Page 33 of Game of Love
I sighed, brought my hands together and cracked my knuckles. “Can you? I’m not so sure about that. Even so, I’m not afraid of you.” I wanted him to know that right off the bat.
It wasn’t me talking big or doing anything to make myself look like I was more powerful than him. It was more that case of respect. Each of these guys were different. Respect came in different ways.
I’d learned very quickly that this man did not like any kind of weakness. No matter what it was.
“Why? Why aren’t you afraid of me?”
I smirked. “Because you need me. Last night was the interview because you needed people for a job. Nothing to fear there, and I’m here for my first meeting with you. You need me for something.”
“Wow.” He steepled his fingers and gazed at me. “Impressive. As impressive as your background check. And vague too. Ex-military and then nothing more. Most ex-military men don’t sign up to work for people like me.”
“I’m not like most ex-military men,” I answered simply.
“I gathered that. So were you ever interested in joining something like the police force or FBI?”
“Nope.” At least that was the truth. I needed something more exciting. Something that allowed me to truly use all my skills and abilities. Something that wouldn’t be restrictive to a guy like me.
“Well that’s great. Like most mobsters I hate cops, and any kind of government authority. So, the good news is you’re in. Welcome to the team.”
I smiled. “Thank you. Do I get to meet the other three recruits?” I wasn’t sure what more games he would have played last night, but I was sure the other guys would have definitely been more mindful before volunteering themselves.
“There are no others.”
“What? Did you kill everyone in the room?” I grinned.
He chuckled again and pointed at me. “Nope. I didn’t. I decided that after your little show I didn’t need anybody else. Well done. I haven’t seen the keen eye or tactics you exhibited before. I’m not sure whether to be amused, impressed, blown away. Or all of it. It does, however, make me wonder a little more about you.”
To give him the run down on me I’d have to write a book.
It was perhaps best to leave out the parts about me being a thief.
Me in a nutshell was twofold. I could steal anything with my eyes shut and get out of any situation. Those were my practical skills.
Technical skills branched off from that because it was the art of manipulation I used to hack any system and decrypt any kind of password. It was just how my brain worked. It processed things at a hundred miles per hour and picked them apart. That was me.
“I’m sure you’ll get to know me as we work together,” I answered.
“I’m sure I will. Especially since I have a few special things I’d love for you to work on.”
Special… I really hoped that was special as in we were going to get to the subject of the blueprints.
“Special?” I asked trying to tamp down my zeal.
He took a sip of his tea and set the cup back down on the saucer. Seriousness washed over his face and worry brimmed his eyes. He pulled a Cuban cigar from the inside of his jacket and held it up to me.
“You smoke?”
I shook my head. “Not lately.”
“But you used to?”
“Yes, until I set fire to my foster parents house and they kicked me out.”
“Foster parents? Did you ever think to look up your real parents?”
I was always suspicious of people who were either trying to sidestep a direct question or avoid giving an answer.
“Yes.”
