Page 66 of Embriagado

He clicked his tongue. “Why tea?”

“They say it’s good for your health, sir.”

He went silent for a few moments, during which I stared down at my bare feet. It would soon be getting colder, meaning I had to buy new socks⁠—

“Did you handle it?” he asked.

“Of course.”

“And the money?”

“It’s all there.”

“Including what he refused to pay?”

“Of course, sir.”

“Good.”

I was hungry, too. I could fix myself something light to eat. A bowl of yogurt, maybe? If I wasn’t mistaken, I still had some of that nice Greek yogurt left.

“Is there anything that can lead back to Kallos?”

“Of course there isn’t,” I answered.

“I expect nothing less of you.”

Of course you do, or else I’d be long dead.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Is everything ready for our next event?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What about the goods? Are they worth anything?”

My jaw tightened at his question, and I clenched the phone harder.

“Of course, sir. Everything will be to your liking.” I did my best to keep my voice calm. I knew better than to let my emotions slip around him, as he was not one to tolerate disrespect. Every word, every breath, every look, all must be to his liking, or else⁠—

“It better be, or there will be a price to pay.”

There always is.

“Of course, sir.”

“You say that, but tonight, you had to fix a mistake of yours. And that was not to my liking.” His voice didn’t waver, and yet I knew he was angry.

“It won’t happen again, sir.”

“Should I send over Alejandro?”

My eye twitched at the mention of his nephew, but knowing better, I said, “You should do what you think is right, sir.”

He huffed. “You always know what to say, don’t you, Ariyan?”

I pressed my lips together, my body fighting the shivers from hearing that name on his lips.