Chapter 69 - An unexpected visitor (1/2)

Moments later the heavy wooden door jumped open again. Claudio grinned and paused for a moment in the door frame. ”How touching!” His mossy green eyes observed the people in front of him. ”Ah, my dearest bastards, all in one room?” With one smooth movement he pushed his brown hair out of his face. Shadows were dancing around his eyes. His golden skin looked a little too pale for Mr. Sun-Fanatic. The top buttons of his black shirt stood open. The sleeves were carelessly rolled up to his elbows.

”Sorry, I was stuck with some businesses. So I only arrived now.”

”We weren't expecting you anyway!” Jacques frowned without hesitation.

”I'm happy to see you too, Jacques.”

”It's fine as long as you're here.” Emile threw a hard look at Jacques before he turned back to Claudio.

”Yeah! It's been a while.” Claudio casually strolled to the bar, grabbed a bottle of wine and uncorked it with his teeth. The cork fell down to the ground while the Italian casually settled down on the divan.

Alexandre let the golden liquid swirl in his glass. He was observing what was happening in the room. Claudio had sat down opposite of his armchair. ” Want to play a game?” Claudio pulled out a pack of cards from his pocket. Skillfully shuffling the deck before he dealt the cards. ”Nice bruises, by the way!” He smiled at Alexandre.

Slowly Alexandre leaned forward, reaching for the cards. ”Yeah, it's been a while.”

”You look pretty out of practice.” Claudio let his head fall back into his neck laughing. ”You should go practice in cage.”

”I'm a pacifist. I don't resort to violence.”

”I guess it's kind of more like the saying, others can get their hands dirty for me.” Claudio let the first card drop on the table.

”We're quite similar in that aspect.” Alexandre smiled. He drew a card, slid it into his deck and studied the cards in his hand.