Precious Gems - Sierra Hill Page 0,6
his sheer size and the fact he didn’t provide me a name, I’ve labeled him Hulk. Seems fitting.
“Come with me.”
He abruptly turns and begins walking down a dark corridor, illuminated only by the track lighting lining the walls just inches above the floor.
A little dazed from his curt behavior, and probably mildly jet lagged, I clutch my bag and rush to catch up nearly tripping at his heels when he stops at an elevator that is hidden so discreetly into the wall, I wouldn’t have even known it was there. He enters a code into a panel, blocking the keypad from my view with his hulking form.
The door opens without a sound and Hulk steps in, keeping his back to me. I follow closely behind, leaving enough space for my comfort, and enter the lift as I feel the whoosh of the metal doors closing behind me. I’m suddenly overwhelmed by the magnitude of what I’m doing and where I’m at. I have no idea who these people are or if I’m safe.
I wouldn’t put it past my father to send me into the lion’s den. He’s never really had my best interests at heart.
Mr. Hulk doesn’t turn around and remains facing the opposite set of doors which soon open, and we step into a quiet, even darker corridor. There’s no club thumping or music beats up on this level. Just the sounds of my sharp intakes of breath and the rubbery squeaks of my shoe soles on the floor filling in the stillness of the hallway.
The man stops and turns at a doorway but doesn’t look at me. He simply says, “Wait here.”
And I do. What else am I supposed to do? I have no idea where I’m at, much less who I’m supposed to be waiting for, but I do as he says, anxious for what comes next.
As he disappears through the door, every nuance of this job finally comes into clear view, like I’m looking through a magnifying glass and it’s just come into focus on that small, infinitesimal subject that finally turns into something recognizable.
I’m both significant and insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Both necessary and unnecessary. I’m just a conduit and a wheel in a cog. The mule to bring this deal to fruition.
I’m inconsequential to whoever is behind that door awaiting my arrival. In a matter of minutes, I’ll finish this job and be on my way.
But all the secrecy has me curious. Is this what all my dad’s jobs are like? Code words and dark interiors?
I guess I understand it to an extent since this is an illegal transaction and I am in possession of a stolen jewel. I have no clue how Mudd wound up with this stone or what the bidding process looked like, and how he settled on a buyer, but it doesn’t matter to me now.
It’s just weird, in my opinion, to meet the buyer at a club. I thought I’d conclude the deal with the fence someplace else. Like in the jewelry district. It’s confusing to be in such a different environment from what I expected.
Spinning around, there’s a bank of tinted windows behind me, and I step up to the glass, looking down over the crowd below. Sex is in the air, infiltrating the rhythm of the music as dancers grind and move seductively together, their bodies fluid, a beautiful ribbon of motion.
To my left is the spot where I saw that man standing a while ago, but who is now gone. I scan the area again in case I can spot him again.
But before I can locate him, the door creaks open, a flash of golden light shining across the floor, as the scent of tobacco and bourbon seeping out along with the arc of light streaming over the darkness.
I inhale deeply, the deliciously warm scent filling my nostrils and giving me confidence.
“He’ll see you now.”
Chapter 4
My feet don’t take me more than a step inside the doorway when someone moves in from behind me, encroaching on my space and blocking my exit.
Fear sparks inside my heart, and on instinct, I try to use my bag as a weapon to disarm and throw him off, but my actions are thwarted as Hulk’s large hands grip my biceps, whipping my bag from my shoulder and binding my wrists together in one fell swoop.
I try to turn my head to see what the hell is going on and who is behind me when suddenly, I’m shoved