“You ready to get dressed? I thought we could grab a drink over at Illusion for old times’ sake,” Atticus murmured into my ear, tickling the skin there. I mumbled something back but rolled over, taking Sax’s hand to get off the couch. I looked back at it, the question coming to mind again about cleaning. Sax chuckled, understanding my look.
“They’re cleaned. Don’t worry, Spitfire.” I rolled my eyes, not feeling convinced, but moved over to my bra. But when I looked down at my panties, I cringed. They’d been nice to be crotchless for the sexy, fun times, but the thought of wearing them out made me shudder.
“Um, maybe getting a drink isn’t the best idea.” I looked back up and found Atticus standing with a garment bag.
“Everything you need is inside per Cami’s instructions.” He gave me a look, and my cheeks heated. Would I ever get over how he thought of everything?
“Thank you.”
“Of course, Bellezza. There’s a room over there to wash up if you need to. We’ll be out here waiting when you’re ready.”
I walked over to the door he’d pointed out and quickly freshened up, changing into the red dress inside. There was a matching mask as well, and I put it all on, feeling confident as I slipped on the heels. I noticed this mask wasn’t illuminated, and I wondered if that detail had been Cami or Atticus. I had no need for more men in my life; it was just that his little possessiveness at times made my insides quiver. He was an odd balance of freedom and possession, and it made me want to push the limits of where that boundary lay. But secretly, I loved it.
Stepping out, they stopped talking when they saw me, making my hips sway a little as I walked toward them. They were decked out in black suits again, their masks matching, also not lit, making me smile with confidence.
“Ready?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” Sax said, “I’m reconsidering now.”
“Same.”
I rolled my eyes, my cheeks heating. “Come on, I know a good corner where we can have some fun if things heat up. But it would be fun to sit with you both and have a drink. Please?”
“Ask, and you shall receive, Bellezza.” Atticus hooked his arm out, and I took it, and then Sax’s too. He looked down at me, surprised, always used to having to fall to the back or to the shadows.
“You belong in the light, too. No one knows us here. That’s what the masks are for, right? So, embrace it. I need both of you on my arms.”
He smiled, and it was so precious and light that I wanted to bottle it up to keep with me. This silly man thought he was all darkness, but there light was, shining out of him, regardless.
We walked out and crossed behind some more hallways. I was glad they knew where they were going because it was all a maze in the dark. A few corners later, we stepped out through a door, and I expected to hear music and people. But instead, it was eerily quiet. I felt the men tense next to me at the realization.
“What time was it opening?” I asked, hoping we were just early.
“An hour ago,” Atticus said, his jaw tensed. “Something isn’t right. Sax.”
He dropped my arm, kissed me on the head, and walked off to see what was going on. Atticus stood sentry next to me, pulling his phone out to see if he had any messages. Sax returned within moments, a grim look on his face.
“Mas, you need to see this.”
Atticus took my hand, assuming it was safe since Sax hadn’t said anything, and led me out with him. When we stepped out onto the floor, I could feel the difference, noting how cold and empty it felt. It was eerie. Atticus and I walked over to the bar where a bottle of scotch sat, a note under it.
He lifted the bottle, pulled it out, his face turning up in a scowl and crushing it between his fingers before I could read it.
His breaths came out heavy, his eyes shooting fire, as he tried to calm himself. “This ends now. Sax, call the lab. I need those results tonight.”
Fear skyrocketed through me, and I didn’t know what I wanted those labs to say. I believed Dayton was alive, but was it better for him to stay dead now?
I didn’t know, and that scared me the most.