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“Making a fort,” Sydney said.
“Then let’s make sure we get all the blankets and pillows,” Brooke said.
I smiled at the kitchen table as I answered my phone.
“Kevin Spenc—”
“It’s me. Shut up and listen.”
“Uh—Owen? You good?” I asked.
“We have a big problem.”
“What? What's wrong?” I asked.
“Gianni forked over the rest of his financials, and it’s not good. I don’t know what the hell he’s been feeding you, but his company’s about to go under.”
“What?”
“Yeah. He told you he could afford this contract, but he wouldn’t even be able to pay the bare minimum every month for the next ten years. He’s two bad moves away from declaring bankruptcy.”
“Are you sure? This is Gianni we’re talking about. He runs the largest banking institution in Italy.”
“Yeah. Right into the fucking ground, and they don’t have government protection like we do here in the States. He’s been in the red for the last nine months. I don’t know where he’s pulling his money from, but I’m guessing it’s nothing legal. I know he doesn’t have a board of investors, but either way, we can’t go through with this deal. We need to pull the plug on this now.”
“I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for—”
“Financials don’t lie, Kevin. I’m looking right at them. I ran the calculations four different times before I called you.”
“And they’re all the same?” I asked.
“Every single one. Gianni’s business is bankrupt. The investors have turned down his payment plan, and as the other person who has to sign off on this contract for it to hold, I can’t. I won’t.”
“Fine. Fine. Let me give Gianni a call then and set up a meeting. The least I can do is let him down in person after I shook him down for his financials the other day.”
“Good. Let me know when it’s done,” he said.
I hung up the phone with Owen and dialed Gianni immediately.
“Questo e Gianni Russo.”
“Gianni, it’s me,” I said.
“Kevin! Buongiorno. Did Owen get those financials I sent over yesterday? I never heard back from him.”
“That’s typical. Once he gets the documents he likes to go over them with a fine-toothed comb. High-end clients deserve high-end service,” I said.
“Very well. What’s the verdict?”
“I was wondering if we could sit down and talk about it face-to-face. Business like this is better done over a good bottle of wine.”
“Ah, celebratory wine. I like the sound of that. When were you thinking?”
“Are you free for lunch?” I asked.
“Not today, no. But I am tomorrow.”
“Then tomorrow it is. I’ll get everything together and we’ll meet at the restaurant that seems to know us by heart now.”
