Page 11 of Mine to Keep
An expensive Patek Philippe watch gleams on my left wrist, solidifying my status as a man of wealth. I never spend my money on anything frivolous, but my sister told me she liked itone day and I purchased it when I finally had the money for it. It’s a vintage, timeless piece, so even if someone calls it out as being old, it’s still worth a few hundred grand.
The drive to the vineyard is peaceful. If I wanted to retire, it would be in a place like this. Without the hustle and bustle, far enough away that I could see someone coming from a mile off. I’d have to be on high alert for the rest of my life, but it wouldn’t involve killing for a living.
My eyes are itchy from the contacts and lack of sleep, but I don’t dare rub them so I don’t risk ruining my disguise.
When this is over, I’m going to take a long nap. I won’t have a job that has a deadline and The Void won’t send me out on another one so soon.
By the time I arrive at the vineyard, there are other guests milling about, with jewelry sparkling on arms, necks, wrists, and ears. Stuck-up people with their noses in the air and fake smiles on their faces walk around with large wine glasses, stopping at buckets to spit out the offerings. Wine tastings are a waste, but I have to pretend this type of event is old hat for me.
After I hand my keys to the valet, I slide my hand into my pocket and activate the jammer, effectively shutting off all the cameras within a five-hundred-foot radius.
I approach the door and give my cover ID to the doorman with a clipboard in his hands. He nods after he finds my name on the checklist. A large man with a no-nonsense attitude frisks me, then allows me access.
Sloppy. He didn’t even find the blade tucked in the inside pocket of my suit.
For the next two hours, I walk around making small talk and networking with people that have more money than they know what to do with. Most are there to build their wealth, while others are there because it’s expected of them.
In the middle of the event is Joyner Sands, holding court as he waves his wine glass around. Several people stand around him, hanging on to his every word as he tells lame joke after lame joke.
While people are distracted listening to his bullshit, I walk around, noting all the entrances and exits, as well as rooms that line the hallways. This wing of the house must be the business side, as all I see are several offices, meeting rooms and restrooms.
I step outside to a terrace, seeing a few people congregated there, laughing and comparing their wealth snarkily, but with a smile. I hate this fake act rich people put on, not giving a fuck about the people that made them rich, only caring about getting richer. If it were up to me, I’d kill them all and give their wealth to the people that deserve it.
“Good afternoon,” an older woman says, stepping over to me and getting into my personal space. Although we’re supposed to spit the wine out after tasting, it’s apparent this old girl decided sipping hers would be best. “I don’t believe I’ve seen you at one of these stuffy events before.”
She has an American accent, sounding as if she’s from the West Coast. California maybe. Reminds me of home.
I smile at her and she swoons, batting her eyes. Must have been a while since she’s gotten a flirty grin.
“It’s my first,” I tell her, making sure my English accent is crisp and relaxed. I’ve heard a few people here that are from England and adapted to their easy pronunciations of certain words and syllables. “What about you? Are you a regular?” I adjust my glasses with a slightly shaky hand, watching how her eyes soften as she takes in the nervous gesture.
She giggles, probably getting more attention than she has in years. She has to be seventy-five, if she’s a day.
Threading her arm through mine, she walks slowly inside and guides me to the right—an area I haven’t checked out yet—instead of the left where the party is. “I am a frequent visitor. My husband owned a soccer team—football to you, right?” I nod, keeping up the charade. “When he died, I sold it for a ridiculous amount. More than I could ever spend in the few years I may have left.”
“Come now,” I say, looking down at her, but discreetly taking in my surroundings. She’s leading me towards a more lived-in part of the mansion, and into a sitting room. “You can’t be older than twenty-five, love.”
Her laughter tells me she knows I’m full of shit but is enjoying the attention. “Yes, well, I’ve been doing my best to give it all away before I’m dust. Got a few hundred million to get rid of. It’s working pretty well. My children and grandchildren get a cut, and the rest will go to my charities of choice when I’m long gone. But for now, I come to these dalliances and meet handsome men like you.” She sits down in one of the chairs, signaling for me to sit with her.
“What’s your name, handsome?” she asks with a relaxed smile.
“Clive. Yours?”
“Reveta. Pleasure to meet you. It’s not often I find a good-looking man with a beautiful accent that lets me accost him at this type of event.”
I smile and wink at her. “Are we allowed here?”
She waves her hand at me. “I’m old. I can say I got lost and you were helping me out. They’d believe it.”
We relax in the sitting room talking while she drinks and laughs. I might see an entry point I can sneak into, but I need to see Joyner’s room so I know how to execute my plan. The stairs lead to separate wings, with Sands’ room on the right.
As if luck is shining on me, Reveta asks me to help her to the bathroom upstairs, since it’s the nicer of the three in this wing.
She leans in and whispers conspiratorially, “Joyner doesn’t want people using his private bathroom, but he can’t tell me no. He and my husband were business partners, and I helped make him a very wealthy man.” Her face turns stormy when she looks at me. “If I had known what he’d done, I would have kept my fucking percentage of the team.”
I bark a laugh. “Why, Reveta, you have a bit of a potty mouth.”
“My husband used to tell me I cursed like a sailor.” Her gaze takes on a sad, faraway quality as we slowly climb the stairs. “I haven’t done it as much since he passed.”
