CHAPTER 65 - ARIANNA
CHAPTER
Arianna
CLASPING MY CLAMMY HANDS together, my gaze drifts across the rows of men seated below me from the stage.
I sorely regret arranging this introduction to be in this function room.
Putting myself in a position where I look down on these men could be construed in a negative way, and judging by the reaction I’ve had so far, that’s exactly what’s happened.
Shit, this is bad.
Refusing to allow my barreling nervousness to display on my face, I maintain my composure; my expression cool, calm, collected and in control - the very opposite of how I feel.
I was expecting there to be more men here than there are, and my dread increases, realizing that more of the ones choosing to remain on side have changed their minds since the announcement was made of me taking over.
Red stands to my side behind me, and the hostility directed at him hasn’t gone unnoticed either.
I don’t want to focus on the host of empty chairs, but I am. Maybe I should have just let Red deal with them. He’d have done a better job.
A flicker of irritation ignites. What am I thinking? I’m the one who wanted to do this myself, so what is this bollocks I’m telling myself?
Time to put your big-girl pants back on, Arianna!
Clearing my throat, I continue, glad my voice remains clear rather than a shaky whisper. “So, that’s my introduction to you all. I hope we’ll work well together. Are there any questions?”
One man with a bullet-shaped head and the meanest mouth ever, stands up, scraping the chair legs across the floor.
“Yeah, I have a question... Why the fuck do you think we’d work for you? We were employed by your father. What do you know about anything?”
I smile pleasantly, refusing to let this man’s aggressive attitude intimidate me. “As I’ve said, my father has retired and handed his business over to me, Mr...?”
“Garrett. Taylor Garrett,” the man barks. “That’s my name.” At this he grins, exposing missing teeth as he looks around his peers. “See? She don’t know any of us. What does that tell you?”
With the general mumbling agreement from the crowd, I’m fast falling out of my depth unless I do something quickly. Red is getting twitchy, and he’ll step in soon. If that happens, it will make things worse.
“What it tells me, Mr Garrett, is that this situation has been unexpectedly dropped on me, the same way as it has been dropped on all of you.” Unclasping my hands, I walk across the stage and back again, ignoring the wolf whistles. Patronizing bastards.
“I should point out that treating me like a thick bimbo and piece of meat doesn’t encourage me to want to bother with any of you.” My eyes lock on Taylor Garrett. “It doesn’t go down too well.”
“Maybe we should ask your husband how good you are at ‘going down’?” Another man shouts, much to the delight of the crowd.
Red’s face is thunderous as he moves forward, so I jump in before he can speak. “I think my husband’s answer would be that I’m pretty fucking good at giving head, but my sex life isn’t why we’re here.”
There’s a couple of appreciative chuckles at my response.
I have to keep this going. “Gentlemen, you have the option to leave if you do not wish me as your boss. Those that want to leave shall be replaced.” I pause, my finger resting against my lips in mock thought.
“The men my father chose to employ and those loyal enough to remain at his side after my brother splintered off and all but trashed this firm’s reputation, are men who will prove beneficial to me too and good to retain. ”
There is a hushed silence; a few murmurs. Am I getting somewhere?
I think I am until Taylor Garrett opens his mouth again.
“That’s all very sentimental, Mrs, but aside from you knowing fuck all about what we do here, the issue I have is that you’re also married to him. We’ll be expected to work for and answer to him, will we not?”
Angry mutterings behind Taylor Garrett ensue once more.
“You’ll be working predominantly for me.”
“But you’re married to the man who killed Matteo!” someone shouts.
Now I’m losing my rag. I’m not having this.
“Like I said, the door is over there,” I snap at the man with wiry ginger hair.
“If you think my brother’s aim in running a pureblood breeding cult and trafficking women - perhaps even your wives, girlfriends or sisters, tethering them in a cellar and having Galvatore and Bristoni embryos forcibly implanted inside them is acceptable, then you are not someone I want on my team. ”
The room goes quiet. Red’s at my side now. He’s silent, but I take his hand, needing his warmth.
“And there’s one more thing I want to get straight. My husband didn’t kill Matteo...” My eyes slowly travel around the room. “I did.”