Chapter 7 #2
“Do you know what happens to bastards who refuse to follow the rules?” I patted his cheek, offering him a kind smile.
“I don’t follow nobody’s rules. I don’t need to.”
He didn’t need to. The statement suggested he was considered some level of authority and not just a foot soldier. While fascinating, I also didn’t give a shit.
“No? I repeated, making a tsking sound. “When you came into this city, you knew the rules. Everyone does. When you dared steal from us, the same rules apply. Period. There is no grace period, no exceptions. Your days of being able to say anything are long gone, Vincent. You fucked with the Prince family. Now, you pay the price.” I waited until the information kicked in.
The entire situation had already left a bitter taste in my mouth.
For some reason, today I loathed this part of my job, even though there was no way that his behavior could be tolerated.
I took a deep breath as I eased my weapon into my hand.
I glanced at my men, knowing they’d take care of handling the aftermath.
They were good soldiers, loyal to the extreme.
As I placed the barrel of my gun against Vincent’s forehead, I made certain to look into his eyes.
“You had an excellent opportunity to better your situation, Vincent. You chose the wrong side to give your loyalty to. But I assure you, your death won’t be in vain.
You’ll be an excellent deterrent for others stupid enough to defy the Prince family. ”
I’d be goddamned if the man didn’t laugh. What in the hell was this world coming to? “My legacy will live on.”
Legacy. The grubby motherfucker had no idea what a true legacy meant.
Only a single shot was needed, his death instantaneous.
“What do you want me to do with his body?” Enzo asked.
“Dump him in the Bayou. I don’t want his body found. However, let it slip to our informants and a few others what happens when you dare cross the Prince family. I want his buddies flushed out as well as the traitor in our organization.”
At least I could put the fear of God into people.
“I’ll make it sound messy.”
I laughed. “You do that.”
“What now?”
“Now, to my day job.” A huge landscape deal that would help bring in another few million dollars. After the serious renovations were completed.
Maybe I’d suddenly turned into more of a businessman than before as I was looking forward to the meeting.
What in the hell was I becoming?
“Why aren’t we meeting the Johnsons in your office?” I asked the family’s attorney and Consigliere as soon as I approached on the sidewalk. As usual, Jacques Cornwell was unreadable, a product of being one of the best defense and corporate attorneys in the entire state.
“Because they hired a different attorney out of the fucking blue.”
I narrowed my eyes, noticing the name of the firm on the nameplate over the massive set of glass doors. I’d be goddamned. I almost laughed. “Greg Franklin.” The man was a slimy shark, but also good at his job.
Once upon a time we’d been friends.
“You got it. And no, I just learned of it this morning.”
“You should have called,” I barked. “You know how I feel about surprises.”
“I did earlier this morning. You didn’t answer.” He had the nerve to lift a single eyebrow.
Exhaling, my thoughts drifted to the reason why. I’d taken my eye off the ball because of getting my dick wet. I had history with Greg, only some of it pleasant. “I had my reasons.”
There was no room for friendship when business was involved.
“I’m sure you did. You should know that there’s another bidder as well.”
What the fuck? The deal had been locked in, a transaction that only needed signatures.
Jacques Cornwell’s statement certainly caught my attention.
“What the hell are you talking about? This isn’t a bidding war.
The price was agreed to and I’m here to finalize the deal.
” Jacques had been the family attorney and Consigliere for years.
He’d also been my father’s best friend, mourning the loss as much as we had.
Greg had purposely kept the information to the last moment. Fucking asshole. He knew how I’d react and if I’d had the time, I’d be here ready to rip the man to shreds. After promising to bury him.
Jacques worked with Alexander as the new Don after our father’s murder, his expertise in legalese exactly the guidance we’d needed over the years. While there were always other deals, this one had taken months of cultivating, and I didn’t like to lose. Ever.
He moved into step with me as we headed into the building where the meeting had been scheduled. He was sharp, which was needed, but that didn’t mean the man couldn’t irritate the hell out of me.
“Evidently, the family company was offered a better price. They’re considering it.”
“They can’t do that.” Now I was angry, furious that we hadn’t been given notice. I had no doubt Greg had orchestrated the new bid, recommending it highly to his clients and why? Greed? I could only imagine the cut he’d get.
“There was no contract, just intent. Yes, I could try and fight in the court of law, but the cost would be prohibitive.”
“Fuck. Who the hell are these people intent on buying?”
“Jefferson Industries.”
I stopped short just before reaching the elevator.
“Marcus Jeffries.” The entire deal had a smell to it, one that had already turned rancid.
Why did it feel as if we were being played?
Marcus was also a powerful businessman. His ancestry, much like my family’s, was considered prominent in almost every circle.
Not just in the city, but in at least half the country.
For the most part, we’d stayed in different playing fields. There was always a first time.
Jacques nodded, looking at me as if I was ready to throw a punch. No, I wasn’t my brother, which was why I handled business negotiations. People remained alive when I did. Now I understood why the offer had come out of the blue.
Senator Marcus Jeffries had made it his mission through the years to bring down our family. When he was a detective, he’d tried. As a police chief, he’d tried.
As a state legislature, he’d introduced several legislative bills against organized crime.
He’d failed. Then as a senator, he’d pushed for more, almost succeeding.
However, since retirement, he’d retreated to his commercial real estate company that I would give him credit for growing exponentially over the last few years.
However, most of his projects were out of state.
“Where the fuck did he get the capital?”
“That I don’t know, but I will find out.”
“You better believe you will. Greg has something to do with this. I need that connection made. In the meantime, we are not losing this deal. The sellers will be told.” The more I thought about the last two days, the hotter I became.
“You can’t strong-arm everyone.”
“Like fucking hell I can’t.” By the time we made it to the attorney’s office, I was livid.
“Just remember something,” Jacques said, moving to where I’d be forced to look at him.
“Greg Franklin is a snake. You should know that better than anyone. Now, I suggest you do nothing more than listen to what he has to say.” He held up his hand before I could interject.
“For now. That will buy you time to adjust and determine how to move forward.”
“Greg Franklin is a corrupt piece of shit.”
Jacques offered a slight smile. “You do remember how long I’ve worked for your family.”
“You made your point.” Yes, he’d provided vital legal advice over the years, not only regarding legal business deals, but also with keeping my father from going to prison for everything from tax invasion to extortion.
The Prince family, while now considered pillars of the community, certainly had ignored the law when it suited our bottom line.
“I’m glad to hear that, Sin. A question for you. Are you actually prepared to double the offer because if Greg’s email is any indication, that’s what we’re talking about.”
“Double? For a basic strip mall and a few out parcels?” Over the last ten years, the Prince family had broadened our real estate developments from being silent investors to full ownership, turning several rundown properties into upscale residences and quaint businesses.
Our legitimate operations were on track to take the lead in profits by the end of the year.
As long as this property deal didn’t fall through. Greg thought he had us over a barrel. Evidently, he hadn’t learned his lesson over the years. Maybe fucking with him would soothe my anger.
“You made no bones about how much you wanted the property. It’s all about who’s willing to pay more.”
I gritted my teeth and slammed my hand against the door, heading into the office.
“Mr. Prince. Mr. Cornwell. Mr. Franklin is expecting you. Right this way.”
The receptionist led us to a conference room and as soon as I walked in, I almost left. I’d dealt with Franklin more than once. He was a true snake in the grass. I’d gone to college with him. Where he’d headed to law school, I’d chosen obtaining a master’s in business administration and marketing.
We’d once been close, almost like brothers.
No longer.
There was no such thing as a friendship in business and war. Something my father had instilled in me.
“Greg. I heard you were brought on board.” I threw out my arm for a handshake.
He seemed genuinely surprised at my reaction, hesitating before accepting the gesture. “Sin. Good to see you. Yeah, I got a call in the middle of the night, the Johnsons asking for help. Who was I to say no?”
“Of course not. We all need to make money plus things often change with the flip of a coin.” I unbuttoned my jacket, getting in the groove.
With a smile on my face, I shoved a hand into my pocket. There was no doubt by the expression on his face he noticed the outline of my shoulder holster.
“Very true,” he said cautiously. “Mr. Cornwell. Good to see you as well. Why don’t you gentlemen take a seat?”
“Actually, I thought it courteous to go ahead and come by since Jacques and I are headed to another meeting. We finally found the perfect piece of property for our project. I hate to do it, but we’re going to need to retract our offer.
I know it’s last minute, but I wanted to stop you before any contracts were put together.
I certainly don’t appreciate anyone wasting my time or playing me, so I thought I’d at least extend the courtesy in person.
Now, I could be wrong, but Jacques mentioned the Johnsons might have another party interested? ”
I threw the ball in his court. He would fuck himself if he threatened to sue.
The man was more uncomfortable than I’d seen him, uncertain what the hell to say. Which told me everything I needed to know.
He’d played his hand and lost whereas I’d yet to even turn my cards over. At least he was slick enough to recover.
But not before I noticed the nervous tic. Pressure had been placed on him. I doubted by the Johnsons. Granted, the older couple were close to being nothing but card sharks, but they were smart enough not to roll out a plan of attack on myself and my family.
No one did unless they had a death wish.
“Yes, they did receive a counteroffer.”
“Well then,” I said with as much joy as I could put into my tone as I clapped him on the arm. “Everything happens for a reason. Give me a call at the office sometime. Maybe we’ll grab a drink.”
“Sure. Why not?”
I’d left him dazed and confused. I buttoned my jacket before walking out, proud of what I’d been able to accomplish.
They’d been certain Greg could play me. Now it was left up to me to figure out why and how.
“Well, that was something,” Jacques said as soon as the elevator doors were closed.
“Just doing my job.” The entire situation stunk to high heaven. I was being played for a fool. That didn’t bode well with my personality. But I would bide my time. Cockroaches slithered out at night.
“As only you can do. Your father would be proud.”
My father. The patriarch of the family. He’d followed in his father’s footsteps, who’d done the same before.
A long line of powerful man who’d refused to bow down to anyone.
Men who’d taken ideas and brutality, mixing them with their strong leadership abilities to provide a legacy for those in the Prince family for generations to come.
Every one of them had been murdered before they could entire retirement, their younger brothers as well.
I leaned against the elevator wall, allowing thoughts of my father into my mind. I hadn’t done so since his funeral, the gothic ceremony straight out of some New Orleans rulebook regarding funerals.
Because some members of our family believed in the afterlife.
Not me.
When your time was up, it was up. Period.
Something else my father had told me more than once. We weren’t destined to live to a ripe old age so we should enjoy life the way we wanted. Never allowing anyone to stand in our way.
And never getting too close to anyone.
He’d failed to take his own advice, falling in love with my mother. Head over fucking heels.
That wasn’t in the cards for me.
Maybe that would allow me to live longer or maybe I would be saving a life, the woman always the target. A weakness.
The realization and acceptance were the reasons I should drive all thoughts of Josette from my mind.
Loneliness was the reason that proved to be impossible.