Page 305 of Affair
“They have the brain capacity of concrete,” he stated, as Poe fixed his clothing that had gotten skewed. “We need to talk.”
Poe knew he was dead.
It was only a matter of time.
“Come into my office, Doctor,” Von said as he led him into his own living room.
Oh, immediately, Poe wanted to be snarky, but he held his tongue like he’d been taught as a child.
Why?
Ultimately, Gamble’s life depended on it. He only hoped the man he loved could fight the three men off.
When he sat down, Poe was handed a cup of tea, and Von poured himself some.
“Rough day?” he asked the man.
Poe nodded.
“They won’t hurt Gamble, will they?” he asked, having only one concern.
Von actually laughed.
“I saw your Marine’s file, Doctor. He can hold his own. The men I hired…incompetent. If anything, I’m fully expecting the three men who were left with him to be dead already. Hey, I know. Maybe you can get your Marine friend to help me. Maybe if I let you live, he’ll come work for me. I need someone who isn’t a dolt,” he admitted, the British slightly evident in his voice.
If helping this asshole would save Gamble, he’d do it.
Screw it.
“If they don’t kill him, I can ask,” he said, sipping his tea.
Von did the same thing, and he was well aware the man across from him had refined skills. He could see the upbringing in him, and his place in society. This was definitely the son of nobility.
Von hadn’t been born into wealth, but now, he tried to behave like he was.
“You hate me,” he stated.
Poe was honest.
“I don’t know you to have an opinion. Did you have my brother and parents killed?”
He nodded.
“Sadly. They wouldn’t cooperate.”
Poe stared dead into his eyes.
“Then, yes, I hate you.”
Von laughed.
“I like you, Doctor. I wish this was under better circumstances. You and I could have been friends. We are, both expats in America.”
Oh, he didn’t like him, and he’d rather be fucked by a porcupine than be this man’s friend.
“Are you going to kill me?” he asked. “After all of this, when you realize I have no goddamn clue what my brother was into? When you realize I don’t have what it is that you’re so desperately seeking?”
That would be a shame.
