12 Kit #2
From outside, a stench of cigarettes clouded the air, country music playing in the background. It would get louder the second we walked into the dive bar. A little run down, Castiel was who I learned from to make a cover ugly while keeping everything inside beautiful.
Parking us a little farther away, we had to walk up the street in order to get there because I didn’t want my car being on the camera. Ryatt understood this before I even said it, so he put his hands in his pockets and followed.
On our way, I saw a whore lying face down on the pavement below a streetlight that flickered.
I could tell she died by how nothing moved in her.
A creamy liquid pooled out from between her legs from being used either as she died or after.
As much as she deserved retribution, the vermin of the city weren’t my problem today.
Stepping right over her, I let my heels clank against the pavement on the other side of her body.
A moment I could tell Ryatt was baffled by my act because the girl he once knew would have stopped and called for help even if the body lie cold.
Time had changed me, and I understood embracing this life meant I had to become a colder than her body.
Without needing to say it, he gained understanding I could be just as cruel as him. My heart turned to ice a long time ago.
He didn’t say anything as I held the door open for him.
Ryatt must’ve never entered before because his eyes widened at the pristine appearance.
All cool metals made the furniture while bright lights lined the edges with a shade of purple mixed in.
Castiel loved his theatrics when it came to looking modern and sleek.
Heading to the bar, Ryatt managed to come with me once he got over the shock of the appearance.
I took a seat on an hourglass shaped stool that lined the bar with a dozen others.
There were two people working it, and a familiar face came over my way.
Not many knew, but Colton was Castiel’s younger brother.
Neither promoted their brotherly relationship, and I only knew because of the favor I did for them.
They were also two others who knew my real identity, being part of my inner circle.
We didn’t associate as pack, but they helped me build the Underground.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Miss Kit Andrews.” Colton dried his hands on the towel he had over his shoulder. Leaning against the bar, he placed both palms down, hovering over me from the other side. “What brings you here?”
“Remember that favor you and your brother owe me? I came to finally cash it in.” Perching my elbows on the bar surface, I let my chin rest over the tops of my hands. “Would you mind getting Castiel for me?”
“Now you’ve piqued my curiosity.” Winking, he went to the back in order to get his brother.
I took the folder out of my satchel that sat around my hip to get the photo out of it.
Placing it right on the surface, I made it so they would see the face as soon as they got back.
Pleasantries took a back seat while someone hunted us.
Castiel came back for us to notice the eye patch that sat over his left eye.
No one really knew the true story as to why he lost it, but rumors spread about it being spooned out by a foe.
There were plenty of scars that everyone could see because Castiel was one of very few who managed to escape the Sellers.
Like me, he built from the shambles of his former life and dabbled with dealing information to build his own empire.
No one touched him because of the legend he already became, and I helped him do it while building mine in secret.
“My brother says you want that favor.” Castiel crossed his arms without grinning like Colton.
This man didn’t know kindness for long, and it corrupted him permanently.
He also didn’t like the reminder I became to his former life.
The world thought Castiel managed his escape on his own, but it was Colton who hired me to help get his brother out.
His favor to me goes back to the very beginning of my own empire.
“This man.” I pointed to the image. “I need an address.”
“And what makes you think I have that?” Castiel placed himself right across from me all too friendly, and I could tell it ruffled Ryatt’s feathers. My hand fell below the bar and reached over to squeeze his thigh to remind him he was not my Alpha.
“I tapped into your feed, and I know he’s a regular here. He’s also somehow involved with the person who’s been targeting the families.”
“You always were savvy like that,” he complimented my work. “Are you afraid he might come for your own skin? You could cash in your favor for my protection.”
That made Ryatt growl. He wasn’t too keen on how Cass let his eyes sweep over my body.
“Something like that, but you and I both know I don’t need protecting,” I responded without giving a true answer. This was always how you had to do business with someone like him. “Also, if you don’t have any information, the favor stays intact until I claim it with proper payment.”