“We have business.”
“Business pertaining to a certain band of red miscreants?”
“Yes.” I don’t want to play games. We’re wasting time.
“This way.” She leads us to the same living room where we met Clevenger last time.
He’s standing at the window and looking down at the city. “Take a seat.” Turning, he gestures toward the couch as he sinks into a white chair. “How’s life in hiding?” He almost smirks, but he reels it in.
“We’re going to have to skip the small talk.” I lean forward, my forearms on my knees. “You know what happened. They came for me. That, I don’t give a shit about. They aren’t the first and won’t be the last ones who try to take me down. But where they fucked up is coming for my wife.”
Clevenger stares at me, his face giving nothing away. But I can almost hear the cogs in his devious mind turning and creaking against each other.
“You want revenge on the Red Dragoons?” he asks carefully.
“Of course, but my main focus is getting them to back the fuck off. They’re like a goddamn toddler with an Uzi.”
Clevenger snorts a laugh at that. “Best comparison I’ve heard yet.” He meets my gaze again. “I still haven’t heard anything to do with me or the Brotherhood. How can I be of service, Logan?”
The thing about favors is that they always come with strings attached. And favors from a man like Clevenger are the life and death sort. Even so, I can’t overlook the fact that aside from me, he’s the most powerful man in this city. And on top of that, he has an army of assassins at his beck and call.
“You’re aware the Red Dragoons came for me because of you, yes?” I don’t have time to mince words.
“Me?” Clevenger shrugs. “You came to a meeting here. That’s it. Absolutely commonplace for professionals in our line of work to have business meetings from time to time. If they drew conclusions from it, that has not nothing to do with me.”
I knew he’d be difficult, but his nonchalance is still riling me up inside. If it had been just my life on the line, I could take it. I could kill my way out of this mess. But I have to think about Quinn. About our child growing inside her. And I can’t go off half-cocked and make things worse. So, despite seething in my head, I keep my demeanor cool. “It has everything to do with you, and you know it.”
His eyes narrow. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, and I certainly don’t care for whatever vague accusation you’re making against me.”
“Then you really aren’t going to care for this next part.” I stand. “You’ve been trying to get me to join the Brotherhood for years. I’ve refused so many times that I thought you’d given up. Then, out of the blue, you send an invitation for me to come here, to your high rise. Not to a secret meet-up on neutral ground, and not even to your hidden fortress in the Alps. Instead, here, in plain view of anyone who might have an eye on you, and we all know there are quite a few.”
“What are you suggesting?” He takes a drink from Sister Jezebel who stations herself at his back right. Ready for trouble.
“I’m suggesting you set that meeting to start shit. I’m suggesting you wanted the Red Dragoons to see my visit as a slight to them, which would then send them to my fucking door. To come for me and my pregnant wife at a doctor’s appointment!” My poker face cracks, and my anger rises with each word. “All so you could feign magnanimity and help me when I came back here—just like you planned—asking for a favor. And in exchange, you’ll finally have me in your organization. Does that sound about right, Clevenger?”
He smiles into his drink. “Why, Logan, if all that were true, I’d be a real slippery bastard, wouldn’t I?”
“If the shoe fits,” Ben mutters.
I force myself to sit again, to wait for Clevenger to tell me what he can or can’t do for me. I vowed never to join the Brotherhood. That vow still stands, but if joining up will keep Quinn safe, I won’t hesitate. Clevenger knows why I’m here. There’s nothing more to say.
He finishes his drink and places the glass on the table beside him, then he sighs and motions for Sister Jezebel to retreat. “No bloodshed today. After all, my wife would kill me if I stained her new couch.”
She eyes Ben and me, but then strides out of the room.
“I’m not admitting to any of what you just said, you realize?” He leans back. “Even so, I’m listening. I’m no stranger to losing a wife and a child, albeit under different circumstances.” His gaze darkens. “And as much as I want you in the Brotherhood, I hate the Red Dragoons even more. I didn’t realize they’d come after your wife or that she was pregnant. They’ll sink to any low. No honor among them.”