"There are not many things in the world that phase me quite as much as meeting random, unknown old men in dingy derelict warehouses on the side of the city that I was not familiar with; and, quite frankly, there's nothing else I'd rather be spending my evenings doing. Clearly.
But then again, I believe the best way for me to illustrate the point I'm trying to make is to demonstrate through a very specific example, the curiously unique feeling of unease that settles at the bottom of my stomach every time this type of situation presents itself: terrifying, with a side of cynical disbelief.
After all, I have no intention of making a habit of soliciting with men in abandoned warehouses on the wring side of town - I have a reputation to think of - however, I made a vow to my father, and more importantly, to myself. One that I very much intend to keep. And so, as much as I'd rather be watching an episode of my favourite soap opera or a riveting docuseries, I am here, up to all sorts of miscellaneous shenanigans."
Anyone who knew the 'Uncle' could tell you that he was quite something else, equal measures of utterly terrifying but also well respected. Some may argue that because everyone was terrified of him, no one ever dared to disrespect him, and others would say that people respected the man because of his ruthless nature.
Selena, who had never so much as heard of him, couldn't help but stare, her mind racing and heart-thumping so loudly in her chest that she was certain it would rip a hole through her chest at any moment.
The 'Uncle' stood slowly, fluid movements that made him look as if he were part lynx. He set his cards down on the table and took the hat off of his head with a flourish. Finally, his eyes locked with Selena's and she couldn't help but gulp as the goose bumps stood to attention in an instant, running up and down her arms.
Selena felt the pull immediately, it was magnetic, like the look that she had shared with Adrian at the funeral. But instead of a rush of endorphins that rushed in her veins, making her euphoric and giddy, this man's stare made her uncomfortable. More than uncomfortable. The 'Uncle' was not leering, no, his grey-blue eyes were boring straight through to her soul. It felt like he was trying to read her and analyse her as if she were a problem to be solved. That kind of detached demeanour scared Selena to no end but she knew that if she flinched, it would all be over. If he were just staring at her face, then she had a multitude of insults she could sling back at him without a second thought. However, here, she could neither force her short-circuited brain to form coherent words nor pull her eyes away. So she stood, eyes locked with quite possibly the most dangerous man she would ever meet.
He was not a tall man by any means, standing a little shorter than herself and Elise, in their heels. His height however did not detract from the 'I could kill you in three seconds if you angered me' atmosphere that suffocated the air. He was well-kempt, clean-shaven with his salt and pepper hair tousled but still neat. Selena could tell that he was older than everyone there by the wrinkles that were forming around his face and of course his greying hair but, Selena knew that underestimating this man, no matter how old or young he was, would never be a good idea.
After what seemed like an eternity, the 'Uncle' nodded slightly and sat back down. "You must be Selena, your father was not exaggerating when he spoke of you." He smirked and picked up his deck again, long fingers spinning the cards around with dexterous skill.
"What do you mean?" Selena asked quietly, swallowing a lump that she hadn't realised had lodged itself in her throat.
"He always said that you were your mother's daughter." The Uncle said with a small smile, fingers moving effortlessly. "Two of hearts, her favourite." He held up the card, and edges worn smooth and the red ink faded from continuous use.
"You knew her?" Selena blurted out.
"Of course, we were close, I'm sorry you didn't get to meet her."
This was met with silence and The 'Uncle' waved his hand in a dismissive manner towards his guards, Marcus, James and Elise. All three turned and left without much protest although Elise did look back hesitantly.
"We're you close?"
The 'Uncle' positively barked, a million miles away from the voice that Selena had heard mere moments before, "of course, she was my fiancé, for two months anyway..."
"What?! Come again?"
"Your mother was my fiancé for just over two months, twenty years ago, before I left town."
"What do you mean? Did you break it off because you had to leave town? I mean I'm working off of the assumption here that it wasn't some kind of random spur of the moment situation where you just up and left but still..." Selena stopped to take a breath but before she could keep going, the 'Uncle' held up a hand to stop her.
"Like your mother, forever and always. I owed money, too much for your father to bail me out, so I left."
"And my mother, she would have been a target had you stayed." Selena finished for him.
"Indeed, and then things became what it was with your father and well, as they say, the rest is history."
"And you were ok with this? I can't imagine that that was at all comfortable what with you and father working so close in um... your business endeavours."
"She was never destined to stay for long, beautiful but fragile and always ill. Your father would have called it a blessing. He and I, well, he never did tell you about me did he?" The 'Uncle' smiled wryly, "he was a good man, I only wish that I could have paid my respects in the open, but, my line of work makes me rather indisposed at the best of times."
"And what exactly do you do?" Selena asked delicately, as if that would make the question any less awkward.
He chuckled again lightly and flicked his deck between his fingers, contemplating for a split second before he answered, "I take care of the less savoury side of business, the under the table deals and the offshore bank accounts, also the side that deals with firearms and various other items." He trailed off, "you are one sheltered girl aren't you, he told you absolutely nothing?"
"Nothing, I knew he was ruthless in his dealings but they were always legal," Selena didn't really believe the words she was saying. She knew her father's type of success didn't come from being completely above board but it was easier to pretend than to admit to herself the truth, it was just easier.
There was a knock at the door, three short raps that Selena had come to associate with Elise, "Adrian's here to see you."
"Adrian?" Selena didn't have time to finish before the door swung open which revealed a familiar silhouette.
"Evening son, you're late."