"Lover At Last" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ward, J.R.)

The man himself was like his environment: neat, officious, and uncluttered in his thinking. In fact, he proved that however illicit the drug trade was, the management principles and interpersonal skill sets of a CEO went a long way if you wanted to make millions in itтАФand keep your money.

тАЬAssail. How are you?тАЭ The diminutive gentleman rose and put out his hand. тАЬThis is an unexpected pleasure.тАЭ

Assail went across, shook what was extended and did not wait for an invitation to sit down.

тАЬWhat may I do for you?тАЭ Benloise said as he himself resettled on his chair.

Assail took a Cuban cigar from out of his inside pocket. Snipping the end off, he leaned forward and put the snubbed piece right on the desk.

As Benloise frowned like someone had defecated on his bed, Assail smiled just short of flashing his fangs. тАЬItтАЩs what I may do for you.тАЭ

тАЬOh.тАЭ

тАЬI have always been a private man, living a private life by choice.тАЭ He put away his clipper and took out his gold lighter. Popping the flame, he leaned in and puffed to get the cigar into a sustainable burn. тАЬBut above and beyond that, I am a businessman engaging in a dangerous manner of trade. Accordingly, I take any trespass of my property or intrusion upon my anonymity as a direct act of aggression.тАЭ

Benloise smiled smoothly and eased back in his throne-like chair. тАЬI can respect that, of course, and yet I am confounded as to why you feel the need to point this out to me.тАЭ

тАЬYou and I have entered into a mutually beneficial relationship, and it is very much my desire to continue this association.тАЭ Assail puffed on the cigar, releasing a cloud of French-blue smoke. тАЬTherefore, I want to pay you the respect you are due, and make clear before I take action that if I discover any person upon my premises whom I have not invited thereupon, I shall not only eradicate them, I shall find the source of inquiryтАЭтАФhe puffed againтАФтАЬand do what I must to defend my privacy. Am I being clear enough?тАЭ

BenloiseтАЩs brows dropped down low, his dark eyes growing shrewd.

тАЬAm I?тАЭ Assail murmured.

There was, of course, only one answer. Assuming the human wanted to live much past the following weekend.

тАЬYou know, you remind me of your predecessor,тАЭ Benloise said in his accented English. тАЬDid you meet the Reverend?тАЭ

тАЬWe ran in some of the same circles, yes.тАЭ

тАЬHe was killed rather violently. About a year ago now? His club was blown up.тАЭ

тАЬAccidents happen.тАЭ

тАЬUsually in the home, so IтАЩve heard.тАЭ

тАЬSomething you might keep in mind.тАЭ

As Assail met those eyes straight on, Benloise dropped his stare first. Clearing his throat, the Eastern seaboardтАЩs biggest drug importer and wholesaler swept his palm over his glossy desk, as if he were feeling the grains that ran through the teak.

тАЬOur business,тАЭ Benloise said, тАЬhas a delicate ecosystem that, for all its financial robustness, must be carefully maintained. Stability is rare and highly desirable for men like you and me.тАЭ

тАЬAgreed. And to that end, I plan to return at the conclusion of the evening with my interim payment, as scheduled. As I always have, I come to you in good faith, and give you no reason to doubt me or my intentions.тАЭ

Benloise offered another smooth smile. тАЬYou make it sound as if I am behind,тАЭ he moved his hand around, waving it dismissively through the air, тАЬwhatever has upset you.тАЭ

Leaning in, Assail dipped his chin and glared. тАЬI am not upset. Yet.тАЭ

One of BenloiseтАЩs hands surreptiously dipped out of sight. A split second later, Assail heard the door down at the other end of the room open.