Page 77 of Ruling Scar
Uncle Dima called an impromptu meeting which put me behind schedule. I wasn’t expecting Leonora to skip her regular dinner at Fujimori’s, though, I should’ve known.
Normally, it pleases me, her eagerness. She’s finally understanding it’s me she should always come to.
But I make a point of keeping eyes on Leopold at all times and the bastard slips away easily. It’s like he doesn’t realize I’m the only one who’s allowed to be an elusive shadow.
There’s a gentlemen’s club where pretentious pricks like Leopold play cards. I planned for another run in with him. Roma tagged along with me, though, I tried to get away from him. He said throughout all of Dima’s meeting, he could tell I was in the midst of plotting murder.
We sat down for a game, gambling away.
I have a natural talent for gambling, but Leopold’s a nasty fuck and men with net worths like ours don’t play for cash.
“One punch to the face,” he declared after several rounds.
Roma didn’t hide his surprise. He’d stopped playing hours earlier. The old, pieces of shit cars he likes to fix up, are the only thing to ever keep his attention.
Relishing the chance to beat Leopold’s face in, I accepted his terms.
And won.
But the thing about Leopold Stuart is he doesn’t believe in playing fair.
I rolled up my sleeves, took a swing, and then he promptly swung back.
“Was that some sort of weird foreplay?” Roma asked when he hauled me out. The card table was on its side, a glass of whiskey destroyed and Leopold’s eyes venomous. It must suck, starting a game you know you’ll lose. Because. . .
“It’s only a matter of time,” I muttered darkly.
“Until what?” Roma innocently asked.
“Until I kill the bastard.”
Roma sighed, unamused and unimpressed. He’s heard this statement from me several times.
I told him I didn’t need an escort, but he wouldn’t listen. He bundled me into a car and then proceeded to walk me through the warehouse until we got to my apartment.
We were still bickering when he found Leonora in nothing but a giant shirt. My giant shirt, might I add.
I’m changing Roma’s access the first chance I get. No one will stare at her bare legs again.
Albert scratches at the door and I let him out, after shrugging into a pair of sweats. I keep a few in a bottom drawer. I’m surprised Leonora hasn’t found them yet.
It’s not late by any means, but since I’m normally up before the sun, I shuffle around not understanding anything.
My brother left a scrap of paper behind and I ball it up and trash it. Roman’s too damn nosy for his own good.
“Morning, son.”
I sigh, leaning heavily onto the countertop.
Lev tucked himself into a chair in the living room. He holds a cup of coffee up in greeting. Sure enough, when I glance back, the coffee pot is on.
My father takes a sip. “Rough night.”
He’s wearing his favorite Italian suit and his cologne invades my apartment. Albert wags his tail, walking up. He spares a smile for the dog, but it’s noticeably absent when he meets my eye.
“Common courtesy dictates you wipe the blood off your face before your father visits.”
“Common courtesy dictates you don’t show up unannounced.”
