Of Kings and Aces

24| The USB drive

"Benedict, why did you tell me it was just some random guys who fought last Friday when it was, in fact, Jacob and Brigs?" I confronted him in his office the following morning.

"What difference does it make? I told you, it's nothing you need to worry about. It was a regular fight. They're over it," he shrugged, again finding my outburst amusing.

"Why did they fight?"

"God knows. We were about to head home when Brigs showed up and started it." Okay, at least that matched what Seb said.

"Why do I get the feeling it was more than just that?" I eyed him suspiciously.

"It's the summary of the entire encounter, yes," he agreed with a grin.

"And you're smiling because?"

"I'm happy," he said, leaning back on his chair, fingertips pressed together. His grin broadened. He was genuinely happy, aside from the fact that he was mocking me.

"God, you're so annoying when you're happy," I grumbled before leaving his office.

The report was on my desk when I arrived together with a thumb drive. I didn't bother with the printed copy and plugged the USB into my desktop and read the report. When I finished, I pulled the thumb drive and chucked it in a box on my table with the other thumb drives that Bart usually sends with his reports. I made a mental note to ask Noelle to label them properly to save time if I needed to look for a file to review them.

Just as I was about to call her, Noelle informed me that my clients had arrived at the lobby.

"I have clients? When did you schedule them?" I questioned, displeasure overflowing in my voice.

"Two weeks ago, Mr. Ace," she said quietly. I wasn't mentally and emotionally prepared to have clients. My bitch mode hasn't subsided though I had to shut it off forcefully.

"Okay, give me ten," I sighed heavily. I combed my hair with my hand and quickly put on a tie and my coat. With one last look at the mirror, I stepped out of my lavatory just as Noelle informed me the client was already outside.

"Send them in, please," I said as I sat behind my desk. The door opened, and I put on my best welcome face, but my smile dropped to the basement when the pair walked in.

"Good morning, Ace," Sheryl said. She looked heavenly in a white dress shirt tucked in her light blue pants. Her hair was down, the ends curled, and her hazel eyes stared right back at my black ones.

"Who did you say my clients were?" I asked Noelle through the intercom; manners be damned.

"Francisco Ferazzini. The second," she replied. I cursed mentally while looking Franco straight in the eye. I willed myself calm. I had to be professional.

"What can I do for you?" I said and offered them their seat. I knew that whatever reason they came to see me, it was not business-related. But it wouldn't hurt to pretend to listen. I had to be on my best behavior because the CFG group was tight, and I didn't want any troubles with them when I practically sold my ITs to Lorena to get one foot in the door.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush. We need your help," she said nervously. When I didn't reply, she continued. "It's about Carlo and that mayor who was shot a few months ago."

Still, I didn't say anything and just sat there and stared at her, truly in disbelief at how she could ask me for help on behalf of her brother. The same asshole who almost killed me when we were in college.

"I know you're still angry for what they did to you," she continued.

"I'm not angry, Sheryl, but I haven't forgiven you or them. So why should I help you? You didn't help me then. You haven't helped me all these years. I don't owe you anything," I pointed out icily.