Page 13 of Fangs and Family
Then I waited.
The tumbler, with its aromatic whisky, was heavy in my hand as I rolled it between my fingers to control my rising anxiety. Nina’s slightly raspy voice had managed to overcome my defences over the phone, and the thought of meeting face-to-face now gave rise to a whirlwind of emotion that I didn’t fully understand.
‘Welcome, madam; your partner is already waiting at your table. If you’d follow me?’ I heard the waiter’s greeting, recognising the scent of his companion easily in spite of the distance.
Fuck!The stirring in my trousers grew bolder as I caught sight of my guest. Nina almost flowed as she walked toward me in a skin-tight crimson dress. It wasn’t the garment I expected. This smooth, sleek dress was a modern version of a Chinese cheongsam3 that clung to every curve of her svelte body, leaving me breathless and forgetful of my manners as the waiter pulled back Nina’s chair.
‘Thank you,’ she murmured to the young man, and as soon as he left to bring the menu, Nina turned toward me. ‘Well?’
That woke me up from my dazed stupor, so to cover for it, I gifted her with my most dazzling smile. ‘Nina, as always, you subvert my expectations in order to shine brighter. I must say you look splendid.’
With rolling eyes, my beautiful guest sighed.
‘I’m glad my look pleases you, but can we get down to business? I need you to…’ Her sentence cut off as our waiter returned with menus and the wine I’d ordered earlier.
‘Our business can wait the short time it will take to enjoy a meal, can it not? If it makes you uncomfortable, consider it part of the payment for my services,’ I said and saw her hand clench on the linen tablecloth until the knuckles went white.
‘I can return later if you wish?’ the waiter interrupted, clearly sensing the tension.
‘No, we’re ready,’ Nina said without even looking at the menu. ‘Steak. Medium rare for me and rare for my partner with boiled potatoes and a salad, any kind of salad. Oh, and bring me a beer.’
‘Yes, ma’am. Of course, ma’am,’ the poor man stuttered at Nina’s authoritative matron’s tone as she ordered without once taking her eyes off me.
‘I hope you’ll enjoy my choices for you,’ she said, then mumbled ‘before you choke,’ making me smile. ‘Can we talk about my problem now?’ The question sounded almost civil through her clenched teeth, and I felt pleasure spread like molasses through my chest. I loved to spar with my sharp-witted woman.
‘How have you been, Nina? Anything interesting happened since we parted ways?’ I asked casually, ignoring her glare.
‘You want to play like this? Fine!’ she snapped, placing her hand on the chin before a soft smile curved her lips.
‘I am fine, Adam. Thank you for asking. The hospital is great, and since Leszek increased its financing, I could say it is the best place for healthcare workers in Tricity. And yourself? How have you been?’
Her hand slid to her neck, and casually, she popped the button that secured the high Mandarin collar. I traced each movement, watching her dainty fingers, the nails painted crimson, sliding along the jugular vein as she slowly lowered her hand to the table.
‘I’m doing well, Nina, business as usual,’ I said, trying to shake the mental image of my lips following her path.
‘Oh yes, of course you are. What was the usual, hmm…? That’s right. Seedy nightclub surveillance. I’m sure you are outstanding at that job. Maybe I should try it one day. Do they have something for my tastes, or is Tricity still so outdated that those places only focus on male clientele?’
I knew she was trying to get under my skin, but the thought of Nina with another man almost stripped away the polished, gentlemanly veneer I worked so hard to maintain.
‘Unfortunately, you’ll find out that none of the establishments in Tricity will cater to your preferences, even if they have the appropriate personnel.’ I said quietly, fighting the instinct to grab her and tell her that no club in Pomerania would provide her with a male escort because as soon as I got hold of my computer, I would blacklist her from every single one of them.
‘Oh, never mind, then, I’ll find another way to scratch this itch.’ She said with a dazzling smile that almost ripped my heart out. Thankfully, the food arrived, and Nina attacked her meal with gusto, leaving me with no option but to follow her lead.
She’d won this round fair and square, and I had to admit, just by being herself, Nina could elicit emotions I’d forgotten existed. This woman was my weakness, my addiction. I thought I’d learned to live without her, but all it took was one look, and I was more lost than when I’d tasted her blood. It took me a moment to ease the tension in my body before I could speak.
‘Tell me about your brother,’ I asked quietly whilst cutting a small piece of bloody meat. I saw her small sigh of relief, and then the story started. I ate slowly, trying to not reveal my thoughts, but despite Nina’s attempt to hide how the situation affected her, I could hear the anxiety and guilt in her voice, her rich, sweet scent corrupted by the sourness of her fear. I already knew how Pawel’s friends had died, each one tied up and gutted like prime hogs, but I waited until Nina told me herself, knowing that unless she could open up about this, she wouldn’t open up about her feelings.
‘That’s all I know. Please tell me you can find him. Whatever hornet’s nest he’s kicked, Pawel is still my brother and the only family I have left,’ she said, and I nodded slowly.
‘I can… for a price, of course.’
‘Name it. I have some savings, and I can… I can sell the apartment if needed.’ I could hear her desperation and restrained my predatory nature by sheer willpower. Desperate people would always reach for any lifeline and make the impossible choice.
‘I don’t want your money, Nina.’ I said slowly, reaching for her hand.
She didn’t protest, but her pupils widened when I stroked her wrist. I noticed when she shivered gently under my touch, uncertainty flashing in her eyes.
‘Then what do you want?’ she asked suspiciously.
