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“I thought it would be more festive to have our meeting at the Beaumont. The R&B singer Lyric is hosting her release party tonight,” Saul says. His people disperse to make room for me and mine.
I settle down in the seat across from his and wave off an offer for a drink. Rarely do I ever drink during business deals. I prefer to stay sharp, keep things transactional.
Saul slops down more liquor, his dark eyes glittering. He’s a chatty Cathy, always with something to say. The second a beat of silence passes between us, he’s eager to fill it.
“I see you came as a single man,” he jokes. He gestures at the groupies hanging around the edges of our VIP section. “You can take your pick. Hell, choose a few of ‘em if you really want to have some fun. I’ve got every color of the rainbow to suit any taste.”
My jaw clenches hard. My subsequent glare is enough to shut him up. The laughter dies from his face and he takes another sip of his drink, this one uncertain.
“I’d prefer to handle the business we agreed to discuss,” I say coldly. “I have no interest in whatever pussy you have for sale. The production contract was reviewed by my team of lawyers. It was brought to my attention you slipped in an extra five-percent cut of our profits.”
Saul’s cheeks deepen into a ruddy shade. “Now, Giovanni, I feel like I’ve been very fair with our arrangement. It’smyname that’s going to carry the branding of this company. You know everything in the entertainment biz I touch turns to gold—we’re going to be raking in so much profit, we’ll be able to fill this rooftop pool with that shit. Scrooge McDuck that shit.”
I’m not amused. I hold him captive under my dry, unblinking stare. “We will be going with our original agreement, Saul, or we won’t have a deal at all. It may be your name on the branding, but it ismymeans that’s going to wash the profit. You start this production company without me, you’ll be at Uncle Sam’s mercy.”
He can’t even hide the distaste on his face. A crooked guy like Saul hates the idea of the government getting its grubby hands on his money.
Before he can utter another word, we’re interrupted by a sudden loud racket on the other side of the terrace. Security breaks apart the crowd and swarms around a somebody I can’t see. Whoever it is protests with a furious howl, fighting against the guards pinning him down.
“GIOVANNI SORRENTINO!" he shouts from the ground. One of the security guards presses his knee into his spine and attempts to shut him up, but he gets out a few more words. “You’re going to pay for the shit you did to my family!”
The rest of the party falls silent. The music and buzz of voices drop to zero as everybody cranes their neck for a look at the commotion.
My men are up and ready, flocking over to the man pinned down to the ground. Dominico remains at my side, waiting for my instruction. Even Saul looks at me, his mouth agape. Nobody knows what to do or say.
I barely give a reaction, seated like a King in my chair, my arms stretched along the back. “Dom, take him down to our car. We’ll give him the attention he wants shortly.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Dominico rushes toward the center of the commotion. In seconds, the party’s security is backing off and my guys take over. They drag the piece of shit to his feet and then haul him out the door. Soon he’ll be tied up in the trunk of one of our cars.
I don’t even know who he is, or what his gripe is, but I’ll find out soon enough.
This is exactly why I didn’t want Falynn out tonight; this is why I don’t often bring her to work events. She doesn’t understand, thinking I’m trying to leave her alone out of malice when really it’s for her own good. I have too many enemies, too many fucking patheticcazzoswho seek to catch me off guard.
There’s no short supply of assassination attempts and other revenge ploys that are carried out against me.
I may be overbearing keeping her holed up at our estate, but I won’t slip again.Nobodywill ever harm Falynn or our future family ever again. Even if that means keeping them under lock and key for the rest of their lives. At my estate, I control what happens. I can ensure the environment is protected and safeguarded.
Saul blows a breath. “That fucker must’ve snuck by security. After that shitshow, you’ve got to have a drink now, Giovanni.”
“You’re so tense. How about a back rub?” a groupie coos. She comes out of nowhere, sneaking up with her fake ass and sex kitten smile, sliding along the armrest of my chair. She drops into my lap and curves an arm over my broad shoulder. “I give thebestback rubs. Want to go somewhere private and find out?”
“Get the fuck off me,” I growl. I clench my hand around her upper arm and shove her off.
It’s rough enough she flies off my lap and smacks into the ground. Others nearby gasp and stare. She’s landed on her inflatable ass, her face tinging a rosy shade.
“I was just trying to give you a back rub, sheesh! Psycho,” she whines.
“Touch me again, and you’ll come to regret it. If you were a man, you’d be knocked out right now.”
She says nothing else, her pouty face practically on the verge of tears. One of her ditzy girlfriends scurries over and helps her up. Together the two storm off, but not without throwing me indignant looks from over their shoulders.
Some men would react to the disrespect. Given everything else going on tonight, they couldn’t be of less importance. I don’t give a shit if two prostitutes got their feelings hurt because I didn’t want to entertain them. They matter less than the dirt in the ground.
I stand up and turn to Saul. “Our original agreement. Fix the contract. Or we have no deal.”
He blubbers for a response, but it’s too late. I’m already walking away. I’ve had enough of this exclusive industry party.
There’s a vengefulcazzolocked up in my trunk who requires my attention.
