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“Holidaymakers,” he said in a flat tone.
“Panty wetting, orgasmic looking holidaymakers.” She popped her chewing gum. “Shall I wait?”
“They look like those fancy, entitled rich folks who cruise around here on their private yachts,” Jerry said with a frown.
Suzie gave him a sweet smile. “You mean the kind of folks your business needs.”
Scoffing, Jerry waved at a group of regulars that entered and made his way over.
“You better not make them wait,” Suzie said, glancing at the special task force team.
“Go serve the other customers,” Sean said. “I’ll handle their order.”
He kept his attention on the group at the back as he prepared their order.
Ten minutes later, he made his way over with a tray.
Cain looked up when he stopped at their table. “Sean Rivers. Impressive show.”
Any doubt that they didn’t know about his art vanished. They knew who he was, and they didn’t come here for his famous mood drinks. There was no point in beating around the bush.
He put a martini glass in front of Clelia and lit the liquid. A Flaming Lamborghini for the firestarter. Calvados, neat, for Joss. Coffee liqueur with a dash of Amarula for Kat. For Lann, vodka with a layer of Absinth. A Fishbowl for Maya, and scotch for Tim. Bono would have a beer. He’d mixed his own creation for Cain, a drink he’d just baptized Death Row.
Cain applauded slowly. “Well done.” Taking in the drinks, he said, “I presume this means we don’t need to introduce ourselves.”
Sean handed the tray to a passing waitress. “What do you want?”
Cain motioned to a vacant chair. “Pull up a seat.”
“No, thanks. I’m not planning on hanging around that long.”
Cain’s lips quirked. “Ah. You prefer to jump straight into business.”
Taking a wide stance, Sean crossed his arms. “Tell me what you want and then get the hell out of Jerry’s bar.”
“Tsk, tsk.” Cain rubbed a thumb over his lips. “Didn’t Alan teach you manners?”
“Leave my father out of this,” Sean said, balling his fists so hard his knuckles cracked.
“We’re not here to steal your art,” Joss said, “so don’t piss in your pants.”
“I know,” Sean replied with a sneer. “It’s not in your code of conduct.”
“You’ve done your homework,” Maya said, giving him a snide smile, “but your father shouldn’t share information he’s not supposed to have.”
All eyes were trained on him with curious interest. None seemed threatening. At least, not life threatening.
“I’ll ask one more time, and then I walk away,” Sean said. “What do you want?”
Cain steepled his fingers, studying Sean. “We need you to do a job for us.”
Sean laughed. “Forget it.”
“I know you’ve taken a vow not to use your gift since your sister’s death,” Cain said. “I’m not asking you to use your geomancist abilities.”
Sean went cold like he did every time he thought about how he’d fucked up with his gift. His voice was barely audible. “You don’t want to bring that up.”
“We need information on Juan Hernandez,” Cain continued. “I believe you have the perfect cover.”
Suddenly, Sean understood. “I’m not spying for you.”
“All we ask is a week,” Cain said. “The week on Isla del Pirata where he’ll celebrate his birthday.”
“I already said no to him. What makes you think I’ll change my mind?”
Cain leaned back in his seat. “The fact that you need money to take over this bar.”
Sean gritted his teeth. “I’m not doing it with drug money.”
“I’m not asking you to. I’m offering to pay you for the job. It’ll be with our money.”
“Thanks for the kindhearted offer, but I don’t think so.”
Cain’s smile said he knew more about Sean than what Sean cared for the commander to know. “You don’t have other means of getting the cash together before the end of the month, and I believe you have a new competitor.”
Sean’s blood started simmering. “What the hell do you know about the deal or Asia?” Then another realization hit him. “Son of a bitch. You’re the new landlord, aren’t you?”
Cain only grinned.
Disbelief sounded in Sean’s voice. “You bought the property.”
“It was a good investment,” Cain said.
His blood went from simmering to boiling. “That’s fucking blackmail.”
“Call it what you want,” Joss said. “It’s a means to your end.”
Cain regarded Sean with cold calculation. “Don’t you want to make your dream come true?”
“You set me up against the lass,” he said, still unable to believe his ears.
Cain shrugged. “I simply mentioned that the location would be great for what she has in mind.”
“You’re using her, you son of a bitch, to get me to take your offer.”
“In a couple of months’ time, you won’t even remember the young lady in question,” Cain said. “You would’ve moved on, and she would’ve, too.”
Sean dropped his arms at his sides. “You promised her the premises.”
“No,” Cain said evenly. “I said whoever comes up with the money first can have the lease.”
