Chapter 1 #2
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 be Rel. 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 about Henny?
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."
Henny spoke up, "We don't keep that much cash available for things of this nature. Dario can set up a wire fund if you have an offshore account.”
“Dario?” I questioned, hating the way the man's name sounded upon Henny's lips.
“My CFO,” Pharrell said. “He's also family.
He handles all the money for me in the sense that he knows where it goes and makes sure that I don't get fucked over during tax season.
Henri is my paperwork person and right hand, essentially, right after my wife, Stasia.
I'm sure you know about her considering you knew my name without me having to tell you.”
I smirked. "Well, of course. It's best to know the company you keep. Just because you couldn't find my name doesn't mean I couldn't find yours, Mr. Pharrell Lyon of Lyon Enterprises, head of the West Coast’s La Famiglia. Loyal to a fault.”
He hummed. “Some might agree. Successful nonetheless. Do we have a deal?”
I clapped my hands together, and the echo boomed in the quiet. "We have a deal. If things go well, this might be the start of a wonderful partnership. That is only, of course, if you need my services again.”
I didn't typically offer such a thing before completing a job, but I wanted to give them a sense of grace. Mostly because I wanted more of Henny. I wanted to watch him closer and be in his orbit. I needed to know everything about this man because I knew that he was mine.
I didn't believe in fate or romance or love. All that bullshit was for losers who wanted to experience the thrill that I got when my knife cut through flesh. I didn't need it. But Henny made me want it. He made me question if I'd been wrong all along.
The only way to get answers was to get more intel. To do that I needed to allow myself to be available to Pharrell Lyon.
Pharrell raised a brow. "I see. Well, this has gone differently than I thought it would. Can't say I’m upset at the development. We'll be in touch."
At that final word, he did an about face and marched towards the door.
Henny waited a moment before doing the same.
As he walked away I had to bite my lip. His ass was perfect, round, and plump, and the way his body was molded into his suit was sinful.
Sex had been just a thing I used occasionally as release before this, but the way my cock hardened while watching Henny walk away was ridiculous.
I wanted to fuck him, wanted to rut into him like I was a beast and I had laid claim. Not yet, I reminded myself. I wasn't one to force myself on any partner, and I had a feeling Henri, my Henny, would be a tough one to crack. Good thing I had patience whenever I needed something badly.
"Oh, sweet Henny, you will be mine one day."