Chapter Six
It’s been a few days since I had my meeting with Larry.
He’s still in the hospital, but I’ve been to see him and confirmed my stance on the whole organisation.
I informed him that his position is now in limbo, and he’s been demoted.
If he wants to succeed in the new regime, he will have to work his way up.
I won’t be disrespected again, so he either puts in the work or disappears.
Failing that, I’ll disappear him. The scars will stand as a reminder of my intolerance of him and anyone else who’s unsure of my stance.
I’ve been looking through Father’s papers and researching all those he did business with.
I’ll give my father his dues; he'd carried out thorough background checks on every employee. The trouble is, he really didn’t pay attention to the information that was collated, or the contact employees tried to impress on him.
He’s ignored many attempts from an ambitious ex-military man, Deano, and he has his own small team working under him, mainly used for smaller collections and protection.
But their expertise is wasted on these jobs.
I’ve seen the numbers. I’ve tracked his work ethic, and Father was a moron to sideline him.
As I walk out to the car, Matteo and Luca are already waiting for me.
Luca gives me a quick nod as he opens the driver’s door and settles in the seat, while Matteo’s gaze holds me in its grasp as he opens the door for me.
I slip into the backseat with my folder in hand, nodding to them both before Matteo climbs in and we head out.
I absentmindedly flick through the pages in my folder, eyeing every detail again.
I’ve read through his file, and the men who work for him.
They’re highly decorated ex-military men who the system has failed; after their extensive tours, they’ve been either medically or dishonourably discharged.
The system tossed them back into society with no support or rehabilitation.
Left to do menial minimum wage jobs, because how does a sniper or a SEAL fit into civilian life and still pay the bills?
This is where Father dropped the ball. These men are highly skilled, dangerous and efficient.
He should have seen their potential and created space for them to grow, to cultivate and expand their team.
With Deano’s connections to other men getting out of the service with no hope or future, it should be a no-brainer; our work is a perfect fit for them to excel.
Pulling up outside the office, I take time to look around.
The outside is tidy. The pavement is clear and swept.
The lettering on the frontage is plain and simple, but tidy.
The window is clean and the view inside it neat.
This is a far smaller office space than Larry’s, but already such a stark contrast.
I climb out of the vehicle and make my way to the door.
Luca and Matteo are at my back. I push open the door, and the buzzer rings.
Two built men sitting at desks on either side of the room, one leaning back in his chair with a toothpick in his mouth and boots kicked up on the desk, lazily scanning through some photos.
The other leans forward, flicking through paperwork as they assess me as I enter.
I notice the way they remain relaxed, giving off an air of nonchalance, while I already know they know how many weapons me and the guys have. And if we’re deemed a threat.
I smile and nod at each of them. There’s no receptionist, just these two, so I flick my attention between them. “Good morning, gentlemen. I’m here to see Deano.”
“Deano,” one of them yells. “Visitor.”
The office door clicks open, and Deano steps into the frame. He’s tall, filling the entire frame with his body. Blond hair, pale skin, with a tight black tee and jeans stuffed into desert boots. His arms are thick and tattooed as he glares at me for a second before crossing them across his chest.
“Can I help you?” His gravelly voice bites out into the silence of the room.
I step forward, leaving Matteo and Luca at the door. I stride towards him. As I get closer, I reach out my hand. “I believe we can help each other.”
He shakes my hand and takes a step back, allowing me into the office. I step forward as he clicks the door closed. He gestures to the chair in front of the desk as he takes the one behind it.
“So you think we can help each other?” He leans forward on the desk, his hands clasped in front of him, and I lean forward, resting the folder on the table. Placing my hand flat against it.
“First, let me introduce myself. I’m Arianna Bianchi. Donna, Arianna Bianchi.”
He gives a curt nod in recognition. Clearly, word has spread about the hostile takeover.
“Are you here to give me the same treatment as Larry?” he questions.
I chuckle. “On the contrary, I’m here to offer you a promotion.
” I slide the folder across the table. “I have your files, your men’s files, and I’m impressed.
I appreciate the stand you’ve taken on behalf of my father and the frustration you must feel with how it was pushed aside and overlooked.
I appreciate you and your team’s work ethic, and where my father was set in his ways.
I am not. I give credit where it’s due. I see the moves you’re making, and I, for one, realise what an asset your team will be to my organisation. ”
“Well, I’m flattered, Miss Bianchi.”
“I’m not here to flatter you, Deano. I’m here to offer you and your team a significant position within my organisation.”
“You keep saying my organisation.” His brow pinches slightly as he tries to figure out my angle.
I smile at his observance of me, and I nod.
“I’m in the process of destroying the outdated regime.
The Syndicate thinks it’s a legacy I should bow down to.
I refuse to feel less than because I was born with a vagina.
So while I systematically take apart the Syndicate and create an organisation that is something I’ll be proud of.
I want to solidify that and build a unit that shows resoundingly my intent. ”
“And what does that look like for us?” I slide the folder across the table.
It contains all their background checks, their extensive military achievements.
It also shows the achievements that went unnoticed under my father’s rule.
The last few pages are a proposal. An in-depth review so far and a projection of what we can achieve together.
Deano takes the folder and starts to flip through the pages, his jaw tenses minutely at the background checks and military information that I shouldn’t have been able to obtain.
But a slight smile tugs at the corner of his lips at the achievements that went unnoticed or ignored by my father.
Although trying to keep his face stoic, his eyes widen when he reaches the proposal.
When he closes the folder, he slowly leans back in the chair. “What makes you think this proposal is acceptable?”
I smile—actually smile—at him, adding a little chuckle. I stand from the table. I reach out my hand, and he rises to meet me. Shaking it before I turn and stride away. When I get to the door, I open it but turn around.
“Everything’s laid out for you, Deano—the offer, my expectations.
Mull it over with your team. I’ll give you a few days to relay it to them, then the offer is off the table and things will stay as they are.
” I take a step out of the office, but glance over my shoulder and flick him a smirk.
I walk away. Not looking back, I comment, “I’ll look forward to hearing from you. Deano.”
Luca opens the door for me, and I walk through it, followed closely by Matteo, before Luca falls in stride beside us.
He’s definitely an interesting man. I can see why Father overlooked him—younger, ambitious, capable, a born leader, and that’s the issue. That wouldn’t have boded well for Father, a man who can think for himself.
For me, he will be an asset, and when he calls, which he will because I’ve given him and his team an offer they can’t refuse and a budget for expansion, it’s a given.
He knew it the minute he read it, but didn’t want to appear rash.
I get that. I respect it. I will give him time.
He’s no fool. And before we reach the house, my phone rings.
“Deano.”
“We accept your offer, Miss Bianchi.”
“Of course you do. That’s wonderful. I’ll be in touch.” I hang up, knowing that this is the right move to steer myself away from the Syndicate. I need my own army to keep what I take, and Deano will be the one to supply it.