Chapter 6
Lethal Negotiations
Rico
“Stop fidgeting. First rule of the game, you never let anyone see you squirm,” I say as I glance over at Oni in the passenger seat.
She’s been yanking at that seat belt and wiggling in her seat since I drove off from the house. I need to know she can handle herself in a room with bosses. I get the feeling I’m right about this girl.
She releases a long breath but stops the fidgeting. She looks fucking fantastic. The beige outfit looks great on her. Classy but still cute and age-appropriate.
I mean, she doesn’t look like one of my pop’s old side pieces. The top is tasteful if you ask me. The way it’s tailored draws your attention away from her bare midriff.
“Don’t be nervous. My pop is on our side. He’s going to smooth things over,” I say out loud, more for myself than for her.
If my father wasn’t counting on this deal to happen, I might have had to kiss my girl goodbye to keep the peace. However, he stands to gain quite a bit from the setup I have going on. Even with the kick up to Uncle Emilio, Pop will clear a few million.
When I called him to tell him what has been going on with our driver and how his brother is trying to stick his nose in our business, he decided to step in. That’s huge. My father doesn’t normally get into Uncle Emilio’s business, and he never bails me out.
He will give me advice and guidance, but my mistakes are my own. I learned that early on, even though I’ve never looked for a handout or for special treatment. I’ve been my own man from the start, but I know when I need to take a step back.
“Rico?”
“What’s up?”
“There’s something you’re not telling me. You want my trust, but where is yours?”
“What are you talking about?” I try to laugh her off.
“Don’t do that. Remember, I’ve been outside. I may not know everything, especially when it comes to your world, but I’m not stupid. You’re holding something back.”
I glance over at her quickly, then turn my attention back to the road as I think her words through. I don’t owe this girl anything. She’s the one with the debt to pay. So why am I questioning myself and what I should share?
Should I tell her I’m supposed to marry someone else? No, because that shit’s not happening. Do I tell her that my uncle will most likely show his face at this meeting because he wants her gone? Hell nah, she’ll run if she knows.
Italians can be like a pit with a bone. My uncle is going to become a problem before I can even get my plan into play. Granted, my plans are changing right as I sit here with her, but I can’t lose her before I make my next move.
I sigh. “In this business, blind trust is needed. Know that everything I do is to protect my crew. You guys watch my back, I cover yours.
“Right now, what you need to know is that your uncle is a problem for me. When he stops huffing and puffing, we can get to work. Your first job will earn you half a million, but we can’t get to that if your uncle starts a war or takes you back to New York,” I reply.
“What?” she gasps. “A half a million?”
“Minus a hundred grand for your first payment on your debt,” I say and turn to wink at her with a smile.
“You should’ve led with that. I’m no gold digger, but I have dreams and aspirations that money will go a long way to obtain.”
“It’s not gold digging when you work for it. Besides, I don’t want to buy your loyalty, Oni. I want you to give it to me.”
I want to kick myself for how dirty that came out. From the view out of the corner of my eye, her chest begins to heave, and I know my words hit their mark just as they were said. I chide myself.
My uncle can’t pick up on any of this. Oni needs to come off as one of the guys. A driver with a set of skills I plan to put to use.
I pull into the gates at my father’s estate. He’s been here for a few days. Because of the deals I have coming in, he’ll be in Miami for the summer as well. I’m running point, but my father has all law enforcement around here in his pocket—I need that to pull this off.
He’ll be the one telling them when to turn a blind eye. I’ve dotted all my i’s and crossed all my t’s. Oni dropped into my lap at the right time. This works best with her.
As I pull up to the house, I notice Uncle Emilio’s Rolls-Royce. Just as I thought, I’m going to be forced to prove myself today. Oni needs to play her part to keep her uncle out of the middle of this.
I’m not forcing her to choose me. I’m getting her to protect her uncle, who only wants to protect her. When I find out who’s been telling my uncle my fucking business, they’re dead.
That’s my next order of business after I calm this storm. What the fuck is going on in my camp? Clearly, I need to step my shit up.
I park and look over at Oni. She’s perfect for the job. A little makeup and we’ll be able to play up her age. No one will suspect the young woman on my arm of anything I have coming.
“Come on. I have so much to teach you and a ton of money to make,” I say before I get out to open her door.
She gives me a bright smile. I have to fight not to lean in and finally taste those lips. I’m in so much trouble.
Oni
This house is so much bigger than the one Rico took me to last night. Its size alone makes me feel like I’m in over my head. I haven’t missed the fact that Rico is keeping his distance from me.
I’m not sure what that’s about, but I roll with it and keep my head held high. I have a task to do. I’m going to do it so I can get to my bag.
“Ah, you’re here,” a man who looks like an older version of Rico says as we walk into the sitting room.
My uncle is already seated in the room and there’s another man who looks like Rico here as well. My uncle stands and pulls me into his arms. He hugs me tight and kisses the top of my head.
I give him a tight squeeze as if to apologize for all the trouble I’ve caused. He releases me, and the man who greeted us places his hands on my shoulders. I look up into his eyes and they’re almost identical to Rico’s, the same hazel-gray color.
“How you doing, sweetheart? I’m Federico Gallo Sr. It is nice to meet you, Oni. You have left quite the impression,” the man says as he pulls me in to kiss both my cheeks.
The other man snorts and folds his arms across his chest. He hasn’t moved from his seat to greet us. Instead, he sits while looking me up and down as if he smells something funky.
I don’t know what his problem is or who the fuck he is, but I already don’t like him. Rico moves to greet him, and for the first time, the man pulls his gaze from me as he stands and pulls Rico into a hug by the back of his head as he whispers into Rico’s ear. Rico stiffens.
I swear I can see anger rolling off him, but he only steps back from the man and turns to me, lifting his hand to beckon me over with his fingers. There’s no tenderness in the gesture, as I have come to know. I step over to him and lift my head.
“This is Oni Raven. Jack Raven’s daughter. Oni, this is Emilio Gallo, my uncle.”
“Nice to meet you, sir,” I say politely.
Emilio looks me over once again. Something crosses his eyes so fast I barely catch it. He tilts his head as if in thought.
“You’re such a little thing to cause so much trouble,” Emilio finally says to me.
“I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention for any of the trouble I caused to happen. I only want to pay what I owe and be out of your hair.”
“Quiet, Oni,” Uncle Claude bites out and gives me a pointed look.
“If she’s old enough to be a thief, she’s old enough to negotiate for herself,” Emilio says slyly.
“I think we are all getting ahead of ourselves. Come have a seat, Oni. Rico, sit next to me, my son.”
I don’t miss the emphasis Federico Sr. places on the word “my.” Emilio pulls a sour face and watches us as we go to take our seats. I make sure to sit across from Federico Sr., away from Rico, but with a clear view of him, his uncle, and mine.
My gut tells me to observe. My dad used to tell me to be aware of the situations I find myself in. Know how to read a room to know what cards to play.
I definitely have a hand to play here. My uncle wants me safe. Rico wants my loyalty and a driver.
I’m not going to analyze what else is in this for him. For now, I believe Federico Sr. has an agenda too, but I’m not sure yet what it is. That leaves Emilio, who I’m not sure wants me around at all.
“Oni, you took something that didn’t belong to you. As a result, it cost my family a considerable loss,” Rico’s dad starts.
“Considerable?” Emilio murmurs and shrugs. “I would have written it off. Which is why I’m questioning my nephew. Why bring this little thief into your circle? Which head are you thinking with, nipote?”
“Brother, I think you should watch the video. She’s more than a thief. The girl is smart. I backed his decision to hire her.
“If you think the boy isn’t thinking straight, she can come and stay with me for the summer. A pretty thing like her probably shouldn’t be back at the house with the boys anyway. I hadn’t known she was a looker. Rico couldn’t have known that either. This was a business decision,” Federico says.
I keep my gaze on Rico. He looks like steam is about to come out of his ears. His fists are clenched so tight his knuckles are white. He’s bouncing his knee beneath his tightly fisted hand.
I give him a pointed look so he’ll catch himself. He drops his gaze to his leg and stops the movement immediately, unfisting his hands and placing them palms flat on his thighs. He gives me a curt nod of thanks.
“Pretty she is. She could come stay with me if you must have her here,” Emilio says, eyeing me.
Eww, gross. He’s the oldest man here. I don’t miss that Federico shoots his hand out to place on top of Rico’s to keep him in his seat.
“Claude has come to me as a friend. I feel like she’s my responsibility. I’m vouching for the girl. She stays with me,” Federico says firmly.
“Cub, what do you want to do? I’ll come up with the money. I’ve been working on it in case something went south. You don’t have to work it off if you don’t want to.”
“That wasn’t the deal,” Rico bites out.
“You chose a car she couldn’t resist. You used a joke to take advantage of her one weakness. That was my bad.
“I never should have said anything. I made that deal with you, not her. You’re trying to bring a little girl into a grown man’s game.
“My brother would be rolling in his grave to know I allowed this. Give me a month, I’ll have your money.”
“She will make me twice that in a month.” Rico seethes.
“And I’ll get to keep a portion of what I earn for him. With that, I can go to one of those schools Mommy keeps talking about. I’m fine, Uncle Claude. You’ve done enough for me,” I say.
“Oni,” Uncle Claude bites out.
“I’m not a little girl anymore. It’s time I own up to my mistakes. You and Mommy can’t keep digging me out of trouble. Let me make things right and get my life back in order. I can do this.”
“Then it’s settled. Oni stays and she will live here with me. I will protect her like she’s my own daughter.”
Uncle Claude bites out a curse under his breath. Emilio narrows his eyes at me as if he’s trying to see through me. Rico … Rico is glaring at me, and I have no idea why.
“I’ll take her back to the house to pack her things,” Rico says coldly.
Ut-oh. I think I fucked up.