Page 95 of Damaged

He shuts the door. “Arms out.”

I hold my arms up, and he pats me down.

Cody steps into view. His thinning blond hair is standing on end, showing more of his shining widow’s peaks. He holds a glass of whiskey, despite the earlier hour. He’s wearing chinos and a polo and has a yellow sweater tied around his neck.

What stupid fuck did that first? All these Hamptons types love to wrap a sweater around their neck like it’s some kind of peacocking status symbol.

It makes them look like daddy’s boys. And it’s tantalizing for me, because I can’t stop picturing using it to strangle Cody to death.

“You killed my man,” Cody says in a tone like he’s a military commander.

“Sorry. I wasn’t aware you two were dating.”

“Cut the shit, James. Give me one reason why your contract shouldn’t be dropped.”

“Because I fulfilled my end of the deal. You never told me an armed man was going to beat and hold hostage one of my employees. I think The Society would agree that you went back on your word if you drop Aquarius.”

Cody knows I’m right. He left metooin the dark. He turns without a word and walks deeper into the house. It’s like some 80s business power move. He wants me to follow him. I grit my teeth and have half a mind to just turn around, but I’m doing more than just talking with Cody today.

I’m casing his house.

I follow him but pluck a glass decanter of whiskey off the bar in the dining room as I go.

We pass through the kitchen, and I grab a mug from next to the coffee machine. When we finally arrive in his mahogany-walled office, I stop and pour the whiskey into the mug.

Cody turns and stares at me with his mouth open. I take my time setting down the decanter, swirling the whiskey around the mug, and taking a sip.

Two can play at stupid power moves.

“Your little heroics last night are going to cost you. The dead man’s associates want five million for his death.”

“Or what?”

“Or they talk.”

“Sounds like a you problem. I was left in the dark. I’m genuinely clean on this heist, remember?”

“Don’t act like I can’t still bring you down.”

“You mean rat me out?” I take a seat in a leather recliner.

“We’re in this together, whether you like it or not.”

“So, what do you want me to do?”

“The money is coming from your pocket.”

I sigh. It’s always about money. “Okay. I remember you saying you wanted the heist to look real, so what’s more real than me trying to stop it?”

Cody is one of those people who would rather have their circumstances be worse than be wrong. He ignores my point. “I need the money wired to a bank account in the Caymans by this evening.”

It’s a small price to pay. If this means the Department of Defense keeps my contract, I’ll wire ten times this much.

“I’ll have it done. Is there anything else you want to discuss, or did you bring me out here just for that?”

Cody leans back against his desk. He finishes his whiskey off in a quick slug and hisses through his teeth. His posturing tolook like a man is ridiculous. I watch him hold his breath to keep from gagging.

“I’m disappointed in you, James,” he says finally. “You might be sorry to hear The Society was going to vote to elect you to their board this session. Not much of a chance of that now.”

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