Page 39 of Elicit (Decadence After Dark)

“She is quite the contributor.” Kayne has my back.

He and Alistair shake hands as the three of us meet in the center of the room. “It’s been a minute, bro.”

“I needed to stretch my wings a bit.” He wipes some blood from his nose.

“Here.” I yank off my T-shirt and hand it to him. It’s sweaty anyway.

He uses it with no objection.

“If you two are done with the theatrics, I have news,” Kayne broadcasts. “I got the call. He’s coming.”

“Both of them?” I question.

“Who? Who’s coming?” Alistair interjects.

“Javier and El Rey,” Kayne relays ominously. He’s out for blood, and it looks like he’s finally going to make good on his promise.

“El Rey, El Rey? The cocaine kingpin?”

“One and the same,” Kayne confirms.

Alistair extends a troubled look. “Don’t you think you two are getting in over your heads? We’re talking about a powerful, synthesized narcotrafficker.”

“We’ve been waiting for this break for six years. It’s the whole reason Mansion even exists. This is what we were implemented to do,” Kayne argues.

“I know. It’s just . . .El Rey.” Alistair is clearly concerned.

“You don’t have to stay. We can handle it without you,” I offer him an out.

“It’s not me I’m concerned about.” He puts his hand on my bare shoulder. “Your mother will murder me if anything happens to you.”

We all laugh.

“She knew the business I was getting into when I joined the secret service.”

“Yes, and look at how well that turned out.” He grimaces.

I roll my eyes. “That was a misfortunate understanding.”

“Yes, that cost you your career. I don’t want any other misfortunate understandings to cost you your life.”

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

“One we’re both willing to take,” Kayne declares.

“Cowboys.” Alistair shakes his head.

“You knew something like this was always a possibility.”

“Yes, but possibility and reality are two starkly different things.” He sighs, his deep timbre resonating.

“It’s happening whether we like it or not now. We have to tell Juice.” Kayne turns all business. “We need to prepare. I’m not letting these fuckers slip through our fingers.”

“Let’s do it then.” We bump fists. “Get cleaned up,” I direct Alistair with a smack on the stomach. “We’ll have some dinner and start strategizing once Kayne and I are done.”

Kayne and I drop into the gaming chairs positioned in front of the seventy-inch television hanging on the wall. If you’re going to play video games, this is the only way to do it. State-of-the-art liquid crystal display with eardrum exploding surround sound.

Yeah.

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