Read The House of Grey- Volume 3 Online
Authors: Collin Earl
The House of Grey- Volume 3 (24 page)
Inwardly, Monson wanted to distance himself from the situation, escape to his room perhaps, but predictably, his curiosity beat out his discomfort. Baroty was a complete enigma, even more so than himself, which was saying something considering Monson could not remember much of his past and was quite possibly psychotic.
“So Baroty, gotta ask. What’s with the mask?”
Cassius Kay’s voice cleaved the atmosphere like a battle-axe. There were very few times in his life Monson could remember being totally dumbstruck, especially considering that his current lifetime was only a few months, but the moment those words left Casey’s mouth, he felt his throat tighten. They all waited anxiously for Baroty’s reaction.
To their utter amazement, he laughed.
“What’s your name, son?”
“Cassius Kay,” answered Casey. “But you can call me Casey; everyone does.”
“Kay, huh?” asked Baroty, looking Casey up and down as if to size him up. “That wouldn’t happen to be Kay from K.K. Securities, would it?”
Casey’s eyebrows furrowed. “Yes, that’s the company my great-uncle started.”
Baroty laughed a second time and turned abruptly to face Artorius, “So that would make you Arthur Paine, the son of Seline Pomerian, would it not?”
Artorius nodded slowly. “Yeah, but how do you know
-
”
“Your mother? I’ve met her a few times at her shop in Paris. Lovely woman.” Baroty’s attention shifted again, glancing at each of them in turn as he said their names. “So the heir to K.K. Securities, the daughters of Guy Harrison, and the son of Seline Pomerian. You all go to this school and you’re friends?”
Cyann, Indigo, Casey and Artorius all nodded their answer.
Baroty chuckled again in a very ironic way as he addressed Ms. Blake, who had appeared behind him. “Miranda, why didn’t you tell me that you had such influential students?”
Ms. Blake’s sardonic expression plainly communicated how disinterested she was in the proceedings.
Baroty ignored Ms. Blake’s silence and continued inquiring about the different students around the table. Monson had to wonder if he was reading too much into the situation, but it felt as if Baroty was purposely avoiding him, or maybe saving him for last. At long last Baroty turned his attention to Monson, cheerfully smiling at him and even going so far as to get up and move so he could sit directly across from Monson. It was about that time that an impression came to Monson. An impression that made him understand before Baroty said a word to him.
“And this is
-
”
“You know who I am, Mr. Baroty,” said Monson speaking in a low whisper. “You knew before you even came over here. So why don’t you go ahead and drop the act. You’re not fooling anyone. I know you’re here to talk to me.”
Although reading a facial expression through a leather mask was not exactly an easy task, Monson knew that he was dead-on. Baroty knew exactly who he was.
It’s not like I’m easy to miss
, Monson thought. Baroty was here for a very specific reason and that reason had to do with Monson.
“How did you know I was here to talk to you?”
“I don’t know. I just did. Something about your mannerisms told me.”
“My mannerisms, you say?”
“Yeah, your mannerisms.”
“Marques told me that you were a smart one. I assumed that was just book smarts, but apparently you’re just as good at reading people as he was. Is there anything else I should know about? Any other skills or talents?”
“Not that I know of.”
Baroty smiled. “Excellent. I’m not very good at dealing with surprises.”
Monson smiled back. “I’m going to have to disagree with that. CEO of the biggest Conglomerate in the world? I’m willing to bet you’re dang good at dealing with surprises”
It was an odd exchange. Small talk of unparalleled duplicity hid the true aims of either combatant. Christopher Baroty was careful in both word and gesture, doing all in his power to avoid revealing any sort of point or conclusion to Monson. The latter grew tired, so he just went for it.
“Not that speaking to you isn’t interesting or anything, but I have a headache and would like to return to my room. So why don’t you tell me what it is I can do for you, Mr. Baroty? Why are you here?”
Baroty sighed and gave a defeated smile. He pulled out an envelope and slid it across the table. “You have a bright future ahead of you, Mr. Grey, a bright one indeed.”
“Thank you.” Monson made to pick up the envelope but stopped right before he did. “You know you never answered Casey’s question, Mr. Baroty.”
“And what question was that, Mr. Grey?”
“What’s with the mask?”
“Read the letter and I’ll tell you.”
Monson’s eyebrow shot up. “How about a hint?”
Baroty smiled, but if Monson was being honest, the word “smile” did not really apply to the mixed, hollowed emotions curling the thin lips of Christopher Baroty. A smile is supposed to convey joy, happiness, pleasure and delight, any one or all of those things; none of these were reflected in Baroty’s expression.
He finally spoke.
“A hint? You really are like your grandfather, Mr. Grey. I’ll give you a hint. Let me just say this. We can’t all be as brave as you.”
Without another word Christopher Baroty stood up and left, Ms. Blake and Aaron Gibson in tow.
Grab
The House of Grey: Volume 4
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-
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Oh
, and don't miss Collin Earl and Chris Snelgrove's other titles:
HARMONICS: Rise of the Magician
Samantha Montgomery of Academy City 676 always dreamed of life outside of school.
Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for…
A rogue weapons manufacturer, a ruthless killer, and a schoolgirl converge as a weapon so advanced it defies the laws of physics is a mere breath away from being unleashed on the world. Now it’s up to Sam and some unexpected allies to keep it out of the wrong hands or risk loosing everything, and everyone, they hold dear.
A defense contractor on the rampage, an assassin out for blood,
and Sam caught in the middle.
When the reality you know ceases to be, can you live with the reality yet to come?
Read this book right now for FREE
HARMONICS: Revelations
It’s been weeks since the attack on her school, but Samantha Montgomery’s nightmares make her relive those events almost every night.
Struggling to adjust to her new home in the underground facility deep within in the reaches of the Rocky Mountains, Sam wonders just how dark things can get before her will gives out. Faced with the realization that her once best friend is a man foreign to her, that she will never see her home again, and that her life is inexplicably caught up in a three-way war between a group of domestic terrorists, the world’s largest weapons manufacturer, and the elite of a foreign superpower, Sam stands alone to answer the questions that plague her.
Why her? When will she see her friends, her family…Adam again? What mysterious power does the silver box hold to make so many people kill for it?
Little does Sam know that there are explanations to all her questions just beyond her grasp- but only if she has the courage to look.
Join Sam on her discovery as the future reveals itself in Harmonics: Revelations
HARMONICS: The Jadian Sun
For Samantha Montgomery, it seems there is no end to the reach of the Jadian Empire, as she once again finds herself at its mercy. Although life in an underground military facility was no picnic, the dangers within the elusive Empire may prove even more perilous.
With Richard’s sacrifice all for naught and Adam a part of those responsible for the attack on her school, Sam must find a way back to her home, back to her family…back to the life she once knew on her own.
Sam isn’t sure who she can trust as everyone around her seems tangled in the Empire’s vast web of deceit and duplicity. As she descends deeper into the heart of the Seven Cities, she realizes that nothing is certain- not even her beliefs about herself. Now she must choose between the life she has always known, or the truths she has discovered.
Join Sam as she uncovers the legacies, legends, and lies in
Harmonics: The Jadian Sun
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