Page 66 of Alfie: Part One

Kellan chuckled. “Easier this way. Tighter security would attract more attention, and we don’t keep anything in here anyway.” He knocked twice. “No matter what happens inside, you call a cleaner when you’re done. Understood?”

“I know.” I’d heard that before, and I knew who to call. There was another set of codes to that language.

The door opened, and someone I didn’t recognize poked his head out. He looked like a linebacker with that frame and menacing face—though, the instant he laid eyes on Kellan, he changed his tune.

“Ford.” The guy nodded and opened the door wider. “That’s my cue. Boss, I’ll be right outside.”

There he was. Finn stood at the center of the room, facing two guys who were kneeling on the floor with their hands restrained behind their backs.

Holy fuck, this was real.

Kellan was right in that the room was empty of furniture and stuff that usually ended up in a storage unit, but the walls were covered in panels that suppressed sound.

I entered the room after Kellan, and that was when I noticed Colm leaning casually against the wall that the door had blocked from my view. Even he was dressed kinda nicely. Not the suit or high-end clothes that Finn and Kellan wore, but still. A pair of nice slacks, leather shoes, and a formfitting shirt.

Should I buy clothes like that?

Despite making a face at the notion, Kellan had assured me I had no dress code to follow. I could stick to jeans, tees, and hoodies except for Sundays, which went without saying.

I hated suits, but I had to admit, Colm and Kellan looked damn good. They weren’t uncomfortable, and they brought a pinch ofPeaky Blindersto their modern twist on traditional British fashion.

Back in my modeling days, I’d had a gig for a British fashion house once, and I knew I could pull off that style.

I’d think about it.

Colm’s ass was worth a thought too. It was a nice one.

“So you wanted to work tonight, boss?” Kellan walked over to Finn, while I exchanged a quick nod with Colm.

Finn tilted his head enough to face Kellan. “It was either this or coming up with an excuse for why I don’t wanna go running with the wife. And this is— Where’s Alfie?” He glanced over his shoulder as he spoke, and he spotted me and narrowed his eyes. “You. This is your fault, mate. You got Emilia hooked on some fuckin’ fitness trend where you run around and take pictures of Philly. You know who already knows what Philly looks like? Me.”

I grinned and felt a rush of relief wash over me at the mood he set. “It’s not a trend, boss. I just told her that’s what I do.”

“Semantics.” He brought out his smokes and lit one up. “I have a gym in my basement for a reason. I don’t fucking go running outside when it’s ninety degrees.”

I chuckled and folded my arms over my chest. I wasn’t sure what the protocol was here, so I figured it was best to stay back until I had an order to follow.

“Next time we talk on Insta, I’ll tell her long walks to the fridge also work,” I said.

Kellan laughed at that, and so did Colm.

Finn smirked and motioned for me to come closer.

It was all banter. I wasn’t worried. Much. No, I wasn’t.

I joined him at his side, and he draped an arm around my shoulders. “Who knew my cousin was a comedian?”

“The cousin did.” I smiled.

He exhaled smoke through his nose and grinned a little. “We’ll have to work out together sometime.” He jerked his chin at the two guys kneeling on the floor. “We can start tonight with a punching bag or two.”

Very funny.

“Did Ford tell you tonight’s a test for you?”

“Aye.” I folded my arms over my chest again, and he let his arm fall. “He also told me these two are fuckups.”

“Mm.” Finn nodded once and stubbed out his smoke on the concrete floor.

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