We sat down in comfortably after some of the men cleaned up the mess at the door. The elder Mr. Delta lit up a cigar offering one to Ace as they went over the business. Diamond was relaxed knowing that one of his pledge brothers from his college days would handling his case.

That was enough for me and everybody else. Ace blew out some smoke and regarded the Elder Mr. Delta.

“Alright. Can you get in contact with the fuckers behind this so we can end it.”

Andrew sat back. “First. We need to expose who they are. They’re hiding in groups right now. Once we expose them you’ll have to legally challenge them to a gentleman’s honor duel. It must be a matter of honor not a challenge for their domain. Otherwise the shit can be held up by negotiations or a war for years before it’s saddled. There can’t be any hint that this is could be a clan war against them or play on their domain otherwise you get their alliances fighting with them as well against you. It has to be calculated cold and all business. We get one strike. If need be I have to request something of your family.”

Ace held up a hand. “How does Miss Gannon fit in all this? You sent her to us on purpose. We could have killed her.”

Andrew shook his head. “First off no you wouldn’t have just killed her. Your the Lords of the 4 swords. You were breed from birth to a code and honor that dates back sense your people laid hold to your power centuries. Yes. I know your legend far better then you think. Our families have crossed paths before. But, to answer your question again my firm has an associate who advised us to send Miss Gannon. Miss Gannon wasn’t in any position to object inspite of the risk.”

“So you ordered her to come to us risking her life? For what to gain our interest? I think your a shit head.”

Andrew looked at me. “Her father enchanted me to hire, seduce and kill her on his birthday tomorrow. I don’t work for witches or kill the innocent for anyone’s pleasure.” He said bluntly. “I chose the best option for her that became available to me, Lord Holmes and having her in your ranks provides us a denial of blood clan war excuse.”

I frowned at him. “No father would pay a mercenary to kill his-“

Vince started to chuckle lightly as did his brother. Diamond didn’t laugh but he looked pissed at me.

“Bro. Your speaking from your youth. There are assholes in this fucking world that would do much worse to their own children and have. Mr. Delta and Vince are Horsemen. We ride with honor and protect our females and people. He wouldn’t lie to me or my family. He did the best he could do he didn’t have a choice.”

Ace nodded. “Alright what do you want to ask?”

Andrew sighed. “If you can’t beat their champion will you please allow us to handle the challenger?” He said carefully.

Damn. I knew there was going to be something. Ace stared at Andrew. “Who decides if I ain’t able to do it?”

“Me.” Andrew said. “It’s my job to keep you safe and ensure all parties involved in what was stolen from you be dealt with painfully. Two hundred cases. I only lost once but I never intend on it happening again. I need your word on it or the firm can’t take on your case.” He said solemnly.

“Alright. If by some chance I can do it then you handle who it will be.” Ace said.

“This is bullshit.” I couldn’t help saying now.

“Heart.” Ace began but Andrew touched his shoulder. He stared at me focused on me. “Yes. It is. These things should be handled the direct way but the situation is more complicated.”

“It’s not complicated at all. Just tell us who and where they are we’ll handle it then.”

Andrew stared at me. “You were there the night your mother died. Zadok told me. Did you see it happen?”

“I’-I didn’t see shit. I got there to late to stop them from killing her.”

“Them?” Andrew paused. “You got there to late to stop them. How many were there?”

I blinked. “What?”

“Two. Three. ten. Fifty. A hundred. A-“

“Five damn it. There were five of them.” I said losing patience by how slow he was talking. I didn’t want to talk about this. My head hurt from thinking about it. “Ace and the family will handle-“

“Five. What did they look like? I’m guessing all men. But something about their faces their bodies. You couldn’t forget how they looked.”

“It doesn’t matter. Killing the mother fuckers that-“

“It does matter. They were Warlocks that broke the protective seals on the shop. That took time. You had to see them as they ran away or drove away or-“

“They disappeared. They were like shadows. It’s like…It’s like. They weren’t real. Just like they said.. They weren’t real. They looked. They looked like-” I paused looking at Ace and shook my head. What the fuck was I talking about. I frowned. I couldn’t remember.

I looked at their faces. Andrew nodded. “I think your right, Lord Holmes. It is important your brothers have a hand in this matter.”

I blinked and nodded. “Thank you. That’s all I wanted. She was our mother. It’s only right we saddle it.”

Andrew nodded. “I agree. Lord Holmes. The Deltas are only here to act as your servents in you avenging the death of your mother.” He said and turned to Ace. “I think we should have a drink in celebration of our battle. Something special. Do you have any refined water?” He said.

Ace stared at him and then nodded. “Yeah. Yeah. Big Al always keeps that shit in secret stash for himself.” He said and glanced at me frowning. “Are you going to stand there looking at me all day sit down. You want a drink of the stuff? It’s pretty good.”

“Yeah. sure. What’s this refined water stuff? Is it like Jin and Tonic or something?”

Diamond patted my shoulder. “It’s the hard stuff. Like straight up Vodka. Maybe you should stay clear of it.”

I flipped him off. “Fuck you. I can drink you under the table any day. Bring it on.”

Diamond rubbed my head joking with me. I turned to Joe to see him staring off until he felt my eyes on him. He looked at me and forced a smile on his face. “Get ready to shit faced.” He said.

Warm regards

Guardiandogg