My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Respectfully Decline

A private restaurant was closed for the night due to other clients, as the entire place had been reserved for a meeting.

Men of Dominion, wearing their sleek suits and ties, guarded the place. Some were even stationed on the surrounding buildings, just in case. It was the normal level of security Lucian required, especially for a meeting such as this one.

Who knew?

Someone had probably heard about the meeting and might try to ruin it. Hence, the tight security.

Lucian, who was inside the restaurant, sat quietly.

Aside from the staff, he was alone. The table before him only had a centerpiece and an untouched glass of water.

"Sir," Gustav approached from the side, looking a little worried. "Mr. Tomas is already an hour late. Should I send some people to check if something happened?"

Deep down, Gustav wanted to say that Tomas—the person Lucian was waiting for—might be planning to ditch him. Dominion had prepared for that possibility, especially after discovering that the intel they received had been intentionally made available as a distraction for anyone trying to dig information about the man.

So not all the information they had was true.

"I’ll wait," said Lucian under his breath. "He’s not one to go back on his word."

Gustav studied his boss’s side profile and nodded in understanding. At that moment, another guard approached Gustav and informed him that someone had just pulled up at the entrance.

"Sir, it seems Mr. Tomas has arrived," he said, only for Lucian to wave them off.

Having said that, the guard returned to his post while Gustav approached the entrance. As he opened the door, a slightly older man with a slim figure and tall stature stepped inside.

It was Tommy—the same man Ashley had lunch with earlier that day.

Gustav briefly studied the man before lowering his head as Tommy approached, where Lucian was seated. As the man walked past him, Gustav couldn’t help but glance back, still unsure if this was truly the right person.

"Lucian De Luca?"

Lucian glanced at the person standing near his table before rising to his feet. "Mr. Tomas."

Both men held each other’s gazes as if sizing one another up. Then Tomas dragged a chair and sat down. Only then did Lucian take his seat again.

Everyone present studied their table, wondering if this was truly the man.

"He doesn’t look anything like the photo," one of the guards whispered to another. "But then again, the picture isn’t really him."

What they were certain of was the man’s name and the things he had done and achieved. Aside from that, they knew nothing about him.

As for Lucian, he was certain the person across from him was the real deal. His gut told him.

"What a fancy place." Tommy looked around the restaurant and chuckled. When his eyes landed on Lucian, he offered the man a practiced smile. "I’m impressed."

Lucian didn’t smile, maintaining his usual front. "I’ve asked the chefs to prepare some dishes you might like."

But as soon as he said that, Tommy shook his head.

"There’s no need for that," he said. "I don’t plan to stay long. Besides, I have other dinner arrangements tonight."

Tommy looked Lucian right in the eye, his expression growing cold and firm.

"I apologize, Mr. De Luca, but it seems my agreement has given you a different impression. However, since we’re already here, allow me to respectfully decline your offer."

"If I were still part of the underground, what you’re offering is something I would never pass up. However, I’ve already put that life behind me," Tommy continued without pause. "I agreed to meet you simply because it’s the Don of Dominion who showed interest in someone like me. I thought it would be best if I told you this personally."

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