Page 97 of Atlas
Axel looks up, and I’m glad Kasey is still in the room to witness every second, so no one can get it twisted. “I told you,” I say, “but you need to update Axel now on this shit. He’s handling it.”
I see the way my words crush her, but she gives a slight nod and turns to Axel instead. “Me and Tom met him. He didn’t admit to it, but he knew Kasey. His eye flickered the way it does when I’m too close to the truth.”
“Good,” says Axel. “It’s what we wanted.”
“Now, what?” she asks.
“Now, we pay him a visit.” He glances at me. “Let’s call church.”
She startles at this. “Wait, you can’t.”
Axel laughs. “I can do what I like, Nita. I’m the President around here.”
“But what if Leo’s there?” Her voice is laced with panic. I gently touch her shoulder, and she begs me with her eyes.
“He won’t be,” I reassure her. “I promise, Leo won’t witness anything he shouldn’t.”
“Can I come?” asks Kasey, popping a biscuit into her mouth like none of this is remotely scary to her.
“No,” I say firmly.
“But it’s me he’s after.”
I ruffle her hair, the way she hates. “Which is why you’re staying here, so we know you’re safe.” She scowls, and I head out to round the men for church.
The place smells like overpriced wine and insecurity.
I clock Damien the second we step inside—back corner, laughing too loud at whatever his date just said. He looks relaxed, confident. Like he’s not dragging a trail of mess behind him.
Not for long.
The hostess blinks at us, clutching her tablet like it’s a cross. “Can I help you gentlemen?”
Axel gives her that slow grin that usually means someone’s about to cry. “Don’t worry, we ain’t staying long and we’re not gonna make a mess.” He shoves a roll of bank notes in her hand. “Hold off calling the police.”
She gives a nervous nod, pocketing the cash.
The clink of cutlery and the low hum of conversation follow us as we cross the restaurant, three wolves in a room full of deer.
Grizz sees the opportunity first. A waiter with a tray of drinks steps into his path. He sidesteps, but not enough to avoid him, just enough to make it look like an accident.
The tray tips. Red wineexplodesacross Damien’s table. His date squeals, loud and dramatic, as it soaks her pale designer dress.
Grizz throws up his hands. “Well, shit. Look what I’ve done.”
The woman stares at her ruined dress in horror.
“I know a cleaner who’s real good with stains,” Grizz offers with a wicked grin. “Or you could just take it off now. I won’t look.Much.”
She gasps, turning on Damien. “Are you going to do anything?” she screams.
“That wouldn’t be wise,” I say with a smile. “Now, leave.”
She’s gone in a blur of expensive perfume and angry heels.
Axel slides into her seat like he owns it. I rest a hand on Damien’s shoulder when he tries to rise, not hard but heavy enough. He sits. “Smart choice.”
“I should have you thrown out,” he snaps.
