Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
I tried to ignore the thoughts that were creeping into my head and focus instead on the task at hand. I was here to speak with Apollo about Gabriel’s death.
Braken was right. I had been putting my head in the sand, and the guilt of the unknown was far worse than hearing the truth.
I needed to hear how Gabriel was murdered. And by whom. I had a good idea, but I needed to know for sure, and Apollo was the man who could give me the answers.
But as I watched Storee move from table to table, her hips swaying and her tight dress hugging her every curve, I found it hard to concentrate on anything else. The way she smiled and flirted with the men made my blood boil, but I couldn’t deny the fact that she was good at her job.
I took a deep breath and walked toward the bar, trying to block out the intoxicating way Storee’s eyes kept locking with mine throughout the night. Apollo was sitting at the other end of the counter, sipping a glass of whiskey. He noticed my presence and raised an eyebrow.
“Locke,” he said, his voice smooth as silk. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight. I thought you’d be busy with The Vault and The Hunts happening this weekend.”
“That I am. But I need to talk to you,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “Something I’ve been meaning to do.”
Apollo took another sip of his whiskey and swirled it around in his glass.
“It’s about Gabriel. I need to know who killed him.”
Apollo raised an eyebrow again, studying me for a moment. “And you’re asking me because you think I had something to do with his death?”
I nodded. “You or your brother.”
His twin brother, Ares, was the known killer in the Godwin family. The hitman. Apollo wasn’t really one to kill.
“My brother’s dead.”
I nodded again. “And I’m sorry for your loss. But he was still alive when Gabriel was killed.”
Apollo leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing. “What makes you think my family had anything to do with it?”
“The night Gabriel died, he was going to Seattle.”
Apollo’s expression remained neutral. “Gabriel worked for the Godwin family. Why would you think we’d kill him?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You know why.”
“Because he was fucking over my family? Doing side deals with my competitors? Is that what you’re talking about?” Apollo leaned in closer, his voice low and sinister. “And because we’ve been friends for a long time, I’m going to act like I don’t know that you were aware of what Gabriel was doing behind my back. I’d hate to think you’d fuck me and my family over too.”
Apollo sighed and took another sip of his drink.
“Look, Locke. I understand your suspicions, but I can assure you that neither I nor my family had anything to do with Gabriel’s death. In fact, I believe justice is owed for what happened to him. Always have.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
Apollo nodded. “Yes. Gabriel was a valuable asset to our organization even with his flaws, and his death has left a dark hole. But I can tell you this much: his killer didn’t act on my orders or my family’s.”
I studied him for a moment, trying to gauge if he was telling the truth. But his expression remained unreadable.
“Ares wouldn’t have?” Apollo’s brother had a temper.
“I know what Ares did and didn’t do. I’m telling you right now, the Godwins weren’t involved.”
I turned to leave, but Apollo’s voice stopped me. “And what if I had killed Gabriel? What if I answered your question with a yes tonight? Then what?”
I gritted my teeth, knowing exactly where this was going. “I think it’s best for our long-standing friendship that I don’t answer that.”
Tipping his glass at me before taking another sip of his whiskey, Apollo said, “I agree.” His stare darted to Storee who was bending down to pick up a discarded napkin, the fabric of her dress inching up her thigh, revealing entirely too much skin. “I’ve tried to give her money. Tried to honor Gabriel’s memory by making sure his daughter is cared for. She won’t take a cent. Insists on working these parties instead.”
I nodded. “She’s stubborn. She won’t take money from me either.”
Apollo nodded in agreement before taking another sip of his drink. “Her father was a stubborn son of a bitch too. To his detriment.”
Apollo raised his glass in a farewell gesture before turning his attention back to the partygoers.
I focused my attention back on Storee. She was moving her head from side to side, appearing to work out a kink in her neck. She shifted from one foot to the other, no doubt the heels she wore killing her feet.
She was tired.
I marched over to where she was picking up empty glasses and placing them on a tray.