He chuckled. “He’s not going to be surprised you wish to speak to him.”
“I doubted that he would be.”
“Come in.”
The gate buzzed and swung open, and I wound up the curved drive and came to a stop in front of the massive stairs. I hopped out and started up them. Oz opened the door before I made it to the landing.
“How is it problems follow you wherever you go?”
I roughed out a laugh, tossed a smirk in his direction. “I’m just appealing that way. Everything is drawn to me. You have seen me, right?”
He scoffed a teasing sound. “More like a magnet for trouble. I haven’t had to draw my gun in years, and the last two times you came around, things got interesting.”
“What can I say? I’m an interesting kind of guy.”
Oz laughed. “You’re something, all right.”
With a grin, I shook his hand as he welcomed me inside. The man was all affable smiles while his attention still seemed to travel everywhere, constantly on guard.
The guy took his job seriously, that was for sure. But it was no secret men like Haille Manchief traveled in dangerous circles. They had shady friends and even darker enemies. No doubt about it considering mine had been sitting across from me just a couple nights ago.
“Right this way.” Oz gestured down the hall, and he led me into a sweeping library where another mammoth fireplace roared.
The man himself was behind a desk at the far end of the room. He stood with an amused grin. “Logan Lawson. Welcome. I have been expecting you.”
I strode that way, reaching over to shake the hand he extended. “Haille. Thank you for having me.”
I sank onto the seat opposite him and crossed an ankle over my knee, trying not to fidget, to act like this visit didn’t feel like it was the most important I’d ever made.
A chuckle rumbled from him as he sank into his plush chair. “You know my door is always open to you. You’ve made me a lot of money, so in my book, that means we’re very good friends.”
The arch of his brow was pleased and intrigued.
“It’s my job, and I do it well.”
“So humble.”
I shrugged. “I see no reason to be.”
He laughed a rumbling sound. “No, not when you’re as good as you.”
Rocking back in his chair, he studied me with a sly grin on his face. “So, what is it I can do for you?”
Apprehension gushed through my veins. I sucked it down and attempted to play it cool.
“I need to know how Jarek Urso ended up sitting at your table two nights ago.” That shit came off hard, anyway.
Amusement played through his expression, his red cheeks puffing out. “I figured you would.”
He was far too pleased in my discomfort.
The twisted, sadistic fuck enjoying someone else’s pain.
I could see it written all over him. He was excited by the idea of Jarek and I actually fighting to the death.
May the best man win.
I intended on it.