It was rare that Valerian picked up deliveries on his own. His business was big enough that he had people to do that for him. Aside from that, it was best he kept his nose clean, as said nose very regularly graced articles and covers in magazines, along with the rest of his face. It was a delicate balance, being the face of a prominent matchmaking company that dealt with very finicky clients, as well as the head of his own black market liaison company. True, anyone who knew his family would not be surprised to hear he had his fingers in some very illegal crime pies, but he should at least put in the effort to pretend he was a good man of society.
But today had been different. In the near decade since the start of his company,
Eros and Psyche had bloomed most impressively, growing with it, his darker dealings. He found himself behind a desk more often than not, and some days he yearned to get out and be part of the dealings he so carefully orchestrated. If not just for himself, than to keep his clients on their toes. Boredom was dangerous and Val was growing restless. So he had taken the job of picking up the delivery himself. It would be harmless enough and give him a chance to get out of the office. He stood away from his desk and buttoned up his
maroon coat, before leaving his office and heading for Hyde Park.
Despite his best efforts, Val couldn’t keep the amused smirk from dancing across his lips when he caught sight of the lovely creature sitting on the bench, eyeing him just a little more than everyone else. She was young, younger than most girls he dealt with. It was no surprise, as Leon liked to surround himself with pretty, dangerous things. To imagine the girl waiting for him at the end of the walkway was both of those things didn’t seem to be very much of a stretch. He watched as she exhaled a plume of swirling smoke and put out the cigarette she had been nursing. Had she been waiting long?
He made the approach from the side, noticing the bag she held under her arm. It was about the right size, and he knew Leon told his delivery girls to be careful. Perhaps she would not be holding it so close to her person if she knew exactly what she was transporting. He checked the watch on is wrist and made a note of the time. It was still early in the evening, which meant that the sedatives should still be in full effect. Part of him wanted to reach out and tell the girl she best let go of the package in case it woke up a little early, but that was more information than he was really willing to give. Did the girl know what was resting in a chemically-induced slumber just beneath her slender arms. Perhaps she would not be as amused as he was.
He came to her side and cleared his throat gently to get her attention and confirm that he, in fact, was here for her. “Sorry to bother. I just thought I recognized you. We met at Leon’s Christmas party a few months ago, I think? Yes, I believe you were wearing a navy dress, if I recall correctly,” he said casually, placing on hand in his pocket. He surreptitiously looked the little blonde thing up and down, allowing himself to smile once more. It had been a slow day in the office today and he was feeling a little bored. There were worse ways to spend an evening than passing it with one of Leon’s girls. They were always very energetic and full of life, a far cry from some of the women he dealt with on a daily basis. Oh, to be young again. Val envied this girl— what had Leon called her, Julia? That sounded right— for the many years of innocent debauchery and wild fun she had ahead of her. Val’s future would probably be full of more paperwork, family matters, and crime. How boring. He was in the mood to break a few rules and stretch his legs a bit.
He let the whim take root and he spoke again, this time quieter, leaning in as if they were sharing a secret. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” he said in a low voice. “That was terribly rude of me. Are you at all hungry?” he held out his arm, like the gentleman he was, for the younger woman beside him to take if she was feeling the least bit inclined.
