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“You know”—Lorcan gives me a sideways glance—“size isn’t everything.”
I laugh and squeeze his hand. “Don’t worry.” I bat my eyes. “I find you far more interesting than their big balls.”
When we advance into the circular drive, a guard comes out. He leads us into the house to an area where we’re patted down. Lorcan keeps a careful watch on the guard’s hands but because the knife is on the inside of my thigh, the male guard skims it. I wink at Lorcan. Sometimes spandex and secret pockets are the best inventions ever.
We follow the guard through the interior to a brick-and-tile outside space with immaculate landscaping. A fire roars, and beyond it, like the Donaghey house, is a vast field. The sun is starting to sink, and the blaze of the fire matches the colors warring in the sky.
“Lorcan.” Semyon comes forward, his hand outstretched. “Nice to see you again.”
So far, he’s not intimidating. He’s not as tall or broad as Lorcan, and his round face is almost jovial. The graying hair sprinkled throughout his dark locks makes me think he’s close to the age my father might have been.
“Appreciate you taking the time.”
“Of course.” He gestures to a couple of seats at the edge of the fire and settles into his. A bottle of vodka and two glasses rest on the table beside us. “Have a drink. The vodka will put hair on your chest.”
“This is Kim.” Lorcan takes the seat closest to Semyon and obscures any view of me as I ease into the chair.
Except for the guards on the surrounding edges, the conversation feels friendly.
“Kim. Kim.” Semyon taps his chin. “You seem familiar. Have we met?”
I shake my head. “I get that a lot.” I offer a fleeting smile. “One of those faces, I guess.”
His expression is pensive as he drinks his vodka. “No, that’s not it. I have a thing for faces.” He circles his own face with his free hand. “We’ve either met or I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
My brain starts rapid firing on any the occasions when he might have come across my photo or interacted with me. I’m drawing a blank. It doesn’t seem possible. Whatever he thinks he’s putting together, I can’t grasp it.
“She’s been working for us for a few months.” Lorcan’s hand slides to my knee. “She’s good at her job. Maybe you’ve simply caught wind of her.”
Semyon nods, but I can tell he isn’t buying Lorcan’s explanation. The problem is I have no idea why I’d be familiar to him. It doesn’t make sense. Maybe an arms deal with Carys? Did we sell to them? I’ve never been to this house.
He focuses on Lorcan. “What is it you were after?”
“Information.”
“Sometimes free, sometimes costly. Which sort are you looking for?”
“You might not even have the information we need,” I add.
Semyon perks up and gestures to the vodka again. “Drink. Drink. I insist.”
Lorcan pours us both a glass and passes me one.
“So you’re fishing?” Semyon sips from his glass as the fire pops and crackles in the middle of the pit. A piece of charred bark floats in the air for a moment, burning bright red against the darkening sky.
“We’re casting a wide net looking for information on my father’s death.”
“His murder?” Semyon sits forward, a smile playing across his face before vanishing. “Ah, you’re the good son? Worried about honor and family.” He smirks. “If it was my sons, they’d party in the streets because they were in charge. The little buggers think they know better than me.”
Lorcan meets Semyon’s stare without a hint of unease. “Doyouknow anything?”
We’d both been nervous for this meeting. Every angle had been discussed and debated. Did we need Sean or Ian? He didn’t trust either of them the same way he had Antonio. So we’re here, armed, praying we get out without a serious confrontation or creating waves between the families that rage out of control.
Semyon frowns and upends the last of his drink into his mouth before pouring another. “I know nothing.” His attention returns, narrowing. “You have family in the business? There’s something about you.”
Frowning, I avoid looking at Lorcan. “No, no one in the business.”
We sit in silence for a moment as Semyon’s focus keeps shifting toward me and then away again. “Both my boys are single. You’re very attractive. Clearly, you understand the business.”