The Meeting

[Cres]

Dan didn't like the silence that fell. He could only guess what Chip was thinking, and it wasn't a good place for him to go at that moment. He nudged his best friend a little.

"Hey, man, I'll go order us something so we don't look quite as weird sitting here. What you want?"

Chip looked at Dan, trying to forget what he had been thinking about. He knew as well as Dan it wasn't the right time for it.

"Oh... just... some espresso, I guess."

Dan nodded and got on his feet. He went to the counter and ordered drinks as quickly as he could. While he was there, the door opened again and another Italian man walked in.

It was Vinnie. He was wearing his usual leather but didn't look especially happy. He looked around and spotted Dan walking back to the booth. He had to fight back the urge to grimace at the sight of Chip. He had been told what they were going to do, and he didn't like it one bit. As far as he was concerned, Chip's fuck-toy could have rot with Antonio and the rest. He wasn't feeling like putting his life on the line. But orders were orders, and he didn't dare to disobey Dan. He knew that whatever happened, Dan could get him into trouble. He was, and would always remain, his father's and grandfather's favourite boy.

He walked to the booth and sat next to Rex.

"So, 'm here." He scowled.

Dan nodded for a greeting, Chip raised his hand a little. It was best not to seem too hostile, but it would have been equally suspicious for the cousins to be suddenly very friendly with one another.

[Kat]

Rex fought back a scowl as he watched Vinnie walk in, still unhappy that he was here. Vinnie had better not screw things up. Rex didn't bother with a greeting, though, even though Vinnie was sitting next to him. Instead he took a sip of his drink, his eyes on Chip. This sitting around and waiting was getting to him. He hoped things would happen soon.

[Cres]

[[skipping to the phonecall...]]

They had sat at the table for what felt like an eternity to Chip. When the phone finally rang, he picked it up hurriedly, too hurriedly in Dan's opinion, and put it to his ear.

"Yeah?" he asked, knowing who it must be.

"Ciro, so good of you to pick up so quickly. Are you ready for our little... transaction?"

Perhaps it was the fact that Rex had been so harsh with him a little earlier, perhaps it was because Vinnie was now there, listening, but all hesitation and anguish disappeared from Chip's face, and from his mind. He was suddenly all business. This was more important than his petty feelings. This had to be handled right.

"I wanna talk to him first. Make sure you haven't... hurt him." He couldn't bring himself to say the word "killed".

There was a short pause at the other end, and Chip waited calmly. He knew Antonio would have to comply. He would force it out of him.

"Fine." Chip smiled grimly. There was another pause, and then... "Well, say hello to your darling boyfriend, Golden Boy."

Chip guessed that Antonio moved the phone, and didn't waste time in speaking - he wanted to give Ace the chance to hear his voice, if the phone was close enough, or if the boy could grab it in order to bring it to his ear.

"Ace? You okay? I'm coming for you." He allowed himself to sound concerned, but made sure he also sounded calm and composed. He hoped it might give Ace the impression he knew what he was doing, and that everything would be all right. That was something they both needed to believe in at that moment.

[Kat]

When the phone rang Rex locked his eyes on Chip, watching him as he listened. He was a little surprised, and very pleased, to see that Chip appeared to be a bit more together at the moment. It was a good sign that perhaps he would really be able to pull this off without getting too emotional and potentially screwing things up.


"I'm fine, Chip." Ace's voice was surprisingly calm when he spoke.