Kev took his quick shower and changed back into the jeans and t-shirt he had been wearing before swimming. When he left the bathroom, Talon was eager to head in. Kev picked through the groceries Horns had gotten for him the night before. Horns really did go overboard. Kev decided on pasta and some meatballs; it was easy enough, and the water was already boiling by the time Talon stepped out of the bathroom.
The eagleman looked refreshed but… different. The baggy cargo pants and flannel shirt he'd chosen were definitely not his normal style, a stark contrast to his usual sleek, fitted attire. Talon, catching Kev staring, looked down and said, "These were the right size."
Kev nodded. "You're looking very grunge."
Talon frowned. "That sounds bad. What is wrong with my outfit?"
"Don't worry about it, Talon," Kev said. "It's just a human term."
"Is it bad?" Talon pressed.
"No, it's just a style," Kev said, then picked up two boxes from the counter. "Do you like bowties or shells?" He shook the pasta boxes for effect.
"Shells," Talon said.
Kev put together lunch easily. However, he could tell Talon was a bit bored. The eagle was bouncing his leg while sitting on the couch, his sharp eyes restlessly scanning the apartment.
"I know you're invested in that history book," Kev said while straining the pasta, "but there are a couple of other books there too."
Talon picked up a different book and looked it over. "Macroeconomics? Why do you have this?"
"Oh, I just love math," Kev said with a grin, plating the food.
"Really? I didn't know that about you," Talon replied, his tone serious.
"I'm just joking, Talon," Kev said, bringing the plates over and sitting down across from him.
"I don't know why enjoying math is a joke," Talon stated, pulling his plate towards himself.
After eating, while washing the dishes, Talon asked, "Do you have anything you need to do today?"
Kev shook his head. "Sorry." He dried his hands and turned around, leaning against the counter while lighting a joint. "How about you? Any chores?"
"I should go grocery shopping," Talon said, "but my car keys are in my apartment."
"Hey, doesn't Fang keep his car keys in the garage?" Kev said with a mischievous grin. "We could take his car out to the supermarket."
"My name is probably not on the insurance plan," Talon stated flatly.
"But Tessa drove your van," Kev countered.
"Tessa is a... safe driver," Talon said.
"Yeah, 'safe' is a good word for it," Kev chuckled. "But regardless, I'd like to go out and see what a food store looks like in the city."
"Really?" Talon sounded disgusted. "They are dirty, and people walk around in... pajama pants."
"Oh, come on, it might be fun," Kev said. "And if Sabrina literally barricaded herself in your room, you won't have to worry about watching both of us."
Talon looked around the room, then back at Kev. "Do you think Mr. Fang would be upset if I drove his car?"
"I... uh..." Kev wrestled with the question. Fang had very nice and shiny cars that he obviously enjoyed and took care of, but did he actually like them? Kev had not once heard Fang express interest in driving besides the amusement park thrill of Perry's perimeter road sprints. "I don't think so."
"Okay." Talon stood, a flicker of something like happiness in his eyes that they finally had something to do. "I need to get more eggs."
The walk down to the garage didn't take long. Past the main bar and a turn down a hallway before the auditorium, and they were standing in the showroom-like space. The assortment of classic black cars shone even in the dim light, the large bay windows letting streams of afternoon sun pour in. At the end of the row of gleaming vehicles, Talon's van stuck out like a sore thumb.
Talon's gaze landed on a chrome and black leather motorcycle with large, curved handlebars.
"Grocery run, Talon, not a joyride," Kev said, a grin in his voice as he looked at the different cars. Most were small and sleek, but there was one that caught his eye. Talon walked over and looked at the large, matte black SUV.
"It's a bit small," Talon said.
Kev looked up and down the garage. "Your van is the only one bigger. Do you buy that many groceries?"
"No, but it's nice to sit up high when you're driving," Talon walked around the car, "gives you a better vantage."
"A lot of the cars I've noticed out in the city are pretty small. I mean," Kev kicked lightly at the very solid tire, "I don't think this thing would even shake if one of those little hover cars hit it."
A soft swish and a thump sound rang out as Talon lifted the rear door and looked inside the vehicle. "No, hover cars have bad safety ratings," Talon said, pulling up the mat and checking the spare tire, "and they have bad power efficiency."
"Are they new?" Kev asked, his curiosity piqued.
"They've been on the market for several years now." Talon had picked the keys off a rack on the wall. "But they are just a luxury item." He started up the engine, which rumbled to life with a low, powerful purr, but he quickly stepped out of the car again.
"I thought they looked pretty cool," Kev said. "And I bet the ride is smooth."
Talon nodded, satisfied that the rear lights were not burnt out. "The ride is probably not very smooth when the car has an issue sensing how high off the ground it is." He walked to the front and checked the headlights and blinkers.
"Yeah, I guess getting turbulence driving down the highway might be kind of bad too," Kev said, pulling open the passenger side door.
Talon took a few minutes to adjust the seat and mirrors before pulling out into the early afternoon sun. The green trees and manicured grounds around them passed slowly as Talon drove around the west side of the mansion.
"So I was thinking, maybe instead of eggs you could try…" Kev's words faded, his sentence dying in his throat. Talon slowed the SUV to a stop as they got a clear view of the front of the club.
There were easily two dozen cars parked haphazardly in front of the main entrance, their blue lights flashing, casting a chaotic, strobing glare across the familiar stonework. A small pack of furry enforcers in dark blue uniforms milled about at the bottom of the steps, their postures a mixture of tense alertness and bored authority. They were right where Perry, Tessa, and the other valets would normally be at night. Some leaned against their vehicles, sipping from paper cups, while others paced, their hands resting on their utility belts. A few were clustered around a small, portable scanner, seeming to be frustrated that their tech was not working.
On the top step, silhouetted against the grand entrance, was a single enforcer, his bright, golden mane of hair a stark contrast to his dark uniform. He was knocking on the door, a series of sharp, impatient raps that seemed to echo in the sudden, tense silence.
"What's…" Kev began, his voice a tight whisper.
He watched the scene unfold as a couple of the enforcers began pointing at them. The large, matte black SUV was not very inconspicuous.
"This is not good," Talon said, his voice a low, tight rasp.
A few of the enforcers began waving, and Kev could hear muffled shouts, his hands beginning to sweat.
"Hold on," Talon said. He grabbed the gear shifter and quickly put the SUV in reverse. He slammed his foot on the accelerator as he turned to look through the back window, the powerful vehicle lurching backwards with a squeal of tires.
Kev was thankful he had his seatbelt on; he nearly slammed into the dashboard as Talon spun the wheel. Kev looked across Talon and out the driver-side window. A few enforcers were running straight at them, and Kev saw one of the parked cars beginning to move. He jerked back into his seat when Talon hit the accelerator, the wheels spinning again before the SUV lurched forward, disappearing behind the club.
Talon skidded to a stop in front of the garage. He jumped from the drivers seat, leaving the door wide open as he ran forward to lift the garage door. Kev looked out the driver's side window again; he only saw the sunny trees.
"What the fuck is going on?" Kev whispered, his voice tight with panic.
"There are enforcers," Talon stated, jumping back into the vehicle, his eyes locked on the open garage door. Talon hit the accelerator again. Kev caught a glimpse of a black and white enforcer car squealing around the side of the club as Talon pulled into the garage.
Kev threw his door open and tried to jump out but got caught on his seatbelt, a strangled noise of panic escaping his lips. He was fumbling with the release when Talon ran around the car and grabbed him. The eagleman used his talons to slice cleanly through the seatbelt before running to close the garage. Kev fell onto the smooth, polished cement floor with a grunt of pain. He groaned, and as he pushed himself up, he saw tires screeching to a stop just outside the last sliver of the closing garage door.