Earlier Jesse had told Michael he needed to be in the main office where most of the gang members were hanging out.
Typically for any of the groups, or mafia organizations anywhere all over the world, the gang had a perfectly neat business in front of the law, with legal offices, such as the one they usually gathered at.They could be laundering money, presenting it as any business out there, it could be anything- from a construction company to a car wash.In their case- it was some marketing agency, although neither of the guys around looked like they knew what the latest trends were.As for negotiating buying or selling- well, maybe they did know a thing or two.Jesse sat heavily on the sofa in the open space of the office and slumped against the back. He draped his hand over the backrest and Mike saw some letters, tattooed on the inside of his forearm. It was an obviously super old ink and Michael assumed Jesse must have gotten it when he was twelve, or something.Trouble, baby
The strong stench of alcohol, cheap perfumes and cigarettes hit him the moment he stopped the car at the address they were given.It was still a late afternoon, but Mike was sure there were people in here who hadn't left the table since yesterday.As usual, the front was some Chinese or Indian restaurant, in their case it was a Chinese one- and on the outside it was a relatively busy place where people went to have a few more shots after everything else closed and didn't want to go home yet or straight back to their wives after work.On the inside and what was somewhere on the back- was the biggest illegal casino in London and of course -that was the place where most of the money from this business was laundered.It had been obvious Richard was laundering money, but now Michael was seeing it wasn't only with art and antiques. Casinos were less profitable sometimes, luckily- also more easier to deal with. It was one thing having to break the nose of a casino owner who
Michael searched their paling faces.And they were terrified. Twice more than what they'd been only a few seconds ago.All men -and women included -were reacting to whatever it was, only in different ways. But one emotion was common.The men were emitting hesitation, confusion, bordering fear, and despite all that-attraction and fascination.There was only one person Michael could ever think of who could inspire suicidal tendencies and a boner at the same time."Why the hell is he here?"Someone whispered and Michael knew Killian was somewhere behind him.He glanced at his boss and saw Killian leaning against the nearest wall, dressed entirely in black in a long-sleeved shirt and pants. His eyes were fixed on Michael, following every single move he was making and had seen everything.How long had he been there/And his expression was unreadable - as always.Most of the women got up and scattered, while some of the men tried to move a
The butler tipped his head at Michael as he saw him enter the main part of the house. Then it looked like the man recognised who Michael was so the man simply walked away, ignoring him.Perhaps Christopher was finally getting used to the idea he'd be seeing more from Michael, or it was obvious he didn't deserve the butler’s attention in the slightest.Michael hadn't seen Killian since the accident in the casino. Nowhere.Two of the maids passing by greeted him."Hi, Michael," the taller blond one smiled and he saw the colour climb on her face."Uhh, yeah," he managed, but they were already walking away. She glanced back at him over her shoulder and Michael wondered how she knew his name.He went down the corridor when he heard footsteps behind him.Michael didn't need to turn around to know it was Jesse."Mike, I was just wondering…"He turned around and Jesse gasped."Woah!,""What?"Michael ran his hand instinctively over his closely cut hair. H
Michael and Jesse had finished with the task Garrey gave them earlier and he was now drinking from the whisky glass he'd sneaked in the small garden, away from everyone.It was a semi- secluded area, not far from the Manor, and Michael found a small bench, that was hidden behind a tall, nicely trimmed rose bush.By now, most guests were already drunk, and he decided they wouldn’t need him urgently for anything.He sat on the bench and took a long swig from the glassThe whiskey was bitter, burning his throat, but at the same time it felt great.He remembered Jesse and the expression written all over his face…Jesse hadn't said a single word to him after he’d realized Killian was Michael’s mate.Michael had been way too obvious. It must have been that.But then again, he hadn’t really done anything to betray any emotion or anything that might suggest his wolf was crazy about one of the most dangerous men out there
“I'll never do anything that threatens you, or anyone from the group because of that. ““You already are doing it! ”Michael paused.“Why would you say that? ““Because…” Jesse’s eyes were still fixed in his with that burning anger from the beginning of their conversation n. “Because he fucks Richard. He is Richard’s most valuable asset. He. belongs. to. him. Do you know what might happen if Richard finds out, hm?”“I...I never thought about it. “Michael admitted, and it was the truth.He’d never gotten to think that far.“We are all dead.” Jesse pointed at Michael, “ Even Garrey, probably, for taking you in. Me, for not telling anyone, you for… I don’t know. Probably for existing. He’ll feed his pet dogs with our asses.“Michael was quiet and Jesse looked away.“And you didn’t even
Why I care, Richard thought. Because you know it, and this is the first time you've decided you needed a bodyguard. But he stopped himself before he said the words out loud. Instead, he said, trying to sound casual.“I just don’t understand how you suddenly decide you need one. ““Maybe because I don’t want my brains spilled all over the wall next time I have to go talk to your new friend- the mayor’s - pawns. ““If this bodyguard you are talking about is so efficient that you chose him over all of Garrey’s men, then why haven’t I seen you much with him lately? “Judging by the expression on Killian’s face, he had hit a nerve.“Maybe because he is constantly sent somewhere doing things I don’t know about. “ Killian fired back.“Ah…well…”Richard refilled their glasses.“It seems that one of Garrey’s men…ah, what was his name again, the junkie one with the strange hair…”Richard pretended to search for the name.“Jesse. “ Killian
The loud bang that landed on the door woke him up instantly and Mike searched blindly in the dark for his T- shirt.“Damn it, “ he muttered when he couldn’t find it and decided he could do without it. He very much doubted it was Flynn, but he checked his phone quickly- for any messages from Flynn, and Jesse.Nothing.He hoped it wasn't any of the neighbours downstairs, although Mike had never had any problems with any of the tenants so far.He never did, as he made sure people rarely noticed him.Another bang landed heavy on his door and he cursed.“I'm coming, Jesus. “
Mike pressed harder, finishing with the cleaning of the wound and Jesse clenched his teeth, obviously doing his best not to let out a sound. Mike opened the packet of the bandage and left it to the side. It was hurting like hell, there was on doubt, but Mike was trying to be as careful as possible. What was more important now, however, was to pretend he hadn’t heard what Jesse had asked. Perhaps he’d asked it because he was still drunk, and the pain was making him dizzy. Or he’d let the question slip accidentally. “Were you undercover then too…” No, Mike tried not to think of this. There