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He took a step back. “Damn. You’re a quick thinker.”
I glanced back at Nate. “I keep being told I need to be more levelheaded and think things through a little more. You don’t just rush in and start shooting everyone you don’t like.”
Lucian chuckled. “Yeah, my father used to tell me the same thing. Took me twenty years, ten spent upstate, before I took his advice.” He looked at the closest table to us. “Come on. Come sit with me and have a drink. Tell your guys they can relax. I’ll send mine to the back and we can talk. Sound good?”
I nodded. “Yes, thank you.” I looked back at Nate and the rest and smiled. Nate nodded and leaned against the wall. I followed Lucian to the table. A few moments later a waiter emerged from the kitchen with a bottle of red wine and two glasses. She poured the wine, and I took a moment to look around the room.
It was a nice upscale restaurant. There were booths and round tables with white tablecloths. A stage set at the front of the room, along with a nice size dance floor.
“This is a nice place. I like it.” I took a sip of wine. “Oh, this is good.” It was one of those wines where you could actually taste some of the flavors that was supposed to be in it. Vanilla, cherry and something else.
“Thanks.” He smiled, arching an eyebrow. “You drink a lot of wine?”
I shrugged. “I drink bourbon… mostly. But I like this.”
He chuckled. “Your mother was a Scotch drinker.” He shook his head. “Yeah, the restaurant’s nice. We make a lot of money here. People like good food, good wine, a little dancing and listening to music.” He looked around and smiled. “We fill the place most nights… especially on the weekends.”
“Hmm.” I nodded, smiling as I looked around, enjoying the décor. “I like it. It reminds me of Italy.”
“You thinking about opening a place?” He refilled both of our glasses.
I shrugged. “I need a business venture to replace a current one, but I don’t think this is it. I’m toying with another venture.”
His laugh was so loud and hearty it made me laugh. “Well, if you ever want to discuss it, let me know.”
“I will. Thanks.” I took another sip of my wine. “Right now, it’s ideas that I’m putting together. When it solidifies, I’ll come by to talk.”
He nodded, smiling. “Please do.”
I smiled, taking another sip of my wine.
“You getting some push back?” He raised an eyebrow. In a way, sitting here talking to Lucian was like talking to my father.
“I’m getting a bunch of shit. But I’m not here for that.” My smile faded as I looked into my wine glass then looked back into his eyes. “Thank you for taking my meeting tonight. I’m here for two things and one of them is going to require stronger liquor.”
“Let’s start with that one first.” Lucian motioned toward the waitress and she walked over. “Bring us some bourbon.”
“Yes, Mr. Sky.” The waitress hurried off and then came back a moment later. She cleared away the wine and our glasses, and replaced it with a bottle of expensive bourbon and two fresh glasses. The woman nodded and then stood to the side without a word.
Lucian poured us both a glass and pushed one over to me.
I took a sip and then took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. “I need to know about your feud with the Kingsley family and what happened to your daughter.”
