Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
AVA
The boisterous atmosphere in The Grim Reaper is actually kind of calming. It’s like ASMR, but the opposite. Chaotic ASMR.
I like it.
I sit on the bar counter, my phone in hand as I scroll through the data mining results. Roxy, the bartender, moves back and forth, getting drinks for the other patrons, but she always circles back to chat with me. My glass of beer is always full, and the Wi-Fi is surprisingly fast.
A better co-working space than most I’ve been to.
Dante perches on the stool next to mine. He glances at me, one of those secret looks we’ve been giving each other. His phone buzzes and he glances at the screen before ignoring the call with a frown.
He turns his attention to me. “Anything new, darling?”
I don’t hide the smile that stretches my lips. I like it when he calls me that. “Yeah, actually. I talked to a friend of mine,” I begin, turning to face Dante. “They used some data mining voodoo to figure out who the anonymous owner is behind all those businesses connected to Congressman Thorne.”
Another piece to my puzzle. I can barely I’m this close.
Dante arches an eyebrow, his green eyes sparkling with interest. “And?”
“Turns out it’s all the same person.” I grin triumphantly, tucking my phone away. “Curious, isn’t it? Suspicious in the least.”
A slow smile spreads across Dante’s face. He nods. “Damn, Ava. You never cease to amaze me.”
Roxy slides me a fresh glass of beer. The condensation tickles my fingers when I grab it.
“Now I just need to figure out who this mystery person is. I have a name. Just need to find the person.”
Dante’s phone buzzes again and he sighs, glancing at the screen. “Hold that thought, darling. I’ll be back in a sec.” He slides off the stool and strides away, his broad shoulders disappearing into the crowd of bikers.
Roxy leans in conspiratorially, wiping a glass with a rag. “You really got Dante, didn’t you? He’s head over heels, I’d say.” She winks, a knowing grin on her face. “Every time I look, he’s staring at you like a lost puppy.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks and I chuckle awkwardly. Movement catches my eye and I spot Archer sneaking out the back door.
Where is he going? Alone? After drinking nonstop for the past two hours?
A mix of curiosity and worry prickles under my skin. I set my glass down with a thunk, hopping off the counter. In moments, I’m moving towards the back exit. I push through the door, the cool night air greeting me after a warm day.
Archer stumbles ahead, weaving slightly as he heads towards the woods at the back of the bar. I follow at a distance, my brow furrowed. What the hell is he up to, wandering off drunk and alone?
We pass the tree line. I slow down, giving him more distance. Archer reaches a small clearing just ahead and stops.
I halt, my eyes widening with a terrible realization. Oh God, is he gonna rub one out in the woods like some frat boy? God, no. I’d have to bleach my eyeballs. I start to turn back, shaking my head.
A sickening crunch echoes through the trees, freezing me in place. I glance over my shoulder, my heart hammering against my ribs.
I must be imagining. No. What is happening? I’m not drunk enough to be hallucinating. Was I drugged again?
Archer’s body contorts, bones snapping and reforming. Ugly crunches twist his limbs. Fur sprouts from his skin, his face elongating into a snout.
I stare, my mouth hanging open in shock as my brother transforms into a massive gray wolf, his eyes glinting in the moonlight.
Everything slows down. The sound of my heartbeat is deafening. A strangled cry escapes my lips. Archer whirls around, his gaze locking with mine.
We stare at each other, the world tilting on its axis.
“A wolf,” I say, stupidly.
The wolf—who is my freaking older brother—stares back with wide eyes.
No. Not a wolf. Obviously. Something else.
“You’re a shifter,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “How...why...”
Archer changes back, his human form emerging from the wolf. Once more, it’s a scene out of a B movie. I wince at the sight of it.
Archer stares back at me. My brother Archer. I recognize my gray eyes on him and my nose. We look so much alike. We’re so similar I’m sure the panic on his face is reflected on mine.
“Ava,” he starts, slowly, unsure. “Let me explain.”
But I’m already backing away, betrayal searing through my veins.
My own brother, hiding something so monumental from me. Lying to me for years.
Archer reaches for me but I jerk away, tears blurring my vision. “Don’t,” I choke out, my voice breaking. “I can’t... I can’t do this right now.”
My heart shatters. It all makes sense now. Every time Archer leaves for a run , he’s actually shifting into his animal. That’s why he’s so secretive about how he spends his free time.
Is that why he moved away? Because he didn’t want to tell me this?
I turn and run, my feet pounding against the earth as I race back towards the bar. Archer’s shouts fade behind me, lost in the roaring of my own heartbeat.
I burst through the door, scanning the crowded room frantically. I spot Dante and make a beeline for him, my chest heaving with sobs.
Dante immediately abandons what he’s doing and turns to me. “What’s wrong?” Dante grasps my shoulders, his green eyes filled with concern as he studies my face.
“I’m going home,” I gasp, wrenching myself from his grip. “I’m leaving. I can’t... I can’t be here anymore.”
I push past him, ignoring his calls as I flee the bar. The cool night air slaps my tear-stained face. All I feel is pain.