Deeper (The Deeper Chronicles #1) (27 page)

Setting down his coffee, Ido shared, “Not many people provide such eclectic offerings.”

The ice in Noah’s glass rattled as he settled into his seat. Shooting him a direct stare, Noah responded, “I’m not many people.”

“I’m impressed, which is not an easy feat to accomplish.”

With pleasantries and small talk out of the way, their composures changed at exactly the same time. They were not men who dallied; much could be lost or gained in a moment’s notice.

“I’m disappointed you’ve not welcomed me properly. I’ve been back in your city for close to three months, and not a word from the King of New York?”

Noah took a sip of his drink before putting it down. Folding his hands on top of the desk, he inquired, “And I should have done that, because...”

Brilliant white teeth shone as Ido’s head fell backward while he laughed. Sobering up, he said, “I had no idea you were so funny. I’ve left several messages. All of them unanswered.” He tsked. “So here I am.” Ido’s calculating, dark eyes swept over the office.

“Yes. Here you are. And now that you’re here, what may I do for you?”

“King to king, call me Ido, and I’ll call you...”

“Mr. Adams.”

“Fair enough. Most Westerners butcher my name, so I always give my business associates—”

Noah put up a hand, palm facing Ido, which in his culture was a gesture meant to ward off evil. But, Ido was an evil that was here to stay.

“We’re not business associates.”

“Oh, but we will be. You’ll have no choice,” Ido replied. “Your company’s import and export arm...” He paused, allowing his statement to settle in the room.

Noah eased his shoulders back into his chair making the leather creak.

Adams was an insignificant commoner who garnered respect when none was due the court jester, or so Ido believed.

“Profits aren’t what they’ve been, right?” No time like the present to lay his cards on the table. He wasn’t a man to hide in the shadows, not for too long anyway. “I’m proposing a partnership. Ninety-ten split my way.”

Before the two affronts, Ido was willing to exhibit generosity, but...

Noah chuckled. “You’re funny. You waltz into my office with no appointment and a so-called business deal. One I wasn’t even looking for.” Noah’s eyes squinted at the man. “You’re educated, or you sound as if you are, but you’re an educated fool.”

Ido took his time studying his nails, dismissing Noah and his trivial words. “Is that your final stance?”

Noah stood from his chair. “You don’t know me, and you know even less about my business. If I wasn’t clear, let me be now. I don’t share. Never have. Never will.” Noah shoved his hands into his pockets.

The door was pushed open.

Ido heard footsteps then the door closed.

“Mr. Aswad needs an escort out of the building.” Noah stepped away and turned his back on Ido.

“This way, Mr. Aswad,” Cass said from behind Ido’s chair.

He finished his Turkish coffee with aplomb, disregarding the tension in the room. “Ah, good coffee.” He placed the cup back onto the table and stood. “You’ll give my compliments to your receptionist?”

Ido laughed at Noah’s silence. “Checkmate.” When Noah turned around, Ido continued, “I’ve collected all your pieces and you have no more moves left to play. Slink back to the waste land you came from and stay there.” Ido slid his business card across Noah’s sleek desk. “Your ‘Take Over’ product is worthless. You’re no king if you’re not at least guaranteeing forty percent purity. This will be like taking candy from a baby.”

Ido had hoped there would be some outburst or sign that the man was taking him at his word. But no emotions registered on Noah’s face.

“I’ll be seeing you around,” Ido said. Eyeing Cass, he prompted, “Lead the way, my good man.”

Noah watched both men walk toward the door. Ido turned back to face Noah.

“Give my best to Avianna, will you? I sincerely hope she’s not having nightmares over the tragic death of that detective yesterday.” He grinned with his hand over his heart.

He stepped around Cass, opened the door, then walked past the receptionist. The elevator doors closed in Cass’s face with Ido feeling immensely happy about his decision to pay Noah a surprise visit.

T
he afternoon sun had long since disappeared below Manhattan’s horizon. Ro leaned on the side of the vehicle and looked down the block, but his gaze was right back on the heavy door Avi had walked through. The last he’d seen of the enigmatic woman was when she’d flashed him a smile with eyes hidden behind sunglasses, and lips promising she’d only be a few minutes.

Those “few minutes” had come and gone. Three hours later, and Ro was trying not to laugh his ass off. Noah had made his expectations clear. And now Avi was making her position clear. Ro shook his head. The last place he wanted to be was to be caught between his friend’s bullish mentality and Avi, who had proven to be equally as headstrong.

He plucked his phone from his pocket. The line rang once before it was answered.

“What?” was the brusque response.

“She’s not coming out of her apartment.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“Just like I said. You’re going to have to come get your woman.” He snickered, waiting for the inevitable blow-up.

Three, two, one...

“Get her ass in that damn car,” he boomed, almost rattling Ro’s cell’s earpiece.

“Unless you want Plummer to post bail for breaking and entering, then you need to be in a car and on your way to Harlem.” Ro stifled his laughter.

“Bailey, send the car around,” Noah yelled. “You’re fucking useless.”

“Whatever. Bring some popcorn when you come, ‘cause the shit about to go down will be funny as hell. Oh, I saved you a parking spot.”

Ro leaned back against the SUV and directed his gaze up at Avi’s window. His grin grew when he saw fingers poke through the blinds.

The dilemma Noah didn’t know he had on his hands was more than humorous. Avi was spicy and Ro liked that. It was rare that Noah crossed paths with someone unafraid to tell the pushy bastard no.

On the tenth floor of the Accipiere’s headquarters, a disgruntled Noah stormed out of his office and past his receptionist. “Forward all calls to my cell,” he said with his focus on the bank of elevators straight ahead.

“Wait up,” Cass called out, rounding a corner just as the elevator doors slid open.

“Good night, Mr. Walker and Mr. Adams,” the receptionist shouted out as the men entered the elevator.

“Night,” Cass said as the doors closed.

Noah leaned back against the chrome-trimmed elevator wall and released a pent up breath. Today had been a shitstorm. He’d made a few calls, seeking information about his friend’s death, but he was no closer to having any answers. Then there was Ido. And now Ro was telling him what Avi would and would
not
do. This day was fucked, and it wasn’t halfway over for Noah.

“We need to do something about Ido,” Cass said almost too low for Noah to hear.

“We do, but the pressing matter is how he knows Avi.”

“
That’s
the pressing matter?” Cass wondered aloud with an edge to his tone.

Noah nodded.

“Have you looked at that file Gavin gave you?”

Cass growled out his friend’s name. Noah remained quiet as they rode down to the lobby.

“If she’s in your apartment she’s bound to hear or see something.”

“Have you read what Gavin found?” Noah asked.

Cass’s silence was answer enough.

The elevator dinged open.

“Good night, gentlemen,” the young French security guard said as the men walked past him.

Cass responded, “I’ll be back to speak with you.”

The guard swallowed and pulled on the knot in his tie.

“What’s that about?” Noah asked once they were outside.

“He’s a new hire and the idiot who let Ido up a couple hours ago. You’d know this if you weren’t so distracted.”

“What are you implying?” Noah spun around.

Cass jammed his hands into his pockets and stared at Noah with tense features. When he remained quiet, Noah turned around and headed for the open car door where Zach stood.

“We have business to handle now.”

Noah folded himself into the back seat. “Find out how Ido knows Avi. We’ll talk later. I’ve got to go deal with something else,” he said to Cass who stood near the door.

“I’m telling you to read that file, Noah. She’s getting up here.” Cass tapped Noah’s temple.

Noah rushed out of the car with his fists clenched. “No, she isn’t.” He was never off his game. “She’s Harry’s kid, and needs our help.”
And now, my protection.
“I don’t give a fuck what Gavin found. She’s here and she’s staying. Now back off.”

Both men huffed, but Cass was the first to take a step away.

“Have it your way.”

Noah exhaled slowly. Everything was a clusterfuck. Harry’s death, Avi, Ido...all of it had him running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

The car door slammed. Seconds later, he rolled the tinted window down. “I’ll look at the file,” Noah muttered.

Cass nodded.

“Call me later.” Noah then picked up a phone and began typing with lightning speed.

“Just answer.”

Noah spared him a glance through narrowed slits. “When don’t I answer?” He set his face forward again. “Drive, Zach.”