Elliot displayed a set of dazzling white teeth but not a hint of warmth. “Your work has served me well, if that is what you really mean.”
Jay managed another half smile. “I am pleased to hear it. As I am honored that you came to find me yourself.”
Elliot rolled his eyes. “Now who’s flattering who?”
Jay chuckled again and then cut to the chase, feeling it was finally safe to do so. “I need a favor.”
“As expected, but what makes you think I owe you anything, let alone a favor?”
“Of course you owe me nothing.”
Elliot raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised by the simple admission. “You would put yourself in my debt? Willingly? With no tricks or traps?”
Jay met his eyes and drew a deep breath. “Yes.”
Silence fell and Jay knew better than to break it. Instead, he took a few small sips from his cup, forcing his breathing to remain level.
“What is it that you want?” Elliot finally asked, draining his coffee, not quite able to conceal the greed in his eyes.
“The same thing I received last time,” Jay revealed, trying not to look too relieved. The question wasn’t a ‘yes’ yet. “I already have the computer, but I need Joe so he can fix it up.”
Elliot’s face seemed to grow taut. Joseph was just Elliot’s younger brother and not someone he took any chances with. Ever. It was Joe who led this organization, not Elliot. Joe also happened to be the best techno wiz Jay had ever encountered. In all the years he had used the tech set up by Joe, it had never once failed him.
Again he waited, not daring to look away from the sharp eyes that held his. A tense hush fell over the staff, turning them all to statues, with variations of fear carved into their faces. No one moved. No one breathed. Elliot watched Jay for a moment longer, then let out another booming laugh. The sudden noise earned several quickly smothered screams from the staff. Jay managed not to jump in his seat but even so, had to force his muscles to relax, to stop his fingernails from digging into his palms.
“Still with a tongue of silver and a spine of steel,” Elliot looked him over again. “But this request, are you sure you will be willing to pay the price for it?”
“I will pay.”
“You know we’re not talking about money, right?”
Jayden forced a chuckle and feigned ease as he leaned back in his seat. “I know very well that being in your debt will never have anything to do with money.”
“Well then, Jayden Roe, follow me.”
***
They had left the relieved staff and restaurant far behind. They got into the waiting car and took a circuitous route through the town. Jayden stepped from the car and turned to face a big and luxurious house that still spoke nothing of the kind of wealth and power the man who lived there wielded. His keen eyes spotted a few armed guards concealed about the place in its large, landscaped garden. Anyone arriving here on foot, even after jumping a wall, would not be able to see these guards until they were attacked. In the same vein, the house itself commanded the high ground, and its dimly lit windows likely held a few guards, too, just out of sight.
Jayden kept his hands in clear view while Elliot paused to say a few words to a rough looking, middle-aged man who had approached the car. Whatever this night brought, he wasn’t going to fail because a careless move earned him a bullet through the skull.
His heart beat still hadn’t quite settled, but he was certain of two things. One, he owed Stella everything he was now risking, and two, even if he changed his mind, there was no turning back now.
Elliot approached him, and Jay, used to being the tallest in the group, felt an automatic wave of unease as he was instantly shadowed by the giant.
“If you wanna stay alive, you will not go anywhere without me. You will leave these premises only when I say you can. Whether alive or dead isn’t up to you. Or me. But it will go better if you follow the first two rules.”
Jayden swallowed hard and nodded, holding tight to the small hope those words offered. “I understand.”
“Good.”
Jay hastened to follow Elliot as he headed off while still being careful to use movements that could not in any way be misconstrued as violent intentions.
They moved through elegantly decorated rooms, the dimly lit interiors mostly empty, although a few held people talking and drinking. All stopped to give Elliot a respectful salute and eye Jay askance. He recognized a few faces and felt a little better as their whispers and small smiles showed that they remembered him and, more importantly, remembered him in a good light.
Elliot cast him a half smile. “Don’t get complacent. They,” he said, eyes darting back down the long corridor, “are not the ones you publicly embarrassed.”
Jay bit his tongue. What else was I meant to do?
Elliot laughed as if he had heard Jay’s thoughts. “Don’t think you can pass it off on me if he is still angry.”
Jayden winced. “Is he still angry?” he asked in a muted voice, though he didn’t really see how knowing would make any difference now. It was probably an answer he should have worked to figure out earlier.
Elliot’s face became a dark carving once more, and Jay fought down the instinct to flee. He had been in tight spots before. Admittedly he had not ever walked into them willingly.
They stopped before a door which Elliot knocked on twice then pushed open. He gestured Jay inside, and a figure rose to greet them both. The man locked eyes with Jay and that answered
