“Wow,” I said.
“Yeah, I know, it’s a mess.”
I laughed. “Are you kidding me? This place is spotless.”
“Haven’t had a chance to straighten up yet.” He frowned at what appeared to be a tiny speck of dust on the floor. “Anyway, I’ll show you the rest—”
He didn’t finish that sentence. There was a loud, pounding knock on the door that made me jump. I walked a few paces away, deeper into the house, as he gave me a sharp look then went to check through the window.
“Shit,” he whispered to himself. “Go into the kitchen.”
“What’s wrong?”
“The kitchen. Right now.”
“Is it Vincent?”
He stared at me hard. “Go.”
I let out a frustrated breath, but walked to the end of the house and through the doorway separating the main rooms from the kitchen. The floor was vinyl but the countertops were clean granite, and his appliances were all shining stainless steel. I couldn’t believe how nice this man’s kitchen was, and I made a note to not judge people based on their looks ever again.
He opened the door. I couldn’t hear what was said, but I saw the tension all over his back and shoulders. He didn’t want to let them in, but he finally reluctantly turned, and two men walked past him as he shut the door behind them.
The first man was tall and thin with a gaunt face and a thin mustache. His hair was dirty and he wore stained denim. The other was average height, on the young side, with a square jaw and a nice button-down shirt. He looked almost like a political canvasser for some progressive upstart.
“Amber,” Ren said.
I stepped into the room, but stuck close to the door. “Who are you?” I asked.
The young man looked at me. “I’m Felix, this is Lukas.” His voice was deep but smooth and he gave me a dazzling white smile. “We’re here to make a deal.”
“They’re Dusters.” Ren walked past them and stood at my side. The tall one named Lukas glared around him like he wanted to start smashing the place, but Felix seemed placid, almost in control. He chuckled and gestured vaguely at the table.
“Shall we sit?” he asked.
“No need. You’re not staying.” Ren was on edge. I could tell this was bad, and I did my best to keep my heart rate under control. I didn’t want to panic and make things worse. I knew he was already worried about me as it was.
“Oh, come on, Ren,” Felix said. “Let’s just chat for a second.” He walked to the table and sat down. Lukas joined him, leaning forward on his elbows, his back hunched. Felix smiled and gestured, seemingly at ease, like he’d been here before. “We’re only here to talk.”
Ren sat down, still stiff. I sat next to him, tugging the chair away from Lukas, who gazed at me like he couldn’t care less about my existence.
“Why’d you follow us?” Ren asked.
“Lukas here has been watching the mansion for weeks. When he saw you slip out, he called me in. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to chat.”
“I knew someone was following.”
Felix laughed. “Lukas is very good. You’re a hard man to stick to, but Lukas can’t be beat.”
Lukas didn’t seem particularly interested in the whole conversation. He gazed at the floor, then the ceiling, then his dirty fingernails.
“What do you want?” Ren asked. “I don’t know you, and I know most guys that work this town.”
“We’ve never met before, but I’ve been around, circling the drain as they say.” Felix kept on smiling, and the more he showed his teeth, the more he seemed like a predator trying to put his prey at ease. “I’ve heard all about you though. I have to say, I’m very impressed with your work.”
“I’ll ask again, what do you want?” Ren’s tone remained hard.
“You know all about our problem with the Leone family,” Felix said, and knocked a knuckle in the tabletop. “It’s been a slog these last few weeks, tell you the truth.”
“Didn’t seem like a slog when you shot up that house out in Mt. Airy.”
“Ah.” Felix laughed. “You weren’t supposed to be there.”
“So you were trying to murder Mona?”
“Kidnap, actually.” Felix shrugged. “Would’ve been a good move, too. I think Vincent would give up anything for that girl. Seems to actually love her.”
“You’re right. Shame it didn’t work out.”
“These things happen.” He tilted his head. “Fortunately, I think I have a better plan with you.”
“I don’t recall working for you.”
“Not yet, you don’t. But I think you will, once you hear my offer.”
A tense silence fell over the room. Ren glared death at Felix, and I tried not to scream. Lukas seemed like he was bored to tears, even if the threat of violence hung so thick over the table that I thought I could bite down and rip off a chunk.