Page 37 of Killer Confections (Syndicate Killers #1)

Atlas

The human mind can only withstand so much before it begins to shut down.

Only, Loxley’s didn’t shut down, as I told her everything from the very beginning.

Her anger with me only seemed to grow because instead of shutting down like a normal person would, she grew so furious with me for not trusting her with this information until the time was right.

She’s so fucking strong and resilient, my girl.

She doesn’t even bat an eye when I tell her about my life and my kills.

She just listens, giving me the floor as she processes everything.

And I let my guts spill. I tell her about following her, getting rid of her boyfriends and Chance.

She gets angry about that one until I explain what he did in his past and that seems to quiet her ire a little, but she doesn’t forgive me. Not yet.

I know I’m in deep shit and she needs a break. But as I slide the piece of government paper across the table, her eye twitches.

Get it all out now and grovel later.

“Atlas?” she asks calmly.

“Yes, baby?”

“What the fuck am I looking at?”

I clear my throat. “A marriage certificate—”

“How did you do this without me being present?!” she bellows as she stands from the table. She’s stomping toward the front door, needing space and air as I follow closely behind her.

“Baby,” I plead, grabbing her and turning her to face me. Those defiant, fiery eyes find mine, and I want to drop to my knees and beg for forgiveness. “Listen to me, Loxley. I told you years ago that you belonged to me. You’ve always been mine, Short Stack. This was inevitable.”

She scoffs, placing a hand over her forehead. “Oh, my god. You’re crazy.”

“Diagnosed and all,” I agree.

She shakes her head, looking tired. “Why, Atlas? Why?”

“Because,” I close in on her, my hands cupping her cheeks as I force her big brown eyes to mine.

I feel like I’m on the brink of insanity.

If she pulls away from me, I’m going to fucking lose myself.

Every step she takes towards that door will be one step closer to pushing me over the edge.

“You’re mine, Loxley. You have been since we were kids.

I’m in the fucking palm of your hand, baby.

When you say jump, I ask how fucking high.

You’re my God. I worship you. I am your devoted follower and I will kill anyone who thinks they can get close enough to lay a hand on you. ”

Her eyes dilate, and I hear the breath leave her as she stares at me in shocked awe.

Her bottom lip moves as if she’s contemplating saying something before she swallows and snaps out of her trance.

Her hands find my wrists and her thumbs brush against the ink on them. “This… this is so much, Atlas.”

“I know, baby. I’m so sorry,” I say lowly, brushing my thumbs over the apples of her cheeks. “But please don’t leave me, Loxley. Not after I just got you back. I won’t be able to stay away.”

Her brow pinches. “I’m not leaving you, but I need some space to think. You can’t expect me to be okay with this at the drop of a dime.”

She just needs space.

Fucking breathe, you asshole.

I nod, opening the door and motioning to the closest house. “You can have space, but that house is as far as I’m letting you go right now. ”

Is it possible for her to look even angrier with me? Because she does. And my cock twitches at the sight. Fuck , she looks amazing when she smiles, but when she looks at me like I’m dirt beneath her boots? I could fucking pound nails.

“Only for safety purposes,” I quickly rectify. “You can’t leave the compound without someone accompanying you.”

The rage leeches from her a bit before she stares out at the standard small house. It has a massive black roof, accompanied by gothic black window panels. Its design sticks out like a sore thumb, but the owner is anything but ordinary.

“Whose house is that?” She asks.

“Thalia’s,” I answer. “She got back last night from—”

“From a hit?”

“—a hit and Alana is over there helping her unpack.”

Loxley quirks a brow and I’ve never been so jealous of my fucking sister. I know my girl is going to choose to go over there rather than sit here with me. She needs time to think. “Who’s Alana?”

“Intel genius,” I smirk. “You’ll love her. The smartest person in the room and a great conversationalist. She’s been dating another assassin on the compound for the last five years.”

She eyes me, but I see her soaking in the information. She’s interested . And she isn’t breathing fire at me.

All good signs.

Finally, she crosses her arms and taps her foot. “ Fine . But just know, I’m fucking furious with you and I’m only going because I want to and not because it’s the only place you’re allowing me to go.”

I roll my lips in, nodding and ducking my head so she doesn’t see my amusement. I’m in such deep shit she can’t see me laughing. “Of course, baby.”

She huffs before stomping down the steps and I clear my throat loudly, getting her attention. “You may be mad at me, but you’re forgetting something.”

Her eyes narrow. I really think she’s going to tell me to go fuck myself before she blows out an exasperated breath and stomps back up the stairs.

She lifts on her toes, closing her eyes tightly as she waits for me to kiss her.

As I lean down, I suck in her minty scent and palm her sides, dragging my fingers delicately along her waist before pressing my lips to hers in an achingly sweet exploration.

It’s slow and sensual, giving her the time to really know what she’s going to be missing out on before I pull back.

“I meant you need shoes…” I smirk.

She looks down at her bare feet before her head whips up. Her cheeks flame a bright red as she swats my chest. “Move.”

I hold my hands up, stepping back as I let her back in the house. “They’re by the garage—”

“I know where to find them!” She shouts in return, and I bite my knuckle to prevent myself from howling with laughter.

She storms past me, tennis shoes tied tight and cotton shorts nearly showing the bottom globe of her ass as she stalks across the yard.

“Love you!” I call.

“Bite me!” She growls.

And I finally lose it, doubling over as I watch her march to my sister’s house.