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Eight
Seb
The phone rings twice before Rick picks up. “We’re in and going to check it out tonight.”
“Good. Let’s hope you can get some good intel and it moves quickly. We can’t afford for this to take too long.”
“Yeah, let’s hope so.” My smile drops a little as I ask my next question. “How’s Cam and the baby doing?” Rick put a ban on me visiting temporarily, feeling it was best to distance myself as much as possible. I’m pissed about it, but I understand his reasons.
“They’re good, man. Doing real good. They should be allowed home in the next couple of days. You should see Blue, Seb. He’s gone into full dad mode; the house is baby proofed to the hilt. I doubt even an adult could injure themselves in there,” he chuckles. “I know you wanted to see them, but this is for their safety.”
I sigh. “Yeah, and I get it. I’d do the same.” I pull into the car park of the apartment we’ll be using for my cover. “Look, I’ve got to go, there’s some things I need to do before we head out later. Is there anything else I need to know?” I ask, turning the engine off and picking up my phone as the call switches from handsfree.
“No, just remember to keep your head if you see Jamie. It’s not likely because she prefers Rosco’s, but that’s not to say she won’t come to Tempest again,” Rick states, as I enter the lift. With him. He doesn’t say it, but I know he was thinking it. The fact she was there at all, regardless of who with, worries me given what we know about the place.
My grip on the phone tightens as I think of last night. Images of her flash through my mind, and I shake them free before replying.
“You and I both know that while she’s seeing that prick Jasper there’s every possibility she’ll turn up. But I will play my part, don’t worry.”
Stepping out of the lift, I push the key into the lock, opening the door and stepping inside. It’s fucking freezing in here, and the smell of fresh paint assaults my nose.
“I’ll call you later and let you know how it went. Give my love to Cam, catch you later.” Rick tells me he will before ending the call as I walk into the open plan lounge-kitchen.
It’s a new apartment in the Castlefield quarter, overlooking the canal. Clean lines and minimalistic design, a little different to what I’m used to, but needs must. It’s a total bachelor pad, down to the modern furniture and terrace bar.
I’m not in the least bit surprised that Jay was so quick to agree to signing up to this job. I said yes, of course. Rick agreed it would be better for our cover and good to have a second set of eyes too.
I throw my keys and phone down on the breakfast bar and head off down the hall to the master bedroom. It’s plush, and with my own stamp on it, I’ll feel right at home.
My phone rings from the kitchen, but I ignore it. I have a feeling it’s not someone I want to talk to right now.
I make a start on unpacking the boxes stacked in the corner of the room. An hour later as I’m emptying the last box, I hear the front door.
“Seb? Where you at, man?” I can hear him dragging something behind him through the apartment.
“Back here, mate.” Jay lets out a low whistle as he walks towards my room.
“This place is going to have the girls dropping at my feet. Or my cock. Either way I’ll be getting some serious action.”
I turn around just as he enters the room and leans against the door frame. I give him a serious look. “You know this is for the job, right? You can’t go bringing all and sundry here. It’s not your personal pussy pad.”
“Way to spoil my fun before I’ve even settled in, man.” He huffs, and I arch a brow at him. “Fine. But you owe me for this.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Come on, help me with this last box, and then I’ll give you a hand bringing your stuff up.”
Jay moves into the room and begins to demolish the boxes. Once we have them all flattened, we carry them down to the bin on our way to Jay’s truck.
Around 6pm Jay orders pizza, neither of us in the mood to cook, and I crack open a couple of beers for us. Flopping down onto the sofa, swigging my beer, Jay joins me.
“So, how you feeling about tonight?”
I think on it for a minute, picking at the label on my bottle. “I’m good. I’ve done this a shit load of times before, and this is no different.” Jay’s eyes widen, questioning the conviction of that statement. I know why he’s asking, Jamie. More precisely, Jamie’s mum. Her being involved complicates things. And last night, what happened between us and the fact Jamie was at Tempest, could potentially be an issue too, but I push it from my mind.
“What’s this Jasper dudes deal? Do you know any more about him?”
“Not really. Everything points to him being a good detective, although it depends on who you talk to. Alex, from Rosco’s, has a rather different opinion of him. My guess is it’s got more to do with the fact he’s into Jamie.” I can’t hide the bitterness in my tone, and I know Jay doesn’t miss it either. “And no doubt, Jasper has turned the bar over more than once.” I add nonchalantly.
“Yeah, well it ain’t hard to see why Alex likes her. She’s fucking hot!” My gaze snaps to him, eyes narrowed, but the bastard just laughs. “Woah, chill. I’m just yanking your chain.”
