Mob Sorcery 2 - Ch23

Chapter 23

“You’re offering to make me a made man?” Vince asked.

The silence that followed, along with the awkward shuffling and glances from the Lionetti enforcers, told him that he was way off the mark. Nina seemed less certain. She kept her eyes squarely on him.

“You can’t be inducted into the Lionetti Family,” Alessia said, her ears twitching as she spoke. “The rank of associate is the highest allowed for non-wolffolk or wolffolk not of Italian descent. Save for marrying into the Family, of course.”

Her eyes wandered to the door that led to Pola’s bedroom. Nina clicked her tongue in response.

“So… this is similar to the Golden Path or Kaziern’s non-lionfolk goons.” He leaned forward and rested his head on his hands, using his thighs for support. “I’d be a corporate enforcer, but of a lower tier.”

Alessia bit her lip. “Yes, but it’s more complicated than that. The position of associate is rarely used in the modern Lionetti Family. Before we incorporated, almost everyone who worked with us was termed an associate. Business owners, union organizers, corrupt police officers, government officials—the list goes on. Every enforcer started as an associate as well.”

Quite the array of people. Vince reminded himself that he was dealing with the actual mafia, not just some company with a bunch of thugs.

“Now that we are a legitimate enterprise, the position is only used for allied enforcers,” she continued. “Everything else is handled through Lionetti Enterprises.” A smile graced her face. “Just as we legitimized, so too did our connections. We ceased hiding in the shadows.”

“Do you have a point?” Nina asked. “I don’t mind history lessons, but I like them to be more relevant than some random ass Pharaoh who died millennia ago because he fucked his sister.”

“I don’t think Pharaohs died for that reason,” Vince said.

Nina scoffed. “Well, that just shows how much I care. Well?”

Rolling her eyes, Alessia continued speaking, but kept her gaze firmly fixed on Vince. “I have great latitude in how I treat associates, including what powers they are granted. The comparison to the Golden Path falls over there. Our security subsidiary is probably the closest to them or Kaziern’s own security. Corporate enforcers not associated with the Family. You’d be the first associate I’ve appointed.”

His eyebrows shot up. “You said the rank was rare, not nonexistent.”

Alessia simply smiled at him.

“We used it a lot more before shit hit the fan,” Fia said. “Back when we controlled more territory. Some associates were basically capos. And I think there was even an entire gang of associates that controlled territory south across the bay, where the Yakuza are trying to set up shop. Is that what you’re offering him, boss?”

“I don’t think Vince has an interest in creating his own gang,” Alessia said drily. “Unless I’m wrong?”

“Absolutely not.” He sighed and leaned against the back of the couch. “Look, I’m flattered by the offer, but—”

“Hold on,” Nina interrupted. Now it was her turn to lean forward, and her frustration directed itself at him. “You’re turning down an offer to go corporate just like that? What did I say earlier?”

“A prediction.” Vince’s expression remained unchanged. “I like being independent. Alessia, you wondered when we first met why I didn’t take cushy jobs. Nothing’s changed. Even with the risks, I prefer my freedom. Freedom to choose who I work for, and to say no when they ask for too much.”

“Are you saying no to me right now?” Alessia’s face turned as stony as it had when she spoke to Nina.

“To becoming an associate? Absolutely. Plus, you still owe me a bonus.”

Her expression returned to normal and she tried to drink some coffee. Except her cup was empty. She held it up for an enforcer to take, then crossed her legs and tried to look stately.

“I’ll include the bonus if you join me,” she said. “I can make the offer enticing enough, beyond just covering fines.”

“Plus, proper insurance, consistent income even when you’re not cracking heads, protection from the cops, vacations.” Nina ticked off her fingers and seemed annoyed that she couldn’t come up with more reasons. “Uh…”

“Why didn’t you ever go corporate if it’s so great?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

The hell was Nina trying to convince him to take the job?

“Because I always planned to bail on the job and become a functioning member of society,” she said.

The other enforcers looked as annoyed as Vince felt. Fia even rolled her eyes. Given the capo’s opinion on office work, he doubted she and Nina saw eye to eye on this matter.

“I could make you a similar offer, Miss Hayes,” Alessia said. “Complete with an office job, if that’s your preference when you’re not needed for enforcer duties.”

Nina scowled, crossed her arms, and glared at the wall. A smirk flickered across the mafia don’s face before she looked back at Vince with a smile.

“Well?” she asked.

“Still no. It’s not a problem with the Lionettis,” he said. “I just prefer being a freelancer. Especially if you pay me well.”

No response escaped Alessia. Instead, she stood and walked up to one of the windows. Her reflection in the tinted glass gave away her frustration.

“Then let’s discuss your bonus and contract,” she said. “My first offer is simple. As a bonus for going above and beyond last night, I’ll consider your current job complete. You’ll receive a full payout on Monday, once I can transfer you the funds.”

Vince’s jaw almost fell, but he managed to reduce his surprise to blinking and a gulp of surprise. Nina hit him lightly in the arm.

“Oi,” she muttered. “Poker face, dumbass.”

He ran a hand down his face. “I mean, I’d still get that money if I—”

“Yes, but you’ll have the cash now,” Alessia said, still staring out the window. “Furthermore, it means I can offer you a new contract. One with substantially more generous provisions.”

“And more danger. I’m not stupid, Alessia. Houou wants you dead. You and Pola. Whatever is driving them to attack you so ferociously won’t vanish in a week or two, or even if you make Kaziern kneel. What’s stopping you from just offering me a proper bonus and an extra job right now?”

“Because I’m offering you the chance to walk away from this corporate war.”

Everyone stared at Alessia. Fia scowled and opened her mouth to say something, before stopping herself and flicking her hair over one shoulder.

“The moment I stop working for you, Quintus will—” he tried to say.

“I imagine he won’t wait now. Immanuel’s dislike of Old World influence is well known.” Alessia finally turned to face him. “They came here from Europe to escape the machinations of the eldest demons and to define themselves as more than pawns of evil. I’m certain that Immanuel will act to stop Knightsgate from gaining power, no matter what the collateral damage.”

“I didn’t think we agreed to work with the Yakuza,” Fia said in a quiet voice.

“We haven’t. In fact, I’m still unwilling to turn the conglomerates against us by assisting them in their war on Houou. But even if we don’t befriend them, we’ll be fighting for a common cause.”

“Destroying Houou,” Vince said. “Is that what the new contract is about? Attacking the foxes on their home turf?”

A giggle escaped Alessia, which she tried to suppress. Her cheeks bulged as she turned to face the windows. Her attempts failed and she laughed more than he’d ever seen her. Even Fia seemed surprised.

Nina snorted. “Vince, you’re a tough guy. And I’m pretty strong myself. But if you hit Houou’s turf, a kill team of foxes would put us both in the ground. Six-tail assholes teleporting around, hitting like trucks, and throwing around meister-tier spells everywhere. That’s before any clan guardians get involved. I can probably trash a fox enforcer or two, but I doubt even Juliet could touch a guardian.”

“Indeed,” Alessia said, still smiling broadly. “No, Vince, we’re not attacking Houou directly. Because we don’t have to. All of their territory in Albion is held by vassals like Kaziern. And if the Yakuza wish to attack them directly, that’s their prerogative and the role of the immortals you spotted last night.”

Vince scratched his head and tried not to look too embarrassed. “Alright, what’s the contract then?”

“I’d like to hear about your opinion of the bonus.”

“Alessia, when have I given you the impression I plan to bail?”

She remained unmoved.

Nina spoke up this time, “You glossed over it earlier, but paying out his contract early isn’t just a gesture of goodwill. You fucked up with your original contract and now you need him to do extra work.”

“No, it is a gesture of goodwill. A bonus.” Alessia regained her poker face. “There is nothing stopping me from offering an expanded contract right now, without paying out the first earlier.”

“Sure, except how many enforcers want to take on a second job for the same boss before their first pays out? You’re being cheap.”

Alessia merely folded her arms in front of herself and looked at Vince, ignoring Nina. The lioness gave a dark chuckle.

“Boss, I think we can spare some cash,” Fia said.

Alessia shot her a sharp look. She sat back down again, her hands restless as they played with the ends of her hair. “Fine. I’ll personally cover your first police fine, no matter the amount, as a gift.”

“Gift?”

“Yes. It can’t come from a corporate account and isn’t strictly linked to the job, for legal reasons. I’ll pay it out of goodwill and because of your connection to my sister. Assuming Miss Hayes and Pola sort out their… argument over you, I can easily justify assisting Pola’s mate.”

“I said it wasn’t about the relationship,” Nina snapped.

Alessia smirked at the lioness, exuding a level of smugness that Vince found surprising. “Oh? You turned up this morning, immediately after Pola claimed Vince as her mate, ready to battle. I even overheard that you fully intended to put her in her place.”

Nina snarled while pulling out her phone. “I will put that bitch in her place.”

The enforcers turned stone faced, save for Fia who stared at Nina and her phone in amazement. Vince realized too late what his girlfriend intended.

“Your outburst doesn’t convince me,” Alessia said drily.

“Look, Pola sent this to me. Taunting me with my own boyfriend.” Nina thrust her phone toward Alessia, brightness at max to show off the lurid image on it. “Would you sit back and let shit like this stand? Vince can bend all you pups over and fuck you right now, for all I care, but I’m not taking shit like this. I had him first, and I’m the lioness on top of his pride.”

Whether any of Nina’s words reached Alessia remained a mystery. Because the wolfgirl don’s face had turned cherry red while her ears and tail shot bolt upright. Her eyes widened so much that Vince worried they might fall out of her skull.

The other enforcers shuffled around the room to see the phone. Lucia let out a whistle.

“Nice,” she said, eyes glued to Vince’s crotch. “Very nice.”

Both he and Fia ran hands down their faces. Nina had shown everyone the image Pola had taken of her riding him.

Just what he needed. His boss got to see his cock inside her sister.

“I… I wasn’t aware,” Alessia said, voice oddly high-pitched. “Excuse me for a moment.”

She juddered to her feet, then shot toward the door to the rest of the penthouse. Lucia tried to follow, but Alessia slammed the door in her face.

Snickering, Lucia leaned against the wall. “Pola is fucked. And not just by you, V.”

“Thanks,” he drawled.

He stared at the closed door. While he heard nothing through it or the wall, Alessia’s reaction suggested a very particular destination. One that he suspected might test the soundproofing.

“Got my point across,” Nina said, pocketing her phone.

“If you’re so annoyed by that image, why are you sharing it with everyone?” Fia asked.

“Because you idiots keep thinking I’m pissed over something else.”

“Uh huh.”

Minutes passed in a mixture of silence and small talk between Fia and Nina. Vince tried to ignore the heated looks the other enforcers gave him. Lucia’s grin never faded.

Finally, the door opened. Alessia stormed through it, one hand dragging Pola behind her. A narrow but long sword hung from Pola’s waist and she’d found some pants since Vince last saw her. Although she still padded in barefoot.

“Sis, stop, I don’t wanna—” Pola tried to say, before clamming up at the sight of Nina.

“Lucia, get another chair,” Alessia ground out, fury writ across her face. Her arm bulged with muscles she didn’t have, but Vince strongly suspected she held the same physical strength as her sister.

Not that Pola appeared to fight back. She glared at the ground as Lucia returned with another dining chair, and only sat down after a barked command from Alessia.

“Now, Pola, I think you have somebody to apologize to,” Alessia said.

“I’m not saying anything to her, unless it’s with my claws,” Pola muttered.

“I want you to apologize to Vince.” Alessia glared down at her sister, tail lashing the ground in a rare show of emotion. “He finally agreed to be with you, and you treat him like this? This is disgraceful. Utterly below a Lionetti, let alone the sottocapo. Apologize, before I make things worse.”

“Worse?” Pola glared back at Alessia. “How could you—”

Alessia’s eyes flashed and she glanced at Fia.

Before any dangerous words escaped Alessia, Pola yelped and shot to her feet. “Wait! Wait! I’ll say sorry.”

Mollified, Alessia returned to her chair. Her gaze never left her sister.

Like a small child, Pola wrapped her hands behind her back and looked at the ground. She looked vaguely in Vince’s direction. “Sorry.”

“Fia, I want you to—” Alessia began to say, voice deathly cold.

“Wait!” Pola wailed, finally looking at Vince. “Look, I’m sorry. Last night was just so amazing, and when I got reminded that this stupid lion also had you, I needed to stake my claim. You’re my mate. Shouldn’t I be the pack leader?”

“It’s a pride,” Nina said.

“Only until I knock you down and watch Vince—” Pola began to say.

“Quiet!” Alessia snapped. Her voice thundered with magic and Vince felt a light mental suggestion crash against his mind.

Not that anyone appeared to be seriously affected. The enforcers blinked and rubbed their temples, while he, Pola, and Nina merely blinked. Fia seemed annoyed.

Vince’s jaw finally dropped. “You can use mental magic, Alessia?”

She sighed. “Yes. Not that I’m very good at it. It’s always been taught to members of the main Lionetti Family. Unfortunately, it takes decades to truly excel at for demihumans.”

“But I bet you can fuck with some people if you grip that wand on your thigh,” Nina said. “Great way to cement a contract.”

“Using mental magic in business dealings tends to void contracts,” Alessia said. “It’s for defense, but also to keep the branch families in line.”

Always taught to the main family…

“Wait, Pola, do you know mental magic?” he asked.

Every wolfgirl snickered as one. Even Alessia allowed herself a smile, while Pola pouted.

“I never got past the first lesson,” she muttered.

“Indeed. While you’re powerful, mental magic requires finesse.” Alessia’s expression hardened. “That wasn’t much of an apology, Pola. Vince, what do you think?”

Both Lionetti sisters looked at him, but with wholly different expressions. Alessia’s silently demanded that he chide her sister, while Pola practically begged for forgiveness. Nina merely crossed her arms and stared at the window.

Maybe she felt the same way about this that he did. Sure, he wanted Pola to learn her lesson, but this felt like a child being punished by her mother. The entire situation was embarrassing.

He wanted to say that it was fine, and not a big deal.

Yet he didn’t. If he gave Pola a free pass here, would she continue to mess around? Sure, he wanted to be supportive, but if she never learned her boundaries, would he last with her?

Probably not. He and Nina got along as well as they did because they’d been together for years, even if they only cemented things last weekend.

“Pola, listen until the end,” he said.

Her ears lowered but she nodded.

“I do forgive you. But you need to not do that again. You and Alessia keep calling me your mate, but if you genuinely want us to be together, then you can’t trample on me or constantly battle with those I care about.” He paused and bit his lip, while Pola rubbed her arms. “For my part, I’m also sorry that I didn’t tell you about Nina.”

“I already knew,” Pola mumbled.

“Maybe. But I didn’t know that. Anyway, don’t do something like this again and I promise not to keep secrets.”

She nodded. Then she snuck a glance at Alessia, whose anger had faded from her visible expression.

After rolling her eyes, Alessia waved a hand at her sister. “It’s fine. Although I imagine you’ll need more than an apology to handle Miss Hayes.”

“Oh, for sure,” Nina growled. “I’ll be happy when…”

Remembering Alessia’s outburst, the lioness swallowed her words. She and Pola traded glares yet again.

Alessia looked at both of them. “Unless you’re going to battle for Vince’s affection right now, may I finish my discussion with him?”

Both women nodded, but never looked away from each other.

“The contract?” Vince asked.

“I assume you’re happy enough with the bonus?” Alessia pressed.

“If I say no to the follow-up contract, what happens to the fine?” he asked.

“I’ll still pay it. Assuming I’m alive to cover it.”

He winced at the reminder of what his work likely would involve. Despite his attempt to play hardball, the fact the Lionettis were in mortal peril made it difficult to truly be a hardass.

Sure, he wanted to be paid more, but he’d let himself get attached. Alessia had him over a barrel. If he walked away, what was the likelihood that Pola or Fia got torn apart by another team of enforcers? Or that Houou went all out?

Not to mention that getting paid early was a big deal. Nina had rightly tried to find a way to squirm out of the job. The full payout was worth as much as Immanuel paid him for a couple years of work. Sure, he hadn’t battled a vampire assassin or meister-tier necromancer before, but this was more money than he’d ever received at once. Even his biggest jobs for Quintus paid less than the advance he’d received from Alessia.

“I’m happy,” he admitted.

“Good. As I said, I’ll transfer the money on Monday.”

Quintus would be thrilled once he saw the cash enter Vince’s account. He needed to plan for another visit from his old boss.

Alessia lost all emotion on her face abruptly. Her tail and ears stilled as she prepared to negotiate over the next job.

“The next contract isn’t simple,” she admitted. “But it will pay commensurately. My objectives at the moment are threefold: bring Kaziern to heel; protect our territory and personnel from Houou; and deal with Juliet before she strikes again.”

“That’s four contracts,” Nina said. “Weren’t you saying earlier that you could simply offer this job without ending the old one early? Nobody would accept four new jobs at the same time as that old one.”

Vince agreed with a nod. “Yeah, the previous job was big, but every objective led on from another. These are all separate jobs. I just refused being a corporate enforcer, Alessia.”

“Yet I still need these things done.” Alessia remained completely still. “In particular, dealing with Kaziern is an important aspect still unfinished from the previous contract. They aren’t about to let their former territory remain in our hands unless we force the matter.”

“No matter how much you’re offering, a single contract for this is nuts,” Nina said, a scowl forming on her face. “Vince, I know you like these wolves, but you just said you won’t go corporate. A job this big means more than one fine.”

Alessia continued to show no emotion. “If you prefer, I’m happy to make each a separate contract, with their own conditions for success. Or else a single large contract with ‘progress payments’ as you complete each objective. I understand that Juliet might be difficult to find.”

“How much?” he asked.

Without hesitating, Alessia reeled off a six-figure sum. Vince knew he gave away his opinion, especially as Nina sighed and hit him in the arm again.

“That will barely cover a fine if he gets hit with two,” the lioness said.

“I’m offering more than Vince would make in a year as a corporate enforcer,” Alessia replied. “In just three months. On top of the payment for the earlier contract. On top of what might be a six figure fine. It’s a very generous offer.”

“You should be hiring a whole team.”

“As I said, I tried that. Vince will receive more than any individual enforcer would, save for obscene rates like those of Juliet Forest. But then, I’m not paying him to assassinate Houou’s CEO.”

“And when Vince gets bankrupted by a second fine, because the mayor is on the warpath?” Nina pushed.

The mafia don folded her hands in her lap. “If the police act unreasonably against the Lionetti Family—even through Vince—I am more than willing to intervene.”

Nina nodded slowly, but still seemed annoyed.

“I take it I can’t get that in writing?” Vince asked.

“No. There can’t be any paper trail. It’s highly likely that my contracts with you will be ascertained by the police as part of their investigation. The rules around hiring independent enforcers are complex, but if I cover fines then it’ll allow the police to act against the Lionetti Family directly.” Her eyes narrowed. “There is a simple solution if you’re worried about fines, Vince.”

The ups and downs of being independent. She’d admitted that the pay was far higher than her offer to become an associate, but the flipside was that Alessia’s willingness to cover his fines and incidentals waned.

Alessia’s lips quirked upward, breaking her façade. “Well?”

“You should be paying more if you expect him to fight during this conference. The cops are pissed,” Nina said.

“Last I checked, the conference doesn’t last three months.” Alessia’s tongue must be a desert right now with how dry her tone was. “But fine. I’ll add on another ten thousand, given the high likelihood Kaziern will be dealt with before the conference finishes. It’s unlikely to be necessary, as I expect the matter to be dealt with directly, but does that ease your concern?”

“What’s the split?” Vince asked.

“No advance payment. 20% for Kaziern, 30% for Juliet, and the other 50% will paid monthly over the next three months, or in full if Houou backs off for any reason.”

He glanced at Nina. She shrugged at him.

That told him that the pay was fair enough. Especially as he knew this didn’t involve bringing others onboard. Alessia and Nina had bickered enough so far.

Hell, even if he somehow demanded the pay of an entire team of enforcers, who would he bring onboard? It was always a dream to get paid for the work of multiple people, but what employer wanted to pay for five people, when they only got one?

Abruptly, he recalled a certain person in his “employ.”

“I want an increase for Nicki. You want me to cover a lot of ground and work, and she was the only reason I managed to pull last night off,” he said. “If I want her available full-time, I need to pay her full-time. Especially as I doubt Houou will overlook her.”

Alessia looked at Fia, who nodded.

“I had to arrange protection for his flier,” Fia said. “And the other capos told me that she helped Vince get to us so fast. Without her, some of us might be dead.”

Her eyes flicked to Lucia and the other bodyguard from last night. Both nodded in agreement.

Alessia returned her gaze to Vince. “Very well. We have a standard rate for getaway fliers, although we rarely use them these days. I’ll add that to the total.”

“Double it,” Nina said.

The mafia don shot Nina an annoyed look. “It’s a generous enough rate. I could afford an entirely separate enforcer if I double it. If Vince truly needs a personal flier, I have contacts who can provide one for three months.”

He wanted Nicki, not some contract eagle who might bail on him when things got tough.

“What’s the actual rate?”

Alessia told him. While nowhere near as impressive as either of his pay packets from her, Nicki would earn more in three months than she likely got from her data entry job all year.

“So, Vince?” Alessia asked once again.

Damn. What option did he have other than to say yes? This was more than double the pay for the previous job, plus it let him outright hire Nicki. Sure, it took place over triple the length of time, but how the hell else was he going to find jobs that paid like this? Especially as Alessia’s growing annoyance worried him that she’d take her ball and go home.

Maybe she needed him more than he needed her, but crawling back to Quintus was not on his to-do list.

And the fact Alessia had immediately offered him this much meant that he likely had a good future alongside the Lionettis. So long as he kept them from falling apart, or getting his skull caved in.

Although he wondered if the job after this one might be even broader. Alessia made no bones about the fact she wanted a long-term relationship with him. This job locked him into working for her for months, rather than the short stints most contracts were.

“We’ll need to discuss the specifics of the contract,” he said. “I’m not agreeing outright now.”

“Of course. I imagine today is a bad day for you.” Her eyes shot to Nina, who nodded repeatedly. “But you agree in principle?”

Damn. Of course she’d push harder. “Yes. But that depends on the terms and how I complete each job. There’s no guarantee I say yes.”

“Eh? You don’t want to work for us anymore?” Pola asked, eyes wide.

His expression tightened, while Alessia hid her smile behind one hand.

As much as he talked big, he lacked the leverage he truly wanted.

“If your sister can’t pay properly, then he sure as hell will,” Nina said. “Look at this place? You can’t afford to pay properly when surrounded by all this luxury?”

Pola opened her mouth, but Alessia spoke first.

“I run the Lionetti Family like the business it is,” the elder Lionetti said. “I wish to establish a strong, long-term relationship with you, Vince. Particularly as you’ve proven yourself to be an extremely valuable asset and friend to the Family. But we’ve known each other for weeks. If I offer you some obscene amount to buy your loyalty, how do I know you won’t simply walk away and take another job? One with less risk. Or that you’ll ask for even more next time. The list of problems grows. And there is a very simple solution.”

When her eyes turned to Pola, Vince grimaced.

“Let’s see how things go over the next few months. The big thing I’m worried about is how much Houou throws at us,” he said.

“Us,” Alessia echoed. “Indeed. Hence why I approached Miss Hayes. However, I’m sure there is time for us to talk about additional assistance. I don’t expect you to hire more enforcers for this job.”

He really needed to take lessons from Alessia on negotiating. She foresaw his next move.

So he shrugged. “Well, I’m sure if we need more Lionettis, there’s a way to make them. I still haven’t gotten a reply from you about the possibility of a two-for-one deal if I do good work.”

Alessia’s face turned as red as when Nina had shown her the photo of him fucking Pola. She spluttered and covered her mouth. Fia and Lucia stepped up to her in surprise, but she waved them off.

“It’s fine,” she mumbled, refusing to look Vince in the face. “We’ll speak about the contractual details tonight or tomorrow. I need to chase up Kaziern about our territory and get some reports. Monday, even. Fia will let you know.”

She fiddled with the edges of her dress while overflowing with embarrassment.

Damn. He’d struck hard with that comment, and it was the same crack he’d made before.

Pola tilted her head at her sister, then shrugged and stood. “So, you’re done, Sis. Then Vince and I will—”

“Do nothing,” Nina growled. She finally scooched across the couch and pressed herself against him. “Today’s Saturday, and that means Vince is taking care of my hair.”

“He’s what?” Fia asked.

“You heard what I said.”

“Yeah, but…” Fia stopped dead and sighed. “I didn’t know Vince was a hairdresser.”

“I’m not. I just comb out her hair. It takes hours,” he said.

Pola shot him a strange look, then pouted at Nina. “He’s good?”

“Oh yeah. Which is why you can wait until we’re done.” The lioness bared her teeth at her would-be-rival. “Vince has been combing out my hair weekly for years. We’re not stopping now.”

“Years?” Alessia choked out, still red as a tomato. “I thought the two of you only started dating last week, given the… smell.”

Now it was Nina’s turn to flush. Fia snorted.

“Man, how the hell did the two of you take so long to fuck?” Fia shook her head. “Getting ideas, Pola?”

But the younger Lionetti didn’t answer. Instead, she rubbed one of her silver locks between her fingers while staring at the ground. Fia ran a hand through her own hair.

“Well, uh, if we’re done, I’ll drive you back,” Fia said. “I know neither of you have a car and it’d be stupid to send you back on the subway.”

They broke up and Vince said goodbye to the penthouse. Temporarily, he assumed. He heard muttering from Alessia and Pola as he left, and the ears of the other demihumans pricked upward as they eavesdropped. Lucia and the other bodyguards followed Vince outside, presumably to protect the penthouse from the guard room.

“Try not to fuck yourself into a coma, V,” Lucia teased as they entered the lift, while she remained behind. “You can’t earn that money if you don’t get out of bed.”

“I’ll stock up on energy drinks,” he drawled.

“Wow. Is that your secret?”

He didn’t answer. Even the drive back was fairly quiet. On the way out of Alessia’s building, he spotted the catgirl sisters from earlier using the main elevators. Small world.

Only once they arrived near their apartment complex did Fia say much. And only after shooing Nina away. The lioness winked at Fia before trotting off.

Fia looked Vince up and down. “Looks like we’ll be seeing each other a lot more. Although now that Pola is keen on you, maybe Alessia will let her be your handler.”

Vince stared at her. But he said nothing. Seconds passed while Fia and Vince locked eyes. Then she burst into giggles.

“Damn, did I actually get you?” she asked with a grin. “Like hell Alessia will let Pola boss you around. Our ever-dutiful sottocapo would order you to fuck her all day and forget about the mission. You’ll be seeing plenty of me.”

“Thank fuck,” he muttered.

“Heh. Good to know you prefer me over your ‘mate.’” She bumped a fist against his chest. “Anyway, hit me up during the week. I’ll be busy helping with intel gathering, but if the blackshirts come down as hard as we expect, there won’t be much to do except call Kaziern’s lions funny names. I’ll die of boredom, even with a gym trip with Nina.”

Fia shot him a salute, then left him to take care of Nina for the day. Combing out her hair for a couple of hours gave him plenty of time to think as she whined and moaned in response to his fingers.

If he had a new job and a pile of cash incoming, he should gear up. One particular face came to mind to help him with that.

Not to mention that Ally’s infusions had saved his ass. It was time to stock up.

- - - - -

Commentary: I swear every chapter I've written since my return is way bigger than I intended. This one was difficult as I wanted to get across a bunch of things, but it's also a big "talking heads" chapter. I'm always frustrated when I write huge chapters that are just people talking to each other, especially if I can't easily add in actions that break things up. I dislike white rooming (when a scene feels like it's just characters talking to each other in an empty white room), but sometimes adding random actions is more distracting than setting building. It doesn't help that there are a bunch of people talking here.

As for the contract, I'm not sure I've gotten the balance correct. Alessia's being generous, while trying to avoid giving Vince literally everything. Nina is pushing for more, as she knows Alessia really needs him, but I also don't want her combativeness to make her Alessia look extremely cheap (Nina is driving a hard bargain because she has no personal attachment and is the type to just change employers). I also worry that if Vince does no negotiating himself, he comes across as too dumb. Oh, and I want Fia to intervene at choice moments for character reasons. The balance is difficult, which is why these few chapters have chewed up a lot more time than usual. I could easily go over them repeatedly for days.

But it's finally time to get back to the plot.