Flix shifted on his feet, and Kazimir let out a low whistle.
“Are you authorized to give me what I want or not?” More of Pious’s calm façade cracked.
Kaz got to his feet. “You have a deal. I’ll draw up the paperwork and get it to you before the night is through. Any action on your part before then will be taken as a sign ofaggression, so try to keep that leaking impatience of yours under control in the meantime, yeah?”
“You’re a very abrasive individual, has anyone told you that before, Mr. Ambrose?”
“Yeah,” he chuckled and then turned for the door. “I get that a lot.”
Club Visros was bumping, the sounds of beat music coming up through the floors as Kazimir made his way down the velvet strip of black carpet that led from the private meeting room in the back of the second floor. None of the Satellite typically hung out there, but the crowd was packed with other lower-level Brumal members. Located smack dab in the center of Valeo, the capital city, it made for the best meeting place with outsiders.
“You were meant to play the part of charming intermediary, a role you excel at. If he complains to Baikal that you went a different direction and were a jerk, you’ll regret it,” Flix said, coming up on his right as they reached the end of the long hallway and began the descent down the winding metal stairs. It emptied out on the side of the main dance floor, the raucous sounds of the patrons making it harder to be heard even with them standing so closely together.
“I got the job done, didn’t I?” Kaz yelled back. “Besides, if he does get pissed, we can just point out how he was meant to be here with us.”
“Interesting how this suddenly turned into a ‘we’ scenario.”
“He’s probably too busy fucking—”
“Show some respect,” Flix cut him off. “That’s the Possessio you’re referring to.”
“Yeah, yeah.” That was why Kazimir wasn’t saying this in front of Rabbit, was it not? He’d never insult the guy to his face. In actuality, he was sort of even fond of the musician. He haddrive and had proven himself loyal to Baikal and the Brumal. That didn’t mean he couldn’t complain now and again about how he now sucked up all of Baikal’s time and attention. “Kal is the Dominus, not me. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Thank Light for that.” Flix clapped him on the back and then stepped ahead to shove open the metal double doors with more flourish than necessary. The brisk air from outside slapped them in the faces, and they both took a moment as they stepped out to breathe it in. “It’s always way too stuffy in there.”
“Smells like ass,” Kaz agreed. The top floor where they’d been meeting with Pious may be decked out in velvet and gold, but the bottom main level, which was open to the public, was a hot mess of spilled booze and drunken hookups. Before anything else could be said, his multi-slate, the body-borne computer they all wore strapped to their forearms, rang. “Speak of the hooky playing Devil.”
“Kal?”
“Yeah,” Kazimir answered the call with a grunt. “What?”
“That the tone you used with Pious just now?” Baikal’s deep voice came through the other line, the annoyance ringing loud and clear.
“Don’t tell me he ran off and tattled already?” What a little bitch. Kazimir spat onto the sidewalk and rolled his eyes.
“He didn’t,” he replied. “I just know you, that’s all.”
“Sure you haven’t forgotten all about me now that your ‘little bunny’ is in the picture?” he taunted. It was petulant, even he knew that, but he couldn’t help it. The two of them had been thick as thieves—both literally and figuratively—since they’d been children, but now that his cousin had someone special, they mostly talked about Brumal business and nothing else.
Kazimir was feeling neglected. Sue him.
“Watch how you talk about him,” Baikal warned.
Flix must have overheard despite the fact Kaz had put the earpiece in, because he chuckled at Kaz’s side and pretended to find interest in the stars twinkling above them when that earned him a glare.
“Whatever,” Kazimir conceded, knowing from experience there was no arguing with the Dominus anyway.
“Stop pouting,” Baikal said. “You’re the underboss of the largest criminal organization in the galaxy, and the son of global tycoon Ersa Ambrose. What if the press takes pictures of you throwing a hissy fit like a twelve-year-old?”
The Devils had been photographed by tabloids in the past, but they both knew those were controlled situations. The Void’s owned all of the most prominent news outlets on planet, after all. Anything they didn’t want out in the world, they could easily wipe from all records. Baikal was only saying all this now to rub salt in the wound.
Dick.
“Forgive me for actually enjoying your company,” he stated, though he was questioning why he did at this point. “How quickly you forget how I was the only one who could even tolerate your presence for longer than an hour before you met Trace.”
“Sure you’re not referring to yourself?” Baikal countered. “You’ve got the personality of a boar. Hot-headed and brash.”
“People love me.”
