Wise is a lawyer that works for the Order. One of Jack’s personal team of pet attorneys, I don’t know exactly what he does, only that he doesn’t often do it. Not when he spends most of his time boozing over at the King’s Court, taking two or three Used into the backrooms at a time.
I get the feeling he’d rather be there than on my porch. Only a direct order from Jack would have him out there—or because he’s doing something that’ll get him a bonus from the King, and maybe a little more action at the Court.
Either way, he’s here, and I better handle this before Haven wakes up again.
Pulling open the door, I step out onto the porch so I can join Wise out there.
He sticks out his hand, making sure I can see the matching brand on his right palm. “Connor! How are you? How’s your old man?”
I’m not in the mood for the small talk bullshit that comes when one Owed is talking to another. Same for the stupid fucking handshake. I do it, because it’s expected of me, just like how I tell him that Dad’s fine, I’m fine, and, look at that, the weather’s great.
By the way, Barry, what the fuck do you want?
I don’t ask him that. I don’t need to. Once the small talk BS is done, Wise gets right to the point.
"Heard Haven Smith is back in town."
Damn it.
“Did you?” My smile appears automatically. The charming, harmless grin that should be a warning, but to a man like Wise, it won’t be. “Where did you hear that?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Yes. It does.
I wait.
He shrugs. “I overheard the St. James kid mention it when I was passing by his office. He was on the phone. Pretty sure it was with the King’s boy. He mentioned Roger Smith’s daughter… and I heard him say something about the Heyward place.”
Desmond, Desmond, Desmond… if he hadn’t been there to help me rescue Haven, I’d kill him for opening his mouth and talking about Haven and me where anyone could hear him.
Wise studies me closely. “Is it true? Do you have her here with you?”
I shake my head, the lie coming easily. “Me? Why would I?”
“That’s a good question, Connor. And, to be honest, not really my concern. If you want to keep the girl, keep the girl. Rog was a buddy of mine. He’d want her to be with a respected Owed. I don’t know why she skipped town, but if she’s back… maybe this is for the best, you know.”
Oh. Iknow…
“If I had her,” I say.
“Right. If you had her.”
I pause for a moment. “Does Jack know? About this rumor that Haven’s back in town?”
Did you tell him? Or did you come straight here to put the squeeze on me first? Because, make no mistake, that’s what’s happening. It’s only a matter of when he starts turning the screws, but it’s coming, and thumbing the bulge in my pants pocket, I’m ready for it.
“The King, you mean?”
Sure. I nod.
“He suspects it. He also suspects that his nephew is covering it up. But he doesn’t know.” Wise lays his hand on my shoulder. “He doesn’t have to know, either. We can keep it between you and me.”
I arch an eyebrow. “You’d do that?”
“Sure, sure. I mean, my silence isn’t cheap, but once you buy it, you have it.”
There it is. Exactly what I was expecting.
