*Sephie*
We ended up staying for a little while longer. We decided we wanted to see how long it would take Henry to show up. Of course, there were bets made. Even Vitaliy and Battista got in on it. They’d been busy making their own bets from the sidelines the entire night already.
“Vitaliy, can I just tell you that I love you even more now that I know you enjoy doing this as well?” I said to him, in Italian, so Battista could also understand. Battista was quickly endearing himself to all of us as well. We still needed to have a conversation about him warning us next time he needed our services, but otherwise, he was proving to be extremely helpful to us. I could see why Vitaliy fostered that relationship over the years.
He smirked at me, raising his glass toward me. I caught myself thinking about how much I enjoyed having Vitaliy around, which is something I never thought I would say. The relationship between Vitaliy and Adrik was quickly approaching a normal father and son relationship as well. I was happy he decided to stay in the city a little longer. At this point, it felt like we could use all the help we could get.
Henry finally made an appearance at the fundraiser. Adrik won the bet pool, calling the precise minute that Henry would show up. The representative showed up not five minutes after him, looking quite flushed and somewhat messy, which of course, meant that all of us snickered as she walked by. Even Eric caught our attention from across the ballroom, giving us a not so subtle nod as we all saw both of them arrive almost at the same time.
Even though we were enjoying their arrival, I felt Ivan stiffen when he saw Henry walk past us. He shared what he was seeing with me and Adrik. We could clearly see that not only had his demon found an entry point, but it was now running the show. It was now the shadow behind Henry’s face.
I grabbed Stephen’s hand, sharing the information with him. He looked around, then leaned in toward me so he could say quietly, “is it wrong that I’m looking forward to that one? He’s been on my shit list ever since he decided he was smarter than us.”
I laughed quietly. “I don’t think that’s wrong, Yoden. I think you are the only person that can knock him back a few pegs. In the best way possible,” I said. His smile beamed at me as he squeezed my hand, effectively telling me how much he loved me.
Henry surprised us by approaching us shortly after he arrived. We all instinctively tensed when we saw him coming. Battista and Vitaliy were still standing with us, as well. As he walked toward us, we quickly came up with a strategy for how to handle him.
*“I don’t think Stephen needs to say anything this time. He’s already after us, we don’t need to give him another reason right now,”* I said. I tried to send it to everyone at the same time. I wasn’t sure if I was that good yet, but I was hoping I would be, just to save time. I saw Andrei reach over and touch Stephen’s arm. Stephen looked at me, nodding once. He’d clearly gotten the message.
*“That was impressive, princess. I also agree. I think we make him think he’s still got the upper hand,”* Ivan said.
*“Agreed. It’s going to make his fall off the pedestal he’s put himself on that much sweeter for me,”* Adrik said. I was thankful for his contacts. I knew without a doubt that his eyes had just switched to black. His anger was obvious.
I felt Ivan’s bubble go up as soon as Henry made it to us. He walked to Battista and Vitaliy first, shaking their hands, making a comment about the length of time it had been since he’d seen either one of them.
*“I’m surprised Battista knows Henry. And yet, I’m not surprised either. Is there anyone that man doesn’t know?”* I thought out loud. I heard a couple of them clear their throats to keep from laughing.
After Vitaliy shook Henry’s hand, he looked straight at me, his face completely hard and tense. I nodded discreetly, indicating we’d already picked up on it. His face softened immediately and he gave me a wink. I couldn’t be sure, but I think he was proud at that moment.
*“Everyone look at Vitaliy. Just not at once. He’s being a cheeseball. He can’t not show how proud he is that we already know something is off with Henry,”* I told everyone.
They all managed to discreetly glance at Vitaliy. I could feel their amusement at his expression, but Adrik was surprised by it. I cut everyone else off and said to him only, *“don’t be surprised. He’s very proud of you. He just sucks at showing it. That’s what I’m here for. I’m gonna drag it out of him if it’s the last thing I do.”*
Adrik chuckled, leaning over to kiss my cheek quickly before Henry walked up to us. Ivan’s bubble was still up, but he had learned how to keep it from cutting me off from everyone, which I appreciated. I could feel Adrik’s nausea as he shook Henry’s hand, but it was fainter than normal with Ivan being a barrier. I shook his hand as well, hoping I didn’t get some massive download when I touched him. I’d already seen way more of him than I ever wanted to tonight.
We exchanged pleasantries and made excruciatingly boring small talk. Finally, Henry brought up the mayor. “Any progress with that?” he asked quietly.
“We’re still looking for information. Our source found a few things, but not enough yet. He’s still looking,” Adrik said. “What have you decided on the information on Ricardo?”
Henry was surprised at the question. He stammered for a moment, which made it obvious he was trying to lie. “I haven’t given it to him yet. I’m still not sure I can trust him or the DA. I’m thinking of going around him.”
*“Bubba, are you seeing what I’m seeing?”* I asked, knowing he was likely also snooping through Henry’s head as he talked.
*“Oh yeah. He thinks his switch-hitting girlfriend can help him make the evidence we found on Ricardo fit Boss instead. He’s already given her everything,”* he told me.
*“He gave her everything right away, too. He’s much dumber than I thought he would be,”* I responded. *“I want to get closer to her. I would be willing to bet she’s playing him for something. I want to know her angle.”*
*“I completely agree, spider monkey.”*
“Going around him to who?” Adrik asked Henry. He already knew the answer. We all did. He just wanted to see if Henry would say it.
“I’ve vetted one of the politicians. She can help us. I trust her,” Henry said, confidently.
“I hope you’ve vetted her thoroughly,” I said, with a hint of sarcasm that the guys picked up on. I could hear them all laughing in my head, but outwardly, not a single one of them cracked a smile.
It caught Henry off-guard. He blushed. “I have. I’m very thorough,” he said confidently.
“I would hope so. For her sake. Ricardo is a dangerous man. There’s no telling what he’s capable of,” I said.
*“You just made him clench a little, spider monkey,”* Andrei said, laughing.
*“Good. That was my hope. I want him a little nervous. Can you see where the switch-hitter is? Now I know I need to get closer to her. You’re coming with me.”*
*“This has been the most fun I’ve had at one of these functions. In the history of ever.”*