I lean against the brick wall, arms folded lazily over my chest, staring down the deserted street while I wait for Vincent and the others to show.

I'd intercepted a call from a concerned neighbour, the details murky yet the address clear.

The address of Leroy Jameson, Johnnys drug runner. Petty to those who liked him.

I called him Leroy. Or lapdog, depending on the day.

I knew without a doubt it had to be the work of our little painter. They had a tendency to attack Johnnys men and Leroy just so happened to be one of them.

Causing more fucking issues for me to deal with, even if it did make this mundane life a little more exciting.

Although the person had called up and given the details with no time for the dispatcher to ask questions, and when the dispatcher had sent a cop for a welfare check I had happily volunteered myself.

Regardless of whether I was a cop or not. What they didn't know couldn't hurt them.

A car pulls up to the sidewalk, Vincent climbing out in dark clothing and my lips tilt at the corners.

"You're wearing your date shirt."

"Fuck off, E."

I move into pace with him and I can't help but let out a chuckle at the thunderous look he shoots me. "Did I interrupt your date with Dani."

"No." He says quietly as we enter the building and start climbing the stairs towards Leroy's apartment. "We were already done."

I glance at the watch on my wrist, "this early?" I shake my head in mock disappointment. "You really know how to wine and dine a girl, huh?"

"Shut up." Vincent says, pushing through the door left ajar and abruptly stopping at the sight in front of us. "Fuck."

Leroy is strapped to his bed, each corner holding a limb like some macabre version of a four quartering but without the horses and shit.

"Looks like somebody had a rough night." I mutter.

It's not until we both take a step closer that I see the paint brush and what I believe is his tongue.

I step closer and pinch Leroy's chin between my thumb and forefinger, opening his mouth, the action easy since rigamortus  hasn't set in yet.

I tut, "sloppy work," I utter and shake my head, "they removed his tongue."

"The fact it's removed doesn't point so much to sloppy work." Vincent utters.

"Yeah but it took a few tries, they sawed it off. Meaning their blade wasn't as sharp as they needed it to be."

"Well," Vincent says, "I'll be sure when we catch them to give them a knife sharpener." Sarcasm drips from his words as he begins looking around the room for any evidence.

"Kind of artistic." I hum, staring at the quartered body, the paintbrush and the pierced tongue.

Vincent stops, turning wild eyes to me. "Your moral compass is a bit warped."

I flash him a grin, "lost that years ago."

He shakes his head but noises behind us signalling the other's arrival stops him from voicing whatever he was going to say.

Ezra steps in, wrinkling his nose at the stench and letting his eyes skim the room for whatever the hell he's looking for.

Griffin is behind him and he moves towards us, looking at Leroy's body with a clinical eye, humming under his breath.

"Same girl?"

Vincent nods, moving towards griffin while I move towards my twin, running my eyes over him.

"Where have you been today?"

He flashes me his signature glare but I shrug it off. "None of your business."

I flash the grin he hates, "you're my brother. Ez, I get concerned when you leave your cave. You know the world outside is full of bad people."

He shoves past me and I let out a dignified grunt, rubbing my shoulder. "Well that was rude."

He doesn't reply, moving towards the body and pulling out his tablet, tapping it before pulling up the security camera around this place.

There on the grainy screen is our damsel not so distressed, wearing a hoodie pulled up to cover her face and a bag slung over her shoulder.

She doesn't look over her shoulder and keeps her head down away from the cameras.

"She knew where they were:" I murmur, "again."

I look up, glancing around the room, "do you think Johnny will notice if Leroy just goes missing?"

Griffin shakes his head. "He'll come after us."

"He'll blame us if Leroy is dead too." I counter. "Might as well pretend we know nothing."

Griffin lifts a hand, rubbing at his temple with a scowl. "This little killer is causing a lot of issues." He pins Ezra with a look. "Any leads?"

Ezra shakes his head, his scorn deepening. "Nothing, the sneak knows how to hide." He stares around the place scornfully, like his very presence will flush the killer out.

I whistle low under my breath and he shoots me a look, moving towards the body and staring at it in disgust.

"Little squeamish there, Ez?"

"Why don't you find somewhere else to be while griffin and I do the actually work? Hmm?"

I smile wide. "That sounds like a lovely plan. I check the time on my watch, noting that it's almost five am. "I think I have a coffee shop I'd like to visit."

Vincent head snaps to me and I send him a wink and Ez shakes his head, lips curling in disgust. Griffin looks between all of us before pinning me with a look. "Don't start shit."

I lift my hands innocently, "I have no idea what you mean, boss man." I spin on my heel and stride for the exit. "I'm just a man who loves his coffee."

I can feel Vincent's glare on me and I turn to give him one more look and he narrows his eyes further at whatever he sees on my face.

"I'm not giving her up." He states and I chuckle.

"May the best man win, Vinnie. But we know I don't mind sharing." I send him a wink and whistle under my breath as I leave the mess to them, hearing Vincent's muttered curses biting at my heels as I stalk out.

Griffin barks something and then I hear Vincent mutter back but he doesn't follow and I let out a laugh.

• • •

A grin stretches my lips when I see my beauty perched behind the counter, levelling me with a glare before looking behind me.

"I've come alone, Princess." I muse, stalking forward until I lean on the counter across from her, flashing her my signature grin.

She only rolls her eyes. "I guess it's my lucky day." Sarcasm drips from her every pore, but still she smiles and I take that as a win.

"Vincent took you out last night huh?" I drum my fingers on the counter, glancing around the shop to find it mostly empty. "Did he at least give you a kiss goodnight?"

"Shouldn't you be chasing a ball or something?" She hushes, leaning across from me with a dark brow lifted.

A bare my teeth and snap. "If you want me to bark, Princess, just command it."

Her eyes twinkle before she straightens and looks me up and down. "What do you want?"

"You." I say without preamble.

Again she rolls her eyes.

If I was a lesser man I would be hurt but I know she wants me, can practically see the salivating thoughts swimming through her head right now.

"What coffee, Ezra?"

"Tall, dark and sweet." I look her up and down. "Like you."

"You're such a flirt."

"You could let me take you on a date and I can show you just how much of a flirt I can be."

She glances over my shoulder and I straighten.

"I already talked to Vincent," he tilt my head and grin again. "He told me I'd have to fight for you but we both know he won't dictate who you can date."

"Did he now, and do I have a say in this?

"You can say yes." She still looks unsure so I let her see I'm serious, "are you scared, of me?"

She shakes her head but still doesn't speak.

"Then what's stopping you?"

"Nothing." She murmurs, twisting a ring around her finger. "And Vincent was okay with this?"

"I told him he'd have to learn to share. He didn't seem worried about me stealing you, seems like he's pretty confident in his abilities." I waggle my brows, the words half lie half truth.

"His abilities, are unquestioned."

"Oh, really now?" I lean closer, "He doesn't know I have a secret weapon." I lean over the counter and she does too, drawn to me like a moth to a flame.

"And what is that?"

"You." I wink. "You like me."

"Oh do I now?"

"Yep. I can see it in the way your eyes track me."

"Maybe I'm just keeping an eye on an unknown in my shop, who knows what you could do, what with your hot and cold attitude."

I tell back, brow furrowed. "What?"

It's her turn to look confused. "I saw you across the street yesterday, and I waved. You ignored me. You glared at me when I caught you loitering and watching me." She lifts a brow.

I stop the smile from stretching my lips, "oh sorry, I mustn't have seen you."

She hums, narrowing her eyes. "Sure."

Guess Ezra has been leaving his cave for a little one on one time with Princess.

"Maybe you just leave me hot and bothered and I have no choice but to scowl and snarl otherwise I'll kiss you." If Ezra could hear the words coming out of my mouth right now he would skin me alive. The thought only makes me want to push him more.

"Or you are just trying to get into my pants and annoy your friend while you're at it?"

I narrow my eyes. "Guilty but you missed something."

"Hmm?"

"Maybe I also just like you."

"Ask me again tomorrow, and I'll let you know."

"I'll pick you up tomorrow night."

"I said ask me."

"Sorry there must be language barrier, I heard yes."

"Enzo-"

"Dani." I take a step back from the counter, "see you tomorrow night. Wear something warm."

"You're impossible."

"Nonsense. I'm just a man who knows what he wants."