The day slipped away as Kev lost himself in the enchanting melodies of the player piano.
He experimented with the few scrolls he had, each one revealing a new world of musical expression. From lively waltzes to somber ballads, the piano filled his apartment with a symphony of emotions, a welcome distraction from the anxieties that still lingered in the back of his mind.
As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the room, Kev's stomach rumbled, reminding him of the need for sustenance. He scrounged together a lae, makeshift lunch from the remaining groceries, savoring the simple flavors and textures.
He checked his watch, surprised to see it was already two in the afternoon. The meeting with the managers was fast approaching, and he still had a few hours to kill. He decided to curl up on the couch with his book, the gentle melodies of the piano providing a soothing backdrop as he delved deeper into the history of Dala'Bon. He fell asleep within minutes.
A few hours later, a knock at the door startled him from his nap. He glanced at his watch, surprised to see it was already five o'clock. He opened the door. "Horns?" he asked.
"Evening, Kev," Horns greeted him with a cheerful grin. "I brought you those supplies."
He stepped inside, depositing the bags on the kitchen counter with a grunt.
Kev, his appetite piqued by the sight of fresh groceries, grabbed a piece of jerky and munched on it as he unpacked the bags. Horns, meanwhile, had made himself comfortable on the couch, his large frame sinking into the cushions with a sigh of contentment.
"How was your day, Kev?" Horns inquired, his voice a gentle rumble.
"A bit slow," Kev admitted, taking another bite of the dried-meat. "I did get to listen to my new piano for a while... Not exactly the most exciting day."
Horns chuckled. "Well, you did have a pretty eventful night," he pointed out. "And that piano looks good in here."
Kev nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "It's really nice," he agreed. "But I'm starting to wonder if I should have even bid on it at the auction. If Fang is bad with gambling... should I have assumed the same for auctions?"
Horns shook his head, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Auctions are just money, Kev," he explained. "Bets can be anything. A dance, a piece of clothing, even a life, as you saw last night."
He paused, his gaze meeting Kev's. "You've never dreamed of spending that much money on something, have you?"
Kev shook his head, a sheepish grin on his face. "Not in my wildest dreams," he admitted. "The most expensive thing I ever bought was a used car, and even that felt like a splurge."
Horns chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrated through the room. "The club is quite profitable, Kev," he revealed, a hint of pride in his voice. "Fang may be a bit... volatile at times, but he's a shrewd businessman. He knows how to make money."
Horns finished his coffee and stood up, stretching his massive frame. "Well, I better get going," he announced, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Big night ahead, Kev. Make sure you dress sharp. We're expecting those mafia VIPs."
Kev's eyes widened in surprise. "Has it really been a whole week already?" he asked, a touch of disbelief in his voice.
Horns chuckled. "Time flies when you're having fun... or working at Club Fang," he replied with a wink. "I'm going to get the staff ready early today. We need to make a good impression on these clients." He paused, his gaze meeting Kev's. "I'll be waiting for you down at the VIP table. Fang wants me around for the meeting."
With a final nod, Horns left the apartment, leaving Kev to prepare for the night ahead. Feeling a mix of anticipation and nervous energy, he quickly freshened up in the bathroom. He showered and carefully styled his hair with the gel Horns had brought him. He then selected a sleek black suit from his newly acquired wardrobe, its subtle silver accents shimmering in the soft light of his apartment.
As he waited for Fang, Kev nibbled on some fruit and cheese, his appetite dulled by the nervous flutter in his stomach. The anticipation of the evening's events, the meeting with the mafia VIPs and the prospect of spending more time with Fang, both excited and intimidated him.
Promptly at six o'clock, a knock echoed through the apartment. Kev opened the door to find Fang standing on the threshold, wearing an unusually basic black suit, his usual confident demeanor tinged with a hint of nervousness.
"Ready to grab some grub, Kev?" Fang asked, his voice a low rumble.
Fang led Kev through the bustling club, his hand resting possessively on the small of Kev's back. The atmosphere was electric, a mix of anticipation and excitement buzzing through the air. As they reached their familiar spot in the VIP section, Kev couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, Fang, this world, was so much more dangerous than he had initially assumed.
"So," Kev began, his voice a curious whisper, "what's the plan for the mafia visitors tonight? Do we have any idea what they'll be like?"
Fang's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of frustration in his eyes. "Unfortunately, we haven't been able to gather much information," he admitted, his voice a low rumble. "They might show up as regular customers, just to get a feel for the club and how things are run. Or they could make a grand entrance, demanding special treatment and attention."
He sighed, shaking his head. "We'll just have to be prepared for anything."
Kev nodded, a sense of unease settling in his stomach. The thought of encountering high-ranking mafia members, especially after his recent brush with the city enforcers, made him nervous. If a city council member attended an auction that involved human trafficking, he could only imagine what the mafia was like. He leaned into Fang, seeking comfort in his warmth and strength.
Fang's arm tightened around Kev's shoulders, a silent reassurance. "I've missed you," he murmured, his voice a soft purr against Kev's ear.
Before Kev could respond, Fang leaned in and captured his lips in a tender kiss. The world around them seemed to fade away, replaced by the intoxicating sensation of Fang's touch and the warmth of his embrace.
Just as the kiss deepened, a familiar voice interrupted their moment. "Can I get you gentlemen anything?" Rebecca asked, a polite smile on her face.
Fang reluctantly pulled away from Kev, a playful grin on his lips. "We'll have the usual," he replied, his gaze lingering on Kev's flushed cheeks.
"Right away, boss," Rebecca replied with a cheerful nod, her tail swishing playfully as she headed towards the bar. Dale, ever the efficient bartender, was already in the process of preparing their drinks, his hands moving with a practiced grace that belied their size.
Kev, his thoughts still lingering on the upcoming encounter with the mafia VIPs, turned to Fang with a curious frown. "Is Talon going to be here tonight?" he inquired, his voice a soft murmur.
Fang shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "No," he replied, his voice a low rumble. "He's probably still packing up his belongings and getting his sister ready to move in. It'll take a few days to settle them into their new accommodations."
Kev nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. He wasn't quite ready to face Talon again, not after finding out that his new body guard was also involved in Pedro's enslavement.
"So, I guess the rest of the night went smoothly?" he asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from the eagleman.
Fang chuckled, a deep, self-assured sound. "What did you expect, Kev?" he asked, puffing out his chest slightly. "I'm here to make sure everything runs smoothly."
Kev grinned, leaning into Fang's warmth. "Of course, big guy," he teased, a playful lilt in his voice.
Just then, Rebecca arrived with their drinks, placing them on the table with a practiced grace. "Enjoy," she said with a warm smile, her gaze lingering on Kev for a moment before she turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Fang took a sip of his Bloody Mary, a satisfied sigh escaping his lips. "So," he began, his voice a low rumble, "how's the piano? To your liking?"
Kev's face lit up. "It's wonderful, Fang," he replied, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Thank you again. I've been playing it all day." He paused, a hint of concern creeping into his voice. "I hope it wasn't too expensive."
Fang waved a dismissive hand. "Finding something that old and in such good condition is rare these days," he explained. "The price wasn't bad at all, considering."
Kev raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Really?" he asked. "I would have thought you could have one custom-built for less."
Fang chuckled, a low rumble that vibrated through the booth. "I'm not much for brand new things, Kev," he admitted, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "There's something about a bit of history, a story behind an object, that makes it more... special."
Kev grinned, leaning closer to Fang. "You know me," he teased, his voice a playful whisper. "I like things with a bit of history too." He reached up and playfully plucked a stray gray hair from Fang's chin, his touch light and teasing.
Fang's laughter boomed through the booth, a deep, resonant sound that sent a shiver of delight down Kev's spine. "What would you like to do tonight, my assistant?" he asked, his voice a low rumble filled with warmth and affection. "Unless the mafia auditors announce themselves, we only need to stick around the club to be available."
Kev's eyes lit up with excitement. "We could check out my new billiards room," he suggested, a playful grin spreading across his face. "I haven't had a chance to really try it out yet."
Fang's smile mirrored Kev's. "That sounds like a splendid idea," he replied, his voice a low rumble.
Just as they finished their drinks, Rebecca arrived with their food. A perfectly cooked steak, still sizzling on the plate, was placed in front of Fang, while Kev received a colorful grilled-chicken covered salad.
"I had to change your order a bit, Kev," Rebecca apologized, her voice a soft purr. "We're out of asparagus tonight."
"No problem," Kev assured her with a smile. "This looks delicious. Good choice."
Fang and Kev dug into their meals, the savory aromas mingling in the air. The quiet intimacy of their booth, amidst the bustling energy of the club, created a sense of comfortable seclusion, a world away from the chaos and uncertainty that had marked the past few days.
Kev, savoring the last bite of his salad, leaned back in his seat with a contented sigh. "The past week has flown by," he remarked, a hint of wonder in his voice. "I can't even remember everything that's happened since I started."
Fang chuckled, a low rumble that vibrated through the booth. "You've taken it all in stride, Kev," he said, his gaze filled with admiration. "I expect nothing less from my... family."
The word hung in the air, a subtle shift in their dynamic that sent a thrill through Kev's heart. He met Fang's gaze, a warmth spreading through him at the unspoken intimacy of the moment.
Fang, his appetite sated, signaled to Rebecca for another drink. "Another Bloody Mary, please," he requested, his voice a low rumble.
Kev finished his salad, pushing the empty plate aside. He watched as Rebecca disappeared into the crowd, her feline grace a mesmerizing contrast to the boisterous energy of the bar.
Fang, invigorated by his meal and the anticipation of spending some time alone with Kev, downed his fresh Bloody Mary in a few swift gulps. "Let's go," he said, rising from his seat with a newfound energy. "Lead the way, Kev."
Kev, a smile playing on his lips, guided Fang through the labyrinthine corridors of the mansion. They ventured towards the west wing, the distant sounds of the club's preparations growing fainter with each step.
As they approached the private billiards room, Fang couldn't help but comment on its location. "It's a bit far from the bar, isn't it?" he remarked, a hint of concern in his voice.
"I think the cleaning crew chose it," Kev explained, recalling his earlier conversation with Max.
Fang chuckled, a low rumble that reverberated through the hallway. "That's fine, then," he said, his tone light. "I'm sure Cindy gave it some thought."
Kev reached into his pocket and retrieved his light key ring. He selected the appropriate key and unlocked the door, a sense of pride swelling within him as he swung it open.