“I wouldn’t dream of doing that. Now—” I rummage in my car and hand Harry the clothes I prepared for him. “I think you still need to dress for the occasion.”
I help Harry change into the clothes I’d brought along, before storing the stuff he wore neatly in a bag.
“How do I look?” he asks.
“Great,” I say. “Let me just fix your tie. It’s difficult without a mirror.”
Harry nods, humming a song while I carefully fix his tie. My eyes briefly glance at the buttons of his suit, checking it for anything that might give us away, but there is nothing to be seen. Rose really managed to dig up the perfect gadgets, with Alpha Leonard’s help. I don’t know how she always does it; it’s impressive how on top of everything she constantly is.
Sure that the tiny camera is unable to be seen, I let go of Harry and nod at him. “Now you look perfect.”
“Well then, shall we leave?”
I drive most of the way in silence, letting Harry talk and talk as much as he wants. This time we decided not to rely on my phone for recording, as it might be dangerous for me; instead, there is a small mic attached to my tie, very similar to how we did it back then with Lissa. Just this time, there is also a camera.
“Man, it’s been so long!” Harry sighs.
“Really? I thought you were a regular?” I stir the car towards the parking lot of the club. “Jordan mentioned you are one of his most important customers and most reliable allies.”
“He did?” Harry asks, clearly sounding pleased. “Well, I guess I am a regular here, but it was impossible for me to come weekly.”
I nod tentatively. “I get that. With your duties and all. How come Donna never blabbed?”
Harry laughs. “Did you forget she has a huge gambling debt?”
So, he did know about it. I chuckle. “Right.”
“She had her fun, I had mine,” he says simply.
“Makes sense,” I say. “But it sucks that so many things went wrong recently.”
“Don’t worry, Martin, we’ll turn everything around again.”
“You know,” I say. “This might sound cheesy, but you were like a second dad to me. Your mentoring meant a lot. That’s why I couldn’t just leave things the way they are now.”
“You are such a good boy, Martin,” Harry says.
I try not to grimace at him calling meboy.
“You are trustworthy and have so much potential. I plan on claiming my rank back soon, with Jordan’s help, but don’t worry, you will remain beta.”
“I won’t disappoint you,” I promise.
Harry nods. “Now let’s go. No time to waste.”
We both exit the car, but before we can even walk towards the building, I already spot Jordan. He walks closer to us, a smile on his face. The smile of someone who believes he has succeeded. I noticed his smile before, whenever I talked to him. While it looks like a bright, warm smile, nothing about it reaches his eyes. He has just cold and empty eyes.
“Jordan!” Harry exclaims.
“You really made it.” Jordan looks at me approvingly. “Good job, Martin. And you are sure no one followed you?”
“For my part, I am certain,” I say. “It’s my free evening anyway. And I am sure Harry was very careful.”
“The boy is right,” Harry agrees. “I had to knock out Donna with a few drinks,” he laughs. “And here I am.”
“I will let you get upstairs through the side entrance,” Jordan tells him. “It’s less risky for you. While everyone inside is in one way or another bound to me, we shouldn’t risk too many people seeing you.”
“Yeah,” I say. “People easily blab. The less that know, the better.” I pause. “But it will just be a temporary solution,” I say. “I am not leaving you hanging, Harry.”
