Page 79 of Wicked Mafia Mistake
The one named Santi keeps his dark features arranged in an expression that gives nothing away. His eyes track me across the room with casual interest. The other man, Cassius, sits to Harlon's right, one ankle crossed over his knee, his scarred knuckles resting on the armrest, his pale eyes sharp and patient.
"Gentlemen." I place my files on the table and lower myself into the chair across from them. "I'll be brief. You have a contract on your desk that trades me like cargo. I'm here to show you why you should tear it up."
“It would take a lot for that to happen. You understand that, right?”
Harlon's dark eyes flick to the files, then back to my face. His expression shifts from “let’s get this over with” to “you might not die tonight”. Dramatic, sure. I don’t think I serve anyone dead but I would rather be in a morgue than be forced to null my marriage to Massimo and forced into marriage with Lorenzo.
“You were probably expecting Massimo or Lorenzo this evening, but I have a feeling they are trying not to kill each other at the moment. That leaves you with me and these files.” I tap the manila envelope on top.
I open the Ferraro file first. Lay out the shell companies, the property transfers, the financial entanglements. My voice is level and clear and I walk him through each document the way Massimo would, because I've been reading his contracts over his shoulder for weeks and I learned more than heretofore and notwithstanding.
I stand and move the files in front of them to see for themselves.
"All these files prove Lorenzo isn’t out just to accept or take my hand in marriage to align to families. There’s malicious intent on his behalf. And in case I am not being blunt enough, this isn't a marriage alliance. It's a hostile takeover. The contract you're enforcing is the final step in an eighteen-month plan to absorb Harrison Whitmore's entire operation. Something I think we can all agree is not what my father would want if he knew. Lorenzo doesn't want a wife. He wants an empire. And I'm the door he walks through to get it. This proves my father signed under duress, right?"
Harlon listens without interrupting. His scarred fingers curl around his water glass but he doesn't drink. Cassius' knuckles tap twice against the armrest, the rhythmic tell I recognize from Massimo's descriptions. Santi doesn't move. His dark eyes burn from the wall like coals.
“Does this work?”
The room is silent for a moment and then I feel my knees threaten to give out when Cassius speaks.
“Not really. He could want out and he’s closing out his debts and handing everything over with a tidy little bow at the top. You.”
He coldly shoots down everything I just said. My soul shudders under the pressure of his frosty gaze.
“It’s your word against his and up to the moment Whitmore has not come in or disclosed at any time he was forced to sign.” Santi’s soft Spanish accent gently curls around his words but does nothing to ease the blow of every last one.
My fingers grip the rest of the documents.
“What else do you have?”
That’s Harlon.
I open the second file, even though my hands start to tremble now. I carefully lay the photos on the table one by one, each image placed with deliberate care, giving Harlon time to absorb what he's seeing.
"Lorenzo's family operates or operated viewing rooms for Society 69. The auction pipeline where women are priced and sold."
“We are aware.” Harlon cuts in as he looks at the photos.
My father's face stares up from the glossy paper, caught mid-smile in a viewing room with a crystal glass in his hand. "They used my father's attendance at these events as leverage to force the contract. The foundation of the document you're enforcing is the same infrastructure that traffics women. If you let Lorenzo enforce this contract and bind him to me, I fear for my life. I fear for what he will do to me and whether you believe me or not, the man has every intention of killing my father the second he has me. And then what? Do you want that blood on your hands? Do you want mine on your hands? Correct me if I am wrong, but there are whispers that the men of Genesis are not a big fan of Society 69."
“Are you trying to manipulate us?” Harlon’s gaze returns to be glacial.
“I’m begging for my life. If I have to sway, convince or bribe you, I’m okay with that.”
Harlon's jaw tightens. A muscle pulses beneath his ear. His dark eyes drop to the photographs and I watch something move behind them, deep and personal, something that has nothing to do with business and everything to do with a woman with raven hair who works at the desk outside this room.
Massimo told me about Polaris, the little he knew. I don’t judge anyone for their way of loving. Three men and one woman is remarkable. To have that kind of support around you and so much love…
"You're enforcing a document built on the same pipeline that destroyed Polaris. If you let Lorenzo’s contract go through, your chances with her are shot. I’m betting she will walk away and never look back. I’ll make sure of it one way or another.”
All three men turn their attention on me with my last words and the weight of their gazes has my knees knocking.
I have very few cards left to play. Gambling isn’t my strong suit, but love makes people do a lot of things and I am hoping these men are so head-over-heels for their lady that they play this my way.
Cassius’ eyes go hard and he looks at Harlon with an expression that says everything with a single look.
"You want to threaten the one person in this building who has nothing to do with your mess?" Santi pushes off the wall and takes a step toward me. One step. That's all it takes. The temperature in the room drops ten degrees and I feel the air leave my lungs. "Choose your next words carefully."
