Deeks entered Simons' private room with a solitary knock and his now characteristic saunter. Andre Simons had a slightly grimy look to him that Kensi thought no amount of money or expensive clothes would ever completely cover. His dark hair was slicked back, and he wore a tight black shirt that opened down to his mid-chest to reveal equally slick hair.

"Max," Andre said, seeming unsurprised by the intrusion. His eyes danced over Kensi for a second and he nodded in apparent approval. "I didn't know you were bringing a friend." His gaze lingered on her, and Kensi kept her posture aloof, sure, even though she wanted nothing more to cross her arms over her chest.

"This is Bella Mendez, a new business associate, Andre," Deeks responded. "I told you about her."

"Oh, maybe you did. I was probably drunk." He winked at Kensi like it was a point in his favor and she stared back until he dropped his gaze, rubbing at his upper lip in clear discomfort. Good.

"Take it easy," Deeks said wryly. "Ms. Mendez could probably take both of us out without breaking a heel."

"Mm, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing," Simons mused with a heavy leer.

"I'm always open for practice Mr. Simons," Kensi said pleasantly. "I'm particularly good at groin shots. Still interested?"

"Hey, not the worst offer I've ever had." Chuckling, Andres Simons gestures for them to sit down and dropped into one of the black cushioned seats. "So, what can I do for you, Max? Or did you just come for the drinks and company?"

Kensi chose a seat a few spots over from Simons while Deeks took his time pouring a glass of champagne and then settled in next to Kensi. He tucked his hands behind his head, propping his feet on the glossy table in the middle of the room. One would have never known he was supposed to be a hardened criminal in the midst of a business deal.

Although he slouched in his chair and wore a lazy grin, Kensi saw a shrewd gleam in his eyes.

"I got another job for you," Deeks told him bluntly. "I want you to set up another meet with the Kaisers."

"Oh, no can do Maxie," Andre said. He chuckled, throwing back the rest of his drink. "You see, Dimitri and I aren't on the best of terms right now. You'll have to find another in."

"It wasn't really a request." Andre didn't seem to notice the dangerous shift in Deeks' voice, but Kensi did. She tensed, a strange feeling settling in her stomach as Deeks lost the lazy, carefree slouch and straightened, shoulders broadening so he suddenly looked imposing.

"I told you, it's not gonna happen. You know how Dimitri is when he gets mad."

"And you know what I'm capable of when I don't get what I want, Andre," Deeks murmured. He stood, towering over both of them, and crouched down so he was less than a few inches from the other man's face. He grinned, the gesture easy and slightly mocking as he grabbed the back of Andre's neck. "At best, I'll cut you off. No more getting high, at least not from me. You'll have to find someone new, someone who's not as nice as me. At worst…"

Deeks trailed off with a weighted shrug.

"I don't want to be involved in this anymore. Don't make me do this, Max," Andre pled, losing all hint of his bravado. After a second, Kensi realized he was shaking slightly, hands trembling around his glass as he gave Deeks an intreating look.

Leaning even closer, Deeks whispered something in his ear.

Over Deeks' shoulder, Kensi saw Andre's wide-eyed look of fear, although he didn't make a sound. She her alarm, forcing an impassive expression.

"Fine," Andre bit out, his cheeks flushing an angry red, though he avoided looking Deeks in the eye. "What do you want me to do."

Standing, Deeks nodded, and grabbed his glass again, his demeanor suggesting they'd just had a friendly chat. It was unnerving how easily he could switch it on and off.

"Awesome. You're going to set up a meeting for me with Dimitri and vouch for both me and Ms. Mendez."

"And what if he says no?" Andre murmured softly.

"You'll make sure he doesn't," Deeks said easily. He drained the rest of his champagne in a single gulp and set the glass down with an obnoxious clank. "Well, it's been a pleasure, but, uh, we have other business to attend to. See you around Andre."

Kensi hastily stood, hurrying after Deeks as he left the room. A final look back showed Andre sitting with his head cradled in his hands.

"What the hell was that?" Kensi demanded in a whisper, having to awkwardly jog in her heels to keep up with Deeks.

"Sometimes Andre needs encouragement," he explained easily, leading them back through to an exit. They walked out into a less crowded section of the parking lot.

"That looked more like intimidation to me," Kensi observed. "He was terrified." Turning, Deeks paused in the middle of the lot, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Are you telling me you've never had to convince someone to do something they didn't want to?" When Kensi didn't have an easy response, he gave a half-smirk of satisfaction. "Sometimes you have to get the job done, even if the means aren't that pretty."

"We try to be more diplomatic about it." Which wasn't strictly true, but Kensi didn't want to admit that Deeks really had surprised her. For a moment, she'd forgotten he wasn't the criminal he played. "Aren't you worried that you've ruined you're in with Simons? He seemed pretty upset."

"Eh, Andre won't stay mad for long," Deeks said confidently. "He's too much of an addict and too afraid to lose me as a source. Well, technically it's my guys who sell to him, but they cut him off if I asked. In a couple days, he'll get over it and Andre will come crawling back."

He sighed, sounding a little tired at the thought. They walked in silence for a few yards and Kensi wrapped her arms over her torso, shivering in the cooler night breeze.

"So, what did you whisper to him back there?" she asked quietly, not sure she wanted the answer. Deeks brushed his hair back, seeming troubled for the first time as he looked somewhere beyond her.

"I told him to remember what happened to Sammy. He used to handle most of Andre's deliveries a few months ago. Then he got a little greedy and tried to branch out in his own."

"What happened to him?" Kensi whispered almost soundlessly.

"Frankie got ahold of him," Deeks answered. Kensi inhaled sharply and he turned towards her, adding firmly. "It was before I took over, and it was, uh, it was ugly. But it's a good reminder of what can happen to guys like Andre." Kensi said nothing, still unnerved and not sure what to think.

Sighing again, he closed his eyes, rolling his head a few times.

"This kind of work isn't for the faint of heart." He gave Kensi a pointed, almost sympathetic look. Squaring her shoulders again, Kensi faced him head on. She refused to look weak in his eyes.

After a few moments, he laughed softly, muttering something that definitely had the word "stubborn" in it. His eyes ran over her, taking in her crossed arms, and he shrugged off his suit jacket, handing it to her.

"C'mon Bella, we have work to do."