Page 35 of Conquering Oz

“Excuse me?”

“Those were your words. You wanted to return the favor for your drink. Correct?”

“Well” —she chuckled— “as I recall, you weren’t interested.”

Oz watched his men line up for his safe passage inside the building.

“I said it wasn’t necessary. Interest and necessity are two entirely different things. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Oz could hear the faint gasp over the line. He tightened his hold on the phone and waited. Elodie wasn’t like other women. She wasn’t as polished in the sense of knowing the game. He found that fascinating.

“I guess I would.” Elodie paused. “When are you free?”

“Come by the club around ten on Thursday night.”

“Is this a date?”

Oz couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken a woman on a formal date. If ever.

“No.” He steeled his features. “This is you keeping your word.”

Her soft chuckle echoed over the line, and he cupped his mouth. He liked the sound a little too much.

“Do you want to take down my number in case plans change?”

“Nothing will change. And I have it.”

“Is that your way of telling me my business card isn’t still sitting on the table or found its way to the garbage?”

Oz resisted the urge to give in to a smile. This was new territory for him. People didn’t tease, taunt, or challenge Oz.Until now.

“Give your name at the door, and someone will escort you upstairs.”

“All right. I’ll see you then.”

Oz waited to hear her hang up then handed the phone to Nash. There were a few takeaways from the conversation, one being prominent.

“Go back to her file and find the connection. I want the name of thatfriend.”

“Yes, sir,” Nash said.

Oz would give more thought to the situation with Elodie at a later time. For now, he had other business to tend to. He headed to the main entrance of the building. The exterior looked slightly rundown. The interior wasn’t much better. There was a small lobby with two dated chairs shoved against the wall. Décor was not Inez’s strong suit.

They rode to the seventh floor. Oz got out of the elevator flanked by security and stalked down the long hallway. It hadn’t been updated in decades, and it was eerily quiet. He stopped at her door.

“Uh, sir…”

Oz looked over his shoulder to Ridge.

“Don’t forget this.” His lips twitched, and he held up a box.

A carton of cigarettes. Most people welcomed an expensive bottle of liquor. Not Inez. She wanted her brand of cigarettes. To say she was old school would’ve been an understatement. She’d been in the Underground long before Oz came along. She may have started small, but she was the largest manufacturer anddistributor in the state. Her connection to Sal had skyrocketed her reach and income. She also served as one of his closest allies.

Oz grabbed the box, shaking his head. He knocked on the door and clasped his hand over his wrist. Waiting. Inez was the only person who ever made Oz wait.

Inez doesn’t give a fuck.

The door cracked open, and she peeked through the small space.

---