Page 40 of Wicked Tricks

There were a few other people scattered among the place.

Some I recognised, most I didn’t. Groups of men were seated at the tables, some trying to steal a glance our way. Antoni seemed ignorant to this, with his eyes fixed on the ring he fidgeted with on his pinky finger.

A young woman that looked a lot like Suyin came to serve us, handing me a menu. She was probably about our age, and beautiful - with freckled, porcelain skin and long straight hair.

Antoni didn’t take a menu.

“The usual?” she asked him and he nodded politely.

I scanned the menu as quickly as possible, “I’ll just have the soup thanks,” I said.

She nodded again and scribbled the order down on her pad.

When we were alone again, I looked around the place, avoiding eye contact with Antoni. I needed to shake off my nervousness.

I needed to get my shit together.

My eyes searched for a bathroom to escape to but I didn’t see one clearly advertised.

He had one arm draped casually over the back of the booth, his fingertips almost touching my bare shoulder.

“So, what is this place?” I asked, trying to make small talk.

“It’s a restaurant,” he said with a smirk.

“Yeah, OK,” I gave him a look and rolled my eyes.

He might’ve been born into the underworld but I was raised by it.

“It’s a private restaurant,” he admitted, “everyone here is an associate or employee of mine.”

“Even Suyin?” I raised an eyebrow, picturing the little old woman.

“In a way, I suppose,” he looked thoughtfully, “I do own the place.”

“Oh,” I said quietly.

“She’s run it since before I was born though,” he smiled, “so she runs it how she pleases. I wouldn’t consider myself her boss.”

“So that’s what you do, you own restaurants?” I asked, prying.

Testing the waters and seeing if he would open up.

“I own many businesses, yes,” he said slowly and carefully.

“Any strip clubs?” I nudged him playfully.

He chuckled, “Mum wouldn’t like that.”

“And let me guess,” I said, teasing, pointing at the little old lady folding napkins into origami crowns, “Suyin is your drug runner.” I whispered.

He snorted and chuckled, dropping his dark character.

If this was an acting competition, I was winning.

“You caught me,” he said, putting his hands up.

The young waitress brought over a bottle of wine and two glasses.

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