Luca takes the lead, and since he knows why we’re here I keep my mouth shut.
“We’re here to see Mr Chadwick.”
“Is he expecting you?” She cuts her gaze from Luca to me and then back again.
“No, but he’ll want to see us. Go tell him we’re here about the warehouse he owns in the city.”
She closes the door and goes off to find her boss. I look around the front lawn, the water fountain, and the perfectly placed shrubbery. Someone has spent many hours tending to the front of the house and all because they were paid, and I’m guessing they charged a fortune.
“So we’re here to buy the warehouse behind us.”
“That’s the plan and hopefully this Mr Chadwick plays ball, and we get this wrapped up quickly.”
The door opens and this time, the maid opens it wider for us to enter. We’re shown through to what looks like a home office and library. Who could need so many books. It’s not possible to read so many and live life at the same time, surely.
The old guy, Mr Chadwick, is seated by the glass windows, overlooking huge trees and colorful flowers in a garden that seems to spread wide for miles.
“Please, take a seat, though I imagine this won’t take long,” he huffs and then coughs his lungs up.
Luca remains standing and so do I.
“I won’t keep you long. I want to discuss the warehouse you own on Tally Street. I would like to buy it. Cash.”
The old man takes in our cuts the same as his maid did at the door and then asks, “What do you want with it?”
“I own the building to the east of yours, I’m looking to expand.”
“To what end?”
Luca’s eyes narrow. “I don’t see how that is any of your business.”
“Then I’m afraid I can’t sell to you, and you’ve had a wasted trip.”
The old guy waves his hand, dismissing us and the maid appears from nowhere to walk us out. Making sure we leave, I suppose.
Outside, Luca holds me back by the arm of my hoodie.
“I’ve missed a few chances now for you to earn your patches, but you impress me, Konan. I like how you think before you act. If you can get the old man to sell, you’ll get your patches.”
I can do that. A focus with an ending I can achieve.
I nod and head toward my bike.
I’m going to get my patches no matter what this old man says. I have no idea how I’m going to achieve it, but I’ll figure it out.
Back at the club I clean down my bike and head inside. I rifle through the fridge and settle on leftover lasagne. Just as I make myself comfortable at the table, my phone rings. It’s Adriana.
Answering, I press the phone to my ear. “Hey, Ads. What’s up?”
Her frustrated sigh fills the line before she says, “I’ve had your mom on the phone for the last two hours, Ko. She’s pissed you’re joining that biker club.”
“She isn’t your problem anymore, you don’t have to pick up her calls,” I remind her.
“She’s sad, you know that.”
“I also know she’ll pull on anyone’s heartstrings if it gets her what she wants. What else did she have to say?”
“We spoke about Kel for a while and then she was telling me how she’s behind on a few bills.”
