AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So,we’re agreed. Once the money is transferred, Anastasia Rivell’s debt to you is paid in full, and, as far as you’re concerned, she will no longer exist.” My Uncle Nick and I are sitting in a small restaurant in Victoria, British Columbia. The place is older and off the beaten path. It’s been closed for the night, so our meeting is private. Louis and George Tremblay are sitting on the opposite side of the table, eating their steaks as if I’m not waiting for an answer. These two run the Tremblay cartel. The cartel Amelia crossed when she left Washington.
They also fucked up.
And thanks to a well-placed piece of information, I now own them.
“Pay us what’s owed, and we want the thumb drive with a guarantee that all other copies are destroyed.” Louis is the talker of the two. He’s sloppy, in an ill-fitting suit covering his rotund body and has a balding head. I fucking hate sloppy. It’s every bad mob stereotype rolled into this one slob. It’s hard to look away from his double chins, but the spinach he’s had stuck in his teeth all night isn’t a better option.
Louis wouldn’t know how to shut up if his lips were sewed fucking shut.
Which I’m actually considering at the moment.
It’s obvious George is the brains of the two of them.
He’s quieter. Taking it all in.
Growing up, my father always told me someone is going to judge you and your power based on their first impression of you, so you better make it a good one.
George knows what he’s doing.
He’s dressed well in a perfectly tailored suit and Rolex watch.
He’s the one I direct my answer toward.
“Do I look fucking stupid to you? I’ll give you a thumb drive, but there’s no way any remaining copies will be destroyed. I pay off her debt, and we keep your misjudgment to ourselves. And in return, you agree that Anastasia Rivell never existed. That’s the offer, gentlemen. Take it or leave it. But know that if my guy doesn’t hear from me in...” I check my watch, and glance over to my uncle Nick before looking at George, “one hour, he presses a button on his computer that will make life very difficult for you.”
Nick clears his throat. “In all fairness, we’re being more than reasonable here. I would have counseled my nephew to tell the two of you to go fuck yourselves and not pay off any debt. If you like your pretty little wives alive, you can’t have this information sent back to Mexico. If you don’t mind them gutted and hung, with your children’s bodies dangling next to theirs, do what you want.”
Louis jumps up, but George motions for him to sit as my uncle continues. There’s a reason that Nick has been Pop’s advisor for years, and he’s showing it now. “Let’s be real. Everyone at this table knows what happens to people who double-cross your business partners, and none of us want that. But Sam still thought the right thing to do was to not come here empty-handed. He wants to clear the debt. I’m betting that’s more than you would have offered.”
When Louis sputters again, George silences him with a single look before turning my way. “We are sensible men, Sam. If you clear the debt, I give you my word no harm will come to Anastasia. Not from us.” He stands, buttoning his jacket and offers me his hand. “I’ll have the payment instructions sent over.” He looks between Nick and me before adding, “I look forward to doing business with your family soon,” and then walks away.
* * *
We were supposed to be flying home tonight, but the jet’s been grounded due to a mechanical issue they found earlier in the day. The question is was it an actual mechanical issue or did someone fuck with the plane?
So here I am, holed up in an airport hotel.
I wanted to be halfway through our five-hour flight by now.
Nick went down to the bar for a drink, but I wasn’t feeling it. Instead, I crack open one of those tiny bottles of whiskey from the minibar and groan when my phone rings. I’m not in the mood to deal with anyone tonight.
That is, until I see it’s my father.
You do not make Vito Beneventi wait. “Hey Pop. How’s it going?”
“I spoke to the pilot. The jet will be ready for you tomorrow. He believes it was tampered with.” Pop is quiet for a moment. “Watch your back, son. We don’t know when it was tampered with or by whom. Enemies are everywhere, Sam.” Pops is always looking for enemies.
It’s the burden of being the boss.
Paranoia keeps you safe.
“Now tell me, Sam. How did the meeting go tonight? Is it settled?”
I might be my father’s underboss, but I still had to clear this plan through him before I put it into motion. Anything that could potentially blow back on The Family has to be given his approval. His only request was that I take Nick, not Dean, with me.
Nick’s a better killer. Pop needed to know I was protected if things went south, and Nick is equally good at calming a situation as he is at ending a person’s life. Either way, he was sent to help.
“It’s done. They agreed to our terms.” I sit down on the edge of the bed and crack my neck as the strain of the day gets to me. “The money is gonna be transferred tomorrow.”
