Misery Loves Company [Connor]

[Victor Grey]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true] He had spent three, long years under the radar, without action. It was strange, to say the least. He still worked his business, but he wasn't nearly as active. On several occasions, he had debated on putting the fear of V back into the hearts of the law enforcement and his fellow criminals. There were some he couldn't crack and others he had no desire to crack. His old friend and business partner, Connor, would be in the latter category. He wasn't any good if he resembled a broken toy. He had told his employees to not disturb him as he contemplated what he should do. He had half a mind to call up Connor and invite him over for a chat. It had certainly been long enough. Stretching his arms above his head, he leaned forward and picked up the phone that sat on top of the desk. It didn't take him long to pick up the phone and call his friend. "Meet me in the office at the cafe." He said simply and hung up without waiting for a response. He'd either come, or he wouldn't. He knew where to find him if he wanted to show up. Shifting in his chair, he leaned back and propped his feet up on the desk, placing his arms behind his head. Business would always be business. He didn't care as long as he got paid. Running his fingers through his hair, he stood and went to his cabinet, pulling out a glass and a bottle of Romane Conti. A glass a day kept the spirits up. Of course, he always had more than just one glass. Who wouldn't? He savored every drop like it was his last. Wine was one of his many passions, right up there with his business. With a careful ease, he uncorked the bottle and poured the red wine into the glass, leaning against the wall as he hummed quietly, swishing it around briefly in the glass before taking a sip. It was in moments like these that he didn't care what went on or who dropped to the ground in a worthless pile. Once he got bored with the McKettrick brood, he'd leave and get back into the swing of business.

[CONNOR SELWYN]

hanging up his phone, connor decided to make him wait. although he was curious what his 'friend' and 'business partner' had to pitch to him, he wasn't one to be ordered around. connor selwyn had few friends, but victor grey (better known as v to most of the criminal world and the law enforcement) was one of those few. along with jett byrne, victor was one of the only men who 1) knew connor was the leader of the irish mob and 2) connor hadn't killed. he and victor were on a mutual understanding about the no-killing rule. when they'd decided they could serve one another better alive, they had decided that all guns could be put aside and they could become friends in the only way criminals can truly become friends.

connor had done jobs with vic on multiple occasions in the past, but now that v had moved to sapphire bay, business was about to pick up. he intended to ask him for more favors, just as he knew v would do the same, and considering they both had their murderous eyes on a police officer, they would surely be able to help one another marvelously. while most people wouldn't understand victor's sinister intent for the young gabriel mckettrick, connor could understand. that same police officer was best friends with that ass caleb hayes who connor would gladly chop into a million pieces and serve up on a platter. one day he would get his claws into the deputy, but until then, he would have to entertain himself with other things.

after a half hour had passed, connor rose from his desk in the expansive office he owned in downtown as a cover for his real job, and pulled on his overcoat. there was still snow on the ground following the freak blizzard, and there was a nip to the air although it hadn't been snowing for several days now. he thought moodily to himself yet again how he'd moved to california to get away from that sort of weather, and it had followed him there. sighing audibly, he climbed down the staircase and out into the cool, walking the sidewalk that would lead him to grey's café. as he entered the dark interior, his eyes took a moment to adjust to the light, and he removed his coat, hanging it on the coat rack within the entry. when he could see, he walked past the tables in the café and straight toward victor's office in the back, and no one questioned him otherwise. the employees recognized him, and they knew he had a mean streak if he was interrupted from something he wanted to do. so they no longer interfered when he pushed his way back to victor's office. he'd also slept with at least half of the female waitresses working in the joint, so he had a one-up in that regard as well.

reaching the end of the hallway, he stepped into the doorway of the office and crossed his arms over his chest, raising his eyebrows as he examined victor who was drinking his favorite wine and facing away from him. "is it wise to keep your back to the door on days like this one, my friend?" he asked, mildly perturbed he'd been interrupted from what he was doing, and partially amused to see his friend again. it had been far too long since they'd had a chat.

CLOTHES right here
TAG v and j

[Victor Grey]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true] He chuckled and shrugged as his friend's question rang through the air, announcing his arrival. "Perhaps, I'm just getting too comfortable in my old age." He mused, turning to face the younger man while his right arm made a sweeping gesture toward one of the chairs. "Take a load off and have a seat. There's wine, if you'd fancy a glass." At first glance, Victor was a formal fellow with the charm to back up the majority of what was said. What couldn't be warn over with charm was won over with ruthless tactics that could, at times, be described as blood thirsty. Over the years, he had become a master at hiding his emotions from the world and even hiding the monster that lurked just below the surface. He just appeared to be a normal guy that ran a cafe for the masses. Well, he was certainly dressed better than your average man. Just as he was about to take a seat, he heard a loud commotion outside of his office then seconds later, a familiar face strutted in. His features hardened into something unpleasant, and he felt his jaw lock. "I thought I to--.." The woman he addressed cut him off by holding up a manicured hand. The smirk on her lips told part of the story. "..Told me to stay out of Sapphire Bay, V? I can't let you take all of the glory, you selfish bastard." She purred and walked forward, her heels clicking lightly on the floor. "We can discuss this later. Now, leave." He snapped, and she just threw her head back and laughed before turning toward Connor. Giving her mentor the finger, she perched atop his desk and crossed one leg over the other, leaning slightly forward. "I'm Aubrey Townsend, and I've been his student for about a decade, minus the three years he decided to leave me high and dry." She pouted a moment and tapped her chin. "My friends call me Janie and for anybody in the criminal circle or the law enforcement, I'm J. 'S nice to finally make your acquaintance, Connor Selwyn." She chirped sweetly, and Victor's contorted face had smoothed into something that wasn't so..murderous. She was certainly a sight for sore eyes, although she also looked quite ravaging in her current outfit, which was probably more suited for a club.

[CONNOR SELWYN]

smiling at victor's comment about his age, connor took the offered seat and settled himself into the plush chair, crossing one foot on top of his opposite knee. when he was offered the wine, however, he held up a hand and wrinkled his nose. "it surely has been a long time if you've already forgotten how much i despise wine," he commented with a small smirk. he loved alcohol, but only the strong proof liquor like whiskey and and other spirits. wine was only for special occasions and women, in his opinion, but he knew victor enjoyed his vintage, so he kept his opinions to himself. his comment about the wine, however, was cut off as a commotion rang out outside the office and he turned, unconcerned, to peer down the hallway. his eyes hit on the subject of the commotion, and his eyebrows raised appreciatively, but the rest of his face remained unreadable. crossing his hands over his chest, his fingers steepling over his flat stomach as he watched the female enter the office and victor's obvious disagreement with her presence. he kept his silence as she shot victor the bird and perched herself on the edge of victor's desk. he looked directly into her eyes as she focused on him and offered him a smile. yes, she was definitely fuckable.

so this was the infamous 'j' he'd heard victor refer to. he'd always imagined j as a male for some reason, and he realized victor had never said otherwise. by the look in victor's eyes, the two were either lovers, or he felt some sort of feral protection over the girl. either way, connor was intrigued by this addition to the party. "as it is my pleasure as well," he replied with a charming smile, his irish accent ringing out notably in the small office. normally, he would have been perturbed that someone knew his name, but they were all part of the same world here. he knew victor's name, and now he knew hers. it wasn't like they were rats. he was in no potential danger here, so he worried not about his identity being shared.

"was this what you invited me here for, victor?" he asked, sitting calmly in his chair and averting his eyes from the attractive janie toward her mentor who seethed behind the desk. "she's pretty, but i thought we had business to discuss." he winked at janie and smiled before raising his eyebrows questioningly as he looked back at victor.

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TAG v and j

[Victor Grey]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true] The man rubbed his temple and exhaled quietly. "It was so hard to get good help, and she was my solution. Her father ran into hard times after her mother died and against my better judgement, I gave him a loan. When he wasn't able to pay it off, he gave me the girl so I would forgive him his debt." He shrugged and leaned back in his chair, gazing up at the ceiling. "She's efficient but a pain in the ass." He grouched, running his fingers through his hair. Janie shifted and squinted at him a moment through pale eyes. "Stop your bitching." She said flatly, lower lip appearing to quiver as she gave the older man her famous pout and slipped from the edge of the desk. In her descent, her skirt rode up a few inches, revealing a good portion of her hips. Soon, she turned toward Connor with a surreptitious wink, placing her finger to her lips. "Sit down, Aubrey." Victor growled, eyes narrowing. Again, she gave him the finger and sat beside Connor in the seat beside his. "As lovely as my apprentice is, she's hardly the reason I called you in here today. She's not even supposed to be in Sapphire Bay." He said calmly, his Southern drawl filtering through his soft words. From the corner of his eye, he saw the girl cross one leg over the other once more, almost as if she had better things to do than hang around her mentor and his (surprisingly) hot, Irish friend. "I think he's more afraid I'll give you ideas and end up in your bed." She said sarcastically with a mischievous twinkle in her pale gaze. His lips twitched. "Darlin', if you start sleeping around, I'll have no choice but to slit your throat. I'm not about to have a girl I raised be a whore." He said quietly, voice low and threatening. She had half a mind to pound his face in, but she retained that emotionless expression with little to no effort. "He's just worried that I might get my cherry popped before he ends his dry spell." She purred, leaning forward.