The mayor brushes past me and holds out his hand. “Jack Payne in the flesh. I can’t tell you how long I’ve looked forward to this.”
Jack’s fingers close around the mayor’s, and his smile grows even wider. “Not as much as I have. My son and I don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things, but we knew someone of your caliber would be invaluable.”
The mayor is hanging on my father’s every word, and I turn my back on them.
My father is laying it on thick, even by his standards, but I can’t say anything unless I have another ally to offer.
The two of them fall into easy conversation as we take another tour. Halfway through our inspection of the small warehouses on the edge of the property, a car pulls up, and my hand moves to my gun. A moment later, I make out the vague silhouette of Jennifer Harrison and her brother Jeremiah.
They hurry over, and my hand remains on my gun. “What are you doing here?”
“We were invited.” Jeremiah’s eyes are bloodshot, and his speech is slightly slurred, but he’s upright and moving. “Your father mentioned a deal, so we knew we had to be here.”
Jennifer shoots me an apologetic look on her way past. “Our father expressed some interest in the expansion of our allies.”
I clench one hand into a fist and shove the other into my pocket. “Indeed.”
Jesus Christ.
Will every move of mine be scrutinized and monitored by our allies?
I don’t know who’s more invested: them, or my enemies.
I loathe knowing I’m being watched, and I have half a mind to burn it all to the ground.
Let them pick at the ashes like the vultures they are.
Jack and the mayor circle back to us, still smiling and laughing. My father comes to a stop next to me and places a hand on my arm. “I trust my son has been giving you the welcome you deserve.”
I want to snort at the elated look on the mayor’s face.
My father was talking about ridding the world of his kind a few weeks ago.
“Mr. Payne has been most welcoming.” The mayor laughs. “Not much for small talk, though, is he?”
My father withdraws his hand and chuckles. “Not his strong suit, no. About the other matter we discussed…”
“Yes, I’ve reached out to our friend on the inside, and he’s working on the details to ensure a meeting with the current mayor of the city. Of course, he’s under the impression that I’ll be the one attending.”
The two of them share another laugh, and I step away to look at my phone.
“I’m sure you can understand why this needs to be handled with discretion,” Jack continues in the same cheerful voice. “We have no intention of hurting him. We just need to make the good mayor see reason.”
“There’s no need to explain. I understand. On occasion, I, too, have to carve out some time to meet my opponents and make them see the truth.”
Another laugh is shared, and I grit my teeth.
Jennifer steps up beside me and glances straight ahead. “Those two look like they’re getting along well.”
“A little too well,” I mutter. “A heads up would’ve been nice.”
“You haven’t been around. I’ve been trying to get a message to you through Katia, but I don’t think she likes me.”
I glance up from my phone and frown. “It’s not you she doesn’t like.”
Jennifer swings her gaze to mine. “I understand her reservations about Jeremiah, but I’m not my brother.”
“I know.”
