AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Double fuck.
This is going to take way longer than I thought.
"I agree.” Elio looks over at me. “Don’t you, Az?"
I fight the urge to roll my eyes and nod instead.
There is no denying that Elio has a way with people, but it’s annoying. He says all the right things. Compliments them and agrees with them. Everything about his demeanor makes him the perfect man to work for Rafe. There’s no telling how many business deals Elio has secured in the last few years—business deals that never would have happened otherwise.
I, on the other hand, am not much of a businessman. I overshare, and I don’t have the same patience for forced pleasantries, especially with people who grate my nerves the way Ross does.
The waitress brings our drinks and jots our orders down on a small notepad before taking our menus away.
"What have you been up to?" Elio asks, dragging out the small talk.
"Oh, you know. A little of this and that." Ross takes a sip of his drink. "I just got back from Mexico a few days ago."
"Mexico?" Elio sounds impressed. "How was it?"
Losing every shred of patience I possess, I tune them out. I'm already here against my will, and the boring conversation isn't improving my mood. I want to hurry up and get to Devyn's so we can get her things, pay her roommate, and get back to Rafe’s.
I nod along as they talk, only catching a couple of words here and there as they drone on, and occasionallyoffer a grunt in response. My thoughts are far away from the restaurant and mainly involve seeing the excitement in Devyn’s eyes when I deliver her things, especially her blue jeans that she’s most excited about for some unfathomable reason, and the possibility of repeating what transpired in the dining room a few days ago.
Finally, our food comes, and my stomach growls as the rich aromas hit my nose. The pasta plate that's placed in front of me looks incredible, and I don't hesitate to dig in. Elio follows suit, and for a few minutes the table is silent.
Thank God.
If I have to hear about one more hot Latina on the beach feeding Ross grapes, I’m going to lose it.
I expect Ross to make us wait until we're done eating before continuing the conversation since he’s already made us wait this long, but he doesn't. I'm about halfway done with my food when he lays his fork down and folds his hands together, elbows propped on the table.
“The reason I wanted to meet with you is that there’s a rumor going around.” He keeps his voice low as his gaze bounces back and forth between Elio and me. “And I’m curious to know if it’s true.”
“A rumor?” I say as I twirl a clump of noodles around my fork, but quickly shut my mouth. I forgot I’m supposed to be keeping quiet.
He nods slowly, his eyes fixing on Elio. “A Malevolent was killed this week a few miles from that mansion Rafe keeps hidden in the woods.”
Elio shrugs and lays down his utensils to entertain Ross with more conversation, but I keep eating.
“Malevs are killed every day. I didn’t realize that was hot monster gossip.”
The only dead Malev I know of is the one I killed to save Devyn, but even if it was the same one, I don’t get why it would matter. We’ve killed dozens over the last few months that got too close for Rafe’s comfort, and no one batted an eye.
I’m clearly missing something.
“The Malev, no,” Ross says, waving a dismissive hand. “But they’re saying a human weapon was found near the body, as well as traces of human blood.”
The blood drains from my face and an icy chill rolls down my spine, settling in my stomach as his words sink in. I fight to keep my expression blank, but my pulse begins to race.
Who the hell could have possibly found the human blood?
And how the fuck did Ross find out about it?
My mind is spinning, but I’m too stunned to ask the questions burning through me. Luckily, Elio and I are on the same wavelength.
“Interesting,” he says, his tone a little drier that normal. I can tell he’s caught off guard too. “Who arethey?”
Ross leans back in his seat and adjusts his bright floral shirt.
