Page 25 of Sinner's End

It is a good night.

Chapter Eleven

House of Screams

Adreana

I am honestly not looking forward to this bullshit meeting but I know Mana will not let this rest. But he has another thing coming if he thinks he can simply summon me and I’ll come running like a damn dog.

Entering Harken in the same outfit I wore for my date, I won’t do anything to make him think he has any effect on me. I make a beeline to the bar. A woman with purple hair gazes at me before making her way over.

“You’re looking … different,” she says, taking me in.

It takes me a moment to realize she’s confusing me with Emma. I should be used to it, she has been my twin my entire life, but it still serves to grate on my nerves.

“You’re thinking of my sister,” I reply. “I’m Addi.”

“Shit,” she replies with a blush. “I didn’t know.”

I wave her off. “You can make it up to me with tequila.”

She smiles brightly before grabbing a bottle off the shelf. She twirls it in the air with expertise before pouring a shot and sliding it over to me.

“This one’s on me. To make up for putting my foot in my mouth.”

Swallowing it down, I slam the little glass on the counter. “Again.”

The woman obliges, refilling the glass three more times before I hold up my hand.

“Damn, girl. Are you trying to get shit-faced or are you readying for battle?”

“More like a war.” I grimace before stepping away from the bar. “Do me a favor, though? If you haven’t seen me in thenext thirty minutes, call the cops. Tell them Mana is a prick and I need saving.”

She gapes at me. I don’t wait for her to reply before spinning on my heel and making my way through the people who are dancing to an upbeat remix of some kind. From his office window I can see Mana staring down at the throng of people, his gaze locked on me. I know my way through the asylum after all the times I’ve had to retrieve my sister, so making my way to his office is easy.

I push the door open without knocking, striding in like I own the place. My nerves are shot to shit but there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that I will let Mana see that. His back is still turned to me and I take the moment to assess him. It grates on my nerves that I find him not just attractive, but downright distracting.

His dark dress pants do nothing to hide the fact that this man, this asshole, has a great ass. The black button-up shirt barely contains his muscled back and shoulders. From below the cuffs of his sleeves and the collar of his shirt, black ink peaks out drawing my curious gaze to his exposed flesh.

Fucking Mana.

Grabbing the chair in front of his desk, I relish the loud scraping sound it makes as I drag it back before falling in the soft leather. I must bite back a sigh at the feel against my skin, cool and supple.

“Adreana,” Mana says as he turns to face me with a frown. “You’re late.”

“Not really. I was busy downstairs.”

“Yes, shocking and amusing my staff.” He sighs as he takes his seat.

“I happen to like your staff. It’s you I don’t care for.”

His eyes flash with irritation. I know he isn’t used to being challenged, much less being called out on his bullshit. He glaresat me, willing me to give in but I’m not about to bow to any man, much less him.

Although, I might kneel for Kaleb. But now isn’t the time for those thoughts.

“Why am I here, Mana? We can’t stand each other and rarely talk except to bicker.”

He watches me closely, assessing me before speaking.

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