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ChapterFive
Lorenzo
“I want everything you can find on Simon Shapiro. He’s the head of a venture capitalist company.”
I stand in front of Carmine as he works in his home office. He barely looks up at me, and I want to snatch the computer out from under his nose. I know he’s reviewing plans Matteo sent over, and I know they’re time sensitive. But I’m not feeling patient right now.
“Why?”
“Because I want it.”
That makes him look up.
“Why?”
I stare at him, unwavering and fighting the urge to cross my arms.
“You never ask for personal favors. Not even when we were kids, and your padding broke before the varsity homecoming game. You went out with a busted sternum plate and had the wind knocked out of you rather than ask a favor from me.”
“Things change. Can you find out about him or not?”
“You know I can. Why are you being so testy? What did this guy do to you?”
“I just need to know.”
Carmine sits back and studies me. He says nothing when he leans over his computer again. I think he’s ignoring me, but a moment later I could hug him.
“Simon Shapiro, age fifty-six, principal at Shapiro and Grimes, graduated with a BA in Communications from Buffalo thirty-three years ago. He got into venture capitalism because his father was the original Shapiro in the company name. He’s done well for himself with some very dubious connections with international investors. He lives in the Upper East Side with a house in the Hamptons. Flashy car, flashy third wife, flashy clothes. All the stereotypes wrapped up in one disgusting package. Looks like he’s been sued three times by women who’ve worked for him. They’ve all accused him of inappropriate touching and intimidation.”
None of that shocks me except for the SUNY Buffalo part. I’m not knocking the school. I assumed his family would have bought him a better degree than that. Finding out that he’s harassed other women only confirms what I’d guessed. He’s a predator and believes his money will always get him off. It probably has until now.
“Did he settle?”
“Yeah. Hang on.”
I watch him as he clicks on a few things.
“They were big payouts. Hundred-twenty for the first one. Seventy-five for the second. And hundred-forty for the third.”
Three hundred thirty-five thousand is no small thing. He did a shit ton more than inappropriate touching and intimidation. He assaulted those women. I’m sure of it. I’m sure he would have done that to Michelle if I hadn’t arrived when I did. I have never felt such an overwhelming fear mixed with rage as I did when I saw her cowering with his hands on her. If she hadn’t been there, I would have killed him. The only reason he’s still alive is because his disappearance would cause too much attention and make her ask too many questions.
“Who is this guy, Enzo? Are you thinking about doing business with him?”
“Definitely not. Not before you told me, and absolutely not now.”
“Then why ask about him?”
“He approached someone I know.”
Carmine tilts his head as he watches me.
“Michelle.”
He drops her name and waits for the bomb to explode. But I won’t give him that satisfaction. He grins when I don’t respond. Fuck. That confirmed it as much as blowing up at him. He grows serious a moment later.
“Are you going to tell Maks that this guy went near Michelle?”
“No. She’s Laura’s friend, but I’m not telling him anything unless she asks me to.”
