Chapter Ten
Adam
I’ve bribed a waiter to let me take his shift. I’ve only ever briefly worked waiting tables, and it wasn’t in a place like this. The owner has left for the day and everybody just assumes I’m a new guy filling in for the waiter I bribed. He said he was about to quit anyway and tells me good luck.
When I see Abel come in with Tom, I have to swallow back my jealousy. I need to do this for Sophie, and Abel is doing his best to help me.
I told the head waiter tonight that I have lots of experience so that he’d put me right on the floor instead of making me go through training. Fortunately, he stuck me in a small section in the back. I’m not close to where Tom and Abel are having dinner, but at least I’m not going to get overwhelmed and blow my cover. Getting dragged out of here by my ear and having the cops called on me is the last thing I need, but I have a feeling that’s exactly what will happen if Jack, the head waiter, figures out I’m an imposter.
The menu here is small and very specific so I learn tonight’s specials quickly. I never have more than two tables so I’m able to keep up. I even get a few good tips and a phone number from some sorority girls out celebrating a birthday. The money I save, and the phone number I slip to Louie. He’s the other waiter working tonight and he thanks me profusely.
Watching Abel flirting with Tom is making my blood boil but I keep an eye on him anyway. It’s my fault he’s here. At one point, he reaches out and caresses Tom’s arm and I have to take a minute to cool down in the walk-in.
About halfway through their meal, I signal Abel to meet me in the bathroom. We slip in when no one is looking and Abel locks the door behind us.
“Ooh, what do you want to do in here?” he jokes, and I have to laugh. Abel is good at bringing me back to earth.
“Haha. Very funny, hot stuff. Tell me what you’ve found out so far.” I’ve got to focus on business, or else I am going to spend the rest of the night making out with him in here. It’s tempting. My cock is rock-hard thinking of what we could do.
“Not as much as I would like. I can’t get Tom to drink faster. I need him drunk or he’s never going to spill anything. I think Tom really believes he’s going to get laid tonight and he’s trying to make sure he can keep it up. If you know what I mean.” He says it completely sincerely and I chuckle again. Abel is so innocent and sweet that he believes I might not know what it means.
“You shouldn’t tell me stuff like that, Dumpling. I might go out and kill the guy right now,” I say and clench my fists.
“And then where would we be?” he asks and takes my fist into his hand. I relax and thread my fingers through his.
“You’re right. Thank you. But now what are we going to do?”
“You’re not going to like this, but I think I’ve got to get him to take me back to his place. Dinner will be over soon and he’s not drunk enough yet.”
“Absolutely not,” I say and squeeze Abel’s hand. I’m not putting him in that kind of danger.
“We have to do something,” he says urgently.
“Okay, take this and put it in his drink as soon as you get to his place. If you can get it into him in the limo, even better. It will knock him out. I guess he’ll talk before it takes him under,” I say and hand him a vile of sedative. “I’ll be right behind the limo on my bike. I’ll stay with you, and I’ll be right outside his door until you knock him out.”
“Where did you get this?” Panic flashes in Abel’s eyes.
“Dumpling, that was in his desk drawer the night I broke into his office. I took it so he couldn’t use it on anyone else. I know he can get more but it felt like the thing to do. Why do you think I was so scared about you going out with him?”
“You should have told me,” he says and puts his free hand on his hip.
“I know, and I’m sorry. I figured I would be watching over you so I didn’t want to worry you any more than necessary. It’s a lame excuse. I won’t hide things from you again.” I feel massive guilt when I say this because I know I’m still hiding things from Abel. I’ll tell him the truth soon.
He slips the vile into the band of his boxers and I look at him skeptically. “It’s one place I know Tom won’t be looking tonight.
“That’s my baby.” I just called him my baby.
“Let’s do this.” He smiles and squeezes my hand.
“I’m going to come by your table and spill a drink on him. That’s your cue to get him out of the restaurant. Remember, I’ll be right behind you.”
I watch Abel walk back to the table and, for a moment, I consider just kidnapping this guy and torturing the information out of him. That’s what Vladimir would do. He’s probably wondering why I haven’t tried it yet.
That’s not me. I’m not Vladimir, but I feel sick putting Abel in even more danger. Whatever happens tonight, we’re getting the information I need to free Sophie. She’s not spending another day locked up in Vlad’s basement dungeon, and I’m not putting Abel in danger again. Tonight is it.
I pour a red wine while the bartender is in the kitchen and walk towards Tom and Abel. “A drink on the house for the beautiful couple,” I say when I get close, but then I pretend to trip and dump the whole thing on Tom.
At first, I think he’s going to start a fight, but he sizes me up and realizes he’d lose. “Just get out of here,” he spits and waves me away. Abel winks at me and I make for the alley and my bike.