Page 92 of Pistols and Plush Toys

“And I thank you for potatoes,” Nikolai said, sitting in front of his own plate with his coffee. “And eggs too. Still good, even if not as good as potatoes.”

“You haven’t even tried anything yet,” Elliot said, lips still quirked. He understood that Nikolai was teasing. Good.

“Smells very good,” Nikolai said solemnly. “But I’m cannot like eggs as much as potatoes. I’m monogamous. So can only haveoneone true love.”

Elliot giggled and took a bite of eggs for himself, which Nikolai was pleased to see. Nikolai followed suit, picking up his fork to dive in. Breakfast smelled amazing. He hadn’t been teasing about that.

He groaned at the first bite of the egg scramble. There was some sort of southwest flavoring to it, with just a bit of kick. When he looked up, Elliot was watching him, taking in Nikolai’s reaction.

“So? How are the eggs?” Elliot asked.

“Very good,” Nikolai said, forking up another bite. “Is Mexican?”

Elliot nodded. “Huevos a la Mexicana, yeah.”

Nikolai swallowed the egg and went for the potatoes next. He made an appreciative sound. “I was right to make you new chef. Very smart. You have signed contract?”

Elliot smiled bashfully, ducking his head as he took his own forkful of potatoes. He really did have such a lovely smile. “Yeah,” he said when he’d swallowed. “Meredith sent me the papers last night.”

“I am very smart man, to hire such good chef,” Nikolai said with a definitive air, and was rewarded by a grin from Elliot and another giggle. “Meredith, she’s say she’s paying you for work done already, yes?”

“I…” Elliot fidgeted with his fork. “I have to open a new bank account today for that. I don’t–I don’t have my own account.”

Nikolai put another forkful of potato in his mouth so he wouldn’t react to that. It shouldn’t have surprised him. Of course a man like Vitale would limit Elliot’s resources, making sure he had almost no way to get away. It was disgusting.

He chewed and swallowed and took a calming breath. He couldn’t change the past, but at least it wouldn’t be an issue for Elliot going forward.

“We will get you all set up,” Nikolai said. “No problem.”

“Actually, um…” Elliot frowned down at his food, then inhaled and let it out again. “I was thinking about—about what you said yesterday. A-about the plan. And I want to do it.”

That was… a quicker answer than Nikolai thought he’d get. He tilted his head, eyeing Elliot carefully. “You are sure? You are not having to.”

Elliot lifted his chin, his expression determined. “I know you’re all worried Mattia is going to hurt more people. S-so if I can help stop him from doing that, I—I want to.”

It was obvious that he was anxious about his decision, but willing to go through with it anyway. And he knew what he was agreeing to. That this plan would end with Vitale’s death.

“You are very sure?” Nikolai had to ask. He didn’t want Elliot to have Vitale’s death directly on his conscience.

He watched Elliot bite his lip and then let go, his eyes dropping to his plate. “I… I know what I’m agreeing to.”

“Is very brave thing,” Nikolai said quietly. “You are very strong. Since you are very sure, then okay. Thank you.”

Elliot’s shoulders slumped, breath pushing out of him, like he’d expected that to be harder. Like he’d been ready to argue his position.

“Are you wanting to start today?” Nikolai asked.

“You, um, you mean being seen with you?” Elliot asked, finally starting to begin to eat.

“Yes,” Nikolai said. “Today I’m having meeting with inspector and contractor at new Lucky Clover location. Would be good for you to come with me doing business. Since I’m not bringing just anyone with me to my stores.”

“Oh,” Elliot said. “Um, o-okay. Just going to the store?”

Nikolai waved a hand. “We go to new store, let both inside. I’m say to contractor what it is that is needing building.”

“Okay,” Elliot said, who was actually making headway with his breakfast now. “That doesn’t sound too hard.”

But now that Nikolai was thinking about it, there should be more to the outing, shouldn’t there? To give the excursion more body. Help sell that Elliot was aromancenot just someone helping him with work.

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