Octavian's Undoing (Sons of Judgment) by Airicka Phoenix Read Free Book Online Page B

sweat that he wiped away with a beefy forearm.
     
    “That’s Gorje,” Reggie said with a nod towards the hulk of a man. “Gorje, our new waitress, Riley Masters.”
     
    Wiping meaty hands on his stained apron, Gorje turned to them. He took one look at Riley and jerked back as though he couldn’t believe the rubbish Reggie was introducing him to. “She’s—”
     
    “Short?” Reggie intervened sharply. “Yeah, I guess we’ll have to help her with those high shelves. Moving along!” He took a hold of Riley’s shoulders and forcibly maneuvered her in the opposite direction before she could discover what the hell the look of disgust on Gorje’s face was for.
     
    They went past a walk-in freezer toward three sets of doors just past the kitchen, down a wide corridor. The two on the right led into a broom closet and a storage area choked with boxes. The third opened to a long, dark hallway. Riley poked her head in to have a better look, but Reggie was closing the door before she could see anything else.
     
    “That’s the family living area,” he informed her, motioning her back towards the final door off the kitchen.
     
    Riley hurried to catch up. “You guys live here?”
     
    He eyed her with a droll stare. “Have you seen the size of this place? Of course we don’t.” He took several heel to toe steps backwards, still watching her with eyes that glinted with mischief. “It’s much too small.”
     
    His sarcasm had her lips twitching even as she rolled her eyes. “Har-har.”
     
    Grinning, he flipped around to face forward. He led her to an opening tucked away opposite of the kitchen. There was a round table taking up most of the space, surrounded by four mismatched chairs. Beyond it was a coatrack, six lockers and a door that looked like it led into a washroom. On her right, a large, metal shelving system took up what little space was left. It was choked by organized and neatly labeled Rubbermaid containers.
     
    “I think Mom’s borderline OCD,” Reggie said, catching her staring at the shelving unit. “Octavian got her a label maker for her birthday last year and she’s gone around labeling everything, even the light switches, like we might wake up one morning and forget what they’re for.”
     
    Riley laughed. “Is that what the dead body was for? Revenge?”
     
    Reggie glanced at her, face deadpan, but eyes glinting with that light she was quickly beginning to recognize as pure boyish impishness. “No, that was just for him being such a massive man-dork.”
     
    “Man-dork.” Riley snickered. “So he’s usually this fun and cheerful with everyone?”
     
    Reggie seemed to consider this a moment. “Octavian has his moments, but he’ll eventually rub off on you. We’re loveable like that.”
     
    “He’s your brother, isn’t he?”
     
    He stuffed his hands into his pockets and rocked back onto his heels. “That’s what my parents claim, but I have my suspicions.”
     
    “So how many of you are there?”
     
    “Just the four,” he answered, moving deeper into the room. “I think you’ve met all of us.”
     
    “Four boys.” She hissed through her teeth. “And your parents are still sane?”
     
    Reggie cast her a lopsided grin. “Again, I have my suspicions.”
     
    “So who’s older?”
     
    “Octavian.” He seemed to think of something, glanced around and changed the subject. “So, this is the staff room. You can leave your stuff in one of the lockers.”
     
    Riley nodded, moving forward, stripping her coat as she went. She picked the locker closest to the wall and stuffed her things inside. She closed the door and smoothed down her top before turning to Reggie again. He held out a neatly folded apron in faded black and a notepad and pen.
     
    “Everything you may, or may not need, is in the bins.” He motioned to the Rubbermaids.
     
    She accepted it with murmured thanks and tied the scrap of fabric around her waist. “Do I need a hairnet?” she