I have.
My mouth curves despite everything.
“Confidence is fragile,” he says. “Especially in an industry like this.”
“It can be,” Caterina agrees. “That is why transparency matters.”
His smile widens a fraction. “Transparency. That’s refreshing.”
“It should not be.”
“No,” he says. “But with your family, Miss Conti, it usually is.”
Caterina's expression remains pleasant, but I feel the change in her.
“Mr. Carr, was it?”
“Matthew, please.”
“Matthew,” she says smoothly. “If your concern is with my family name, I can save us both some time. You knew who owned the casino when your company applied for vendor status.”
“Owned,” the third man says softly. “Interesting word.”
Caterina turns her head toward him. “Would you prefer managed?”
“I would prefer honest.”
She smiles. “Then we already agree on something.”
Caterina folds her hands on the table. “We are still waiting on a few more attendees, but while we do, I would be happy to hear whatever concerns you brought with you today.”
Matthew leans back and shares amused glances with the other two.
“No one else will be coming,” he says.
My blood goes cold, even though I knew it was coming.
Caterina gives a small, confused laugh.
It is perfect.
“What do you mean?”
His smile remains.
“I mean, no one else will be coming.”
She looks toward the door, then back at him. “I’m expecting several more vendors, Mr. Carr. We’ll give them a few more moments before we start.”
“There will be no one else.”
His tone is cold now. Apparently, the friendly meeting is over.
Caterina lets the pause stretch just long enough to look believable.
Then she picks up her pen.
“That is concerning,” she says. “Did someone notify you of cancellations?”
