RIPTIDE (Shadows book 1.1)

WHO ARE YOU??

Touch my food if you want to die ~Hope Sinner

Two days later Hope and Ajax were back at the police station waiting for their eldest brother. Devon Angelo Sinner had a popular reputation, thanks to the hotels and casinos that are under his name. Ajax knew everything about his brother even if he had never met him in person. His sister made sure of that.

Hope wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. She was not looking forward to meet her eldest brother. She cursed her fate for the hundredth time that day. She and Ajax looked at each other and turned to the waiting room entrance as they heard footsteps. 'Here goes nothing.' she thought as the door opened.

Devon Sinner was nervous. His kept biting his cheek as he and Officer Grant walked towards the waiting room. How do you speak to someone when you see them after 14 years?  He didn't know the answer that. He didn't even know if she remembered him. She was only 2 when she went to live with their aunt. He didn't know what he was walking into. He didn't like not knowing. He shook off all those thoughts as they entered the waiting room.

Hope glanced at her brothers once again and sighed. Awkward doesn't even begin to describe the atmosphere in the waiting room. It has been 5minutes since the officer left the room after all the legal paperwork and none of them said a word. She decided to break the silence.

"So, are we going or are we staying here Devon?" she chirped. Ajax sighed. Devon gave her a surprised look. He didn't expect her to recognize him. She just rolled her eyes. 

" Right. Do we need to go back to the house?" he asked. Ajax shook his head negative. He let out  a breath  he didn't know he was holding in and looked at their luggage. There was a black colored guitar case with silver color designs and three black suitcases. "Is that all?" he asked once more. Ajax nodded his head. They walked out of the police station to his car.

Hope looked at the mansion before her. This place had been her home for two years. Now she was back here. Only this time she has a purpose. She looked  at Ajax and gave him a nod. It was his first time here. Ajax nodded back . Devon looked at them and sighed. They were closed off. The whole car ride he tried to start a conversation with them, he got short or no replies in return. 'This is going to be a disaster.' he thought as he lead them inside.

Hope wanted to grin but she didn't. Her eldest brother, the Devon Sinner  was  nervous. She could hear his racing heart. She looked at the familiar hallways as they passed by them. If she remembered correctly, then they were currently on their way to the kitchen and she could hear the people working in there. There were currently four people in the kitchen.

As they neared the kitchen Devon paused on the way. "I need to make a call. You guys go straight and take the right. You will find the kitchen. Wait there for me." With that he walked away. Ajax  looked at her motioning her to lead the way. Hope walked ahead and he followed her. 

Hope stood at the entryway and looked t the people in the kitchen. It was 7AM. there were two maids cooking breakfast. A person stood near the coffee machine with a mug in each hand. She took one more look at him to confirm her suspicions. Yep, it was Rueben alright. Another person was sitting on a chair, his head resting on the island. 'That would be Vincent.' she thought as she took the seat beside him and leaned back into the chair closing her eyes, smiling as she saw Ajax doing the same in the opposite chair.

Vincent wanted to kick the person sitting beside him. He just woke up and didn't have his dose of caffeine yet. Just as he was about to do that, "Kick me and I'll beat the poop out of you." a female voice said. The only females who sat with them at the island were Atriya and Addyson and as far as he knew neither of them were home at the moment.

"Who are you?" he questioned her as he looked at her. The girl looked around 14 years old. She had short jet black hair. Overall she didn't look familiar. "Come on Vincent, don't tell me you don't remember me. It has been what 14 years since we last saw each other. You not remembering me would be pretty awful." she said. Now that he was listening properly he detected a Britain accent. Still he couldn't remember who she is.

Rueben on the other hand was staring at Ajax. Ajax stared back at Rueben. Neither of them exchanged words. They both turned their heads when they heard Hope speak. Ajax let out an amused chuckle. His sister was enjoying this. Vincent snapped his head forward as soon as he heard Ajax chuckle. Just then Devon entered the room. 

"D, care to explain who  these people are?" Rueben asked. Everett came in just as Devon was about to answer. "Good, everyone is here. That's Hayley and Ajax, Aunt Emma's son." he answered.

The other three stared at them. They couldn't believe that she was their sister. "Thanks for that Devon, Though I go by Hope now. And Ajax isn't Aunt Emma's son. He is our brother. Where's Hayes?" she asked as she stole Vincent's coffee mug. He didn't even protest since he was still shocked. 

She got her answer as she heard footsteps around the corner. She picked a plate of croissants and waited for Hayes to enter. Hayes came in, went straight to the coffee machine, made himself a cup of coffee and started to take a croissant from Hope's plate. "Touch my food if you want to die" She snapped as she swatted his hand away. 

Hearing the new voice he looked at her "Who are you?" he asked. The others groaned in response. 'Oh, another round of introductions. Isn't this fun.' Ajax thought as he looked around the room.