“And our people get some play money. What would I do without you, Lily?” Felix said, shaking his head.
Lily’s face shifted at that; she looked uncomfortable. Just as quickly, she smiled even wider at him.
The left Andrea crossed her arms and glared at him over the piece of paper they were using for tic-tac-toe.
Right Andrea got up and moved over to his side, pressing her head into his shoulder.
“No need to be jealous, Andie. No one can ever take your place as his personal assistant and possible secretary. I’m only acting as his operations officer and legal officer,” Lily assured the wolf girl.
Andrea harrumphed and rubbed her face back and forth on Felix’s shoulder before returning to her game.
“I’ll update your point calendar accordingly and forward it to your inbox. You did install the software I laid out for you, right?” Lily tilted her head to the side, her dark hair fanning out.
“Uh, yeah. I did. I also sent over all the information you needed,” Felix said, glancing away. “Alright, thanks, Lily. I’m going to stop stalling and call Dimitry. Unless there was something else?”
“No. I took care of the police for today. We paid a hefty amount for our line and Dimitry’s lines to be free of eavesdropping or recording. You’ll be fine being blunt with him, and letting him know would help him make some moves today if he felt so inclined.
“I’ll update your calendar as well. We’ll speak tomorrow morning. Purchases, finance, and where we are on the company paperwork.” Lily tossed her head, giving her hair a flip, and then exited his office.
Left Andrea continued to pout at him. “I don’t like this.”
“I don’t either,” Right Andrea said.
“Why? She’s doing her job. And speaking of jobs, did you get a chance to get a hold of No-Name and buy the weapons you wanted?”
Both of them nodded in unison. “They arrive tomorrow. He got us a good deal. We should have enough equipment to arm one hundred Others.”
Felix nodded his head. Then he picked up the phone suddenly and dialed Dimitry’s number without a further thought.
Now or never.
The line rang twice and then flipped over. “Good afternoon. I’m afraid we’re under reno—”
“Please put me in touch with Dimitry. Let him know it’s Felix.”
The man didn’t respond to Felix’s interruption. Instead, the phone went silent.
Seconds ticked by.
“A moment,” came the response eventually.
Felix let out a slow breath.
One of the Andreas closed the door to the office and then sat down in front of it. The second Andrea came over behind him and laid her hands on his shoulders.
“This is Dimitry.” The suddenness of his voice startled Felix.
“Ah, hey, Dimitry. Felix here. I wanted to talk to you.”
“Your debt is not due for some time. Do you need more money?”
“I appreciate the offer, but this is actually about what happened to your… compatriots? Peers?”
He could hear Dimitry’s breath catch.
“I don’t understand what you’re—”
“I’m responsible for what happened. I had people visit my home who wanted me and my people dead. I took offense to that, and killed everyone involved,” Felix said slowly.
Andrea began to rub her fingers into his shoulders and neck muscles.
“We paid for a communications blackout on your lines today. No one is listening. I’d like to discuss how I can make amends with you and your organization. I’d like very much for us to be friends.”
Felix heard Dimitry’s chair creak as he probably leaned back. It was a lot to take in suddenly without warning.
“I see. You have me at a disadvantage. I did not know there was a problem. Nor did I realize you were… so formidable.”
“There was, and I am. So, how do we make this work, Dimitry? The money you gave me is what allowed me to become as powerful as I am. I consider you an ally and want you to feel the same for me.”
Dimitry grunted. “I appreciate you being direct with me. With reaching out to me before I found out. For not wasting my time. I shall do the same for you.
“I’m now in charge here. We’re in the middle of a recruitment drive, and I am obviously weakened.”
Felix nodded his head; this all made sense so far.
“Money isn’t an issue. Though I will still collect on your debt, as that was previously agreed to.”
“Agreed.”
“I need guards. Guards and favors. You say you made it so this line is free of listeners?”
“For today. Would one of those favors include making it go beyond today?”
“Yes, if possible. That’d be helpful.”
“As for guards,” Felix said, looking to the Andrea in front of the door.
She smiled at him and tilted her head to one side.
“I can send over twenty-five armed soldiers tomorrow morning. They’ll rotate out daily. I would be able to provide this for a month.”
Andrea nodded her head. The one behind him leaned in to the ear he didn’t have pressed to a phone.
“That’ll be good for us. We can gain more experience and keep some of our Others busy.”
“A good start. Very good start. I feel that three additional favors would be required for us to be even.”
Felix didn’t like it being open-ended, but at least it had a number.
“Three favors, though I have right of refusal if I believe it unreasonable.”
Dimitry hesitated a moment. “Done. I look forward to our new partnership, Mr. Campbell.”
The phone clicked and went dead.
Setting down his phone, Felix leaned his head back onto the headrest.
“That’s done.” Felix closed his eyes and enjoyed what Andrea was doing with her hands.
It was fantastic. Her hands seemed to know exactly what to do.
“One of our Others spent some time working as a masseuse. We have absorbed many jobs,” one of the Andreas said
A knock came from the door.
“It’s Eva,” came a muffled response.
Felix opened his eyes and nodded at the door Andrea. The Andrea behind him stepped to the side quickly, flanking his desk.
The door swung inward and Eva stepped in, her hands pressed together nervously.
“What can I do for you?” Felix asked, leaning forward in his desk.
“You’re going to be paying everyone for their work, right?” she asked hesitantly.
“I am.”
“I’ve been working in the shop and… I was wondering if I could get a hold of that money? I want to buy some clothes for school, and supplies.”
Felix waved a hand at that.
“Don’t bother. You’ll receive a wage like anyone else. Use it on other things you want.
“Your school supplies and basic essentials, though? That’s something I’ll provide for you regardless. Put together a list of everything you need and email it over to me. We’ll get a purchase order put in immediately for it.”
Eva nodded her head, smiling. “Uhm, okay. Thank you. Can we go out today, then? I want to go try on clothes and find some things.”
Felix kept himself from rolling his eyes. Barely. He didn’t want to go clothes shopping.
“Please? Me, you, Lily, and maybe an Andrea? I know you’re busy, but… I’d appreciate it,” Eva pleaded.
The Andrea near the door nodded her head enthusiastically.
Relenting, he shook his head with a smile.
“Alright. Fine. Though you’ll have to check with Lily. She seemed like she had plans for the day. If she’s willing to go, we’ll all go.”
Eva clapped her hands together, smiling. Then her face fell, her eyes going to the ground again.
“What?” Felix asked, trying to prompt whatever was coming next to happen, rather than waiting on it.
“Can I see my brother?”
“Oh, sure. He’s across the street right now at the hotel, recovering. Everyone will be coming over here tomorrow and living in their new rooms downstairs. Speaking of which, I believe you have a room there too now.
“Talk to Felicia and maybe she can put you guys next to each other.”