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They all gathered around the table, and we began our discussions, the women still dancing even though no one was watching.
“I’m not happy with this month’s numbers.” He surveyed everyone at the table. “And I want to know who’s responsible.”
“The dip was minimal,” Julio said.
“I don’t care how minimal it was,” Dante snapped. “There shouldn’t be a dip at all.” His charismatic energy was gone, replaced by the ruthless authoritarian who insisted he never had enough money. Even all the money wasn’t enough.
“I told you costs were going to rise,” Julio said. “The police need a bigger payout if they’re going to crane their neck away so hard.”
“If they want their families to live, then they don’t need a higher payment,” Dante said simply.
My eyes immediately shifted to Scarlett, surprised she wanted to be involved in a business like this. To make threats to innocent people, even if they were a bluff. But she smoked her cigar like this was fine.
“If anything, our costs should be declining,” Dante said. “You guys are the street rats. You’re selling drugs on the street, not pushing piles across international lines. Your distribution costs should be stable.”
“It’s not that simple,” Julio said.
“It is that simple,” Dante said, raising his voice slightly. “If you’re skimming off the top, I will find out about it. And you know what will happen when I find out about it?” He looked at Julio head on, the veins in his temple starting to pop. “Remember Tate? That’s what will happen.”
Dante had stuffed him in a full oil drum, kicked him over the edge of a dock, and then shot the barrel, making it explode while he was trapped inside it.
My eyes shifted to Scarlett, wondering if she knew what her father referred to.
She had no reaction, so it was hard to know.
The room went silent, taking the threat seriously.
“Julio and Demetri would never skim off the top,” I said. “I’ve been working with them a long time, and they’re honest criminals.”
Dante turned his gaze to me, blanketing me in his ferocity. “Honest criminals? Interesting paradox.”
“They wouldn’t betray me by betraying you. If profits have declined, it’s because production costs have risen and they’ve moved less product. That’s all.” I wouldn’t let Dante torch my existing partnerships, not when I could attest to their goodness.
“So you vouch for them?” Dante asked. “Personally?”
“Yes.”
“So if they do fuck me over, you’re the one who ends up in an oil drum?” This meeting hadn’t been about him and me, but it had suddenly turned into that. His hatred for me seeped through his tone and poisoned his words.
“Sure,” I said. “Why not?”
His eyes narrowed on my face.
Dante stared at me hard for several seconds before he turned back to Julio. “I want next month’s sales to be better. Do you understand me?”
My eyes shifted to Scarlett to see her reaction.
Her tough exterior was gone. Her eyes were less confident, and she looked straight at me. Her gaze lingered for a moment before she turned away and lifted the glass to her lips for a deep drink.
We returned to the estate and exited the SUV.
Scarlett turned to walk inside, but she stopped when she realized her father had decided to walk up to me instead, his face just inches from mine.
My eyes shifted to her behind him, to let him know she was there.
“I’ll be in shortly, sweetheart.” He turned to give her a smile, to pretend that he was this wonderful man who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
She walked inside.
