Chapter 5 - The Offer
Victor Raines requested a private table.
Nicholas gave him one.
Ellie thought that was insane.
“You know he tried to have you killed.”
Nicholas adjusted his cuff.
“I know.”
“And you’re having dinner with him?”
“Coffee.”
“That distinction does not make this better.”
Nicholas looked at her.
“You’re leaving.”
“No.”
“Ellie.”
“Stop saying my name like it’s an order.”
For the first time since the explosion, Nicholas genuinely smiled.
“You’re difficult.”
“You’re welcome for being alive.”
His smile disappeared more slowly than it should have.
Then he said, “Stay behind the bar.”
Victor sat opposite Nicholas.
“You embarrassed me,” Victor said.
“You tried to kill me.”
“Anthony tried to kill you.”
“With your money.”
Victor shrugged.
“Semantics.”
Nicholas leaned back.
“What do you want?”
“Pier fourteen.”
“No.”
“Pier eighteen.”
“No.”
“Then what are we discussing?”
“Your surrender.”
Victor laughed.
“You think because a waitress noticed a wire, you won?”
Ellie watched from across the room.
Victor placed an envelope on the table.
Nicholas opened it.
Photographs.
Ellie could not see them.
But Nicholas’s expression changed.
Victor smiled.
“Your people. Your businesses. Your homes.”
Nicholas looked up.
“Threats?”
“Insurance.”
Nicholas gathered the photographs.
“You made one mistake.”
“Which one?”
“You came personally.”
Victor’s smile faded.
Nicholas continued.
“You thought Anthony destroyed the evidence.”
Victor said nothing.
“He didn’t.”
Nicholas placed his phone on the table.
Anthony’s recorded voice played.
“Raines promised me the waterfront after Nicholas was gone…”
Victor stood.
Nicholas remained seated.
“You’re finished.”
“You think a recording scares me?”
“No.”
Nicholas looked toward the entrance.
Two investigators entered the restaurant.
Victor stared.
Nicholas said quietly, “But conspiracy charges might.”
Victor looked toward Ellie.
Something ugly crossed his face.
“This started because of you.”
Nicholas immediately stood.
“No.”
He stepped between them.
“This ended because of her.”
Victor was escorted away minutes later.
Ellie remained behind the bar.
When the doors finally closed, Nicholas approached.
“It’s over.”
“You said that yesterday.”
“I was wrong yesterday.”
“That must have hurt.”
“Terribly.”
She smiled despite herself.
Nicholas looked at her scraped hands.
“You saved my life.”
“We’ve established that.”
“What do you want?”
Ellie’s smile disappeared.
“Nothing.”
“Everyone wants something.”
“I want to finish my shift.”
Nicholas studied her.
Then he asked a question no one like him had probably asked in years.
“Can I help?”
Ellie blinked.
“With what?”
“Your shift.”
She laughed.
Nicholas did not.
“You’re serious?”
“I’ve survived attempted murder.”
She handed him a tray.
May you like
“Let’s see if you survive table twelve.”
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