The New York skies were showing no mercy today. Despite this being the middle of summer, successive bands of heavy rain were drenching the citizens. Jamie Livingston lived by a set of rules he'd picked up through observation. One of those rules was the asshole rule. You could wait around for days to see one, only for several of them to to come along at the same time. He could sense them out there, as he squinted through the tinted glass of the doorway. Assholes made him nervous. They were unpredictable. The limo was parked outside, under the awning, at the far end. He ignored it, his eyes scanning every other thing in the area. Jamie looked back over his shoulder as his two charges exited the elevator. A teenager and a tot, their British governess leading them by their hands.
His attention swept back outside again. He nodded at the nanny, then moved outside. The sound of the rain drumming on the canopy overhead was all he could hear. Words would need to be had with whoever put the car there. It was too far from the door. At least ten yards, when it should have been right outside. Check. Double check. Triple check. Once more for luck. The security gates at the far end were wide open, that would need remedying as well. Teething problems were to be expected of course. This was all new, including the building he'd just exited from. Extensively rebuilt and refurbished at huge expense. They were still at work on it, which was why they were using this rear entrance.
Jamie opened the door, beckoning them out. Despite the seriousness of the situation, he cracked a smile at both of them. They looked so cute. Dark brown hair, bright red knee length coats and patent leather shoes. They smiled back, before resuming their deadpan expressions. Then his gaze moved everywhere. Movement, down by that frigging gate that shouldn't be open. Three loud men in casual suits ignored the no admittance signs as they approached the rear entrance. A lightning fast risk assessment, led him to dismiss the threat they represented. The men were big and noisy. Drawing far too much attention to themselves.
He opened the rear door, bowing to the girls as they clambered into their seats. The little one passed a cap to him. He thanked her, before spinning it around his index finger, then flicking it along his outstretched arms until it ended up in the other hand. From there he launched it into the air, catching it on his head. The girls giggled. The governess frowned, only at him though. It was she who took over at that point. Ensuring the children were belted in. She gave him another admonitory stare as she went back inside.
It was the voice he recognized. It stirred up memories of over a decade ago. A different time, a different world in a lot of ways. Definite asshole though. He and his two friends had decided to shelter under the awning as they smoked their big cigars. They were a potential complication he could do without right now. Actually he could do without them full stop. Jamie opened the drivers side door, he picked up the copy of Forbes magazine on the passenger seat. Just in case. Cos assholes have just gotta be assholes. It's in their nature. His girls were watching him from behind the tinted glass. Egging him on with their little grins. He started playing with the cap again. Tossing it up and catching it behind his back. Flipping it in ever more complicated patterns. Putting on a performance.
"Well look who it is." The asshole loudly exclaimed. "Are you the nanny or the chauffeur?"
Jamie swivelled round slowly, and there it was. Six foot three of 100% pure asshole.
"A bit of both I suppose." He responded politely. "It's been a while, hasn't it Bart."
The asshole bridled, took half a step towards him. His fists clenching.
"The name's Brad."
"Who is this guy to you?" On of the assistant assholes asked.
Brad sniggered.
"This is the wimp loser I told you about. I took his girl right out from under his nose and then he ran off. After I kicked his ass."
"Strictly speaking Bratt, there was no ass kicking. As I recall you were the one who did all the running. Leaving your two friends behind. As I recall that was months before I left. The whole stealing my girlfriend thing happened when I was abroad."
"The name is Brad. Do you want me to beat that into your thick head?"
"You could always try Brett. Give it your best shot."
That had been a stupid thing to say. Antagonizing an asshole can have unforeseen ramifications. Jamie was letting the personal get into where it shouldn't be. The two apprentices took up aggressive stances. He'd threatened their alpha. Interrupted their mutual masturbation, figuratively speaking. Jamie rolled up the magazine, after tossing the cap into the car and closing the door. The assholes liked the odds of 3 to 1, it seemed. Their numbers filled them with a level of confidence only assholes can truly feel.
There was a distraction. Possibly one of the most distracting things there could possibly be. An extremely attractive woman emerged from the building behind the conclave of assholes. She certainly drew Brad's attention. He nudged the others as he indicated her with his head. Perfect jet black hair. Perfect lips. Perfect figure. At least that's what the gossip mags had stated. Given that her outfit probably cost more than a family car, she ought to look good. Designer chic from the three thousand dollar shoes to the fifteen hundred dollar sunglasses perched on her head. It's a rich celebrity thing, using expensive eyewear as hair decoration. She oozed class, rather than sex appeal. Brad was instantly smitten. Yep, the assholes were going to be a problem. Jamie pushed himself away from the limo. The two sidekicks smirked at him as they formed a barrier between him and their leader.
Subtlety is not something assholes possess in abundance. They prefer broad strokes. They also have a tendency not to understand that their actions have consequences. It gives them an unjustified sense of self confidence and a complete lack of self awareness. Assholes don't know they are assholes, even after everyone tells them they are. This could rapidly turn into a cluster fuck. Worse still, it could lead to unwanted publicity. The woman was ignoring Brad. Assholes don't like to be ignored. They need to be noticed, that's why they behave like they do. He deliberately placed himself in her way. Then intentionally rubbed his arm against her delightful chest. Pretending he'd bumped into her. Her dark brown eyes regarded him disinterestedly. That hint didn't penetrate his skull. It barely grazed it.
"Hey. We had a collision. We should exchange details, beautiful lady."
She continued to ignore him, looking back over her shoulder. Waving her hand to waft away the cigar smoke. Jamie took a couple of steps forward, the apprentices balled their fists.
"Before anyone does anything stupid..."
Well at least he'd tried. Tired with being ignored, or unable to compute that this was what was occurring, Brad grabbed her arm. She looked at his hand with pure unadulterated disdain.
"Please let go." She requested coldly.
"Not until I get your details babe. Just your phone number would do. I'm...."
The cold barrel of a pistol pressing against his temple stopped him in mid flow. His offending hand was ripped away behind his back.
"Get down on the ground." Brad's knees were kicked from behind, forcing him to kneel. "Hands behind your head now."
The commanding voice brooked no refusal. The woman headed for the limo. Jamie stepped over the bodies of the two sidekicks, who were now rolling on the ground moaning. She glared at him as she entered the car. There would be words later, many of them quite rude. Oh crap. Two of New York's finest had spotted the altercation. Weapons drawn they approached from that gate that should have been closed and locked.
"Police. Put the gun down and step away."
Well that wasn't going to happen. This could rapidly escalate into a tragedy. Just when the situation couldn't get more fraught, Lev stepped out his own firearm levelled. The cops twitched. Some instinct prevented them from reacting further. There was a tense standoff developing. It was time for diplomacy. As fine as those officers were, Lev could drop them both before they could pull the trigger. Shit, Miles could have and drilled one through the back of Brad's skull. Oh dear, he'd pissed himself. Jamie held his hands up and out to the side.
"Gentlemen." He smiled from ear to ear. "I think it's in all our best interests for everyone to relax. We don't want anyone to get hurt here."
"Armed police, put your guns down and step away."
"That's not going to work I'm afraid. We all need to keep cool. I'm going to reach inside my top pocket." Jamie did so pulling out an ID wallet. He flipped it open one handed, holding it out in front of him. "I know you guys are only doing your jobs, but you are currently out of your jurisdiction. This building and its surrounds are the sovereign territory of Tuvah. My colleagues and I have diplomatic immunity. And you are trespassing."