Chapter 54
Chapter Fifty-Four
SALVATORE
The sun is setting as I land, and the second I’m off the plane, I have my phone in my hand, checking in with Austin. “Please tell me nothing has changed.”
“We’re good. Jill Mikkleson is going to meet you in Battery Park at nightfall, near the East Coast Memorial. Are you sure you’re okay with this plan?”
“No. But they’ve gone too far. I refuse to let them fuck with my family anymore. On that note, any news on what Camilla has on the Mikklesons? She’s always too busy to chat when I call.”
“Nothing yet.”
“Of course not. Fucking Camilla. I bet she’s loving the drama of it all.”
“I’m not going to take that bet. A few of the guys from her security detail have said she’s been having a bit of fun with them all.”
“Having fun? What does that— Never mind.” I shake off my impending anger. She can look after herself.
“How’s Paige?” Austin asks next and my stomach knots.
“Still being stubborn. I’d love it if you could continue to keep an eye on her if you can.
She’s not happy about it, but she knows.
She said she’ll talk to Easton about testifying, and while I’d normally want to kick his ass if he attempted to tell Paige what to do, in this case, I’m hoping he puts his foot down. ”
“Do you think he will?”
“God only knows.”
I push through the doors at JFK, searching for my driver, and find Austin instead, his casual shrug making me laugh.
“You could have just told me you were here.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” His delivery holds no humor, and another chuckle escapes me.
“Why are you here, may I ask?”
“Because you keep insisting on not having your own protection. Like you’re a goddamn hero.”
“I’m not being a hero. I’m pooling my resources to where they’re truly needed.”
“Your resources? Sal, you’re the richest fucker I know. You can buy more resources.”
“I can, but it’s not necessary.”
“If you say so.” Austin half laughs, half scoffs and I ignore him.
“Does that mean I’m stuck with you until this whole thing is over?” I stare at him through the rearview mirror as his lips curl.
“Lucky for you, no. Though I’ll have one of my men with you at all times.”
“Great, I hope they don’t mind being bored.”
“Boredom is actually preferred. Because it means that their subject is safe.”
“If you say so.” I repeat his words back to him, only half smiling when he laughs.
Austin changes the subject after that, trying to convince me that his team is going to win the Super Bowl this year, and I roll my eyes as he gives me his reasons.
“You have a new quarterback, while we have the best in the league.”
“Are you sure about that? Beckett Myers isn’t exactly new. He was ranked as one of the best last season.”
“Maybe so, but he’s new to your team. You know it takes time to get settled.”
“Agree to disagree.”
My phone vibrates, and when I see that it’s Paige, I shelve our conversation, and Austin nods in acknowledgment. “Hey, Kiddo, how are you?”
“I’m good. I thought I’d let you know that I’m on my way to your new place to hang out with Keeley, my posse in tow.”
“Good. Embrace it. Consider them your shadows until the Mikklesons are in prison.”
“Yay. I can’t wait.”
“Paige.”
“I’m kidding; I get it. Are you in New York or still on the flight?”
“I’m almost at the office,” I lie, hating the fact that she’d never question that.
“Oh, good. I better leave you to it then.”
“You don’t have to.”
“We just pulled up at your mansion. I want to talk to Keeley before the others arrive.”
“No worries. Thank you for calling.”
“You’re welcome.” I move to hang up until she calls out. “And Dad?”
“Yeah. I’m still here.”
“I love you. And I promise I’m taking your request seriously.”
I breathe a sigh of relief, not even bothering to hide it. “Thank you. That’s all I can ask. I love you too.”
I hang up and stare out the window, silently willing Paige to make the right call, while at the same time knowing she has to do what’s best for her and her sanity.
“We’re here.” Austin slows when Battery Park comes into view, and I feel bad for lying to Paige. Only she can’t know. She’d undoubtedly call Camilla, and I can’t let that happen. I need to keep my meeting with Jill quiet if I want this to work.
Austin says something about circling the block until I’m done, but my attention has already shifted toward the park, my mind on my looming conversation.
Jill’s waiting when I arrive, so I hold back for a while, letting her sweat.
She stands confidently, as though she’s a seasoned pro when it comes to blackmail and threats.
But the longer I leave her waiting, the more I notice the subtle changes.
She tugs her hat low on her head and adjusts her dress.
She glances over her shoulder, and then pretends to be reading the sign on the monument.
She’s rattled. And that’s exactly how I need her.
I approach slowly, while making sure I’m loud enough to draw her attention, and she turns to face me, her confidence back in play.
“I’m not sure why you wanted to meet. I’m not supposed to be talking to anyone in your family while my husband is on trial.”
I almost laugh. So that’s how she’s going to play this? “Why’d you agree to meet with me then?”
“Curiosity.” She shrugs. “And maybe the chance to get back at my husband for sleeping with your wife.”
“Ex-wife.” It’s like Camilla seeks out trouble.
“Either way. What do you want, Mr. D’Angelo?”
“I want to know what it’ll take for you to stop harassing me and my family.”
“I’m doing nothing of the sort.”
“Cut the bullshit. I’m not wearing a wire. There’s no one else here, except your men hovering in the treeline.” I noticed them as I was walking closer. “I’m here to protect my family and nothing more.”
“I still don’t?—”
“I’ve begged them both not to testify. But believe it or not, I don’t control my daughter or my ex-wife. They have their own free will, and they want your husband in prison.”
She subtly flinches, but otherwise remains calm so I continue on. “You said so yourself, that you wanted to get back at him. Would a large sum of money help? You can live it up while you let him rot for ruining your life.”
I’m aware I could get into a lot of trouble for what I’m proposing, yet I’m beyond caring, and I’m hoping she stays quiet considering what she’s been putting my family through.
Jill clears her throat and my pulse spikes. Is that a goddamn code? Am I about to be attacked by her men?
I shift slightly so I’m facing the direction I last saw them, and she laughs. “You really did come alone, didn’t you?”
“I’m a man of my word.”
“And you want to offer me money to let your daughter and wife testify against my husband and brother-in-law?”
“No, I’m offering you money to leave them alone.”
“How much?”
“Whatever it takes. Think about it. Sleep on it if you must. I need an answer by early morning.”
“Why?”
“Because I want this sorted before my daughter arrives.”
Jill stares me in the eyes, her expression inquisitive, and I offer her a rare glimpse into my softer side. “Please,” I beg, breaking our connection.
We both pause as a guy runs past us, then Jill shakes her head, waving toward her men, before her eyes meet mine once more. “Goodbye, Mr. D’Angelo. I’ll be in touch.”
“Good. And Jill, in case you need convincing and your husband hasn’t filled you in, my ex has more on your husband than she initially told the police. He’s a lost cause. But you could save yourself.”
Jill stiffens but doesn’t turn around, and without a word, she walks away.
I hold my breath, waiting until she’s gone before releasing it loudly, turning away as I bite back a smile. I have no idea if this is going to work, but she didn’t tell me to fuck off, so that has to be a good sign.
Austin’s waiting for me where he left me, a smile on his lips as I jump into the back seat. “My men said that went well. Were they right?”
“Your men? Fuck. I told her I was there alone.”
“And you were. One of my guys just so happened to be jogging past, while another was out walking his dog. Purely coincidental.”
“Right. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He chuckles low under his breath. “Where to next?”
“Home.” My shoulders sag as I turn toward the window, clutching my phone in my hand. “I need a stiff drink. And I need to talk to Keeley.”
After a shitty night’s sleep, I head into my New York office, accompanied by one of Austin’s men, and dive into work, taking my mind off the shit show going on around me.
When Daniel arrives in the early evening, after spending the day off-site, I call him into my office, ready to put a secondary plan into play.
A plan that Keeley doesn’t know about. Daniel and I spoke on the phone this morning, with him checking in on my family, but I wanted to chat with him in person.
I’m taking another step back from D’Angelo Construction. A bigger one this time. And I’ve never felt better about a decision.
Daniel looks a little weary when he walks in, and I don’t blame him. We’re not completely out of the woods where the unsafe worksite investigation is concerned, but it’s definitely looking more positive than it did last week.
“I just got off the phone with our lawyer, and he thinks we’ll get the okay to start up again on the Chamberland Project at my meeting tomorrow morning.”
Daniel’s eyes light up briefly before he schools his features. “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“That’s music to my ears.”
“The complaint was never going to stand. There’s no evidence to support it, except for the bullshit they fabricated.”
“You’re right. I needed your confidence.”
“You’re confident enough. You just have to trust that we’ve done the right thing so it will all work out in the end. And on that note…” I smile and Daniel matches my energy despite having no idea what’s coming.
“I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Of course.”
“I—” My phone buzzes loudly across my glass desk, pulling me from my thoughts. “Sorry, one minute. This could be an update from the Storm game. It should be halftime by now.” Another thing to add to my guilt. I should be there. It’s our first goddamn game.
I jog over to my desk and grab my phone, my proposal for Daniel burning a hole in my hand. Now that I’ve made my decision, I want it over and done with.
Daniel nervously taps his foot and I laugh. “You’re not getting fired if that’s what you think. This is a good thing.”
“You couldn’t fire me if you tried.” He chuckles. “I know too much.”
“Very true. Not to mention you’re irreplaceable.”
“Don’t ever forget it.”
“Trust me, I won’t. I’m relying on that for what I want to talk to you about. How would you feel about taking over for me on a permanent basis?”
“A permanent basis?”
“Yes, I want to name you CEO and step back from running the company. Completely.”
“What? You’re joking.”
“I’m really not. You’ve been running it without me ninety percent of the time anyway, so you deserve the title and all that goes with it.”
“I’m. I… Fuck. I have no words. Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been surer about anything.”
“What’s the catch?”
“There isn’t one. I’ll make sure everything the Mikklesons have done is fixed and the company’s back to running smoothly. But while I’ll still remain the owner, I want to take on more of a passive role, closer to that of a silent investor. Other than that, D’Angelo Construction would be yours.”
Daniel stares at me, unmoving, his eyes wide, his mouth parted as he processes what I’m saying. I understand it coming as a shock, because no one thought I’d ever leave this place. And if I’m honest, neither did I. But it feels right.
“Do you need a minute to think?” I ask, as I pick up my phone, making Daniel laugh.
“I need a minute to wake up.”
I head back to the couch and hand over the official offer, before finally checking my alert. Since I expect it to be about the Storm game, I have to read it twice for the words to sink in.
Breaking news: Billionaire and NFL’s youngest team owner, Salvatore D’Angelo, is officially off the market.
Cue the tears from all the single ladies out there because sources say it’s the real deal.
His new girlfriend, 33-year-old Keeley Reynolds, was seen returning to her media liaison job today with the San Francisco Storm following a broken ankle.
We’re yet to see any photos of the two, but there’s a good chance they’ll make their public debut together at the Storm’s charity event next month.
Motherfucker.
“That wasn’t supposed to happen.” I toss Daniel my phone before rushing to my desk and throwing my laptop into my bag. “I have to go.”
“Go? Where?”
“Home. Read the alert.”
His eyes drop to my phone before he curses under his breath. “You never told me she was thirty-three.”
“That’s not the point, Daniel.”
“You’re right, sorry. The timing isn’t great with the Mikkleson threats.”
“It’s not. At all. What the fuck was I thinking? I should have done more, well before it got to this point.”
“What could you have done? Had them killed?”
“Funny.” I stare at him deadpan as I hold out my hand for my phone. “I don’t know what, but I should have done more. Now, I have to fix it once and for all.”
“Let me know if I can help.”
“You already are. All you have to do is sign those papers and you’re changing my life for the better. I promise this will all be over by the time the company is yours.”
“I trust you.”
“Thanks, Daniel. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I’m about to leave when a thought hits me, and I ask one more favor before rushing out the door.
Let this be the last time I feel helpless on the other side of the country. My home is San Francisco. And I wish I’d never left.