26. Aeris
Aeris
I was losing my touch.
Or maybe it was my passion.
Okay, so I wouldn’t say I usually enjoyed watching the men I poisoned die a painful and somewhat horrific death. But I did usually feel something.
I watched Mr Stuart foam at the mouth with his penis still erect, and I felt nothing. No rage, guilt, or even curiosity. I didn’t care who he was, or why Selene wanted him dead.
As I sat with my legs crossed in my black lingerie, essentially waiting for him to die, all I could think about was Caden. Which was more frustrating than anything.
I’ll chase you down and have you beg at my feet.
It’d been almost a week, and he hadn’t sent me any more demands or turned up unwanted at my house.
If I’d known he’d be like this, I would’ve figured out a way to use Langdon for my plan instead.
But he was more … mysterious. I wanted to say unpredictable, but, then again, I hadn’t expected Caden when angry to force two orgasms out of me. One using a gun.
Arsehole.
I still couldn’t think about it without my thighs pressing together.
And I hated myself for it.
I was used to men using me like a toy, with rough hands and disposable pleasure.
Over the years I’d learned how to detach, letting my mind float somewhere cold and distant while my body endured it.
On the rare occasion I chose the man I slept with, I was the one in control.
I would set the pace, the depth, and the end point because, in all honesty, it usually bored me.
With Caden, I already knew that power was gone. And the worst part, the part that made shame burn in my throat, was how badly I wanted to hate him for it. Because he was no different from the others who’d hurt me.
Used me.
But I didn’t feel disgust beneath the heat in his gaze, or this strange lack of power despite the way he demanded all of me.
There was no fear in the way he took control because he kept me in the moment, forcing my body to feel with a dominance I’d usually ache to fight.
When I was with him, he made me forget about everything except him. It was … disarming. Cathartic, even.
Or maybe I was delusional, seeking any sort of comfort from a man who offered none.
A gargle. A last exhale.
Mr Stuart’s dick finally deflated with his death, and still I felt nothing.
Slowly redressing, I checked the scene to make sure there was no evidence that I was ever there.
Me:
It’s done.
Locking the door behind me, I walked five minutes to where I’d parked my car and slipped inside.
Renley:
Good.
Selene has a new client she’d like you to break in. I’ll send you the details.
Cold rushed through me at the words on my phone, acid rising at the back of my tongue.
Me:
Selene agreed I didn’t have to do that anymore.
Renley:
You’ll fuck whoever she tells you to fuck.
I tossed my phone onto the seat and drove to Atlantis, needing to lose myself completely in the act of a seductress everyone wanted but could never have. Maybe I’d sing tonight, let my voice carry everything I couldn’t bring myself to feel.
It was as if I was on autopilot, because suddenly I was pulling up outside the club. Killing the engine, I sat in the heavy silence, staring up at the sleek, glowing sign I was proud of.
Atlantis was mine, built with nothing but blood and sheer fucking will.
Yet every brick carried the invisible stain of Selene’s authority. Her tentacles stretched across this city like rot beneath the surface, and no matter how hard I’d tried, I could never fully unravel myself. Not until she was dead.
Rain began to spit as I stepped out and walked towards the back entrance where a man stood in the shadows. My chest clenched, panic surging before he stepped into the light.
“Fletch?” I asked, coming over to grab him in a hug. “What are you doing here? You know this isn’t safe.” I tried to pull back, but he tightened the hug until it was almost painful.
He finally relaxed, pulling back so I could see his face. “Are you okay?”
I frowned up at him. “I’m fine.”
“Don’t bullshit me.”
I glanced around, relieved we were the only ones outside. Reaching past him, I keyed in the code, unlocked the door, and pulled him in with me. “I said I’m fine.”
The door clicked shut behind us, but I didn’t slow. I kept moving, dragging him with me until we reached my office, the only room without cameras, and locked us inside.
Fletcher stiffened, eyes darting around before settling back on me.
“I have something for you,” I said quietly, going to my keys to remove the spare. “I had my locks changed.” Mostly because people had developed an alarming habit of inviting themselves into my home. Not that I would tell him that.
He accepted the key, hand curling around it like he wanted it to dig into his skin. “I know who that was at Hex,” he said. “What kind of trouble have you gotten into with the Beast?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.” I shrugged off my coat and started undressing without hesitation. I didn’t bother with modesty. We’d been friends too long for it to matter.
“Red … The Beast isn’t exactly known for forgiveness.”
“I can handle it,” I said, slipping into the skin-tone dress I’d picked for tonight. “I don’t have any other choice.”
Fletcher sighed and stepped closer, reaching to zip up the back. “One word, and I’ll smuggle you out of here. New ID. New life. I even have this new printer that—”
“You know I can’t.” Brushing my fingers down my dress, I turned to give him a brittle smile.
Fletcher’s jaw tightened, eyes flashing with a fury I rarely saw directed at me. “You’re so fucking stuck on helping Mira that you’ve forgotten she’s gone and not coming back,” he bit out, forcing me to flinch. “Yet you’re still trying to bleed yourself dry for her ghost.”
“Not a ghost.” Mira was missing, not dead.
“How long has it been since we found a single scrap of evidence that she’s still alive?” He stepped closer, his broad frame vibrating with barely leashed anger and something worse—helpless frustration. “Ten years? Eleven?”
His hands flexed as if he wanted to grab me, but I stepped back, automatically reaching up to touch the pearl pendant at the centre of my throat.
“Does Dad know you have that?” I asked, watching as Mira’s fingers paused on the clasp of the necklace.
She met my eyes in the mirror, hers widening just a little.
“I promise I won’t tell,” I whispered, nibbling on my bottom lip.
“Promise?” Mira turned around, one hand still rolling the pearl pendant between her fingers while she held out her pinky towards me.
“Promise,” I said solemnly, curling my little finger tightly around hers. “Was it Mama’s?”
Mira turned back to the mirror and studied her reflection for a long moment. Then she reached behind her neck and unclasped the necklace. “It’s mine now,” she said softly, “but I’ll let you borrow it. Fair?”
My eyes widened in surprise. “Really?”
“Of course,” she laughed gently. “Come here, kid.”
I scrambled off the bed and stood in front of her, practically vibrating with excitement. Mira stepped closer and carefully fastened the necklace around my neck.
“It looks perfect on you,” she said, brushing my hair back so she could see it better.
“Darya’s going to be so jealous.” I grinned. “Thank you, Mira.”
Pulling me into a tight hug, she rested her chin on top of my head. “We’re sisters. We share everything, remember?”
“Nothing is worth giving up your life for,” Fletcher said far gentler than he had a moment ago. “Not her memory. Not your fucking revenge. Not any of it. You’re sacrificing yourself for someone who is either dead or doesn’t want to be found. And I’m just supposed to stand here and watch?”
“What do you expect me to do?” I shot back, exasperation cracking my voice. “Selene fucking owns me, Fletch. You think I can just walk away?”
“You fight,” he growled, stepping forward again, refusing to let me retreat. “You fight dirty. You fight smart. You let me help you instead of shutting me out like I’m some useless fucking bystander.”
“What do you think I’ve been doing for years?” I snapped, my voice rising. “Every deal, every risk, every night I let myself be used. You think that’s not fighting? I’m still breathing, aren’t I?”
I stared at my longest friend, the raw anger and worry etched so deeply into his face that it hurt to look at. My throat tightened, but I still made sure I held myself with confidence.
“Where is it?” Mira screeched, pulling out every single thing from her jewellery box. “Aeris, where is it?”
“I don’t know,” I said, sitting on her bed beside Fletcher, who was watching the scene with amusement.
“Come on, we’re going to be late,” he said, even as Mira threw a shoe at him. He caught it, chuckling.
Mira hopped on one leg, pulling on the boot while holding out her hand for the one she’d just thrown. “Aeris, I swear to God—”
“If I give it to you, will you let me come?”
Mira glared at me, her makeup so thick I knew if Dad caught her she’d be grounded. “Aeris …” she threatened through clenched teeth. “Give me my necklace.”
“But I want to come too!”
“You’re too young, Red,” Fletcher said, pushing at my arm gently. “You don’t want to hang with us losers.”
“I’m twelve!” I said with as much confidence as I could muster. “You’re only a couple years older, and Darya said I could go.”
“Darya’s not even invited. And besides, you look about ten. So you can’t get into the concert without someone ringing Dad.” Mira held out her hand, and I reluctantly handed over the necklace I stole at every opportunity. “Stop taking what isn’t fucking yours.”
“You said we could share it. And I’m telling Dad you swore!”
Mira turned to Fletcher, who had carefully done up the clasp. “Nah, you won’t Red,” he said. “You love her too much.”
I pouted my lips, and Mira’s expression softened. “Don’t worry, kid, you’ll be old enough soon. Then you can come hang with us losers.”
I perked up. “Promise?”
She winked at me. “Promise.”
“I know what I’m doing,” I said softly.
“All I know,” Fletcher said, voice rough and edged with desperation, “is that you’re playing too many fucking people at once. And no matter how clever you think you are, you’re not walking out of this a winner.”
I stared at Fletcher for a long moment, pain twisting sharp and deep in my chest. Without another word, I turned and left him standing alone in my office. I knew he’d be gone by the time I returned, sneaking out so he wouldn’t be seen.
I walked through the gallery of sin, letting the sound of sex and pleasure wash over me. This was my world. This was what I controlled.
“Who was that guy just in your office?” Albus asked, his brows creased as he held paperwork tight to his chest.
“Am I not allowed to have private conversations anymore, Albus?” I asked, forcing a smile and quickly changing the subject so he couldn’t pry. “Is everything set up?”
He eyed me a moment, shuffling from one foot to the other. “Of course, the stage and microphone are prepped for you.”
“Good, I’ll be out soon.” I turned away before he could ask any more questions.
Greeting everyone who approached, I let their wandering fingers brush my waist, my arm, and my hip as I passed. The perfect hostess. The perfect mask.
Until a cold prickle raced down my spine.
Turning slowly, I found Renley leaning against a wall, watching me with unapologetic hunger. His gaze dragged over my body like he already owned it, and I was almost grateful Selene had never given him permission to touch me.
Even so, my smile never faltered, not even as disgust coiled tight in my stomach and my skin crawled beneath the weight of his stare.
I made sure to meet his gaze, lifting my chin and holding myself straighter.
This … this was exactly why Fletcher was wrong.
I was always going to come out the winner.
Because losing wasn’t an option.