Rhenna

Twenty-Two

                    Dread. That's all I felt as we drove. Pure cold dread. It was filling the pit in my stomach. I tried not to show how anxious I felt. Maybe I wasnt doing a good enough job because all three of the Pros kept asking if I was alright.

Of course I lied.

If I told them the truth than I'd definitely bail. That was not an option.
Two reasons why: I was terrified of what Jae would tell the Pros in my absent, secondly, I was scoping out the apartment.

Yesterday morning when I mentioned Jae to Nick and the others they were instantly interested. I told them that I'd get a good look at the place than get back to them.

This was my chance. Probably my only chance.

"This it?" Conn asked.

I shoved away all thoughts of Nick and the heist. I focused on the apartment complex infront of us instead.

"Yeah".

He pulled the truck over to the nearest curbside and parked. "This is going to be fun".

The tone of his voice was a sheer give away of how much he was Not looking forward to this dinner.

I was somewhat glad that we felt the same way.

"Mind your manners". Sherra said, her eyes flickered in my direction. "The both of you".

She made it sound like we were the terrible two's or something.

Dan was the first to climb out of the truck. Sherra followed. Before either Con nor I got out, we locked eyes in the rearview mirror.

"If things get rough in there we can go". He promised.

"Thanks". I murmered before getting out.

As usual Jae expected us in time. He even prepared a doorman-who on closer inspection was just a schofer- one I recognized.

I squinted my eyes while I tried to recall his name. It wasnt Richard. I think it started with a D.
Whatever.
I settled with the nickname.

He opened the door for us and as I walked by him I nodded. "Wuz up Paper man".

I couldve sworn he rolled his eyes at me even though it was obvious he was trying not to grin.

We took the elevator up to the third floor.

I wasnt even aware that dread could get heavier, but of course it could. The closer we got the more it weighed.

My mouth was dry and my hands wouldnt stop shaking by the time we reached Jae's apartment.

Before Dan could even ring the bell the door flew open and out stepped the Demon. He was smiling, arms open wide, as he gestured us in. "Welcome welcome. Please make yourselves at home".

We shuffled in.

Sherra gasped at the sight of his home. "Mr. Ventis you have a very lovely place".

The apartment was anything but lovely. It was cold and big and modernly empty cept for the necessities.

I dragged my feet as we followed Jae to the "dining" table. Which was an ugly hunk of wood placed on the out trims of the living room.

"The food should be done any minute now". Jae declared. He gestured for us to sit. I took a seat between Conn and Dan. It was cramped, but fine as long as Jae was across the table.

"It smells wonderful". Dan complemented.
"It does indeed".
Jae circled around the table with a bottle of red wine. He poured everyone-ezcept me- a half glass.