Chapter Text
The haze of smoke encompassed the dimly-lit lounge you and Hol Horse entered, the bouncer waving you both in after you'd flashed him your calling card. It was your go-to space, a haven for those whose trades never saw the light of day. The place was slightly busier than usual, something you noted as a finely-uniformed man approached to escort you to your table. You weren’t worried too much until you felt stares in your direction; While the sight of you accompanied by another person was not necessarily out of the ordinary, the attire of your acquaintance stuck out in the crowd even after he removed his hat, and it drew in more than a few wandering eyes. You almost wanted to strangle him again.
Guided to a table near the back, where the noise was quieter and the smoke a bit thinner, you sat opposite Hol Horse with your back to the wall-- a position which you preferred and took out of habit. Your company, however, seemed quite nonchalant, making himself comfortable and lighting up another cigarette. Wine was poured, and the pair of you were left to your own devices.
Hol Horse couldn't seem to help himself, the smirk from earlier creeping onto his face. "You know, you still haven't told me your name yet."
"They didn't tell you?"
"Only your, ah, professional name. Maneater." A puff of smoke escaped his lips, mingling with the haze above them.
Eyes following the plume as it dissipated, your fingers tapped the stem of your glass in contemplation before you lifted it to your lips. "...Nine."
"Nine...?"
"Like the number." You did not elaborate further, nor did you offer an explanation on whether it was your first or last name. It took a second for your companion to realize it, and his expectant look seemed vaguely annoyed before he moved on.
Pulling an envelope out from somewhere on his person, he laid it on the table between you. You raised your brows as he leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table and folding his hands together. It was a standard yellow legal envelope, and it looked heavy. You had to admit that you were eager to see just what made it so, though you tried not to let it show too obviously on your face.
You pulled the envelope closer to you, prying open the brads that kept the contents separated from you. Your eyes roamed over the crisp stacks of cash that were inside before tugging out the letter also contained within-- Addressed to you, and written in a script so fine for a brief moment you thought it was art.
It was an offer of employment, the promises contained within so enticing that you were itching to say yes even before you were finished reading. The number of zeroes in the salary he proposed made your head spin; Hol Horse had been right in that it made the stack of cash she was about to earn look like pocket change. The man it was addressed from, DIO… His name had been traveling around the underworld for a few years now, and you were presently inclined to believe that the whispers about him could be true. The letter ended with his name, and a request to meet in person at his base of operations in Cairo, Egypt.
You knew it was not a request.
Hol Horse kept his eyes on you as you read, anticipating your response. When you looked up at him, a smirk upon your face, the answer was apparent before it ever even left your mouth.
“When do we leave?”