“Can’t say I know who you are,” I grumble.
“Sebastian Levine,” He holds out a hand, “Mr. Farrow sends his regards.”
“Does he?” I don’t take the offered hand which only appears to amuse Sebastian. While I didn’t know Sebastian by name, I knew him by reputation. He sits at the right of the current head of Farrow industries. His spot was a stir in the pot, a man not related to the Farrow family in any way sitting as hand was unheard of. There were always two Farrow’s at the head.
Not anymore.
Sebastian is younger than I expected though, with dirty blond hair and blue eyes, he stands around six foot two and is dressed impeccably in a blue suit.
“You know the rules, Avery,” Sebastian continues, “We know where Torin is, his payment is due.”
“Where is it in the contract that the payment for leaving the organization is death?” I ask.
“No one leaves,” Sebastian shrugs, “It is the way.”
“A word of warning to you, Sebastian,” My eyes flick to the other two men, making sure they know my next statement is for them too, “Come near my brother, I’ll kill you with my bare hands. No one will ever find you.”
Sebastian just grins, “Since we are giving unwanted advice. Get in my way and I’ll make sure your pretty girlfriend gets a spot next to you and your brother.”
I step into him, my chest pushing into his, “Get the fuck out of this town.”
“Say your goodbyes,” Sebastian whispers, “Mr. Farrow is allowing you at least that for Torin’s exceptional service to the organization.”
“Not exceptional enough that he’ll let him live.”
“There are rules older than this town that must be followed. It is the way.”
“Fuck you and fuck the rules. Come near him and I will kill you.”
“Twenty-four hours.” He taps his watch, “I’ll be seeing you, Kolten.”
Rage burns through me. I stand in the middle of the diner, the world continuing as if that hadn’t just happened. Theconversation was quiet enough that no one heard but fuck, it infuriated me that the world keeps fucking spinning.
I glance to the bar where the third man still is, but he’s now speaking with Vanessa, smiling and chatting like he wasn’t going to be the one to follow through on the order should I get in the way of Torin’s murder.
No. There has to be a way to stop this.
Fuck.
I wait until the man is finished with Vanessa before I head out and I watch him go, a grin on his face that was less friendly and more cruel. Vanessa has spotted me and opens her mouth to speak, her brows drawn low in confusion, but I don’t speak with her or even look at her too long.
Disgust that I’ve just put her in danger doesn’t allow me to take pleasure in looking at her, not even for a minute.
The street is empty when I finally get out of the diner, the three men gone off to wherever they’ve chosen to hide until they are due to finish the job.
The guy I killed had likely been an inner circle member which is why Farrow has sent three of them this time.
Only a short time ago they had wanted Torin in the circle too, now they wanted him gone.
Chapter Nine
You ever get the feeling something is inherently wrong?
Physically you’re fine. Everyone around is fine too. There’s no fires, or natural disasters. Everything is normal but deep down there’s a churning in your stomach, an unease that spreads through you that’s impossible to ignore. A prickle on the scalp, goose bumps that chase over your arms and a sickness with no cause.
I wring my hands on my lap, the sky stifled by thick clouds that bring in a chill which rolls off the waves and tussles my hair.
There are no stars. The moon a blurred silver glow behind the clouds.
