GIANNI
How much longer is this going to take? When do I get to be with Caterina again?
Jack Moroni is droning on, unaware of my distraction—until he asks a question I didn’t hear. I only realize I’ve zoned out again when Roger softly clears his throat.
“Excuse me? Sorry, there are technical issues on our end, it seems,” I say.
Jack nods knowingly. “Technology. It makes life so much easier in so many ways, and we’re screwed when it decides it doesn’t feel like working.” He laughs like this is the cleverest thing anyone ever said, and all I can do is offer a tight-lipped smile. “I asked how your daughter is doing. I understand she was overseas for a while over the summer.”
“She’s fine.” I deliberately ignore the way Roger practically growls on the other side of the desk, behind the laptop screen and out of sight. “I’m glad to have her home.”
“If I were blessed with a daughter, I would keep her under lock and key.” He strokes his jaw, wincing. “I remember what it was like, a young man at that age.”
He’s overplaying his hand, but then he always does. This is supposed to be a video meeting relating to the business idea he wanted to bring me, but he insists on steering things back toward Tatiana. The man is tenacious, I’ll give him that much, but that’s where the admiration ends.
It’s time to steer things back on course. “Looking back at your prospectus…” I flip through the pages of the document Roger printed out prior to the call. “I have to say I’m impressed. I would want to get a clear idea of where the shipping company stands on the terms you’ve laid out.”
“What? Is my word no good anymore?”
“Of course, that’s not how I meant it at all.” That’s exactly how I meant it. “But if you want to strike up a deal with me, you must know I believe in doing my homework. I think it makes me a stronger partner. I take nothing at face value.”
“Fair enough,” he replies in a smooth voice. “I’m sure we can set up something in the coming weeks.”
“Yes, I’ll have Roger reach out to your office.” I’ve already spent too much of my day faking friendship with this man, and I need a hit of my favorite drug. I know she’s home. I heard her voice floating my way, along with my daughter’s, not thirty minutes ago, when our call began. Since then, I’ve had a hard-on that won’t quit.
“In the meantime,” Jack continues, “I’m on my way to the airport in a few minutes. I’m flying up to visit family, with my son. In fact, not fifteen minutes from you. We don’t have any plans this evening. Would you and your beautiful daughter care to join us for dinner?”
And there it is. That’s what this is all about. Getting the two of them together. “Tatiana has only been back for a few days,” I explain as gently as I can, evading Roger’s gaze. From the corner of my eye, it’s obvious his face has gone dark red, and I wish I knew why. He’s not the one whose potential business partner is determined to become an in-law.
“It’s only dinner. Please, I would be so happy if you would join us. Especially if we’re going to work together,” he adds, because, of course, he has to be heavy-handed about this. There is no such thing as subtlety where he’s involved.
His true meaning stares me straight in the face.Do this if you want our deal to go through.
And I want the deal. Very much. The man is an idiot, but he’s a useful one, and he’s uncovered a means of transporting weapons while saving a ton of money by investing in our own shipping line, rather than using barges from willing partners who want a cut of the profits.
“I have a better idea,” I propose. “Meet us tonight at eight o’clock at a restaurant I own in town. I’ll send you the details.”
“So, you’ve paid heed to the old adage,” he muses with a rueful chuckle. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
“I believe in diversification. Can we expect you?”
“Certainly. I look forward to meeting your lovely daughter.” I know better than to say anything, so I settle for nodding and lifting a hand, which I then use to close the window and end the call.
Just in time, too.
“You can’t be serious!” Roger practically shouts.
“Would you please calm down? And lower your voice while you’re at it. What has gotten into you? Do you have a personal problem with this guy?” Now I can loosen my tie and lean back in my chair, dropping the friendly act.
“How can you not?” he counters. “He couldn’t be more obvious if he tried. He might as well come straight out and say he’s willing to sell his son to make this deal.”
“What if he is?”
“And you’re willing to sell Tatiana?”
It’s clear he realizes his mistake the moment the words leave his lips. I fight to keep myself calm. Of all my close associates, he’s the one I can least afford to alienate. This isn’t someone whose nose I can break and expect him to show up with a cheerful disposition in the morning. Unlike Nathan, who’s been all but kissing my ass in the week since Caterina was injured.
“I’ve said it before, and I will say it again—this one final time,” I add, lowering my brow and pinning him in place with my glare. “I am not arranging a marriage. I have no intention of selling my daughter.”
“So you’ll string him along for the sake of a deal?”
“I’ve done it before. I’m pretty good at it,” I add, snickering. “The man is a fucking loser who only got where he is now thanks to his father’s savvy. But he may have stumbled on something valuable here. He’s the one who has inroads with the shipping company. I need him to get my foot in the door. Once I do, I’ll make the deal.”
“And you’ll cut him out?”
“I sure will. Fuck him.”