It was a vague response, but one he approved of. Everything was always a test of knowledge and power with the Dark King.
He could never have enough.
In truth, Emily was quite capable of handling her side of the business on her own. I didn’t need to coddle her or hold her hand through the process. Emily didn’t waste her time spending her father’s money.
She watched, memorized, adapted. She was kind when needed, but fierce, nonetheless.
My worries weren’t with her.
A waiter arrived, setting down a plate of food I didn’t recall ordering. The restaurant he had chosen was nothing short of pretentious and tacky. The food was palatable at best.
Romano’s lips spread wide into a sinister smile as I regarded the food in front of me. “You've been working so hard for me. A nice meal is much deserved, son.”
Son.
All at once, I found myself sitting back into the booth, appearing casual as my left hand rested on my gun in my lap.
Annoyance prickled over my skin.
What thefuckdid he just call me?
Overthrowing the King and ripping his crown from his head tonight wasn’t on the schedule, and I hated when things didn’t pan out.
I was nothing if not punctual, after all.
“Thank you, sir,” I said, not moving. My teeth ground together as I tried to figure out his angle. Something was off.
He began to eat the meal, not bothering to wait on me.
Good.I wasn’t touching that shit.
For all I knew, Dahmer’s twin could be in the fucking kitchen, and I would pay thousands of dollars for a liver that belonged to someone’s cousin, twice removed. No, instead, I sipped my whiskey slowly, studying him. He wasn’t in a hurry, but he wasn’t eating slowly to get a reaction out of me. It seemed like he was thoroughly trying to enjoy his meal.
Wonderful, because it might be his last.
As he wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin, his eyes widened slightly to discover I was still staring at him. “My wife was just here yesterday. She recommended the place to me.”
Lies.
His wife wasdead.
He killed her in a fit of anger before the night Tony was filled with two pounds of lead and gunpowder.
No one else knew she was dead, of course. We couldn’t have our King’s image being tainted. The world believed Mrs. Romano was at home on their island, which was now burning to a crisp, but I digress…
A smirk formed on my lips at the bullshit spewing from his mouth.
Another test.
Another game.
Anothertrick.
We both knew I was the one who found her body, beaten and broken, floating aimlessly in Hudson.
“It’s delicious,” I drawled, referring to my plate of untouched food.
He chuckled, shoving his half-eaten plate away. “I have trained you well, my boy.”
