Heartless People |Book 3|

Chapter 13

"I have struck a city – a real city – and they call it Chicago. . . It is inhabited by savages."

—Rudyard Kipling

LISA

As I poured the brandy into his glass, he looked me over carefully, and I was certain that he was confused as to why we were sitting at a private table that overlooked the restaurant.

"Will that be all, Ms. Manoban?" the waiter asked me.

"Yes, it's perfect. Thank you," I told him before he turned and walked away.

Nickhun reached for the glass and stared at the liquor. "I vaguely remember being witness to a meal similar to this with an old business associate before he lost his life."

"Yes, so do I. We dubbed it his last supper," I replied, as I cut into the nearly red meat before me; I've always preferred my meat just a little bloody. "He never saw it coming. One moment we were laughing over brandy, and the next he was gasping for air. It was quite tragic."

He frowned and placed the glass down before he met my gaze. "Do you believe I've betrayed you, Lisa?"

"Have you?" I asked before chewing.

"I'm insulted by the question. We're so close that I think of you as a sister, not my cousin." He picked up the glass once more and drank its contents. "But then again, I know you, and if you truly believe that, you would've had me tied to a chair. We wouldn't be settling anything over filet mignon at the Plaza."

"If you know me as well as you think you do, then why are you sweating?" I grinned, as the beads of sweat rolled down the side of his cheek.

He gasped as he reached for his neck, and felt his own pulse. He had to have known by now...

"Lisa, have you lost your damned mind?" he hissed as he took a deep breath and undid his tie. "I would never—"

"I know. It's not poison. You're going to be fine, Nickhun."

"What the fuck did you give me then?" he snapped, as he pressed his thumbs to his temple.

"Clonidine."

"Isn't that—?"

"Mother's menopause pills? Yes, it is," I snickered, taking another bite as he glared at me. "You see, I know you wouldn't betray me. My wife on the other hand wasn't one hundred percent certain. I can't have doubts about you Nickhun. Not even a little bit. So, take it as a compliment."

"I'll get right on that when I can feel my tongue again, asshole." He licked his lips before he reached for my glass. "Am I still being tested? Or can I wash this down."

"You should probably ask for a new bottle," I said, as I nonchalantly took another bite.

He sighed, and released his glass to signal the waiter for another bottle. As he did, I smiled and took a drink from my snifter. Again his eyes narrowed as he sat back.

"Do I get an explanation? Or are you going keep fucking with me?"

"I'm just enjoying myself," I replied.

"Yeah, I can see that."

Wiping the corners of my mouth, I addressed the issue that had been plaguing me. "We have a mole."

"You can cross me off the list."

"I know. But I think it's Bambam," I replied and he froze.

The waiter came over with a new bottle, and reached for a glass, but Nickhun took the bottle, waved him off and began drinking directly from it.