[ It was a really unpleasant thing to say to a guy who was actually envisioning peril to his life, but as far as reminders went it wasn't a bad one. Ray - if that was really his name, which was unlikely - was playing a dangerous game. He had his pick of places to attach the handcuffs to. He didn't. He was probably envisioning throwing himself across the car and trying to strangle Langoustini.
But that wouldn't be a smart move, would it? As soon as the car pulled over, a half dozen mobsters would convene on him with automatic weapons. It'd be a bloodbath.
Armando sat back, not rising immediately to the bait, sipping his buttermilk serenely. His hands were both folded around the glass, doeskin leather gloves covering slender fingers. ]
As for the legalities, I shouldn't worry about it. I'm prepared to write you a written statement releasing you from your responsibility and explaining how I forced them on you. By the time I'm done with you you'll be grateful I did.
[ The glass went down into its holder in the rail, and Armando eased even further back, one arm on the rest behind him to either side, all but spreading himself across the entire seat. He possessed it easily, while Ray still looked impossibly nervous and very, very much like he didn't belong. And who did? Riding in a limousine? What sort of life was this?
He was all but inviting Ray to try his luck, and yet--and yet if he did, he'd be furious with him. ]
You know my name, but you don't really know who I am. I'm royalty. I'm the president, the king and the pope all rolled into one. You see, I like this life. I can have anything I want. I can do anything I want, to anyone I want; but that doesn't come for free. You have to earn fear. Yes, fear, not respect. Respect is a joke down here, it doesn't exist. But fear. Fear is better. It takes upkeep. I need to show a strong front. And that's why I can't be seen to be taking it easy on you.
And that's a shame. I like you. I think you're ballsy. In another life we might even have been good friends, shot a few rounds of pool together, drank a few beers. I am going to help you find what you came here for; I am if nothing else irrevocably a man of my word, but for what you did back in the casino--I'm afraid there's no escaping that debt. A balance needs to be struck, and I have to tell you, liking you or not, a part of me is gonna enjoy it.
The real question - the one you really ought to be asking yourself - is how much you like the fingers on your right hand. I know you've just been burning to hit me. I might even let you. But if you try it, I have to take my recompense. I'll break every single finger. Every one. It isn't personal, it's just business. It's just too bad that you'll never hold a gun again, but I suppose that's not gonna be a problem. Not like people shoot at you every day or anything, right?
Your call. Remember, it's like I said. Cooperation's a good look for you.
no subject
[ It was a really unpleasant thing to say to a guy who was actually envisioning peril to his life, but as far as reminders went it wasn't a bad one. Ray - if that was really his name, which was unlikely - was playing a dangerous game. He had his pick of places to attach the handcuffs to. He didn't. He was probably envisioning throwing himself across the car and trying to strangle Langoustini.
But that wouldn't be a smart move, would it? As soon as the car pulled over, a half dozen mobsters would convene on him with automatic weapons. It'd be a bloodbath.
Armando sat back, not rising immediately to the bait, sipping his buttermilk serenely. His hands were both folded around the glass, doeskin leather gloves covering slender fingers. ]
As for the legalities, I shouldn't worry about it. I'm prepared to write you a written statement releasing you from your responsibility and explaining how I forced them on you. By the time I'm done with you you'll be grateful I did.
[ The glass went down into its holder in the rail, and Armando eased even further back, one arm on the rest behind him to either side, all but spreading himself across the entire seat. He possessed it easily, while Ray still looked impossibly nervous and very, very much like he didn't belong. And who did? Riding in a limousine? What sort of life was this?
He was all but inviting Ray to try his luck, and yet--and yet if he did, he'd be furious with him. ]
You know my name, but you don't really know who I am. I'm royalty. I'm the president, the king and the pope all rolled into one. You see, I like this life. I can have anything I want. I can do anything I want, to anyone I want; but that doesn't come for free. You have to earn fear. Yes, fear, not respect. Respect is a joke down here, it doesn't exist. But fear. Fear is better. It takes upkeep. I need to show a strong front. And that's why I can't be seen to be taking it easy on you.
And that's a shame. I like you. I think you're ballsy. In another life we might even have been good friends, shot a few rounds of pool together, drank a few beers. I am going to help you find what you came here for; I am if nothing else irrevocably a man of my word, but for what you did back in the casino--I'm afraid there's no escaping that debt. A balance needs to be struck, and I have to tell you, liking you or not, a part of me is gonna enjoy it.
The real question - the one you really ought to be asking yourself - is how much you like the fingers on your right hand. I know you've just been burning to hit me. I might even let you. But if you try it, I have to take my recompense. I'll break every single finger. Every one. It isn't personal, it's just business. It's just too bad that you'll never hold a gun again, but I suppose that's not gonna be a problem. Not like people shoot at you every day or anything, right?
Your call. Remember, it's like I said. Cooperation's a good look for you.