Page 46 of Killer Confections (Syndicate Killers #1)

Loxley

I’m not sure what I was expecting when Atlas said we were going to a barbecue held by someone in the syndicate, but walking into the backyard of the large brick house and seeing the adults sitting around the shaded patio with drinks in their hands, sunglasses over their eyes, and wide smiles as they shout back and forth at each other isn’t it.

The smell of cooking meat reaches me from the grill on the other side. Four men of varying ages stand around as the youngest of the bunch flips the burgers. Light music plays from a speaker perched on a windowsill and I’m struck by just how mundane this is.

Everyone under the carport, man and woman, is an assassin.

They all have kill counts nearing the hundreds, according to Thalia, who sits near a couple at the far right corner of the party.

She divulged a little to me on our girl’s trip, but I find it so hard to believe after taking in the scene before me.

Atlas moves the tray of cakes to his right hand as he points a finger to the couple beside Thalia. “There’s Alana and Connor.”

My eyes widen as I realize the soft, dark curls look familiar. She’s seated on a broad, muscular guy’s lap as he shows her something on his phone. They’re smiling at the screen and I finally get a good look at Connor.

He has a huskier build, with wide thighs and shoulders. His hair is a dirty blonde that’s styled into an undercut and his stubble is nearly red. He has a strong jaw and a crooked nose like he lost one too many fights.

Alana looks delicate on his lap. She’s anything but delicate in tough situations, but here, next to him, she looks soft and happy. Like she doesn’t have a single problem in the world. It’s obvious they care about one another.

Unlike Thalia, who sits slumped down in her chair with her legs spread wide as she guzzles down a beer.

“The picture of poise,” I giggle.

Atlas shakes his head, lips twitching. “I’m about to offer her up to a family of raccoons. They would have a better chance of getting through to her.”

I smack his chest playfully as a woman with warm brown curls and a broad, kind smile walks over to us.

Her brown skin is glowing in the afternoon sun and she quickly takes my hand in hers.

“You must be Loxley! We’ve been waiting to meet you!

I’m Raven and this is my husband Devin.” She motions to an older man sitting in a chair with a beer in his hand.

He tips his drink towards me, giving me a beaming smile before returning to the chat he’s having with a few other men.

“We’re Alana’s parents. We’ve heard so much about you. ”

I smile coyly at Raven, shaking her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. I hope all good things.”

She laughs, the sound delicate and lifting. “Of course, honey! Mrs. Jade!” she calls over her shoulder.

An older woman with bright white hair comes out of the glass sliding doors with a grin before she puts her hands on her hips and lifts a brow at Atlas. “You know where my damn kitchen is, boy. Don’t just stand around. Bring that inside.”

Atlas huffs a laugh before giving the elder a kiss on the cheek. “Good to see you too, Mrs. J.”

“Tell my grandson to come over,” the elder gripes. “Dominic is always hiding instead of socializing.”

Oh.

This is Dom’s grandmother?

The family resemblance isn’t noticeable at all. This woman is short, stout, and loud as a train. A stark contrast to her quiet and scowling grandson.

“You know him,” Atlas says as he walks to the doors. “He thinks he’s Batman or some shit.”

That gains a few laughs from the others sitting around. Even Mrs. Jade coughs out a chuckle before turning to address me.

“And you must be Loxley,” she sizes me up. “The baker?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She nods. “Figured as much. What’ll you have to drink?”

“Nothing from your witch’s kettle,” Thalia quips as she snags my hand and pulls me to where she’s sitting next to Alana and Connor.

Mrs. Jade gives the dark-haired assassin a very vulgar hand gesture that I thought was illegal for anyone over the age of sixty to use.

Thalia hands me a beer before pulling a chair up in front of her. She taps the seat, signaling for me to sit as she plops back down in hers.

“Loxley!” Connor muses, like he’s known me his whole life. His smile lights up his boyishly handsome features as he wraps an arm around Alana’s waist. “How ya been?”

The last few hours silently play in my head like a freak nasty porno as I answer, “I’ve been great.”

“No more run-ins with the South hicks, I hope?” he jokes, but his girlfriend swats at him.

“That’s not funny,” Alana scolds. “And Bailey isn’t a hick. She’s the only good thing about that branch.”

“Amen.” Thalia raises her beer before taking a swig, and I catch something white around her neck. When she lowers her arm, my eyes widen at the tooth necklace there. She notices before laughing and using a thumb to hold it up. She makes it wiggle. “Kai’s old lady says hello.”

My stomach bottoms out as Connor leans over and punches Thalia’s shoulder hard.

“Knock it off,” Atlas’s stern voice makes me jump as he walks up behind me. “Thalia, take the fucking necklace off. There are non-members around.”

“You used to be fun,” she mutters before pulling it off and shoving it into her pocket.

Atlas taps my shoulder before leaning down. “Stand up, beautiful.”

I rise from my seat, letting him plop down before he drags me after him and I’m perched on his lap. His arms wrap around me. “Are you okay? I’m sorry. Thalia can be a fucking menace.”

I nod. “I’m fine. It was just very… unexpected .”

“It won’t happen again,” he promises before kissing my shoulder and sitting back. He plays with my hair, nearly making my eyes roll back as Alana gives me a small smile.

“They don’t get any better,” she says sympathetically. “Connor, and I have been together for five years and I don’t think my ass has sat in a chair alone those five years.”

I laugh, but her boyfriend looks offended as his mouth falls open. “I’ll have you know you like sitting in my lap. It’s the second-best seat in the house. First is my face—”

She slaps a hand over his mouth, hissing at him. “My parents are here! Control yourself.”

His eyes crease as he smiles smugly at her. I can really see the tension between the two of them and I feel like I’m watching something intimate that isn’t meant for my eyes.

“You all make me want to vomit,” Thalia throws out reassuringly. “Where’s Dom when I need someone to bother?”

“He should be here soon,” Atlas says as he digs his fingers into my scalp and massages. “I texted him that Gotham could wait.”

As if on cue, the brown-haired assassin strolls onto the patio, his hands tucked into dark jeans and a black T-shirt pulled tightly over his thick chest.

“Dom!” a few call out.

“How are you?”

“Oh, you look more and more like your father every day!”

That last one makes him tense, but he gives a few cordial replies before walking over to us. He grabs a beer and chair before setting it down beside Atlas and I. When he looks up and sees Thalia smiling expectantly at him, he grunts a, ‘nope’, before switching sides and plopping down on my right.

“There he is,” Connor smirks. “The Caped Crusader.”

Dom rolls his eyes. “ Har har . That stopped being funny after the first twenty times you said it.”

“No, no,” Atlas chimes in. “It’s still funny.”

Dom looks at me. “If your boyfriend—”

“Husband,” I correct politely.

Connor chokes on his drink as Dom deadpans. “ Whatever he is to you doesn’t stop being a pain in my ass, I’m mowing him down on my bike.”

I nod, tapping my chin as if I’m in deep thought. “Does the assassin business have life insurance?”

Dom lifts a brow. “Do we look like we have insurance ?”

“Then no. You can’t run my husband over.”

Atlas pulls me back, leaning over until his lips graze my ear. “Thin ice. One more smart comment and I flip this dress up, baby.”

I turn to shoot him a sultry look over my shoulder. “That’s all it takes? This is too easy.”

He smirks, but his eyes are hooded with dark intent. He isn’t mirthful. He’s waiting for me to make the next move.

My blood rushes, and I squirm on his lap, sliding along the soft steel below me. Atlas clears his throat to cover a groan and I smirk.

He’s going to fold long before I do.

All afternoon, we talk to our small group, getting lost in stories and drinking far too much.

When I offer to show Alana something on my phone, I lean forward just enough for Atlas to get an eyeful of my skirt clinging to my ass.

He makes a pained sound behind me before his hand caresses a cheek and I sit back down on him.

“Dominic! Connor!” Mrs. Jade calls from across the patio. “Help me find the photo albums! ”

Both men hang their heads and groan before getting up. Alana follows behind them, excusing herself.

“They always forget they’re in the bottom of the guest closet.” She muses before stepping into the house.

Thalia is distracted as she stares off into the distance, sitting too far away for comfort.

Atlas’s hand skims my neck, and goosebumps break out on my arms. “Sit up.” He commands.

I swallow before lifting and sliding forward. He moves my skirt, so it covers his lap and my bare pussy touches his jeans.

“You’ve been dripping all over me for the last hour,” he rasps in my ear before gripping the hair at the nape of my neck and pulling me back against him. “Now, be a good girl and warm my cock.”

I nod as I feel his hands work his belt loose. His cock springs free, nestling between my ass as his velvety warmth sends tendrils of arousal pulsing in me.

Atlas’s hands find my hips before he lifts me and helps situate me over his length.

When I sink down, our mixed releases from earlier lube him, allowing for him to slide in with no resistance.

When our hips touch and I’m fully seated on him, a sigh leaves me.

I’m aching to move as I ripple around him, but his firm grip on my hip bones stops me.