She sits with her back to the entrance of the restaurant. I sit opposite her and wait for the waiter to come over.
“Two glasses of a decent red wine,” I say. “And we’ll have two specials, whatever they are.”
“You want me to read you what’s on special tonight?” the waiter asks. His name tag reads Todd.
“No, Todd, just order them. Thank you,” I wave him off.
The waiter leaves quickly, and Sofia looks at me. “What if I don’t want the special?”
“Do you have money? “I ask. “Are you paying for dinner?”
“No, but what if I have allergies,” she argues.
“Do you argue… just for the sake of arguing?” I ask her, then hold up my hand. “Just keep your thoughts inside your head, and don’t let them spill out of your mouth so often, okay?”
“Wow! Sexist much,” she rolls her eyes. “So, when we’re done eating and you go scout, can I go gamble?”
“No, I scout, and you go upstairs to the room and stay there.” I shake my head. “This isn’t a holiday.”
She stops talking and thankfully stays that way when the wine, and then the food, arrives.
The special is a fish dish, and I dig right in. I’ve always liked fish. She doesn’t seem to mind either as she eats, licking her lips.
I sip my wine and look around, keeping an eye out for anyone who may look suspicious. I enjoy the food, though, and now that Sofia is quiet, I’m content in her company.
At least she’s gorgeous to look at. While she’s distracted, I study her face. If I had to be with someone, I’d be with her. I’ve taken on a role in my family, which means I don’t really have the pleasure of regular relationships because everyone needs to see me as a stone-cold killer. I can’t be seen to let my emotions get mixed up in anything.
If you don’t think with a clear head, you’re going to get killed. I have spent years honing my skills, including training with elite military specialists from across the world. I don’t have time for pansy-ass emotions and getting my panties in a bunch.
Sofia looks up suddenly and sees me looking at her. Her eyes widen. “Is there something on my face?”
I shake my head. “No, I was just looking at you. That’s all.”
She looks at me as though I’m the creepiest thing alive, and I realize now that all I want is a cigar. I flag the waiter down and slip him a hundred-dollar bill. “Organize me a cigar, and I’ll tip you generously.”
Todd nods and hurries off.
“Cigar? Really?” Sofia asks. “You can’t smoke in the room.”
“I’m going to be scouting outside for a while. I can smoke then,” I say, wiping my mouth on my napkin. “Hurry up and finish so we can get going.”
Sofia’s shoulders drop. I know she doesn’t want to be cooped up in the room, but it’s the best place for her right now.
Todd brings me the bill and the cigar and places them on the table. There’s a hotel box of matches with it, and I smile. “Thank you, Todd.”
I pay for the meal and tip him a hundred dollars. “There you go, don’t spend it all on a girl. They just break your heart.”
Todd nods. “Thank you so much, sir.”
I stand and offer Sofia my hand. I mean, I do have manners.
I let go of it as soon as she’s up, though. There’s something about touching her that gives me goosebumps. I don’t like it.
I lead her toward the front desk. “You go to the elevator and get upstairs. I’ll scout outside and be up in ten. If you see anything unsettling, run. I’ll find you.”
She nods and walks away. I watch her get onto the elevator and turn to leave the building. As I walk toward the entrance, two men in suits walk in. There are a lot of men in suits in the hotel waiting area, but these two are definitely South American, and the bulges where their guns are holstered are unmistakable. So much for my cigar.
I pocket it and turn around, heading for the elevator. I glance back and see the one thug holding up his phone as though reading something. It dawns on me.