I learned pretty quickly that the people part was not well accepted by others. Adults were not fans of it. They called itkidnapping, while I just considered it a playdate. An extended one.
After a lengthy pause, the man I couldn't stop staring at hummed. "Your name," he said, in a voice that was meant to intimidate.
I didn't usually let people get to me. They could try to force my hand any which way they wanted, but that wasn't a guarantee. This person, however, was like fuel to the fire inside me.
I wanted to answer him.
I wanted to hear him speak and have him demand me do other things.
I wasn't a pushover.
Instead of voicing any of that aloud, I said, "Call me Pip."
Pharrell pulled his hands from his pockets and placed them on his hips. "Pip," he said incredulously.
"Yes," I replied slowly. “P-I-P. Pip. Now then, what is it I can do for you, Mr. Lyon? People who tend to reach out for my services want something specific."
“I am. My associate, Henri, and I were hoping that you could provide some secure accompaniment to a meeting we have."
Henri,I repeated in my mind.
What a name. It was old, carrying a regal nature to it, much like the man himself. But it was also sweet and soft. I had a love of nicknames, so I couldn't resist picking one for him instantly.
Ree? No, I didn't like that. Mostly because Pharrell was already going to beRel. I had decided that the second he texted me, as an in-case if things worked out.
If Ree didn't work, then maybe Hen could. Except that made me think of chickens. I didn’t want to think of poultry when I thought of him.
What aboutHenny?
Still a little animalistic, though I didn’t exactly picture a big, yellow bird with this version. Best of all, I had no doubt that saying it would aggravate the other man. He was so put together, so taut with repressed energy. I would bet a large amount of money that everything in his life was perfectly aligned.
Everything in mine was perfectly not.
Oh, how fun this would be.
"I see," I told Pharrell. "And did you bring my money?"
“Henri.”
At his command, the man of my focus stepped forward with a suitcase. He turned his wrist around, lifted the case, laid it flat on his palm, and then clicked the latches open. Clearly, he’d done this a few dozen or so times.
When he revealed the contents, I immediately pegged it for a generous amount. At least fifty grand. Possibly more. It would do as a down payment. My fee was much higher, but I could understand not wanting to travel with that much money.
"Very good," I said, "set the case on the ground."
Henny closed the lid and eased it down before moving back to stand one pace behind Pharrell's side.
I had to admit that I was intrigued. I truly thought that Pharrell would bring his wife with him, considering how big of a player she was in his family and how much of a boss bitch I'd heard she was. I was curious to meet her, but at the same time, I was thankful because I got to meet Henny.
"What type of protection are you needing and for how long?" I asked, my gaze moving from the case to the two men waiting for me to agree or disagree.
Pharrell went into a speech about the people he was meeting and how long it would take. He expressed that safety was of the utmost importance and yada yada yada.
As he spoke, I kept my eyes trained between him and Henny, giving me the ability to watch both at once. Henny's stature was closed off like he was present but not, while Pharrell was very loose. He didn't leave a single detail out.
When he finished, I realized it had only been a couple of minutes. They felt like much fucking longer with how boring his speech was.
I gave a clipped nod. "I'll do the job. The price will be much more than this, and I expect it in cash."
