Life passed by normally since that day. Briony wasn't much of a party girl or anything. She stayed away from places like Eros, that popular nightclub some of her friends gushed about. How the workers there were 'so hot'. There were also rumors about it being a hub for gang activity, and for someone like Briony, that made the whole place a no-no.
At least it would have been, if not for her little brother, Jared.
Briony was two blocks away, but she could see the purple neon signs of Eros from there. She was debating on just saying screw it and letting him handle his own mess. He was fifteen; he should have known better than to steal from fucking gang members.
She could still hear her father's voice in her ear. "This is family, Bri. You can give up a stupid little bracelet for the safety of Jared," he scolded her.
That 'stupid little bracelet' was an heirloom piece and the only thing she had left to remember her grandmother by. Sure, they hadn't been Hallmark-movie close, but… it was important, right?
She fiddled with the gold bracelet, biting her lip as she weighed the pros and cons of giving it up. Eventually, her common sense won out, and she begrudgingly went to the club. Eros was shoved in between two business buildings and built underground like a basement. Purple was the main color, highlighted by warm amber lighting or soft blue hues. It gave jazz lounge vibes, not that Briony was an expert on it. It just felt right describing it that way.
One of the waitresses came up to her with a smile. "Hey, I'm here to see… uh, 'Sir'?" She struggled with the name she was told earlier.
The woman exhaled and gave Briony a once-over before she instructed her to wait. Several long minutes later, the waitress came back and beckoned her to follow. She led Briony through a long hallway and a set of stairs going down deeper. It was cooler down here, and she could feel the change in the air like she was swimming through a cold current. It reminded her of being in the office; Mr. Marquis preferred the cold.
Briony crossed her arms, struggling not to shiver. She stayed quiet and was brought, finally, to a room at the end of the hallway. She heard a swift knock and a familiar, "Come in."
The moment she heard those two words in that voice, her mouth went dry. A chill went up her spine that had nothing to do with the air. Her hair prickled as she stepped inside and confirmed what she feared.
Simeon was the boss of the Death Walkers, and he was just as surprised to see her. The waitress left, closing the door, leaving both of them–and Jared, who sat looking dejected on a nearby chair–in suffocating silence.
"Miss Abel," Simeon finally addressed her. He gestured to the couch opposite the one he was lounging on. An invitation to join him.
He's acting like this is another work day! Isn't he freaking out, too? Briony forced herself to walk forward, swallowing uncomfortably. Her throat felt thick, and she didn't know whether she was going to be sick or just cry.
Simeon watched as she sat down, his arms on the back of the couch, stretched out. Relaxed. Though his hands were clenched tight enough that his pointed nails almost drew blood. "I imagine you have questions," he said after several long seconds of silence.
Briony shifted across from him. She felt small and large and just wrong all at once. It was a confusing mix, and the only thing she could do was joke about it. "Man, the company must not be doing so well if this is your second job."
Simeon's golden eyes flickered with surprise, and he found himself laughing, heartily even, at what she said. This whole thing was absurd. If Simeon were boiled down to one thing, it would be honest. He hated lying, at least to people he wanted to be honest with.
"The company is fine, thank you for the concern, Miss Abel," he smiled slightly. The tension in both of their shoulders seemed to ease after that. He let out a sigh and glanced at Jared. "I should have known this was your little brother when he told me his name." Perhaps I was hoping differently.
"Yep. That's the little shit," she said, leaning forward on her knee and propping her chin in her palm. "What did he do this time?"
"He thought he could get away with giving me five percent of my own profit from selling, well, you know. He pocketed the rest. Simeon clenched his jaw, turning his gaze onto Briony and relaxing again. "You know how I am about money, Miss Abel."
"Oh my god," Briony folded her hands together in prayer, tapping the side of her fingers against her mouth as she glared at her little brother. "How much, Mr. Marquis?"
"Thirty-eight thousand," he deadpanned.
Briony choked. "Th-thirty-eight thousand?! What the hell is he selling?"
Simeon looked uncomfortable then. He shifted in his seat, sitting up and bringing his ankle up to rest it on his other knee. "The purest form of cocaine to exist," he stated, pursing his lips after. He was almost pouting, knowing what was coming next.
But Briony didn't scold him, didn't raise her voice. Instead, she buried her head in her hands, her shoulders beginning to tremble just enough to give her away. When she looked up, Simeon hitched his breath at the misty quality of her eyes. "I am so sorry, Mr. Marquis." Her voice was also watery. "I-I'll do extra shifts, I won't take any days off. I have about ten thousand in my checking account. You can take the rest from–from my paychecks, or–"
"Miss Abel," his voice was firm in a way she had never heard before. It made her flinch and sit up. "Stop. I don't want your money, and I'll never dock your pay like that. Relax."
Simeon looked almost pained at the way she reacted. Like she was scared of him, begging for mercy for her shithead brother's actions. He stood and walked around the coffee table between them and sat down next to her. His arm went around her, his large hand flattening against her back as he comforted her with soothing caresses.
"The circumstances have changed," he said softly. "Taking into account our professional relationship and closeness, I would never put you in a position that would harm you."
Briony nodded and leaned against him, grateful. "I know, Mr. Marquis. But I am really sorry regardless. Is there anything I can do?" she fiddled with her bracelet. Her father's words echoed in her mind. She slipped off the heirloom and handed it to Simeon. "I have this. Its value… Well, I'm not sure. It's priceless to me and is the most precious thing I have."
He held it up, then froze. "Where did you get this?"
"It used to be my grandmother's. It's the only thing I have left of hers."
Simeon opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a shriek. They both turned towards the stairwell. Briony glanced back at the empty chair Jared had been in. "Where's Jared?" she demanded, getting to her feet.