The Viceless

Ivo could almost feel the electric charge crackle in the air. Alina lowered her machine gun for a moment to mouth at Davi: "how did he find us?"

A muscle jumped in Davi's jaw, and he uncovered a panel near the door to reveal a flickering image from the hallway outside.

There was a tall man standing outside the metal door, leaning insouciantly with both elbows balanced on the doorframe, all of his weight dropping forward. Ivo couldn't see much from the small square of video, but he gave him the impression of being slick in an oily way. His tousled hair hung in front of his face limply, hiding it from view.

"Come on Davi, I come in peace, and alone." He stepped back and widened his arms, making a show of his supposed harmlessness.

Both Alina and Thiago looked at Davi, waiting his cue. He inhaled deeply and then released the uppermost deadbolt. Thiago joined him and helped him with the others.

The door was barely halfway open when they pulled the man inside by the collar of his slinky shirt. He let himself be manhandled with a smarmy laugh.

"What a welcome," he said, dusting off his own shoulders once they released him and bolted the door shut again.

"What do you want, Vital?"

The man looked up at Davi with a dangerous gleam in his dark eyes, startling for the band of silver that rimmed the iris. "Only what I paid for. Where is the product?"

Davi kept his gun trained on Vital. "I sent you the feed from my optics, there was nothing inside the box."

Vital clicked his tongue. "As if that means anything. You could have easily started recording after emptying the box."

Ivo remained very still, watching everything unfold from the sidelines and trying not to call any attention to himself. But those silver-rimmed eyes landed on him anyway, and Vital smirked.

He was handsome, with warm burnished skin, thick full hair that fell in waves in front of his eyes, and a white smile that resembled a big cat's. Two silver bands on each side of his face cupped his sharp cheekbones, making him look gaunter but it added somewhat do his dangerous charm.

His silky shirt was opened halfway down his chest, and tucked into a tight pair of pants. All the skin Ivo could see was covered in gaudy, colourful tattoos.

He noticed Ivo's attention and winked at him.

"I returned you the money," Davi said, stepping in between Ivo and Vital's line of sight.

Vital sighed, stepping towards the sofa and leaning his hip against its back. "It isn't about the money. The info on the job was good, my people checked and double-checked. It was supposed to be some cutting-edge Parallax prototype, and you're telling me the box was empty?"

The false camaraderie was gone, now each of Vital's words sounded like the threat he meant them as.

Davi didn't flinch. "That's what I said. If it's such a big deal, maybe someone else got there first."

"Or maybe you sold the info to someone who paid you more and gave them the prototype instead." He stepped away from the sofa and towards Davi, not stopping until the muzzle of his gun touched his chest.

"I don't double-deal, and I don't double-cross," Davi said, nostrils flaring. His finger holding steady on the trigger.

Vital wasn't intimidated. He hummed, in deep consideration, and then cut a meaningful look to Ivo. "And then there's him," he grinned his jaguar's smirk. "The pretty face making the rounds on all the holos and screens in the city."

Ivo's shoulders stiffened, but he held Vital's gaze. He wasn't looking for him. He wanted some tech's prototype, not a person. Despite his slimy exterior and vulgar good-looks he didn't look like a pimp.

"I asked for help," Ivo said, jumping ahead of whatever excuse Davi was about to come up with. "They found me in that apartment and I begged to come with them."

One of Vital's eyebrows shot up. "And what were you doing there?"

"You can guess." Ivo was afraid that going into details would betray his ignorance. He was well aware of what he was implying, but unaware of specifics. The lie wouldn't stand up to close scrutiny.

He felt that same rush he had in the elevator, when that lux man was eyeing him up intently. It all hinged on how convincing he was.

"You do look like a whore," Vital said, his gaze probing into Ivo who fought to keep his expression neutral.

Vital was trying to get a reaction out of him.

When he didn't get one he narrowed his eyes and turned to Davi. "It's just not your style. You're so above it all, your reputation precedes you. Davi the Viceless."

Davi interrupted him with one of his unimpressed grunts. "I smoke."

Vital waved the comment off with a 'tsk' "They call you the Viceless not the fucking priest," he rolled his eyes, "So what was it? Finally won over by a whore with a pretty face and heart of gold?" He laughed at his own joke. "I can see the appeal, he looks brand new." He licked his lips. "Although I'm sure looks can be deceiving."

Ivo tried not to show his distaste. He was aware of how bare his skin looked without ink or mods compared to everyone else's. It made him uneasy. He would be getting some tattoos of his own as soon as possible.

"I felt sorry for him," Davi said meeting Vital's gaze.

Ivo couldn't help flinching at that, and Vital caught it. He thought they were done, but Vital leaned over and patted Davi on the cheek. "That. I believe. You love a lost cause."

Some silent conversation happened between the two of them, and then Vital sighed. "Well, it is unfortunate the prototype wasn't where it was supposed to be, but from where I stand, you still owe me."

Davi scowled, his temper flaring. "We gave you back the mo-"

Fast as a whip Vital unholstered his own gun and held it up to Davi's temple. "It's not about the fucking money, it's about making it up to me for losing the prototype. My people were able to track your location thanks to the pretty whore here. And I'm a generous man, I'm willing to share."

He grinned menacingly. "I can think of a few people who wouldn't be such civilised guests, and if you don't want them kicking down your door, you and your crew are going to work a few jobs for me. "