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Two Days Later…
Maxand I agreed Ivy shouldn’t be left home alone in case this meeting doesn’t go well. She didn’t argue since she wanted to see Dad anyway. Now, we’re in my car, driving to DeLuca’s compound. Max wanted us to take my car because it’s what DeLuca expects to see. This could go badly. He could kill us both tonight. We get out of the vehicle, and the guard pats us both down.
“Boss isn’t going to be happy that you brought a friend to work,” the guard says, and I shrug. What can I say?
He waves us in, “He’s waiting for you. In you go.”
I carry my bag holding an insane amount of cash, and approach the sitting room where DeLuca sits nursing a whiskey. Max stops as soon as we enter the room, I glance at him, and his shocked expression confuses me.
“Mac? Why are you here?”
DeLuca drags a hand down his face, “Max. I could ask you the same thing.”
I whisper to Max, “That’s Domenic DeLuca.”
He grins, “Gentlemen, sit,” and nods to the two chairs in front of him.
We both take a seat, “Explain yourself,” Max says.
Domenic chuckles, “I don’t take orders from anyone. Since I’ve always considered you a friend, I’ll enlighten you.
“That night we met, we were hunting the same man. You, because he was your target. Me, because Sidney owed me just shy of a million dollars. I have many connections, but you had one I did not. We operate in different parts of the world. Our businesses do not intersect. However, that night they did. I had no plans to keep in contact with you. When you offered me a job, I was surprised. I took it because I thought it might be mutually beneficial.”
Max shakes his head in disapproval, “I’ve considered you a friend for years, and I didn’t even know your name.”
DeLuca nods, “Yes. It’s a shock, I know. What brings you here, Max?”
Max sighs as he grips the sides of the chair he’s sitting in, “Nash here is working for me. I’m happy to compensate you financially. However, his employment with you is finished. I’d like to settle this amicably, but ultimately the ball is in your court,Domenic.”
The name Domenic drips off his tongue like acid. His jaw is tight. Max is pissed but trying to maintain his composure.
“Financial compensation,” DeLuca says as if he’s mulling it over in his brain.
Max says, “Exactly. Consider it like buying out a contract.”
“Two million dollars which,” DeLuca glares at me, “Is a steal considering the amount of money Matteo made for me.”
Max runs a hand through his hair, “Fine. You may arrange for one of your men to pick up the cash tomorrow.”
DeLuca laughs, “Or you could transfer it now. I have computers you can use.”
“Not a fucking chance. I don’t trust you. I’m not logging into my bank accounts from your computer.”
Domenic chuckles and takes a swallow of his whiskey, “Fair enough, friend. Noon tomorrow at the lookout.”
Max nods, “Fine. I expect you to leave Nash and Ivy Lexington alone. If I hear otherwise, I’ll consider it an act of war.”
“A war you’d never win,” Deluca says.
With an arched eyebrow, Max says, “Don’t underestimate us.”
He smiles, “I don’t. The fact is, I have far more men than you do. Yours are lethal, but if you lost even one, it’d be devastating. My men are employees. Yours are family. You have far more to lose in a war than I do.”
Max rises out of his seat, and the guard standing behind him moves in but doesn’t touch him, “Is that a threat?”
DeLuca laughs, “No. It’s a fact. I have no interest in a war with you, Max. Your boy is free to go as long as the cash is exchanged tomorrow. I give you my word that his sister\girlfriend is safe from me.”
I get up and hand the bag to DeLuca, “Here.”
