Page 11 of Emeric

“His name is Sylvan Ellery. He’s an author who Jordan met one day while checking in with the store owners in East Dremest, as he does on occasion. Sylvan was at a bookstore signing copies of a book he’d written. Jordan bought a copy and read it, but life got busy, and months passed before Jordan saw him again. When Jordan spotted Sylvan in a florist’s shop, Jordan told him he read and loved Sylvan’s book. At that moment though, Sylvan was buying flowers to take to his mother’s grave. Guess what Jordan did?”

“Bought the flowers?” He did have a kind side.

“Yup, and drove Sylvan to the cemetery. They went to lunch after, talked, and struck up a friendship. More time passed as Jordan made sure he was apprised of Sylvan’s life. He found out Sylvan had fallen on hard times, so he offered him a hand up.”

“Enter the safe house.”

Oleander nodded. “In return for Sylvan putting his name on the deed and Jordan paying the bill, Sylvan agreed to live there and look after the property. Jordan takes care of the maintenance, bills, and even the food. But at any point in time, we can show up needing to use it as a safe house. Also, Sylvan can’t tell anyone who really owns the property.”

“I’m still confused about something.”

“What’s that?”

“Why did you threaten me?”

“Sylvan isn’t like us. He’s not outgoing. He doesn’t easily talk to strangers. Sylvan has anxiety and panic attacks. When we get there, if you make one fucking comment about him that’s even toeing the line of not nice, your blood will be on my hands.” His tone had changed drastically from one sentence to the next. This dark, possessive timbre came into it.

“Not that it’s my business, but are you two together?” I didn’t think they were since Oleander and I had set a time to fuck, but what the hell did I know?

“We’re not.”

“Okaayyy…” That didn’t explain his tone except to tell me he had feelings for Sylvan, even though they weren’t together. “Why would you think I’d make fun of or say something cruel to him about his anxiety? Seriously, Ollie, what the fuck? When did I come off as an asshole to you?”

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. You’re not. I know that. It’s just… I don’t want to see anything happen to him. He doesn’t want to be out in the world experiencing things. He does that inside with the stories he writes and reads. I’ll kill anyone who threatens him.” The conviction in his voice, the way he said the words as his hands tightened on the steering wheel, told me whoever crossed Sylvan wouldn’t live long enough to regret it.

“You don’t mean this neighbor, right? I thought he was an older man with a shit attitude who’s bored.”

“I won’t hurt the neighbor. Sylvan knows how to shoot if need be. This guy is a pain in the ass with too much time on his hands. That’s where you come in.” He offered me a quick grin before turning on his blinker and pulling into a driveway with a tall black gate and a beautifully done letter E adorning it.

“Ellery?” I asked.

“Mmhmm.” He punched in a code, and the gate opened.

This was a big piece of land. The house was set back farther down the drive. The fencing appeared to go around the whole property, making me wonder what Jordan paid to secure the place. I’d probably drive by this home and think someone had money, not that a mafia boss hid out here when need be.

Gray stone covered the two-story house. The front windows were large, reaching almost to the roof. I couldn’t wait to see what the inside looked like. I bet it was beautiful.

“It’s impressive, isn’t it?” he asked.

“You can say that again. I can’t believe only one person lives here.”

“He loves it.”

I spotted an attached garage and a detached one behind the house. I wondered what they stored in there.

Oleander hit a button on a remote on the visor, and one of the doors to the attached garage opened. He pulled in, then shut the door behind us. There was only one other Navigator in here.

“There are spare SUVs in the other garage,” he told me. “The one in here is what Sylvan drives.”

“How did you know I was wondering that?”

“If it were me, I’d want to know. Come on. Let’s get inside. Less time for Sylvan to tie himself into knots. I’ve learned the sooner I get in there, the sooner he calms. I hate seeing him anxious.”

There was no doubt in my mind that Oleander was a good man. Watching him now, and the way he talked about Sylvan, solidified it.

From the garage, we stepped through a door to a small room with two doors and two keypads, nothing else. I’d say this was overkill, but it was Jordan’s place. Nothing would surprise me in here. Well, maybe the man I was about to meet. I couldn’t imagine a timid person being friendly with Jordan Altair Sr.

Oleander peered over his shoulder at me. “Turn around.”