Chapter 22
TIFFANY
I’m nervous. We are sitting in a room I never expected to meet my relative in. An art gallery.
Joseph sits beside me on a bench as we stare at a magnificent painting, and yet I can’t appreciate its beauty.
“Why here?”
My words are a mere whisper, and his dull tone does little to reassure.
“Because it’s public. He demanded it.”
“Why?”
The fact that we are surrounded by ominous-looking guards at all times should be my answer. Plus, there is the fact that Joseph’s constant aura is of dark retribution. I can excuse my grandfather his reluctance to be in a room with him, but why is he afraid?
The room is empty despite the crowds we walked through to get here, and I expect it has everything to do with the guards turning everyone away.
I’m surprised the gallery allows it; then again, nothing surprises me about Joseph Ravera, and for some reason, I’m impressed when I shouldn’t be.
I love how protected I am, but I’m also mindful that it could turn on a whim when I cease to be of use to him. He is cold, unfeeling most of the time but reveals glimmers of humanity when it counts.
A movement by the door causes my heart to leap, and I note a smart gentleman stride into the room, his expression fierce, his resemblance to me a little uncanny.
I stand, holding my breath as he locks eyes with me, and I’m shocked when his expression softens and his eyes twinkle with unshed tears.
“Tiffany.”
His tone is husky, disbelieving even, and I nod, my mouth dry, the words sticking in my throat.
Joseph stands beside me and reaches for my hand, either in a demonstration of ownership to prove a point, or to reassure me. I can’t decide which one. Probably both, probably the former, but I appreciate the gesture anyway.
Walter Van Der Hudson is an impressive man. Strong, powerful, almost younger than his years. No fear, merely curiosity in his expression, and he nods coolly to Joseph.
“Mr. Ravera.”
Joseph points to the bench.
“Please take a seat.”
“I prefer to stand.”
There is a ripple of animosity in his words, which confuses me, and Joseph nods, apparently unaffected by that.
“First, we conduct business.”
First! It’s as if this is a hostage situation and Joseph expects a suitcase of cash before handing me over.
My grandfather nods, a wry twist to his lips, and he sighs audibly.
“What do you want to know?”
“I am acting for a friend. You have something he wants.”
My mind is buzzing because this isn’t going as I thought it would, and the two men eye one another with suspicion.
“Then tell him to make an appointment like everyone else.”
“He isn’t like everyone else.”
“Isn’t he?”
He chuckles softly.
“Forgive me, Mr. Ravera, but every single meeting I conduct, person through my door, casual meeting, and visitor to my office and home wants something from me, either through the usual route or one disguised as something else. Everybody wants something from me, and it’s only the way they ask that determines how much. ”
I’m shocked when Joseph laughs softly, a little of his animosity dying as he does something almost alien and smiles at my grandfather.
“So, you understand the situation.”
My grandfather’s attention turns to me, and I note the pain in his expression that he is attempting to disguise.
“It appears you have something I want, Mr. Ravera, which sets you apart from the usual ones asking, so what is your price?”
I’m not sure I like being a bartering tool and bite my lip in my confusion. Is this why I’m here? A hostage to a business deal, payment even for a favor?
“My client is Malik Karim of Karim Enterprises.”
Resignation clouds my grandfather’s expression, and he nods, already defeated.
“He would like to arrange a mutually beneficial contract with you to transport your oil to his network.”
“Why hasn’t he asked me himself through the usual channels?”
“He has, but for some reason you have not responded.”
“Perhaps I’m not interested in his deal.”
“Then you are a braver man than I, sir.”
The two men eye one another with almost admiration, and then, once again, my grandfather’s gaze falls on me.
“And in return for agreeing to open negotiations?”
“Nothing.”
Joseph’s tone is brutal, and I hitch my breath, the tension ominous in the room.
“Nothing?”
Joseph shrugs.
“Tiffany is not a negotiation, sir. She is a person with feelings who deserves the truth. She was never part of the negotiation, merely the carrot to get you here.”
Warmth curls around my heart as the tension evaporates and Joseph squeezes my hand, an act that doesn’t go unnoticed by my grandfather, who appears interested in that.
“I appreciate your truth.”
He sighs. “Mr. Ravera. I am aware of your friend’s business and haven’t got this far in mine by dealing with men like him.
Like you even. I run a tight ship, all legitimate and above board, so I fail to see why agreeing to open negotiations will benefit me at all.
You are holding the hand of my granddaughter, a powerful bargaining tool, and I commend you on that, but I’m also guessing you are not here solely on your friend’s behalf, and I use that term loosely.
What is the real reason you engineered this meeting, and I don’t buy that it was for a friend. ”
If anything, I’m impressed, and Joseph nods and turns to me with a soft smile.
“Because of Tiffany. Because she deserves answers, and you can help her with that. My negotiations on behalf of my friend were merely a coincidence. You say you prefer not to do business with a man like him. The fact that he runs a successful, legitimate business renders that statement foolish in my opinion. He will make you even richer, strengthen your ties with the Middle East and demand nothing from you other than your oil. You don’t strike me as the kind of man to let opportunity slide, which is why I believe you are more afraid of your weakness when dealing with men like Malik Karim.
You recognize that their strength supersedes yours and fail to allow common sense to take charge. ”
He shakes his head as my grandfather stares at him with a blank expression and lowers his voice.
“My business is legitimate, sir. My hobbies not so much. Any associate of mine on the legitimate side is afforded the same courtesy as you afford yours. If they drift onto the other side, they are also treated accordingly, and like me, Mr. Karim respects the boundary. You have made it perfectly clear that you stand firmly on the legitimate side and as businessmen first, we respect that. So, there will be no recriminations, merely a gold-lined handshake for any dealings with either of us.”
Joseph drops his hand from mine and says simply, “I will be outside admiring the magnificent artwork while you conduct your meeting with Tiffany. I have fulfilled my request, and I hope that when Mr. Karim calls, you will accept his offer of a meeting at least. That is all I want, which is a small price to pay, wouldn’t you agree, for time with your granddaughter. Or, as she is now, my wife.”
My grandfather stares at my hand, and his expression darkens as he understands the situation perfectly. As Joseph strides confidently from the room, he doesn’t look back. As the guards close ranks and shut the rest of the world out, it’s just me and my grandfather—alone at last.