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"Why should I take on this burden?"
"Think of it as protection money." I make no effort to hide the irony in my tone.
"Explain," he says, no amusement in his voice.
Oh, it's not so fun having the shoe on the other foot, is it, Mr.Anax?
"First, if Atlas told me the truth, then the Hades Brotherhood plans to start at least two nightclubs in the Portland Metro. Nuovi Inizi is already established and owning it gives your organization a material foothold in the territory you are claiming."
"That may be true, but I don't need to take on this unending debt, to get it."
"Yes, you do." I let the implication of my words settle between us. This is a nonnegotiable clause to the purchase agreement.
"You called itprotection?"
I'm not ready to go there yet. "I am aware that clubs are perfect for money laundering, and Atlas has implied that is part of your plans for Nuovi Inizi. However, as long as I own the club, it won't be."
His brows draw together in an expression so like his brother's it hurts to see it. "Why not? Your cut would more than cover the expense of Lenny Smith's care."
He's not wrong there. Although I don't know what mafia business they have already established, I do know how organized crime works. If they don't already need it, the Hades Brotherhood will soon require a place to clean millions of dollars in dirty money each year.
"At first, maybe. But eventually I end up dead or in prison as a fall guy for your syndicate. And then who looks out for Lenny's interests?"
"That's a dark prediction for the future."
"But not an unrealistic one."
"You think Atlas would allow you to be made a fall guy?"
"I have absolutely no doubt." After last night, there is no place for trust between me and Atlas Rokos, or his brothers.
They were all part of the conspiracy to use my knowledge and set me up to pay protection.
Zeus doesn't like my answer. Tough. Sometimes the truth hurts.
"If I turn down this offer?" he asks.
"Then you can negotiate with the new owner for both protection money and the money laundering scheme." Although it's unlikely the Brotherhood would willingly let me sell the club to someone else.
Zeus's expression changes subtly and an atmosphere of menace fills the room. "You seem to be under the misapprehension that you can sell the club without our approval."
I was expecting this, but that doesn't stop the frisson of fear that goes down my spine. The Rokos men can be intimidating when they want to be. But I was raised around scary men and trained from childhood to hide my fear.
"I know there are things you can do to stop me selling, to cut me out entirely," I acknowledge.
"Then why are you here?" Thewasting my timegoes unsaid, but I hear it anyway.
I don't let his anger faze me. "Because, unlike the owners of the other businesses around me, I have a failsafe."
The sense of menace goes up a notch.
I'm not worried. Zeus is theanax. Like a don, he will not make any rash decisions. He will hear me out, if only to make sure he has all the information he needs before he deals with me. And my backup planisfull proof. Once he hears it, he isn't going to kill me.
The tense silence stretches between us.
"What kind of failsafe?" he finally asks.
I start with an explanation. "In another lifetime, I was a Cosa Nostra princess. I had a don."
