I answered without checking. “Speak.”
“Hey! Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to like that?” The lazy drawl laced with sharp edges instantly snapped me to attention.
Calix. Ofcourse,it was Calix.
“I should come over there and beat your ass. Where are you?”
“I’m at Aniyah’s apartment, Boss Calix. We’ve set up here for the time being.”
Squeezing the rail, I mentally screamed. Of course, Aniyah’s older brother would be here now! Why not?! Why shouldn't the rest of them show up? We could have a grand time explaining our situation to them.
Realizing what I’d just said, I winced and looked up, begging the universe not to forsake me.Please, don't send the rest of her family. I didn't mean it. I was just frustrated.It was a madhouse when they all got together. I barely survived the last time.
“Good,” Calix said finally, his voice far too casual. “Now make sure she doesn’t come to the building for the next day or so.”
A shiver scraped down my spine. What the hell was he planning?
“Oh! And don’t tell her I’m here.”
I tamped down the rising dread and forced my voice into something even.
“You know I can’t do that.”
“Fucking hell!” Calix exploded. “What kind of operation is Niya running that none of you assholes can keep one simple secret?!”
I kept quiet. Best thing you could do with Calix was let him rant until he ran out of steam.
“Between you and that big-ass troll, it’s like a fucking wall of no’s. I’m not used to hearing that. Right, Rack?”
From the background came the clipped, annoyed voice of his second-in-command. “No. You need to work on that.”
Calix paused, then barked a laugh. “What the fuck does he know?! Anyway, you just need to keep her busy for a day or two and keep your mouth shut. You telling me you can’t do that?”
Deep breath. Calm tone. Don’t rock the boat with logic.
“Sir—”
“Calix,” he cut in with a smirk in his voice.
Not happening.
“Boss Winstale?—”
“FuckingCalix.OrCal,if that’s easier for your delicate little spine.”
Before I could respectfully refuse, Rack’s voice snapped, “Stop giving him shit. He’s just trying to be appropriate.”
Like I wasn’t stillon the call, Calix shouted at him, “What do you mean?! I’mtrying! Trying to build rapport and shit. Then maybe they’ll actuallylistento me, goddamn it!”
“That’s not how you do it,” Rack muttered.
They bickered like an old married couple, which was funny, considering the rumors all said they were very straight. Maybe that was what happened when you had four powerful,headstrong younger sisters? You found a male friend and annoyed him.
“What, then how the fuck should I—oh, wait.” Calix shifted gears mid-sentence, instantly intrigued. “Oh, shit. That could work. What do you think if we added this to the mainframe this time?”
Nope. Not letting this spiral with me on the phone.
“Am I safe to assume you and Mr. Marlo are at the Winged Palace now? Working on the security and barrier systems?”
