Chapter 1 #2
“It’s clean enough that I keep most happy out there.” Art. That’s the dealings there. I might appear clean, but my hands are dirty too. I hadn’t been given much of a choice in that matter from a very young age. Maybe if my father had let me be, he’d still be alive.
Art is always needing to be moved. Stolen from one person for another or pieces no one should have at all.
You’d be surprised how cutthroat they could be about it.
I find it all rather humorous. I’ve watched one painting being stolen three times.
Back and forth it goes, but that isn’t my business.
I just get the shit where it’s going and make sure no one is any the wiser.
“I’m going to be straight with you, Paxton. Your father did a lot of shit I wasn’t okay with, but we had an understanding. Now with him gone, someone else is going to want it.” The sharks are already circling. It’s rather predictable, most people’s downfall.
“No one could afford it. It’s not for sale.” No, then I wouldn’t get what I was truly after.
“Some things are simply taken.”
“You can try,” I say, not missing a beat and even letting an easy smile pull at my lips. I know how to put people at ease. Usually, I slow my speech and let my Southern drawl catch with a relaxed demeanor, but I know that won’t work here.
“You and I are more alike than you realize.” No, he’s wrong there; I know exactly how similar we are. “We both want to maintain order and make sure things don’t get too sloppy. Others will get sloppy. I heard you fired a lot of his men.”
I did. But the reason for that was twofold. First, I didn’t want them. I didn’t trust them not to turn on me. Second, I would now need protection. Which War is about to offer me.
“I didn’t trust them.”
“You have no protection any longer, and you are not a part of any family. Something that hasn’t sat well since your father was in control of them.”
“There is nothing I can do about not being Italian.”
“But you could take my offer of protection. We hold all of the East Coast.”
“At what cost to me? For all I know, I let your men in, and you slowly try to take over. It would make it all the easier.”
“This is where trust will have to come in.”
“No.” I shake my head. “As you said, I’m not Italian. I don’t play rightfully in your world. I don’t get to sit at the same table when you have your little meetings.”
“Little?”
I ignore the comment. “But I could.”
“That I cannot offer you. There is nothing even I can do about that.”
“Are you sure about that?” I can think of a few things. It’s why I’m here, after all. The second step to my plan.
“By all means, enlighten me.”
“Naomi.”
“What about Naomi?” War asks. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look more serious in his life than he does right now at the mention of his daughter’s name.
“If we were to marry, that would give me trust and a whole lot more protection.”
War is already shaking his head no. “Marriage in this family is forever. You won’t divorce five years from now.”
“I understand.”
“This goes beyond culture.”
“I understand,” I say again. “Weren’t you and your wife in an arranged marriage?” I point out.
“That was different.”
“Was it? It’s my understanding that Tova too wasn’t from a family name of standing.
” War quickly moves the conversation away from his wife.
I’m walking a fine line even bringing her up, but I’ll do whatever I have to to try and convince him this is necessary, and I’m pressing on the point I know that will get to him the most.
“Aren’t you very fond of a blond doctor? Sloane. Isn’t that her name?” This isn’t a shocking comment.
There are many pictures of Sloane and me together. I did use her to go to events in California when rubbing elbows. She is in this with me, my half sister. That isn’t known by more than a handful of people, a couple of whom are dead at this point.
“Yes, I am very fond of Sloane, and she is off-limits. But there is no romantic tie there. I can assure you of that.”
“Then you keep those things very discreet.” He’s trying to dig up anyone I might have put my dick into. I truly admire the way that he’s protecting Naomi, and it makes me respect him more.
“There is nothing there. I would be faithful. In fact, put it into a prenup. All of my warehouses and docks will be hers if I cheat.”
“We’ve never had a need for a prenup to be drawn up. If, and that’s a big if, I took this offer, I would have to speak to a lawyer. We have never had a need for one before.”
“Do what you must, but that is my price.”
“Marriage to a Marino?”
“Not just a Marino. Naomi.” I make that very clear. His brows slightly rise.
“I’m guessing you’ve learned what you could about Naomi. Yes?” I nod. “Then you know she is different.”
“I know this. I’m risking being killed in my sleep.” I have to fight not to smile.
“And you still want this?”
“Yes. On this I will not waver. There will be no negotiating. I know my price, and I am not here to waste anyone’s time.” The room grows quiet.
I want to believe he had no idea what I was going to ask for, but people always underestimate War. That is how they meet their own demise.
“I will have to speak to her on the issue. I can’t force her.
I too would risk being killed in my sleep, and her mother might let her.
” I find myself envious of War at this moment.
He has the love and respect of Naomi. He has been the most important and powerful man in her life up until this point.
I want that from her. I’ll do whatever it takes to have it. To have her.
“Are you staying in the city?”
“I’ll be around.”
He nods, standing. “I will speak to her on this. If this does go forward, I would think you’d want to get to know her better before the wedding.”
“No.”
“What if that’s her ask?”
“Then she shall ask me herself.” I stand.
I’m sure a million things are going through his head right now, but you’d never guess it by his demeanor. War is already heading toward the door, and I follow. He opens one of the double doors.
“I’ll be in touch.”
“I look forward to it.” I walk out of his office and toward the front of the house. I can feel one of his men following me. When I reach the entry, I see Naomi coming down the stairs. Our eyes lock, and she pauses mid step. I wink at her before passing through the front door.
See you very soon, sunshine.