Page 103 of Humility

“What would you like to know,” Jasmine asked, folding her hands in her lap.

“Tell me this. Why are you with someone like Angelo? You were born with class, and it’s obvious you could certainly do far better,” Riker said, not only insulting me, but his voice sounded like he was already imagining licking her body.

I was out of my seat, with my hands balled into fists, before I even had time to contemplate the repercussions. Dario and Enzo turned in our direction, reaching inside of their jackets. Everyone close to our table stopped to stare at my sudden outburst. Riker slowly turned his eyes up to meet mine.

“If you don’t want to do business with me, fine. I don’t give fuck. I will find someone else who does, but you will not touch one hair on her head. Jasmine is mine,” I growled, glaring at him, no longer caring about anything else. I looked down at Jasmine, her eyes wide as she stared up at me. “There is only one thing in this world that is worth more to me than any deal, and you are walking a very fine line.” My eyes met Riker’s once more. “I would choose your next words carefully.”

“Ah…there he is,” Riker said, and I had no idea what he meant. He polished off his wine glass and poured himself another before smiling at me. “Your truest desire is noble. You still need work, but your heart is pure and not most interested in what I can offer you. Sit, please. I’m happy to do business with you.”

I blinked, my body relaxing as confusion mingled with anger. Lowering myself to my seat, I looked between Riker and Minetta and back again. “You’ve been playing me? All this time?”

Riker shrugged. “I wanted to see who you really were when pushed. I only do business with people I can destroy or like. There is no middle ground with me.”

“And which category do I fall in,” I asked, leaning my hands on the table.

“When I first arrived, I didn’t know. But now, I do. I like you, Angelo. You are willing to fight for what your heart wants, and I admire that. I may have had to do the same thing once or twice.” He glanced at Minetta, and I couldn’t imagine how he talked her into marrying him.

“So you want to do the deal?”

“Well, I don’t like that you don’t have my money….” Minetta grabbed his hand, one elegant eyebrow arching as she looked at her husband. I held back the smirk as I watched him swallow hard. So the man was tameable, or as much as someone like him could be. Reaching out, I took Jasmine’s hand, mad at myself for snapping at her like I had, and realized that some might say the same thing about me.

“Do you remember what we talked about on our way here,” Minetta asked, her voice soft.

Riker pulled at his tie, loosening it around his neck. “I do.”

“Then I suggest you do what we discussed, and we can get going or….”

Riker jumped up from his seat like he’d been electrocuted. The glasses rattled on the table before Minetta could finish her sentence.

“I’m sorry, but I need to get going. How about this? I’m feeling generous. We can do the deal for twenty percent less than the original price with no downpayment. My lawyer will be in touch to finalize everything.”

“Nice to meet you, Jasmine and Angelo,” Minetta said as Riker wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Nice to meet you as well,” Jasmine said, standing and shaking their hands. I followed suit, very confused about what just happened.

As soon as I let go of Riker’s hand, he nodded and practically dragged Minetta from the restaurant.

Dario slowly turned and looked at me. “That was the strangest meeting I’ve ever seen, and I don’t say this lightly. That man unnerves me. No one unnerves me.”

“Did that just happen,” I asked and flopped onto my chair.

“I heard it,” Dario said.

“Same,” Enzo said.

I turned to Jasmine, but she wasn’t smiling.

“Tonight, we are going to celebrate.” I leaned closer to give her a kiss, but she leaned away.

“Think again. You disrespected me and put me down in front of a potential business partner.” Jasmine tossed her napkin down on the table and stood.

“Jasmine….”

“No, I don’t want to hear your apology right now. I’m angry, and I have a right to be. I’m going to the bathroom.” Enzo followed her without a word, and I slumped back into my chair.

“Fuck.”

Dario smirked. “You really need to work on the foot-in-mouth disease you have,” he said, picking up Jasmine’s fork and polishing off the last mouthfuls of dessert.