Chapter 35 Donovan
Donovan
As the lights of the city filter past, I run my hands through my hair, wondering what I’m doing. Gordon looks pale. I don’t blame him. I’m probably about to do the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.
But I do it for her. I’d do anything for her. And now that I’ve found her, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to ensure her safety.
After spending all night looking over everything, I put my plan into play.
For the past week, I’ve had Jessica stay at my penthouse.
The extra security I got for her now positioned in the lobby, in the parking garage, out the front, circling the block.
My place is now more secure than the fucking White House and that won't be changing anytime soon.
Her safety is all I need. Her whole is all I need. She is all I need.
While I don’t know how serious Marcus was with his threats, I’m not taking them lightly.
I’ve never liked Marcus Jasper. Sure, he’s my main competitor, but it’s more than that.
I get along with Bentley just fine, and we have been competing for decades.
But Marcus. He was always jealous. Always arrogant, rude, underhanded, unethical.
Now I know he’s dirty. Now I know my feelings about him were accurate.
“We’re here, sir.”
My eyes flick to Gordon, and I see him swallow. After tonight, I need to give him a huge bonus and a fucking all-expenses-paid vacation for him and his entire family. Including his grandkids. He’s loyal. My oldest employee. But this is well outside his job description.
“Thanks, Gordon. Stay close. If things get out of hand, you know what to do.” I open the door and step out. The windows on our car are dark and bulletproof. Anyone outside can’t make out who’s driving or who else is in here.
I stand on the damp gravel, run my hand down my tie, and button up my suit. This is a business meeting, after all.
“Donovan York?” A young guy with dark hair and even darker eyes comes out of nowhere, and I take a deep breath.
I nod but remain silent as he flicks his head in the direction behind him, and I follow him.
We’re on the outskirts of Brooklyn. The air smells of salt and diesel, and I hear the lap of water nearby.
My jaw is hard set as gravel crunches under my shoes, and I walk into a large warehouse, the lights dim, boxes everywhere.
“Wait,” the man says, and I still. I look around, but there isn’t much to see, and I don’t really care what’s here. I’m here for one purpose and one purpose only.
“Donovan York.” A large man steps out from around some boxes surrounded by three men, all armed.
“Matteo Viscari.” He grins at me.
“It’s a pleasure.” I wish I could say the same.
“Thank you for meeting me.” I should stay pleasant. Keep it business.
“Well, I’m eager to see what this is all about.” He's smiling like we’re old friends. And while I don’t want to be on his bad side, I don’t really want to be friends either. I know what he’s capable of and I want no part of him or his business.
“I have evidence of your activities in Asia with Marcus Jasper,” I tell him straight, and he stiffens.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He does; I can see it in his eyes.
“I have bank transcripts, shipping logs, dates, times, wire transfers… You name it, I have it.”
He frowns, and a few more men walk forward, and I’m almost surrounded.
He takes a small step toward me. “And just how would you get information like that?”
I remain silent and he looks at me as realization dawns on his face.
“Your precious girl…” The tone he uses to talk about Jessica has my nostrils flaring.
“So I guess you’re here to strike a deal?” He grins, probably because he thinks he has the upper hand.
“We’ll be taking what evidence we have to ensure Jasper Textiles can no longer trade. To ensure Jasper Textiles crumbles.”
“And let me guess, you’ll be there to pick up all his pieces? Buy up everything he owns for a fraction of the price. Taking almost full control of the textile market.”
I nod. I’m not stupid, it’s an excellent business move and in line with our expansion plans. And he’s right. It will cement York Enterprises as the leader across the globe, and it will be the one thing my father wanted but could never accomplish.
“I will. However, I have no appetite to get into business with you. Nor do I have plans to expose your connections.”
“So what’s your offer, York?” He takes another step toward me, but I don’t back down. I can’t show weakness.
“I notify the authorities about Jasper. His business crumbles, and I take over his business. However, I’m not interested in the three docks he owns in Asia.
I’m not interested in the supply chains he has as I already have my own.
I’m also not interested in getting into business with you, Mr. Viscari.
So if you had another party, someone more independent, that wishes to purchase those elements of the business from me once I have them, I would sell them to you at a price of your choosing. "
He stares at me with narrowed eyes, but I can see him thinking.
I just offered him a free pass. I could send him to jail, but I'm not that stupid. I’m no hero.
I know that even with him away behind bars, he has contacts, contacts that would come after me, Jessica, her family, and connections of mine.
It doesn’t stop with him. So I need to wash my hands.
I need to ensure he gets off free while I bury Marcus like I want to.
“I have a contact with the Feds. I have two packages. One that details everything. One that details select things relating to Jasper Textiles only. It has no links or connections to you whatsoever. It does have a question mark over where Jasper got his investment money from. But there is nothing linking you to being that person.”
His eyes burn into me. He hates me. I’m sure of it.
“It’s now up to you which one I submit.”
“I could kill you right here where you stand, do you know that?”
“I do. Which is why I need an answer from you within the next five minutes, because if I don’t show up to meet my friend at the bureau, then the full file will automatically be sent and he will get everything.”
He blanches.
“It seems you’re as smart as everybody thinks you are. But I don’t trust you. So make no mistake, Mr. York…” He steps toward me until he’s right up in my face. “If the Feds so much as sniff around me about the Jasper deal, your pretty little girlfriend will know about it.”
“Three docks, logistics, sea channels will all be yours, and we won’t see or hear from you again,” I counter and see his jaw pop. Nobody tells this man what to do, and yet here I am practically blackmailing him.
“You have a deal. I’ll cease dealings with Jasper tonight.
Give me forty-eight hours to clear out. Then you do what you need to.
And let me be really clear, York… She will die if my name is even whispered…
It would be such a shame to see the life drain out of her body.
Such a pretty face and all.” He steps away immediately, walking back behind the boxes quickly as his men all follow him until I’m the only one standing there.
My hands are fists, hating him and his threats. But I got what I needed. Jessica and I scrubbed the file dry, so there’s no mention nor any connection to Teflon Teo in anything we have for the Feds.
I stride out of the warehouse and straight to the car.
“Drive.”
Gordon doesn’t waste time. We speed out of there quickly, a deal with the devil now done.