Page 147 of Niccolo

I was nearly done with my steak when Roberto and Han showed up.

My brother sat down opposite me.

Mr. Han, after hesitating for a moment, sat down next to Roberto.

“So, how did the meeting go?” I asked cheerfully.

“Nothing’s been determined, so I’ll be staying in Hong Kong for at least another day,” Roberto said.

Shit.

Then Han added, “Probably longer.”

GOD DAMMIT.

If Lau’s right-hand man knew Roberto wasn’t going to get the money anytime soon, then the fix reallywasin.

Sometimes I hated being right.

Roberto looked surprised. Poor boy hadn’t yet figured out how badly he was screwed.

Han mentioned two men named Gota and Xi, and Roberto said glumly, “Sounds like I might be staying in Hong Kong for afewdays.”

“I’m flying out tomorrow morning,” I said, “so if this isn’t resolved by then – ”

“It won’t be,” Han said.

Motherfucker –

Was he taunting me, or was he just an asshole?

“Then I’ll have to leave you here by yourself,” I said to Roberto.

“I’ll manage,” he replied. “Did you find what you wanted here?”

He knew I’d come here to the El Dorado for a reason –

But I had no intention of revealing what had happened.

Especially not in front of Han.

“I did,” I said. “An excellent filet mignon. I recommend the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo to go with it. I swear, they have better Italian wines on the menu here than most restaurants back in Florence.”

“By the way,” Roberto said, “we’ll be staying at the Continental Hotel in Hong Kong. Mr. Lau offered us the penthouse suite.”

“Sounds lovely,” I replied, “but I already booked a room here.”

A lie, but Roberto didn’t need to know where I’d be spending the night.

He stared at me in shock. “You’re not coming back to Hong Kong?”

“Not tonight.”

“Why not?”

“I have other business to attend to. I hate to be rude, gentlemen, but I must take my leave of you. Would you cover my bill?”

I could have paid with the poker chips I still had in my pockets, but I was hoping to stick Han with the bill. The least the bastard could do after stabbing us in the back.

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