucking year is it?

Oh, god. Am I even alive?

My hands fly to my chest and I quickly huff in relief before they shoot to my dick.

I’ve had this dream before. I think I’ve had the best sleep ever, only to wake up and find my cock is gone.

When I feel my genitals are still very much in place and harder than steel with morning wood, my blood pressure finally decreases as I fall back against the headboard. I run my hands over my face, my ears picking up on the light padding footsteps of my girl as she moves around the kitchen.

I glance at the bathroom before tossing the covers off me and heading in to freshen up and let my chin breathe for a few minutes.

I rinse my face off in the sink, using some of Loxley’s tangerine and grapefruit scented face wash and pursing my lips at the tingling, minty feeling that opens my pores.

That’s why she likes this shit. I feel like someone shoved a fucking peppermint under my skin .

I dry my face off before relieving my bladder and shoving my boxer briefs back on.

I sneak up on Loxley as she hums to herself, her hips moving just under my T-shirt she’s wearing as she uses a spatula to flip the sizzling bacon.

I snake my arms around her waist, causing her to jump as she lets out an ungodly screech before smacking me over the head with the utensil.

“A! Warning!” She fusses between hits and I only chuckle before grabbing her wrist and pressing my clothed lips to hers.

Her anger quickly melts until she turns into my arms and wraps hers around my neck. The mask prevents things from going any deeper, but this moment is so sweet and precious. I don’t even care if I can’t taste her on my tongue. It’s just us and I’ve had dreams of this moment for years.

She rests her forehead against mine, giving me a radiant smile. “I made bacon and biscuits.”

“That sounds great, baby. I’m starving.”

She winks before taking the biscuits out of the oven and pulling two plates down from a cabinet. We both load our plates up and I’m cramming a mountain of greasy pig fat into my mouth when my phone goes off and Loxley’s moans fill the apartment.

Her jaw drops in shock as her cheeks turn a bright red. Her biscuit falls from her hands before pure anger takes over her features. “ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!”

I duck before a hot plate of food can connect with my face. It shatters on the floor, jelly and bacon remnants scattering all over the kitchen.

I straighten, holding my hands out to her in a stopping motion as she lifts a full cup of orange juice, ready to chuck it at my head.

“Wait!” I plead. “I just wanted you to hear it! I put my phone on silent anytime I’m near someone else. I would never let anyone hear what’s mine. I’ll change it back!”

Her eyes narrow. “Now! Go get it!”

I comply, biting on my knuckle to keep my laughter from traveling through the small apartment as I snatch my phone off her nightstand. Dom’s name flashes on the screen and I groan before running a hand down my face. I swipe to answer before holding it to my ear.

“Make it quick.” I command, my pleasant mood slipping fast.

“South syndicate sent a message. They’re wanting to call a truce.”

I scoff, running a hand over my mouth. “And we believe that?”

“Rowan seems to,” Dominic sighs. “He wants to try for peace before a headhunt starts.”

“Of fucking course he does,” I grumble. “What’s he wanting us to do?”

There’s shuffling from the other side of the phone. “He wants us to meet with the messenger and hear them out. He’s hoping once we can strike a deal, the Southern guys will let it the fuck go. Thalia pays her fine and everything goes back to normal.”

I don’t like this plan. Rowan is known for giving the benefit of the doubt to anyone. He’s trying so desperately to hang onto humanity, but this job abandoned morals a long time ago. I’m not sure what my brother is searching for, but he won’t find it in attempting to make peace with assassins.

I shake my head. “Get someone assigned to guard the bakery tonight and we’ll both go. I don’t want anyone meeting the South syndicate without backup.”

He agrees before telling me he’s going to put someone on Loxley’s store before hanging up. When the phone goes dead, my head hangs back on my shoulders and I sigh at the ceiling.

It’s almost over.

Once this shit is done, I’m taking a much needed vacation with my girl. I don’t know where we’re going, but I’ll toss her over my shoulder and take her somewhere fun she can’t even complain about. Shove a drink in her hand and set her ass on a beach chair .

Yeah, she would like that. She’s always liked the beach. I’m not a beach person, but I am a Loxley person. I’ll enjoy just watching her unwind and relax without a care in the world.

I return to the kitchen and stop just before the island. Loxley’s back is turned as she stares out the living room window. Down below, the quiet street is starting to wake up, and she takes bites of a strip of bacon as she watches people. The sight of her in my T-shirt has my cock stirring.

The sunlight highlights the red undertones of her golden hair and her eyes look like molten chocolate with the sun shining down.

Her tan freckles that spatter the bridge of her nose and her chest are like constellations.

When she sleeps, I always find myself tracing them with a finger and connecting them into shapes.

She’s easily the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen. Just the sight of her is enough to knock the wind from me. Hot possession wraps around me, and I want to take her back home with me. I want to show her the cottage I built for her and lock her away.

I also know my thoughts are certifiable, and I don’t care. I lost my sanity long ago, and something tells me that my girl is well aware of that, but doesn’t care.

She turns and the lighting surrounding her is like a fucking halo. “Phone.” She commands, holding a hand out.

I chuckle as I walk over and place my device in her palm. “Just don’t delete the video, please.”

She looks at me like I’ve grown two heads. “Are you kidding me? Just so you can turn it back to your ringtone?”

“I won’t!” I beg. “I wanted us to watch it together…”

She blinks as her cheeks flush and she quickly gets that cute, flustered look. Her eyes become unfocused and I know I’ve got her attention. “Maybe…”

Oh, we’re definitely watching our movie together soon.

“Okay, baby,” I place a kiss on her forehead as she resets the ringtone. Once she’s satisfied, she hands my phone back to me and tangles a hand in my hair .

“What’s your plans today?” She asks.

I swallow, knowing my answer won’t please her. “I have something to take care of—”

Her hand falls away, and I instantly miss it. Before she can turn away, her disappointment piercing me, I tangle her fingers back in my hair and wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her against me. “Don’t do that. Don’t shut down on me. Talk to me.”

She crosses her arms, looking away. “You won’t even tell me where you go…”

I brush a strand of hair away from her forehead, tucking it behind her ear as those beautiful brown eyes stray to me. “I’m going to. I promise, okay? Let me handle this and once I’m done, I’ll tell you everything.”

“Tonight?” She asks hopefully.

I nod. “Tonight.”

She holds her pinky up, a slow smile spreading over her delicate features. “For good measure.”

I huff a laugh as I hook our fingers and make the first pinky promise I’ve made since becoming an adult. “This is sacred. If I betray your trust—”

“I get to break your pinky,” she finishes, smiling even harder at my bewildered expression.

“Violent little thing,” I mutter before kissing her. “Have a good day at work, baby.”

She hums before I dip off into the bedroom and get dressed. I clean up the kitchen while Loxley showers and leave her a sweet note before heading to the parking garage and getting on my bike.

I’m feeling revitalized and refreshed as I speed towards the compound. Only a few more hours and we can hopefully call an end to all of this.

Then, I can focus on Loxley and I’s ending. I can get her moved into our house and reveal everything to her. I’m fully prepared for the shock and anger. It’s to be expected, but I know my girl. I’ve already rooted myself so deep she’ll be over it all in no time.

And I can’t fucking wait.