Page 16 of Game of Love
It was like a fucking pissing match and the king choose a fountain of fire that did it’s own show.
We were parked in the space between there and the hotel’s entrance I couldn’t deny that it was a sight to behold and Giovanni really had invested time to make the building itself something to remember. The man owned over a hundred hotel chains and countless restaurants and other buildings. You could tell though that he’d put his heart here.
“You know I’m totally doing this for you right?” Wes stated as we looked on.
I chuckled. I didn’t know how many times he planned to tell me the same thing.
“Yes, Wes. I know and I don’t need another reminder,” I scuffed glancing ahead of us. Up the grand steps leading to the entrance were uniformed doormen dressed in red and black similar to playing cards, assisting patrons inside. The two door men looked more like ex-military guys than the average door man. It figured that Giovanni would have people like that though at his door.
“Well you’ll be getting many from me because this is outside our remit and if you ask me much harder than the usual.”
I completely disagreed. This was no harder than trying to find Balthazar.
“How can this be harder. In five years we haven’t seen hide nor hair of Balthazar.”
“I know, but shit Xander, have you thought about this part. Giovanni is a mobster. They have their ways of dealing with people.”
I was well versed in my encounters with mobsters. Very well versed and I knew what he meant.
“I have to try Wes. I need help finding Balthazar and I can’t refuse help if it’s being offered. We don’t have the set up they do. I have to bear in mind that when I was in the team I knew what I was doing. We knew we’d see him at some point. Going it just the two of us hasn’t got us anywhere.”
He sighed and looked defeated. He knew I was right.
“I know and that is why I’m only doing this for you. But…what happens after Xander? You go back to being an agent?”
It was a good question. I wouldn’t lie and say I didn’t miss the work. But, at the same time I wouldn’t admit there were times when I hated the life.
If Claire hadn’t been there with me it would have been worse. Worse, being in a relationship and keeping my job secret. Keeping everything about my life secret. It was the way of the work. Being an SMF agent called for utmost secrecy.
When I met Wes it took me awhile to tell him and I only did because I was no longer part of them. I also didn’t go into details. Just what I needed to say in regard to Balthazar.
How Claire and I came to be wasn’t through work though.
I met her when I was sixteen.
She and Jack, her father, saved me from mobsters.
Jack, was like a father to me. treated me just like his own. We were a family. They were family. Just like everybody else, I was dead to him.
Ethan was Ethan and yes he was right to say that we were friends once but there was Jack. The man I promised I’d take care of his daughter.
I couldn’t face him after it all happened. I figured if I could find Balthazar it would be something. It would be justice of some sort.
I looked to Wes, realizing I’d gone quiet and hadn’t answered the question.
“I don’t know Wes… That wasn’t something I factored in.”
“Well if they’ll help you and set up a team, I doubt you’ll be average Joe Xander.” He smirked. “Don’t worry man, I’m not asking because I’m worried about myself. I just wondered is all. I’ll still be around like a rash.”
“I hope you will because there’s no team being formed without you in it. You’re my friend and I trust you.”
He nodded and gave me a serious look. “Good, then trust this… be careful Xander. Government is government, but mobsters have their own system. You had this guy’s name so I know you know he’s dangerous. Bail when you need to and I’ll be right there with ya.” He tipped his head in reverence. “Five years might have gone by and we haven’t found Balthazar, but it doesn’t stop us from looking and hoping for that lucky break. With this new team, you’re looking for a lucky break too. They just have better equipment and maybe know more people than us. Doesn’t make them better though. But I get it.”
I pressed my lips together. He spoke truth and I was listening. I was. It was an avenue I was willing to explore though no matter what happened. It was risk. All of it was a risk and I was going to take it.
“Thanks. Thanks for getting it.”
He gave me a deep chuckle. “No worries. Anyway… what did you think of the girl?” His eyes lit up.
