Chapter 27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

SHEP

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" I was parked in the SUV alone. The others were in the van, but I could see and hear everything on the tablet Noel had given me.

"Not ominous at all," Nick agreed.

Through Mason's and JJ's cameras, I could see the people at his table. It was a .5 lens, so we got a good view. Only the people directly next to them were hard to see unless they turned.

The room was set up like a typical ritzy banquet hall with fresh white linens, black-and-gold accents, grand bouquets at the center of every table, and chandeliers glistening from the ceiling. Servers bustled about, filling wineglasses. There was a main table on a dais where I assumed Harper and the other bigwigs would be sitting.

"So, this is my husband's and my first time at a charity ball hosted by Harper Reese. What should we expect?" JJ's tone was light and judging by the smiles on the others at their table, they were delighted by him.

Mason and JJ had relaxing dispositions and in situations such as these, they were the two who were best to be there. I just hated not being right next to JJ in case something happened.

"There'll be a speech. More times than you can count, you'll be asked to donate more than you already have, but the food and drinks are spectacular." A lady across from them lifted her wine in cheers. "I'm Mallory Beers. This is my husband, Frank."

I knew the twins were researching them as soon as they got their names if they hadn't done a facial recognition check once they saw them.

"I'm Clark, and this is my husband, Lewis." JJ forwent the surname, and I had to agree that was best. Nick was getting a smack upside the head the second JJ and Mason saw him.

The small talk was awful. I wanted to stick pencils into my ears as I listened to all of these people talk about the stock market, the state of the political climate, and their animals…like, I mean, I love animals, but I didn't need to know how to properly breed your schnauzer from Henrietta Whateverthefuck.

This whole thing felt like a waste of time, and I was about to say so, but Mallory Beers asked a very interesting question.

"So, tell me, are the two of you on the up-and-up or are you here for another reason?" She winked and… Oh, please dear God, be an in .

"Mallory," a man to her left, who wasn't her husband, mumbled.

"Oh, please, Winston. It's an innocent question."

Mason answered with a laugh. "Clark and I are always looking for the good stuff. Please, Dear Mallory, do spill the tea."

"Don't listen to her; she's clearly been drinking her dinner," Winston grumbled but Mallory scoffed.

"Do shut up," she answered and grinned at JJ and Mason. "Harper has side projects that are quite lucrative. He won't outright say anything, but if you know someone…" She pointed to herself. "They can get you an in. And, I think the two of you are just adorable."

Bless the ground Mallory walked on—she'd saved me from violence.

"That's so kind of you," JJ responded. "We're very interested."

She tipped her head. "When Harper comes by, I'll let him know."

By the third course, I was starving and frustrated. I mean, not only could I see the food but every bite JJ took he hummed, moaned, and…it was causing me some issues down below.

I could see Harper and his date on the dais and a few others with them—I wasn't sure who they were. Nothing much seemed to happen while everyone ate their fifty-thousand-dollar dishes, and I supposed if you were going to pay that price, you might as well eat in peace.

Once dessert was completed, Harper Reese rose from his seat, his glass held high.

"Good evening, everyone. I can't thank you enough for being here and for your unwavering support." I listened as he droned on about the struggles, the needs, the money.

When the torture thankfully ended, I realized he was visiting tables. Hopefully Mallory would keep her word and mention JJ and Mason to Harper.

Once Harper made his way to their table, everyone was vying for his affection and the hope that Mallory would get a word in about JJ and Mason began to dwindle, but sure enough she followed through.

"Harper, dear, have you met Clark and Lewis? They're new to town and looking for some exciting ventures. Perhaps you should talk to them." She winked, and he pursed his lips.

"Is that so, Mallory?"

"Oh, yes. I mean new money is just as good as old money, isn't that right?"

He nodded. "True enough." He smiled at JJ and Mason. "I'd love to talk to you both more about some opportunities. Perhaps after I've done my rounds. I have a quiet place we can talk."

"That would be wonderful," Mason answered.

Once Harper left, JJ thanked Mallory for the assist, and she waved him off with a jolly laugh. I really hoped it wasn't some legit side hustle Harper was going to toss our way, because I couldn't handle all of this being for nothing.

JJ and Mason were telling everyone at the table how they met, when a man approached them.

"Pardon the interruption, Mr. and Mr. Columbus. If the two of you would follow me, Mr. Reese would like to speak with you."

"Woohoo, go get 'em, boys." Okay, maybe Mallory needed to be cut off.

Mason and JJ bade farewell to everyone, thanked Mallory again, and followed the man through the crowd that was beginning to thin out.

They were led through a set of double doors behind the dais, and from there they were guided across the foyer to an elevator.

"We're going up, I presume?" Mason chuckled.

"Yes, Mr. Reese said to bring you to his office."

The screen went fuzzy as soon as the doors shut, and I worried we'd lose our feeds. But once they opened and Mason and JJ stepped out, everything cleared up.

"This way," the man ordered politely.

He knocked on an office door, and I could hear someone telling them to come in. The door opened to a huge office, like far too big for one person, but this was Harper Reese after all. Born into riches and knowing nothing else.

"Gentlemen." He grinned and opened his arms in greeting. "Have a seat. I'll pour us some drinks and then we can get to the good stuff."

One of them always faced Harper, and I watched as he got them each a drink. If he slipped anything in there, I'd warn them. Then, I'd bust in there and tear Harper's head clean off.

"Brandy okay?" he asked but was pouring three tumblers anyway, so their opinions were invalid.

"That's fine," Mason answered.

Once all three were seated, Harper took a sip and smiled at JJ and Mason.

"So, Mallory vouching for you after only knowing you for a couple of hours is remarkable. You both must have a way about you."

JJ chuckled. "We have wanted to get into the inner machinations of lucrative and powerful things in the city since we moved here. We're determined."

Harper nodded, took another sip, and placed his tumbler on the table. "I don't trust easily, so you'll understand when I say I'll have to check your backgrounds?"

"That's totally understandable." Mason tipped his glass to Harper. "We'd expect nothing less."

Harper sniffed and relaxed in his chair. "There's no harm in feeling you both out in the meantime. Tell me, what do you know about Alicia House?"

Mason shook his head. "Never heard of it?"

Harper got up and walked toward his desk to pull something out.

"The pink house," Nick whispered. "That's Alicia House. We haven't been able to uncover anything much about it."

"Sounds like we're about to get our chance," I whispered so Harper couldn't hear me.

Harper returned with a brochure of sorts and slapped it on the table. Sure enough, it was the pink house Nick had mentioned. There were no others around, so it had to be the same one Four spoke about.

"This is Alicia House." Harper sat again and grinned as Mason and JJ ooohed and aaahed over it, knowing full well it was a house of horrors.