It didn't take more than ten minutes before they parked in front of Verone's mansion. The man stepped up to them in the moment as they got out. He measured Brian from head to toe, licked his lips and smiled.

Sullen Callen furrowed his brow and crossed his arms before his chest. He gritted his teeth, when Brian went up to Verone with the package. Verone stroked his fingers over Brian's and looked deep into his eyes.

Callen couldn't see the face of the blonde, but he imagined it to be neutral. At least he hoped it wasn't the same look he'd gotten the night before.

Kensi came up behind and smiled encouragingly at him. That meant that at least everything went according to plan. Great!

Verone still didn't break the eye contact so Callen felt compelled to say something, "Hey, man. You got something to eat up there? We're hungry."

Judging by Kensi's lifted brow it wasn't the most elegant way start of a conversation, but the look Brian threw at him was definitely grateful. Even if slightly amused.

Verone touched Kensi's arm and gave her quiet instructions. Then he went, after he'd thrown a last glance at Brian.

"Nice. Come on."

They followed Kensi through the garden to a terrace. Behind them went Verone's bodyguard.

Kensi brought them to a fully loaded table. Had Callen really been hungry, this would have been the paradise. Now he made sure that Brian sat down as far away from front side as possible. Kensi opposite him noticed it with a questioning look, but Callen waved her off.

There were three of them now.

"How's it going, Kensi?"

"You impressed Verone," she said. She glanced at Brian before she said, "But he witnessed the little brawl before the race and he is pissed at that guy. So if you like you should better warn him."

Brian nodded. He poured himself some water, "If he even listens to me. I wonder why he was here with a cop."

"I wonder why there were cops with the Ferrari," Callen played with the fork, "did Eric report something due to that?"

"He sent a message. They weren't with us, but after this meeting you should drive to Sam to clear it up. Hetty wants a videoconference. Eric will inform me separately."

Callen nodded. He declined the strawberries that Kensi offered him, but Brian grabbed one. Callen hoped that he didn't do it deliberately. While the man ate the fruit his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere. How he stared into the air.

And it absolutely didn't help Callen when juice dripped over Brian's lips and he licked it off. Callen cleared his throat and he moved uneasily on his place. Quickly he looked away. Directly into Kensi's amused face.

He rolled his eyes and looked to the terrace door. There came Verone, the eyes focused on Brian, who still appeared distant.

Callen nudged him. Hastily he devoured the last bite and licked his fingers clean. God, Callen wanted to hit his head on the table.

He must have uttered a sound, because Brian looked questioningly at him, but Callen just shook his head and whispered, "Showtime."

Now Brian saw Verone, too. Of course he started the conversation with a car, "Nice Ferrari you got in the driveway."

Verone smiled satisfied, "I'm glad you like it."

He sat down and devoted his whole attention to Brian, "If you want to go for a spin, just let me know."

Brian didn't respond. Callen glance at him and noticed that the man shrank a little back. Verone's grin however widened. He grabbed the package and emptied the content on the table. A cigar-case, a cutter and a lighter rolled out. He shoved the envelope to Kensi, "Darling, will you hold that?"

Curious she peeked into it, but there was nothing more in there.

Verone put the cigar in his mouth and looked challenging at Callen and Brian. Callen suppressed the urge to say something funny but inappropriate. Beside him Brian averted his face with a hand in front of it. Presumably to not burst into laughter. Because the urge wasn't that big with Callen, he decided to react to Verone's game, "We did all that for a damn cigar?"

"No. You did that for a job."

Everyone present knew that Verone'd rather call on Brian for other services. Couldn't the guy gawk somewhere else? Under the table Callen clenched his right fist.

Verone cut the head of the cigar and lighted it, "Do you really think that I would let somebody impound my car?"

Brian surprised Callen with his smart brains, "The boatyard is yours."

"Smart man. By the way: you two owe me a gate. I'll just take it off your cut."

Callen laughed drily, "Off our cut?"

"Yeah."

"I like that."

"Good."

The mood was strung to breaking point until Brian said, "Just report the breaking to your insurance. They'll refund the damage."

Verone leant back in his chair, "You're a sneaking one, hm?"

He licked his lips again and let ostentatiously wander his look deeper and deeper. Luckily they all sat and the table his Brian. But he was the coolest man in Miami's heat anyway, "I just want my money. Everything."

Verone seemed very satisfied with this answer. At least he didn't regard Callen and Kensi anymore, so Callen got his attention again, "What's this job you got for us, anyway?"

"Come with me," Verone stood up. He led them through the garden past sprinklers.

"The house has ears in it," was his explanation as if it hadn't been clear to Callen. Kensi'd single-handedly installed the bugs, but this guy was cunning. He now walked beside Brian and on the path wasn't enough space for a third person. So Callen was just left with a look on Brian's butt. A pretty consolation prize.

"I have something I want you to carry from North Beach to the Keys."

Callen asked, "What is it?"

Verone looked contemptuously at him, "Just put in the car, what I tell you to, drive it to me and don't let anybody stop you. Understand?"

"And do you pay for the tickets we get?" Brian put his hands in his pockets, "We are to deliver the goods as fast as possible, right?"

Verone stepped close to Brian. His hand stroked over the blonde's arm. Callen watched Brian's eye twitching, but fortunately he didn't recoil from the touch. Something like that would just wake up the beast in Verone and fuel the hunger.

"Well, the speed you presented today should be enough."

"Then we could get problems with the pigs."

"I'm buying you a window of time, but it won't be open very long."

They now stood directly in front of a sprinkler. Verone crossed his arms before his chest and looked at the ocean.

"You make it and I'll personally hand you a hundred G at the finish line," he looked to Brian and smiled, "and maybe a dinner for you?"

Brian lifted a brow, "But I'm not a boy who puts out after the first date."

Callen looked surprised at him, but Brian lightly shook the head. Verone however laughed, "That doesn't matter. We can have two or three."

Brian prepared to speak, but Callen was first, "Make it a hundred G's apiece, papi."

Verone slowly turned to them. He pursed his lips and looked frowning at Callen, who grinned back satisfied. Verone sighed, "I got an idea. Why don't you boys join us at the club later tonight?"

"Yeah," Kensi stepped in, "Pearl at midnight?"

Verone stroked Brian's back, "Get to know each other better," his hand remained on Brian's butt. He groped, "And we both can talk while your friend is occupied."

Intuitively Callen wanted to drag Verone away and break his nose, but Kensi'd inconspicuously grabbed his wrist and Brian implied with his hand to remain calm. Callen seethed. His nails dug deep into his palms. His jaw hurt as he gritted his teeth.

Brian laid the other hand on Verone's chest, "Sounds nice. Till tonight."

Verone pulled Brian closer, his lips pressed on Brian's, "Till tonight."

Brian nodded and broke wordlessly away from Verone. Then he pushed Callen at his shoulder down the path. He hissed, "Don't make a fuss until we're away!"

Scowling Callen complied. He couldn't resist the urge and looked back over his shoulder. Verone waved triumphantly at him.