24. Lev
Chapter 24
Lev
I drop the box of Rolex watches down on the desk and gesture for Frank to take a look.
Alex is sitting in the chair behind me. He says nothing as I put the deal in motion. The room smells like cinnamon and coffee, and there are pictures of Frank on the walls with dozens of different famous local Philadelphia people like Patti LaBelle and Jill Scott. They all bought watches from him at one time or another, and he’s considered one of the more reputable high-end jewelry dealers in the region. While he doesn’t have the stock and reach of a man like Emory, he’s got connections with good people.
“This is more than I expected,” Frank says, frowning as he expects one of the Datejusts. “You got boxes and papers?”
“I can get you boxes, but no papers.” I sit down beside Alex and shrug a little. “Just how it goes.”
He frowns but doesn’t comment. Typically, Rolexes come with paperwork to prove that they’re legit. Usually, a guy like Frank wouldn’t bother buying a naked watch without any papers, especially not this many, but he trusts me.
He and my father go back a long way. They have a good relationship, and I’ve always liked Frank. There are lots of Italians in Philly—you can’t spit without hitting one—but he’s the best there is. A real people person and with an honor streak a mile wide.
He’s the kind of guy that would rather go broke than ruin his reputation.
“Where’d you get them? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“That’s a big chunk of our stock. Dad’s got something going and he wants them liquidated yesterday, which is why the price is so good.”
“Oleg must have something serious if he’s willing to part with this much.” Frank sits back in his chair and it creaks under his weight. “I trust you boys. I’ve always done good business with you. But this is a big ask.”
He’s not kidding. This is a six-figure deal, double what my father asked for, and for a guy of Frank’s size, it’s no small thing. He can move the product, but it’ll take him time. If something’s off, that would be a very big problem.
“That’s coming directly from my dad,” I say, gesturing at the box. “He said you were the guy.”
“Did he now? And why’s he not here?”
“He’s in Canada or else he would be.”
Frank grunts and nudges the watches with a fist. “Lot of money in there. Lot of risk too.”
“I totally understand that. You know us, we want everyone to walk away happy.”
“You’re taking a loss at the price you’re offering me. No, don’t try to pretend like you’re not, I know this business too well. Your father must really need the cash.” Frank frowns a little and shakes his head. “I don’t want to take advantage.”
“If you don’t, someone else will, and they’ll try to lowball us,” Alex says, nodding at me. “Lev’s giving you a good number. It’s a loss, but it’s not a terrible one. Think of it like cashing us out.”
“All this after the shop burned down,” Frank murmurs, but it’s clear where his head’s at. He’s already picking through the box again and doing the math. A guy like him can figure out a ballpark estimate for this many pieces in ten seconds flat and be pretty damn close.
“We’ll survive. Come on, Frank. You’re doing us a favor.”
“And making a good profit in the meantime.” He frowns at me and holds out a hand, but pulls it away before we can shake. “And this is straight from your father?”
“He gave me that box himself.”
I catch his hand and squeeze it. After that, it’s a matter of moving money and writing up receipts.
We’re back on the street a half hour later with the cash my father wants. Alex seems perplexed though as we walk shoulder to shoulder toward Market Street. The car’s parked nearby, but it’s a nice day.
“Why’d you just do that?” he asks softly.
“Dad told me to. You know why.”
“But why him ? Why Frank?”
I smile to myself and reach into my pocket. There’s one last watch sitting all alone, naked, outside of a bag. I pull it out and run my thumb over the crystal before tossing it to Alex.
He snatches it from the air, glaring at me. Most sane people don’t toss around ten-thousand-dollar pieces.
“Get that authenticated,” I tell him. “Wait a few days though. At least a week, actually. When you get the results, send them to Frank.”
Alex slows down. People hustle past, the constant flow of life in the city. Cars roll down the street and it smells like exhaust.
“You sold him fakes?”
“I did what my father asked.” I lean against a stoop for a fortune teller’s shop. How these people stay in business, I can’t even imagine. “You take issue with that?”
“Frank’s going to lose his mind. Shit, in a week, he’ll have moved half those watches already.” Alex stares at me, his frown deepening. “But you knew that already.”
“Yeah, I knew it.”
“This is pushing things,” he says and moves closer. “You know what’ll happen when Frank finds out?”
I’m extremely aware. I just don’t care.
“One week,” I tell him and start walking again, hands shoved into my pocket. “Then let it blow up.”
Alex follows after me. He knows how bad this is going to be. And I don’t care anymore.
Seeing Carmie fencing last night woke something up in me. She was pure, primal aggression. She was grace and poise and skill.
She was speed and death and sex.
God, she was gorgeous .
And now I understand. Speed wins wars. If I’m going to take my father down, he has to be dead before he even knows I’m attacking.
Which means one big move. A huge gamble.
This could backfire.
But if it doesn’t?
I’ll just have to practice my footwork and find out.