Chapter 45
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
AUDRY
W e bought those big silver suitcases so popular in action movies to put the money in. Kylie and I outfitted ourselves with some Tom Ford from head to toe, including the sunglasses, and we were ready to make our proposal just two days after Marco had managed to pay for my life by giving up Bratva territories. He never told me whether he had had to use the little snippet I gave him about De Luca and I didn't ask.
I trusted that whatever he decided to do with it, he would use it well.
To my pleasant surprise, just as we were counting the money and packing it up in the suitcases, we had a visitor.
“I heard from Marco what you're going to do, and I want to help.” Lucia said.
I blinked at her nonplussed. “Are you sure?”
She held up a bag she was carrying, “I have my Tom Ford all ready to go.”
I threw back my head and laughed. “Okay then, let's do this. What's better than two hot girls?”
“Three hot girls.” Both Lucia and Kylie said together.
I high fived them both. “We are all going to be such good friends.”
Walking into a room full of gangsters was intimidating whichever way you looked at it. Even backed up by one of them and having his sister by your side, it was still scary as fuck.
I had stolen from these people, I knew they were mad at me. Usually after a con I disappeared, never to be seen again. I did not walk back into the room to convince the people I had conned that they should forgive me.
Lucia and Kylie were pushing a cart stacked with the suitcases filled with money. I walked in front of them like a superstar in a music video and came to a stop in the middle of the room. They were sitting in a semicircle in front of me, six clans in total - each with their head at the table, and their deputies standing behind them.
Valerio grinned at me and winked from behind Marco’s chair. I gave him a tiny nod. I reminded myself that they were relying on me. It wasn't just my life on the line, it was also the credibility of the Cassio clan, since they had clearly taken my side.
I took a deep breath. “Good evening gentlemen. I would like to thank you for taking this time to meet with me.”
“Yes well, Marco seemed to think you might have something advantageous for us.” De Luca said resentfully.
“Yes.” I said trying to hide my nervousness. I turned to the side to nod to Kylie and Lucia and they immediately began to distribute the suitcases. “I come bearing gifts. I understand you have recently come into some new territory, which might require large injections of cash in order to guarantee profitability. I thought I would help you with that.”
Everyone but Marco was already trying to open their suitcases. Marco was merely gazing at me, an unfamiliar look in his eye. Even though I didn't recognize it, I couldn't say that I hated it. I smiled tentatively at him gesturing towards his suitcase. He moved aside so that Valerio could open it. He knew what it contained but not how much.
“It seems that trafficking humans is very lucrative. I personally would not recommend it and I do sincerely hope that none of you mean to take up the mantle that Yegorov left bare. However, I do hope that the 100 million you have all just received, is sufficient recompense for any inconvenience I may have caused with my little prank.”
“Prank?” De Luca said in disbelief, “you stole from us.”
“And I apologize profusely for my foolishness. I am sure I am not the only person who has ever been misled by a beloved parent, in the hopes that you could make them proud.” I looked every clan leader in the eye. There was understanding in a few faces, even sympathy. Money was a great softener, I found.
“Do you accept my gift?” I asked as humbly as I could.
“Of course we do,” Marco said, “it will come in handy. Thank you very much miss… Martin? Or should I say Mercer?”
I felt a pang in my chest. That wound was still raw. “Just Audry. One name, like Madonna.” I showed him my teeth in a fake grin, but he wasn't buying it. He gave me a soft look filled with sympathy and I had to look away, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.
“Thank you for your time, Audry. Now if you ladies will excuse us, we still have a few things to discuss.”
I gave something between a bow and a curtsy before turning and gesturing for Lucia and Kylie to precede me out of the room, wheeling the cart. I realized that Marco not giving anyone a chance to disagree with him was smart. Now it was too late for them to do anything. The agreement we had made was tacit. I was free, at last.
I gave a huge sigh of relief as we left the building, turning to face Lucia and Kylie. “I think we did it.” I exclaimed.
Lucia nodded smiling. “Yeah, congratulations!” She high fived me.
Kylie gave me a one-armed hug.
We looked at each other expectantly.
“So, drinks?” Lucia asked.
“Yes please.” I said with relief. We walked to the car and drove off.