brutal

Chapter 12

VERENA

We didn't get the chance to celebrate. Kai had called them just as Crave made plans for us to eat at some pizza parlor a few streets over, her whole being indignant at Kai's sudden request.

I told them that it was fine and that I'd celebrate instead with my family, which I did. As soon as I got back to the hotel, Jasper popped open a bottle of champagne and Irene blasted music so loud that Reid had to come over to stop it, so he knew too. And no doubt he told Mama and Dad.

But they didn't call as I expected them to. They were probably too busy with finding Mama's kidnapper and the one that planted trackers and listening devices.

Jasper, Irene, and I wanted to help, but they were too firm in their decision to not involve us. They knew we've done enough.

But I couldn't just let something like that pass. Mama was nearly taken away from me and I wasn't even there to help her. They only told me after they had gotten her back.

Would Kai help me if I asked him to help? I didn't like the man, but he had too many connections for me to resist the question.

And besides that, he's probably busy dealing with his confusing attitude towards me. One minute he was flirting with me on the mats, then he becomes a stone-cold asshole the next.

All these plagued my mind as I entered the Siege building. I raised my left wrist and smiled, the long hand striking twelve and the shorter one moving to seven. Seven sharp, he said.

Thing was though, I didn't know where to go. He hadn't told me where or what I was supposed to do besides claim some stuff.

I walked to the wide circular table in the middle of the bustling lobby, the concierge typing something on her computer.

"Hi," I greeted. Her lips lifted as she tore her gaze away from the bright screen to me. "I'm sorry. It's my first day here and I-"

"Wait. Verena Dagon?" She interrupted.

I tilted my head and nodded slowly. "Yeah..."

"Right. Mr. Deimos told me you'd be arriving today." She stood and walked out from the table. "Follow me."

I followed her to the elevators and watched her movements. She pressed the close button when we entered and swiped her identification card on the swiped to press on the thirty-sixth floor, the highest one.

Elevator music played through the speakers, the silence between us muted. When we finally reached the top, she walked out and directed me to his room.

I thanked her before she smiled in reply and went back down. There in her table, sat the pink-haired girl I saw the last time I went here.

She jerked up from her seat and bowed to the waist when she saw me. "Hello! I'm Minnie, Kai's assistant. He's expecting you inside."

"You don't need to do," I waved a hand over her stance. "All that."

She laughed. "Trust me. He hates it too."

I returned a small smile and walked to the door. Taking in a sharp breath, I turned the door knob and walked in.

His back was turned to me, the large leather seat behind his table the only thing visible. I rolled my eyes before closing the door behind me and walked to his desk.