Chapter 16 #2
“I’m glad you brought that up because it is an awkward subject.
Isn’t it? The last time we spoke, I was reporting to you.
But with your legal difficulties on top of Warren’s prison sentence, the business needs someone at the helm.
We’ve had a few petty skirmishes. People outside the family trying to take advantage of this time of confusion. I couldn’t let that happen.”
“You want to make sure the business stays in the family.”
The man’s eyes were hard, seeing everything. “That’s exactly right. I’m glad that you and I are of the same mind. That’s quite a weight off my conscience. Family is everything.”
“It is.”
Charles picked a piece of lint from his sleeve. “Since you acknowledge the importance of keeping our family together, I’m sure you won’t have any problem sending a message to the captains? Making it clear that you accept my authority as the acting head of the business?”
Dominic felt the presence of Sandford’s Neanderthal behind him, though he couldn’t see the guy. “I’m open to that. But I was hoping for more clarity. What would be my role going forward?”
In other words, How do I know you won’t arrange a convenient accident for me as soon as I give you my endorsement?
“As soon as we can resolve your legal troubles, I’d love to have you back at my side.
But Dominic, we both know you’ve never relished the burdens and responsibilities that come with power.
Let’s be frank. Before Warren left us, you preferred to spend your time on more enjoyable pursuits than running this business. ”
Dominic wasn’t about to disagree.
“I know you’d rather promote your nightclubs or…whatever it was you kept yourself busy doing. My leadership will be better for all of us in the long run. And far better for the business.”
Dominic could only nod. If he opened his mouth, he was liable to say something that would get him killed. He didn’t truly want to be in charge of the Syndicate. He never had.
But there’s always someone worse, Warren had taught him.
“I can’t tell you how glad I am that we agree. Take care of yourself, nephew. Oh, and perhaps take it easier on Sandford? I know he can be frustrating, but he’s only the messenger. He has a few more instructions for you. Bye, now.”
Sandford turned off the tablet screen and replaced it in his bag. Then he turned around with a smug, closed-mouth grin.
“As your uncle said, there’s more that we expect of you.
You can draft that message to the captains at your leisure.
I’m sure you’ll want to take your time getting the wording just right.
But your uncle needs a more affirmative act on your part to confirm your loyalty to this organization and this family. ”
“You don’t know a damn thing about my family.”
Sandford went on as if Dominic hadn’t spoken. “We’ve been aware of your…let’s call it ‘friendship’ with Max Bennett for a while. And now you’re even closer to his employee, Sylvie Trousseau.”
Acid rose in Dominic’s throat. He waited for Sandford to mention the burner phone, the conversations he and Sylvie had been sharing every night the past week. But thank god, the man moved on. So he didn’t know.
“It’s time we exploit those connections.
If the Syndicate is going to gain a foothold in West Oaks, we need to neutralize Bennett Security.
They’ve been causing problems for us, and your uncle wants to know that won’t keep happening.
If you can deliver Bennett Security to us, then all will be forgiven.
Your uncle will know you’re still as loyal as you claim to be. ”
Dominic bit the inside of his cheek. “How am I supposed to do that?”
Sandford took something else from his bag—a tiny flash drive with a USB connector. Dominic hardly knew anything about computers, but he knew what that was for.
“This drive has a specially written program on it. It’s a more updated version of the one we tried to get onto Sylvie’s laptop the last time she was here.
I don’t know all the technical aspects, but apparently the experts we hired had more trouble breaching her system than they expected.
But if you get this onto her hard drive, our computer friends will be able to take care of the rest.”
Dominic sat back against the couch, crossing his arms. He was working very hard to keep his expression neutral. “You’re overestimating how much Sylvie trusts me. After the last time, I doubt she’ll ever come near me again. Much less let me plug things into her computer.”
Sandford’s smirk was lascivious. Dominic wanted to punch it off the guy’s face.
“Don’t sell yourself short. I have the feeling Sylvie Trousseau will let you plug anything into her hard drive you desire.
All you have to do is seduce her. You’re probably most of the way there.
Or maybe you’ve already had her? And she’ll be eager for more? ”
Dominic stood rapidly, fists at his sides.
Sandford shuffled back, sending a panicked glance at his Neanderthal bodyguard.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Because then Alexi will have to punish you, and you’ll have to explain your performance problems to Sylvie.
Just do what we say. Make your uncle happy.
And you won’t have to find out what Charles will do if you fail. ”
Dominic said nothing more to Sandford, just showed him and his muscle to the door.
There was no way he’d trick Sylvie into coming back here so he could use her. He wasn’t going to betray her that way or put her in any more danger.
Uncle Charles hadn’t mentioned Raymond again. Nor had Sandford. Dominic still worried about his brother’s safety. But if Charles really wanted to unite the Syndicate and have the express support of the Crane family, then he wouldn’t harm Raymond.
Right?
But either way, Dominic wasn’t trading his brother’s safety for Sylvie’s welfare. There had to be some other way to make his uncle leave him alone. He’d give his endorsement, even lick the bottoms of his uncle’s boots if that was what the man demanded.
But Dominic was leaving Sylvie out of it.