Page 2 of Bound to the Hellhound
"It will happen for you, Valerian, when you least expect it, and the memory of your hesitation at this moment will make you laugh.” Kass shook his fork at Valerian. "You mark my words, one of these days will be your day." Valerian just nodded his head, not wanting to get into it with Kass but knowing full well that his day would never come. It was a fact that he’d accepted long ago.
“Louis DuCane is coming in person to review the agreement and sign.” Parson, the representative of the owner, spoke to Nelson Tuffin, the agent handling the sale. "Your people better be ready to finish this business as smoothly as you claimed.” Theo had finished in the basement and had come back up to the second floor, but stopped short of entering the room when he heard his father speaking with the owner's emissary.
He wasn’t given any information regarding the sale, but he'd seen the men representing the seller, and they were bad news. He could tell they were thugs, but his father agreed to handle the sale and work with them, which wasn't unusual. Theo sensed they were using them, and in the end, nothing good would come from this business, but no one cared what he thought, least of all his father and his brothers.
Theo quietly returned to the basement, not wanting to be seen. It was better to stay out of the way when any of the Parson group were on site. He always knew his father and brothersflirted with the criminal life, but getting involved with Parson was a leap into the deep end.
They weren’t people to be played with, and once you worked with them, you were never free. The whole thing gave him a sick feeling in his stomach. He wondered who was selling the waterfront section, considering they used someone like Parson as an intermediary. The thought was chilling.
He noticed Justin getting off the elevator and heading in his direction. Theo began sweeping the floor and attempted to ignore him, but that was going to be impossible.
"Hey, asshole," Justin yelled and threw a cardboard box at him. Theo knocked it out of the way before it hit him and then picked it up and set it on a table. Justin then grabbed a bag of garbage, ripped it open, and threw it all over the floor. "You're a fucking waste, Theo." He yelled again and strutted stiffly around the room.
Justin was angry that he wasn't included in the business upstairs. He fancied himself as father's right-hand man, but he wasn't. Larry had his father's trust and faith, and his father leaned on him, which infuriated Justin. The only way Justin could make himself feel better was to attack Theo, which he did often. Larry treated him poorly, too, but for Larry, it was just a sport, not personal, whereas Justin actually hated him.
Justin began dumping more garbage and shouting at Theo, and then he grabbed Theo by the collar and jerked him off his feet. Theo fell into the garbage on the floor. "That's where you belong, loser." He kicked out at Theo but missed. “Pick this shit up.”
Theo did not respond and just tried to stay out of his way, but Justin was very angry and determined to make Theo pay. His hard fist connected with Theo's jaw, and in that moment,he promised himself that this would be the last time. He would leave, he would do whatever he had to to be free of these monsters.
CHAPTER TWO
Valerian met Silas out front, and they were soon joined by Master Louis DuCane. It was unusual for the Master to complete business such as this in person, but they knew that he always had a reason for everything he did. Something was calling him to Detroit to the offices of the Tuffin agency, and both Valerian and Silas were curious about it.
“He’s expecting trouble.” Silas offered.
“Or he wants to start some.” Valerian smiled.
"True, very true." Silas returned lightheartedly. He was bringing two people with him who could start or end whatever he had in mind. Master DuCane was not a showy person; he only brought what he needed, and for this visit, he brought two of his best. This spoke to his intent and expectations. "Stay sharp," Silas stated to Valerian as they drove to the airport.
The business district with the warehouses on the River Rouge would be a perfect location for DuCane Industries to process imports, but it wasn’t set in stone, and it wasn’t the only property in Detroit that Louis had been looking at.
“The negotiations were handled by my people in Lansing, and it looks to be a suitable deal," Louis stated as they sat in thejet on their way to Detroit. He trusted Silas and Valerian to have his back if the meeting turned sour, as his gut was telling him it might.
“The Tuffin Agency that is handling this sale is human-owned and operated, but the sellers are wolves with no pack affiliation. They’re simply a powerful family from the Detroit area.”
"Rogues," Silas stated, surprised.
"Not in the usual sense, but yes, rogues in that they answer to no one and experience no limitations on accepted behavior. The money and the power it affords them within the city has protected them from scrutiny and attack... for now.” Master DuCane appeared to be analyzing his options and making plans. Valerian wondered just how this evening would end.
“Money is not stable and does not protect forever. Community is important, and every rogue eventually learns that fact." Silas again commented, and Master DuCane nodded.
“Will there be a problem with the owners?" Valerian spoke up, asking the obvious question.
“I’m not sure.” The Master answered thoughtfully. “The purchase is suitable for my needs, but there are other parcels within the city that would also be suitable.” He began his voice low and calculating. “The terms have been agreed upon, and all that remains is to meet with Mr. Tuffin and complete the transfer.” Master DuCane paused and strummed his fingers on the small tabletop.
“What’s on your mind?” Silas asked.
“I'm not someone who is used to being indecisive, but at this moment all I can say is that I was compelled to completethis job myself." He shifted his gaze to Silas and then to Valerian, nailing them with a dark stare. “Stay alert and watchful, I don't know what awaits us, but I have a feeling it will be interesting.”
They landed at the airport and picked up their hired car. Valerian drove with Silas in the passenger seat and Master DuCane in the back. They drove to the offices of Tuffin and Assoc. It appeared just as one would expect: it was a six-floor office building with an underground garage. It was plain and utilitarian in its function, nothing memorable or outstanding.
They were met in the garage by one of the Associates. Larry Tuffin guided them to the elevator and brought them to the second floor, where the business would be completed. Larry was stiff and nervous, but it was hard to discern the cause. Master DuCane had an aura that could negatively affect humans.
Valerian felt a heaviness the minute they stepped out of the car and headed for the elevator. He assumed it was just the nature of the job and the sharp focus he was keeping on his environment. He noticed the Master glanced over at him several times, but he did not say anything. Master DuCane was picking up on something, as was Silas.
They walked out of the elevator, and Valerian moved to the side and dropped back two steps behind the Master and Silas. They proceeded down the hall to a large conference room, where the paperwork was spread out on the long table. The moment they entered, a short, stressed-looking human stepped forward with a pasted smile and reached out his hand to Master DuCane.
He introduced himself as Nelson Tuffin, the chief property agent. Behind him were two men, clearly shifters, acting as security and looking bored. Master DuCane took in the room with a glance, and a slight smile graced the corner of hismouth. The shifters were edging for conflict; it was written on their faces, but would they honor whatever oath they gave this weak human?
