I'm His

3

Pic of Derek on the side >>>

Per Chance's orders, Ash arranges a meeting with one of our newest associates, an FBI agent. As we take Jazlyn for a walk, I try to pull more information about him from Ash. "So how did you meet Derek?" I ask curiously, tilting my head. "Work." 'Of course THAT was helpful. What did I really expect from Ash though? A decent conversation?' I'm more likely to get a straight answer from Jazlyn. Letting her tug us along, I work around my instincts and try to ask questions I know Ash will answer properly. "How do you know we can trust him?" I narrow my eyes at the thought of being betrayed, even if I haven't met the man yet. "People will do a lot of things for money. And he's dirty in the way that we're dirty." 'Uh huh...' "Meaning?" I frown, even though I already know the answer. "He follows his own code." 'It still doesn't tell me much. But I suppose I get what he's trying to say.' 

"So what's he look like? So I'm not surprised." I change the subject, putting my free hand in my pocket to give it something to do instead of just sway. "Turn around and see for yourself." Confused, I glance over my shoulder only to be greeted with an unfamiliar face. "Oh, what?" Leaping back, I almost step all over Jazlyn's paws as the strange man - Derek - laughs at me. "When did you realize I was tailing you, Ash?" Ash doesn't respond, so Derek turns to me with his cheerful smile. I'm put off by it, already suspicious of him even if there's no reason...yet. "Well, here's a new face. I don't think we've had the pleasure of an introduction." Cautiously, I look to Ash for some cue. The man's face is an inexpressive mask, arms crossed and eyes trained on Derek. 'That's reassuring...' I decide there are worse things to do than take my cue from Ash. So I match his stony silence, meeting Derek's gaze and waiting for the fed to say something else. "Not very talkative in this household, huh..."

I push my hair out of my face with a careful glance around, making sure I'm not crossing any kind of unspoken rule. "Chance is probably inside. He's the one you came to see, right?" I look him up and down, committing him to memory along with the suspicious feeling I have with him. "That's correct. Lead the way." Derek falls in line with Ash and I. His presence is rather calming and tries to set me at ease, but I don't let it. Much like Chance, I feel like there's more to Derek under the surface than what he displays to the world. When we enter the mansion, Derek holds the door open for us. Jazlyn rushes inside to the kitchen where I can hear her noisily lapping at her water bowl. The rest of the gang is hanging out in the living room. "Derek. Glad you could make it on such short notice." Chance's face is expressionless, just like Ash. "I had other plans for the day, but it's not often I'm invited to meet with the Santora himself. But I have a feeling you didn't invite me here to make acquaintances with your lovely boy friend here." Chance's neutrality drops into a scowl for an instant, his weak spot pinpointed and jabbed with precision. I bristle too, but I don't bother to hide my distaste to his words. Derek seems unbothered, so I can assume it was done on purpose.

"Have a seat." It doesn't sound like a suggestion. Derek obeys, sitting across from Chance. Noting the empty spot next to Chance, I take the seat - and am surprised to find him putting his arm over my shoulders. 'He usually keeps the PDA to a minimum. Staking his territory in front of Derek, probably?' That feels like a distinct 'Chance' thing to do, and I honestly don't mind a bit. "So we just need to discuss the tax on empty homes, right?" 'What?' "Really? Sounds lame. I thought we were working with the gambling problem today." Phaedra whines, pouting. "It isn't as pressing an issue, you're right. But since our friend Derek here has decided he doesn't like phones, I guess we have to separate a time just for this." 'Laying it on a little passive-aggressively, Chance...' Derek remains unfazed. "Don't worry, the Governor is moving to push back the law. As well as the ones that might threaten your auction houses." Derek assures. "And the investigation being carried out by the Chief of Police?" Derek pauses, then hits Hideyoshi with a mega-watt smile. "What investigation?" "Good." I'm disquieted at the mention. Chance and the gang hasn't said anything about the police to me recently. 'It must have just popped up.'