Chapter 66 - Is that who I think it is?

Note:

- Because I kind of forgot about this story for a bit, you get two chapters!

- very slowly changing everything to past tense

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POV: 3rd Person

"I thought we were meant to stay on the down-low for a while." Nero and Aiden were standing from the farthest corner of the club, hidden from the view of the target table.

Aiden gave a small shrug in response and continued setting up the listening device. "That was then and this is now. Plus, it's only this assignment and then we're back to being under the radar."

"What's so special about this that we must risk exposure and arrest? We don't usually mess with the mafia because they've got more in their arsenal." Usually, when Aiden demanded something or said something, he stuck by his words and never changed them. So you couldn't blame a guy for being curious as to why he's breaking the logical idea of hiding.

"Well, it's not special per se... just urgent."

"Urgent how? Are they going to kill someone or something in the next two hours?"

"No, I'd consider this worse," Aiden whipped out his phone and told me to point the flashlight from my phone in his direction. He then topped up his makeup which confused Nero all over again because he thought they were there to do a mission, not to get laid. "It's worse because they've – they being the Killuc family – managed to create a lethal drug. It doesn't kill you but gets you mad addicted and drives you to insanity as it's a side effect, to the point of suicide. So technically speaking, they're committing mass murder without committing firsthand murder."

"Well ain't that a big yikes," yes I know, I'm insensitive. Sue me, Nero thought to himself. "The drug must take them to Narnia or some shit."

"Something like that. It's called Substance S for now – standing for suicide – and it's just being released into the public. We're here to stop distribution before it gets bigger and out of the control of two individuals."

"Right... so what are we exactly doing tonight? A drug bust or something? And why are you here? Am I not capable alone?" Nero knew that his best friend thought he was more than capable but it's nice to stress the guy out whenever he could.

"What?! No, of course, You're more than capable at everything you do. It's just this one you can't do."

"What? Why?" Now Nero was kind of offended.

Aiden shoved the demon vessel's shoulder. "I'm getting there, stop interrupting me. We're not here on a drug bust but for information gathering. Everything I told you is all I found out. They've managed to keep secret on where the distribution spots are as well as where the drug is being produced, along with many other things. They probably did all interactions on this matter verbally or written because there's no trace of it online like at all. So, we're going to be information scouting."

Nero nodded in acknowledgement but his previous question had still remained unanswered. "That still doesn't explain why you're here or why I can't do it alone. I've done information gathering for you before you know."

"Because my friend," Aiden wrapped one of his arms around Nero's shoulder and pulled him into a side hug. He manoeuvred them so they were facing the Killuc table. "See that man over there?" Aiden pointed at the young-looking man with a white suit and golden bling wrapped around wherever there was an ounce of skin. The stale brown hair and neck tattoo of something (hard to see from this distance) shined in the dim lights slightly. He had a lady on one side and a young adult male on the other, both arms wrapped around each shoulder. His company both were trying to seduce them into doing something more by rubbing his arm plus torso in a sensual matter and constantly whispering in his ears. There were a couple of older men sitting opposite of him, talking their ears out about something but the pointed man looked beyond bored and uninterested.

Aiden continued, bringing Nero's attention back. "That man is Brad, one of the kids of the head of the family. The goal is for me to seduce him and get information out that way."

Now Nero gets why he'd been opted out of this. "Oh, the game of seduction is why you said I can't do this."

"Yeah, we don't need you to go into another panic attack of some sort and die on the spot. Definitely not the vibe." The tone of Aiden's voice was joking but the look was worried and careful.

"Hahaha, in that case, thanks. I really do appreciate you taking into my account my PTSD and trauma. Back to the topic at hand though, why do you need to seduce him? Surely bugging them is a lot easier."

"That's a big fat false statement. Bugging them is impossible. Through an accidental mess up, it got leaked that they'd be here tonight discussing and finalising the plans on Substance S. So, they got their best security around today to avoid shit like wiretapping or overhearing conversations. Therefore, the only method of getting close to that table is either being family or being Brad's slut of the night. That's my role for tonight."

Nero looked back at the table of influential people before looking back at Aiden with an extremely worried look. He grabbed at his best friend's hands. "I am very against this idea Aiden. It's too dangerous. Being his slut for the night? You're going to catch an STI or something! More importantly, why is the family fine with strangers like them listening in."

"Because Brad gets them so drunk that they forget the entire night (or drugs them into temporary amnesia) but that's ok, I won't reach that point. I'll only be there for a short while and smoothly get out."

"They're not going to let you out smoothly like that. I'm pretty sure they're careful like that. It's too risky, we shouldn't do this. We can surely just work out where it's going to be from what we have."

"We can't! That's the thing. I've already tried and we're running out of time. I just need a little more clues from them and then I'm out. I've thought it through and I have a high alcohol tolerance so it'll take them a while to get me hammered."

"But what if they drug you to slee–"

"They won't. They only do that when they're about to leave and I'm going to be gone before then so it'll be fine. All I need to do is play the game of flirting and seduction and you already KNOW that I'm on diamond tier with that shit. It will be fine."

Nero was still very reluctant and tightened the grip on his friend's wrist. "Why on earth are you so confident? You don't even have a mask on and they might discover you have a listening device on you."

Aiden removed Nero's hands from his wrist and put them on his shoulder. Aiden settled for a carefree smile and appreciative eyes. "I'm grateful for your concern but as I said, I've thought this through a million times and people are more predictable than you think so it'll most likely work out. I'd wear a mask but once again, I found this out pretty last minute and I didn't get enough time to order a face mask. And I hope you know, I am a god-level hacker and IT tech guru, henceforth my listening device is great and undetectable. Their shitty metal detectors got nothing on me."

"Oh yes, another last-minute plan because that works out so well for us. I wonder who's going to find out about our secrets this time."

"Oh shut up and stop being a worrywart. It will be fine. We're running out of time and I've got a man to seduce."

"But I­–" Aiden's determined expression gave way that he wasn't going to back out, so finally Nero gave up and played along. "Fucking fine but as soon as something is wrong or feels wrong or if I think it is wrong, I'm coming to save your ass in front of them, whether you like it or not."

"Yay!" Aiden jumped at his best friend and pulled him into a tight hug. Nero put his arms around him and patted his back before speaking into his ear. "Wait, so what am I meant to do?"

Aiden pulled back and fixed up his clothes again. "Nothing too complicated. Just be on the lookout for tonight. They've brought a lot of security and I can't possibly keep track of all of them on my own. They're especially going to pay attention to me and the rest of the slut gang, in case one of us acts sus. See for any suspicious behaviour from them as well or if you notice them noticing me. If the latter happens, ring me twice on my phone. It's on intense vibrations mode so I'll feel it and act accordingly but hopefully, we won't reach that point and I'll slip away as planned. Oh, and the listening device is also there so you can listen in, just in case I miss anything."

Nero nodded understandingly. "Sounds simple enough, except for the fact that their men are keeping a close eye on loiterers and their behaviour. I have to keep a watch on you. Staring for too long will get me assassinated right on the spot."

Aiden returned a mildly offended look. "Tch, you think I haven't thought of that? I know I don't play batman as much as you but I am quite capable of planning out a top tier heist. But that's not the point. The point is, you're going to blend into the crowd by doing what you do best."

Nero's puzzled. "Doing what I do best? Kicking your ass? Sleeping for twenty-four hours? Road raging? Running away from human interactions? Crying myself to sleep?"

"What the fuck? Crying?"

"What?"

Cue a couple of seconds of silent where Nero saw no problem with his response and Aiden was thoroughly judging him again.

"Moving on... you're going to blend in on the dance floor."

Nero blinked a couple of times. "You want me... to be on the dance floor?"

"Yes."

"Unless I'm making out with someone, standing around on the dance floor is a lot more suspicious and eye-catching than doing it on the bar."

"No shit doofus. You're going to be dancing on the dance floor and observing from there."

"That's a lot of fucking effort and I'm pretty sure I can't be observant the entire time if I'm dancing to blend in at the same time."

"Well, obviously but it's better than watching the entire thing and then them catching onto you halfway through. The dance floor is also in the centre so you can just spin around and observe everyone and everything without arousing suspicion. Plus, you get to loosen up a bit in the process. I feel like we've all been too tense lately. But don't get too loose, we're still on the job."

Nero really didn't want to do this and he couldn't help expressing his distaste. "I really don't want to do this but I will, because I probably don't have an option. However, the dance floor doesn't seem like an efficient idea, considering how I'm below the average height. It's not the best for observing the environment."

One last fixing of his collar, Aiden beamed his confident smile and began walking over to Brad. Over his shoulder, he yelled, "I'm sure you'll figure it out. Toodles."

Nero quietly observed the man sitting as close as he can to the table, positioning himself on the barstool and put his plan into action, that being putting on a look of a basic whore and using every ounce of his energy to make his body scream, I WANT TO HAVE SEX WITH YOU, BRAD KILLUC. Aiden blatantly "checked out" his target while doing sensual movements with his lips and playing with his glass in a very suggestive way once he grabbed his target's attention. Nero gagged but it seemed to do its desired effect on Brad because his attention was captured and returning his own rendition of Aiden's actions.

Nero was going to actually puke, so he looked away and did his own task. Which was dancing under the strobing lights. Didn't sound too bad. Well, that's if you minus the fact that he had to pay attention to the men in black (and the ones under the guise of civilians).

Nero pushed his way through the dance floor till he was more or less hidden from most of the opposite team's observers but close to Aiden. Happy with his position, Nero swayed and nodded his head to the music. Aiden managed to infiltrate the table and was very much sexually touching Brad. Brad nuzzled into Aiden's neck, the latter's giggles rang through Nero's earpiece and with that, no suspicion was aroused. I guess getting laid constantly has its perks, Nero thought to himself. Speaking of perks, I just realised that I can hear the table through the music. This man's invention is enough to overtake his own family and become on par with Steve Jobs. I feel like this intelligence should've been given to someone with more aspiration and isn't fucking lazy. Also, I am very much not enjoying hearing him fake moan. It's not appealing. Please stop.

Nero's train of thoughts came to a halt when he caught the words factory, insane, city and next week. Full concentration was back on his task but it didn't stop him from further loosening his muscles and feeling the music.

Meanwhile...

"If I knew we were coming here, I would've just lied and told you I had work to do," said Leo in an annoyed voice.

"And that's exactly why I said we need to go somewhere and not clarify where," Erwin entered the club after him, making sure that his friend didn't turn around and walked out the door again.

Both men had come here before but they couldn't help but reappreciate the interior of the club. The bar on the side was made out of black marble with LED lights lining the ceiling and every crevice of the bar, giving off an ethereal vibe, but it's done in a way that doesn't make the place look tacky. Maybe it was because of the small chandeliers located above the bench.

On the opposite of the facility was a lounge area, fitted with leather and purple velvet couches that were partnered with low rise tables. The only lights illuminating the area were the crystal lamps located throughout the area. At the other corner were where the booths and tables were, where the elegance was on par with the lounge. The dim blubs located above each table managed to give off a quiet atmosphere in the booming club.

However, out of all of everything, the dance floor, the heart of the club, was what both men really love about the place. Always alive and it was the one place where you could lose yourself and forget all the worries of life. The strobing lights splashed the different colours on the dancers while blinding them at the same time. The intoxicating smell of perfumes, deodorant, cologne and sweat. The bass pulsing through your veins and blood.

General consensus: out of world experience.

The only down point of the place was the people. But that couldn't really be changed.

Both men finally reached the bar and ordered their drinks. Immediately, the vultures, AKA occupants of the club shamelessly eyed them and as usual, they were met with nothing from the CEOs. They were all ignored (temporarily on Erwin's part).

As soon as Leo got his drink, he asked in resignation, "Why did you drag me here Erwin?"

The other man refused to answer the question until he got his Bloody Mary. "Because you've been all pissy and cranky this entire week, so as your very good friend, I've brought you here to destress."

Leo raised his eyebrow at the solution. "You've brought me to destress at a crowded, sweaty and loud club?"

"Yes but no. I've brought you here because it's the easiest place to pick up girls. Or boys, if you've come to terms with your newfound sexuality. I should thank that one Brazilian stripper from a year ago to spark your questioning of sexuality. I now have a queer best friend. Anyway, you need to get laid and that's what we're here to do."

Leo groaned out, "But I don't want to get laid. You know that I'm not very fond of one night stands."

"Yes but it hasn't stopped you from being guilty of doing it a couple of times. Just add one more night to the guilt list. It's for a good cause." With that, Erwin looked around the place, probably trying to find the right candidate for his best friend.

Leo on the other hand was getting frustrated at his friend's refusal to listen to him. "Will you just listen to me you knob? I said I didn't want to get laid, especially tonight. I'm extremely tired. I'm just going to go home after this drink."

But Erwin wasn't listening. Well, he wasn't listening before but that was in the ignoring sense. This time, the words didn't register in his head because he wasn't actually listening. Instead, his eyes seemed to catch onto a shocking sight, shocking enough to drop his jaw to the ground.

Leo caught onto his reaction and looked in the direction of Erwin's interest. All he found was a darkened table area with a couple of occupants. Nothing that seemed to be eye-catching. From his peripherals, Erwin figured from the flame user's befuddled expression that he hadn't figured the odd one out, so he aided him with sixteen words.

"Is it just me or is that Aiden Hendrix sitting with one of the Killuc kids?"

As soon as he closed his mouth, Leo's eyes were caught onto a familiar mop of light blue hair. This time it was his turn to be stilled in surprise and puzzlement. The electro user was being very handsy with a man and constantly sending him "fuck me" eyes as he leaned to most likely whisper something dirty in his ears. He looked back at Erwin and both of them knew what the other was thinking.

What the actual fuck?

Everyone who knew the Killuc descendants knew that the latest generation was known for constantly having someone by their arm. Be it a girlfriend, fiancé, wife, prostitute, a hookup or your everyday slut. You'd never catch them in a public place without someone to keep them entertained, one way or another.

Both men were puzzled because they never considered Aiden to be a slut or money-hungry, with emphasis on money hungry. They both noticed all the branded clothing and high tech objects he owned. However, now that they'd witnessed this, the possibility of being a gold digger or having a sugar daddy didn't sound too extreme.

"Or maybe his family happened to give him some money before he left the family?" Erwin finished the thought out loud. The unexpected twinge in Erwin's heart ever since his eyes landed on the sight was ignored by his conscious mind with as much effort as possible.

"You think the Trophs would give him money? Their relationship doesn't seem to be the best." Leo asked in response to the last question. He took a swing of his bottle as he continued observing the man. He noticed a couple of randoms giving him a hard, studying look. Not the usual lustful kind. Interesting...

"I mean, from what I can infer, the guy wasn't kicked out but rather, he left on his own accord and considering how most of his siblings didn't like him, it was probably best he moved out anyway. If he ended up in the dumps, it would look bad on the family. The media would eventually find out that Aiden's related to them so giving him a shit ton of money and probably a roof to live under was the best option. Call it hush money if you will, although, by the looks of it, Aiden probably wouldn't have said anything even if he left with nothing but the clothes on his body. It seems he'd rather kill himself than associate with his biological family."

Erwin raises a good point. Reputation is everything in the high-class world, after all, Leo thought to himself. "Hmm, you might not be too far off. Then why do you think he's there? Leo inquired.

Erwin shrugged. "Fuck if I know. Maybe he just really wants to sleep with him. He could just be your resident slut. Geek in the day, freak by the night."

The other snorted into the opening of the bottle as he took another swig. "I highly doubt that," he said as he placed the bottle on the marble. "Killuc looks sleazy and Nero told me that he tends to punch sleazy guys as soon as they try to hit on him."

Leo couldn't help but smile inwardly. Nero and he had gotten much closer from talking every day. The enigma from the first day of work was not so much an enigma now that the man talked about himself a lot more but by no means did that mean that the interest was gone. In fact, it multiplied to the point where he'd talk about the smaller man whenever he had the free time. It was a new experience for him which was thrilling but terrifying at the same time. He wasn't even this active with his long-term ex.

As if reading his mind, Erwin returned a smug smirk as he drank his cocktail. "Oh yeah, your new best friend. Or maybe wifey? The information is definitely trustworthy in that case."

Leo squinted at him and shoved his shoulder, causing the other to laugh out loud. This captured the hearts of a couple more people nearby and now more people were trying to approach the duo.

"Watch it," Leo cautioned. "As I was saying, I don't think he's trying to get in his pants, or at least without a valid reason and from the hard stares I'm getting from tough-looking occupants, something tells me that the valid reason has got to do with his–"

"Night job," Erwin finished. The action caused both of them to grin at each other with knowing looks. He continued adding, "then who are we to ruin whatever he's trying to do? I think the staring is putting suspicion on us and him so we should pretend to do what we came to do. I personally have no complaints, do you?"

"Well actually–" then an idea comes to mind and instantly, Leo changed what he's about to say. "Actually, no. I have no complaints. I think you're right about getting laid and loosening up. I'm going to walk around and look for someone who can do a good job of charming me. I'll see you around, maybe."

With that, he left his half-finished bottle on the bar and walked around, looking for someone to occupy him for the night. Or so he said.

Erwin didn't believe a single word he said but took it for face value. He's got him to stay and that was progress in his eyes. Plus, he already had an idea of what his friend was actually looking for and he wasn't against it at all. He got to focus on himself and not on the fact that his annoyingly interesting and mysterious employee was sitting a couple of metres away, batting his eyelash for some sleaze. Yes, he would focus on getting laid himself from the array of very interested ladies next to him. And men.

On the other side of the club, Leo was still looking around the club with a goal. But it was not the goal he told his mate. It was a more secret goal that was formed when a certain realisation hit him earlier.

If Aiden is here and it's for his night job... what's to say that Nero isn't here? In fact, I'm almost he's here because dealing with people is his thing, not Aiden's thing. He may be here looking out for him.

Leo grinned his very attractive smile as he hunted every nook and cranny. He had a man to find.