I'm His

6

Chance always likes to take advantage of the height difference between us, lifting me up and carting me wherever he needs me to be. "Ahh!" "Okay, Adrian. Just like I promised." Turning to the elevator, Chance takes me to the roof. He sets me down on one of the plush seats, stretching out next to me with a long sigh. "Is this another attempt to be with me one hundred percent?" I chuckle at him. "Something like that. I told you I wouldn't leave you out of the loop, so you're going to be present for the meeting." 'A meeting? With who?' Shortly, the rest of the gang files in, spreading out among the seats. "Ah. What a magnificent view. Every time I come up here I'm reminded of why I built my house on this spot. More wonderful than the lore of old men and the lore of books is the secret lore of the ocean." Phaedra grumbles low, under her breath, before she breaks into laughter. "Okay, Shakespeare." I chuckle too, but cover it when Marcus gives me a glare. "It's Lovecraft." He informs us defensively. "Isn't that what I do?" Phaedra asks, raising a brow with a devilish smirk. "Wh...no...he-" Spying the sly look on Phaedra's face, Marcus realizes she's trying to goad him again. "You know what, I'm not taking this bait." Phaedra grins at his glare. "Ooh, so he CAN be taught!" I laugh at the squabbling two.

"Ahem." The casual air immediately drains away, all of us focused on the newcomer. I contribute to the tension, my distrust blatant to the dirty fed of ours. "You're early." Chance's voice is back to its normal iciness. "I find it makes a good impression. I hope it's alright that I let myself in?" Chance shrugs, and Derek sits opposite us. "I have an update from the Governor. Your last request went through." Nodding, Chance leans forward. Energy surges just under his skin, electric and contagious. "You're worth your weight in gold, Derek. Has anyone ever told you that?" The comment has me huffing in amusement. "Not recently. I'd get a big head if that were the case." 'Wonder if you're just playing the humble fed and that's what you truly are...' I narrow my eyes at him. "We do appreciate what you've done so far. But there is another matter we want to run by you." Marcus clasps his hands together, resting his bent elbows on his knees. "Of course. I didn't think you brought me here for a drink and a nice review." The fed looks from me to Chance, and I feel a familiar sense of being taken apart. This guy, as much as I don't like to say it, for all appearances, reminds me somewhat of Chance. 'I felt it last time, too.' I give him a hard stare back, but he remained impassive.

"As we try to move into more legitimate enterprises, we've discovered a potential goldmine in this particular neighborhood." Marcus slides a folder to Derek, who quickly flips through it. "Looks like a dump." He voiced as he read through the pages. "For now." Marcus raises his brow in confidence. "We want to start hiking up property tax, shuffling out the locals. Then we'll swoop in and flip the houses." Chance explains simply. Derek's frown is pinched, brows furrowing in concern. Still, he tries to play it off with a joke. "I can't envision you with a hammer in hand, Santora." I roll my eyes, but I don't like that I'm acting this way either, so I cross my left leg over my right and cross my arms over my chest, leaning into the cushions to seem more relaxed when that's the exact opposite of what I feel. "I know a guy." 'Of course Ash does. Ash knows everyone.' But Derek's concerns are not eased; he frowns, again looking from me to Chance. 'Stop looking at me...' I want to say, but keep my mouth closed in a thin line. "Chance...this affects more than just the gang. You know you're pushing your luck with this one?" A significant silence. And then Chance speaks.

"...Are you telling me 'no,' Derek?" The temperature drops, and I swear I can hear the ice forming after every word. The man backpedals furiously and I smirk at his reaction just a little before making my face go blank once again. "No, of course not. But I'd be negligent if I just went along with all your whims without even a word of input. I'm just saying...it might not be smart." "Derek." The fed looks up at Marcus, eyes questioning. "I'm smarter than you, and everyone else seated here tonight. And I say we're going to do what Chance wants. Let's leave it at that." Swallowing tightly, Derek lowers his gaze and doesn't say another word. Even though I don't like Derek, I'm unsettled, and I keep quiet as well as the deal is finalized.