Page 144 of False God

I’m not. It’s a sign of respect—respect he just earned.

Finally, Crew nods. “Next time we see each other, I promise I’ll remember you.”

“Glad I finally made an impression.”

One corner of his mouth curves up a tiny bit. “Can sort of see why she likes you.”

Following that small endorsement, Crew turns and walks away.

I hit the button for the lift again. It’s late—past midnight—but I no longer feel that tired. Residual adrenaline is coursing through me.

When I reach the lobby, I pull out my mobile and call my cousin.

Ellis answers on the second ring. “Wassup, Duke?”

“You busy?” I ask.

“Nah, just playing video games.”

“Want to meet me for a drink?”

“Meet you for a drink … you’re in New York?”

“Yes.”

A pause.

“Is everything okay? Did something happen with your mom?”

Ellis witnessed most of my last visit. The distance between me and my mother, which only expanded tonight.

“Georgia’s fine. I came for a work thing.”

“You sure do work a lot,” he comments.

“Drink, Ellis. Are you in or not?”

“Are you going to sip water this time?”

“I’ll be at the same place we met last time in ten minutes,” I tell him, then hang up.

He arrives shortly after I do, a bike helmet tucked beneath one arm.

This bar isn’t any nicer than I remember it being, but it’s significantly busier than it was during my last visit. More popular with the weekend crowd, I guess.

Ellis’s smile is wide as he approaches the booth. I snagged the last open one.

“Duke! You’re really here.”

“You can call me Charlie, you know,” I tell him.

He shakes his head. “How will everyone know you’re a duke then?”

“I’m fine with everyone not knowing I’m a duke,” I inform him.

“What’s this?” He picks up the scotch I ordered for him when I arrived.

“Decent liquor,” I reply.

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