Page 5 of A Deal in Darkness
And he shouldn't be here. In fact, he's the only customer here tonight. Enzo is out of place in this dark and dingy bar. He's dressed in expensive clothes, looking pristine in a tailored white shirt that opens to reveal just the right amount of chest. His watch costs more than the whole damn place and the glint in his eye is keener than the shimmer as the metal reflects some light.
Matt exhales. Loudly.
“This is going to sound weird. And there's no pressure, Adriana.” Matt looks worried. Awkward. Embarrassed. “He said he wanted to talk to you. Just talk to you. Until we close. He promised it was just a conversation, and he said...”
I wait and stare at Enzo, sending him my best pissed-off expression as I wonder what Matt's going to tell me.
“He said he'd give us each ten grand. In cash. Tonight. Each.” Matt darts his eyes to the two other guys behind the bar, who are oblivious to our conversation. “That's a lot of money for an innocent chat, Adi.”
“You believe him?”
Matt nods. “Yeah. I've been around, and I know when someone's pulling shit. He's not. But you don't have to do this. It's your call. It's just a lot of money and I could do... We all could do with...”
I smile and stroke his upper arm, trying to reassure him. “Enzo's a family friend. He's just trying to help and he's got more money than sense.”
Matt's brows furrow and his eyes narrow. “I'll be behind the bar. All night. If he so much as makes one wrong move, I'll deal with it.”
Enzo might have enough money to throw it around, but he isn't stupid. He's got a plan and whatever it is, I'm not sure I like it. My stomach definitely doesn’t and the butterflies scatter, erupting in panic.
The man smirks as I walk towards him, reclining in his chair perfectly at ease and content now he has what he wants. The venom in my stare doesn't affect him in the slightest, and he gestures to a chair. One on the opposite side of the table from him.
“There are other ways to get my attention.”
Enzo watches me sit, eyeing me with a mischievous grin as he waits for me to get comfortable. I fidget and he’s amused enough to lean forward a little, chuckling under his breath.
“This is going to be a very dull conversation if you don’t say something.” I huff, flicking my long, blond hair.
“It’s going to be a fascinating conversation, Adriana,” he says, leaning in a little more. “How are you doing since we last spoke?”
My eyes widen, caught by surprise. I stare at the brandy swirling around its glass, watching the ambers and reds spiral as fast as my thoughts. Enzo isn’t here for a pleasant conversation and the sooner I figure out whatever his agenda is, the better.
“Fine.”
His head tilts, and he doesn’t believe me. “Fine never means fine. How’s work?”
“It pays the bills.”
His almost perfect lips curl into another wide and easy smile.
“Drink?” he says, almost innocently
I nod, and he gets up, walking over to the bar without asking what I want. It annoys me. Immensely. I can order my drink, especially at the bar where I work. It doesn’t seem to bother him, and he talks with Matt, presumably reassuring him as he orders for me.
He turns swiftly, walking back as if nothing’s wrong.
“He likes you.”
“Of course he likes me.” I scoff. “He’s a friend.”
Enzo sits and waits for Matt to bring over a bottle of white wine, leaving the bucket next to me. Safely away from Enzo.
“So,” he says, taking another large mouthful of his brandy. “We were talking about you. How are things going?”
He places the glass on the table, dragging his finger around the rim and making the crystal sing. It’s sharp, clear, and a note of warning, making my heart race as the tension rises.
“What is it you want, Enzo?” I’m exasperated.
“A pleasant conversation,” he says, smiling as his eyes follow the tresses of my hair as they cascade over my shoulders. “The pleasure of your company.”
