Chapter 8 #2
“Um, yes. I…” When she didn’t finish her statement, I had no doubt she was glaring at my back given the fact I’d ignored her.
I unlocked my office door, half expecting there to be another threat on the floor. I was pleasantly surprised to see there was nothing. Before I could make it inside, I heard Robert’s voice behind me.
“You got a second?” he asked.
“I have a meeting, but you have two minutes.”
He laughed as he walked behind me into my office, shutting the door behind him. “Two minutes. Who do you have a meeting with?”
I didn’t bother answering his question, moving toward my desk and removing a file I’d been putting together for two years. I wanted to refresh myself with the information I’d gathered before confronting Prescott. “What’s on your mind, Robert?”
“What was that exchange?”
“Which one? You’ve been bothered by almost every single exchange I’ve had over the last few months.”
He walked closer. “You know exactly which one I’m talking about. Aspen. I saw the way you two looked at each other.”
“I hadn’t realized you were spying on me, Robert.” He hated when I said his name over and over again, as if I was lording my title and position over him. Today was no exception. The curse words he said under his breath only fueled my determination. I glanced in his direction, cocking my head.
“You’re such an arrogant prick, Montgomery. I never thought I’d say that to you.”
“Yet you have more than once. Your time is almost up. Is there a point to this barrage?”
“Barrage? You have no idea what you’re talking about.
I’m going to warn you one last time and I hope to God that you heed what I’m about to say.
Aspen is your employee, a woman who has an ironclad contract with a brand spanking new addendum attached.
Keep her as nothing more. She doesn’t deserve your brand of bullshit. ”
“Tsk. Tsk. Such words so early in the morning. I merely did what you asked me to do. I played nice. Now, why don’t you have your meeting with my new employee while I get some work done?”
The tension between us was higher than normal.
He kept his eyes locked on mine for a full minute then shook his head.
“Have it your way. I’m starting not to care any longer, which is sad.
Keep in mind that I’ve had a few job offers the last couple of years.
They’re looking pretty good right about now.
Don’t forget that we have a meeting with the board of directors at ten.
I suggest you not be late.” When he left, flinging the door open, his footsteps remained heavy.
I was pissing off everyone who was close to me. Maybe that was in my best interest until my plans were in motion. After fingering the file, I left the building, jumping into my car and speeding off. I was excited for the first time in…
Hours.
As I drove away, my thoughts shifted to Aspen.
God help me. She’d already gotten under my skin.
If it was the last damn thing I did, and perhaps the only good decision that I’d be able to act on, I was determined to keep my distance from her.
While she might soothe my beast, I would inflict the kind of pain in her life she couldn’t tolerate.
Concentrate.
The Westfield Winery was only ten miles away, the close proximity also a thorn in my father’s side.
That had allowed Prescott to keep a close eye on the activities at the estate, enough so my father had accused him of spying on the operation more than once.
The irony of what I’d just said to Robert wasn’t lost on me.
As I pulled in through the massive set of stone pillars, the thick iron gate wide open, I scanned the perimeter, able to catch sight of several of the vineyards.
I also noticed a sign indicated a very festive upcoming event.
I made mental note of the date and time.
There was no one to stop me as I headed toward the man’s mansion.
The house he’d had built made the one I’d labored over appear tiny in comparison.
Prescott was all about glow and show, another thing that had pissed off my father. I had to admit that seeing several new buildings, including the tasting facility and restaurant stuck in my craw. I’d lost perspective on how quickly my rivals were growing.
Another aspect that would need to change.
Another set of open gates allowed me onto his property.
I knew everything about his personal life, including the charity work his wife performed almost every day as well as the fact his two kids were away at college.
From what I’d been able to learn, they hated their father and had no intentions of taking over in his footsteps. I snickered at the thought.
I parked just outside the eight-car garage, taking a moment before easing out of the Ferrari.
While there was a possibility he’d been alerted to my arrival, I doubted he was answering his phone this early in the morning.
He had a routine that I also kept up with, including his normal time to tee off at the local golf course.
After ringing the doorbell, I removed my sunglasses, taking a moment to enjoy the view. One of the housekeepers opened the door, peering at me with apprehension in her eyes. There wasn’t a member of his staff who didn’t know about our rivalry.
“I’m here to see Prescott.”
“Do you have an appointment, sir?”
I laughed softly, able to hear sound of light classical music coming from somewhere in the house. I moved closer, pushing the door open and walking inside, directly past her. “I’m certain he won’t mind me dropping by.”
“But sir. Sir!”
I ignored her, walking through the massive marble foyer.
The place looked like a freaking mausoleum with the stone Greek characters located on pillars and a gothic chandelier.
I strode through the living room, able to see Prescott sitting in his bathrobe on his screened-in porch.
All I could do was smile as I took long strides in his direction.
When I threw open the door, he jerked to his feet and for the first time I noticed he was white as a ghost.
“What… What the fuck are you doing in my house?” he roared, sputtering after issuing the words.
“I didn’t think you’d mind, Prescott. We are friends after all.
” I noticed the beverage station located close by, the smell of hazelnut coffee actually appealing.
I walked in the direction, pouring myself a cup.
When he said nothing, I glanced in his direction.
“I didn’t think you’d mind if we shared a morning coffee together.
” He continued to be quiet, although his eyes were nothing but daggers pinpointed in my direction.
“You don’t mind if I have some coffee. Do you? ”
Huffing, he eased onto his seat, reaching for his mug. I couldn’t help but notice that his hand was shaking.
I finished adding cream and slowly turned in his direction, moving closer to the exterior and staring out at his lagoon-style pool. “It’s nice you brought in so many tropical plants. Your backyard looks like a resort. Nicely done, Prescott.”
“What do you want, Wolfe?”
After taking a deep breath, I took my time enjoying a few sips of coffee. “Excellent blend. You’ll have to tell me where you purchase your coffee.”
“You’re such an asshole.”
I turned sharply, walking closer, enough so he shrank back.
“You’re right. I’m an asshole, which is something you’ve lost sight of.
I’m also a wolf, and I don’t mean because of my surname.
I’m finished playing games with you. You’re not going to fuck with my family or my winery any longer.
” I took another deep breath, holding it before expelling.
Then I purposely walked away again. “But I digress. I didn’t come here to argue with you. ”
“Then why have you come?” He tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair in some lame attempt to show how bored he was. It was too bad that the beads of sweat that had formed along his forehead gave him away.
“I’m well aware of what you’re doing to the other winery owners. I know exactly what your plans are.”
He managed to laugh softly. “And what is that?”
I waited to answer until he took a sip of hot coffee.
“Your plans are to tear down several of them replacing the barren land with a resort and casino. And you’re going to make certain that happens no matter what you need to do given your investors are breathing down your neck.
If I’m not mistaken, some of those investors you considered buddies, including a prince from Saudi Arabia as well as the New York mafia.
Now, if I were you, I would be terrified of the fact you’re almost two years behind schedule and are having difficulty providing the land you promised in your two-hundred-million-dollar operation. ”
I waited as the information sank in, enjoying the moment I’d waited to present for weeks. Weeks of gathering details and talking to several individuals. Weeks of pulling favors with bankers and other creditors. Weeks of investigating all on my own.
As strings of coffee flew out of his mouth, dripping all over his pristine, fluffy white bathrobe, I was satisfied with his reaction.
For now.
I didn’t want to give too much away at this point; however, I wanted him running scared.
Coughing, he fought to get the mug placed on the small table, raking his hand down the mess he’d created then jerking to his feet. “How… fucking dare… you.” The man was red-faced, still coughing enough I should be concerned he was choking.
I wasn’t.
I couldn’t care less whether he lived or died. Fuck him.
Although I was already enjoying the game that he’d created.
I was a damn good player after all. “I’m also aware that the Feds are breathing down your neck given the unscrupulous activities that have been ongoing for months.
Wait. What am I talking about? Years. Given all the information I’ve gathered, I would think the FBI would be interested in what I have.
Don’t you? Granted, I’m not positive about your relationship with your investors, but I’m going to make an assumption that they wouldn’t like the fact you’re not being honest with them or the fact you’re hiding funds in an offshore account, making them take the entire fall for an operation you can’t get off the ground. ”
His face was beet red, the veins in his neck bulging. “You… You’re a fucking…”
“Yes, I’m a fucking asshole. I accept that completely.
What I won’t accept is your threats any longer.
” I walked closer, purposely taking another sip of coffee then slamming the mug onto the table, watching as liquid sloshed over the side.
“If you so much as attempt to set foot on my estate or threaten my employees a single additional time, I will turn over what I have to the authorities. Do I make myself clear?”
I had to give the man credit. He was able to smile after everything he’d learned. Not bad, Prescott. Not bad at all.
“You have nothing, Wolfe. You also don’t know who you’re fucking with.
I don’t need to make useless threats to a lowlife like you.
I make promises and I’ll make you another.
I will have your estate, but I won’t have to do anything but wait until you destroy yourself.
Think about that as you head to your board meeting. ”
Just as I’d suspected. He’d gotten to one or more of the board members. That made the game even more interesting.
Sighing, I cocked my head as I studied his eyes.
“We shall see who’s the better poker player, Prescott.
You obviously have no idea what I’m capable of.
You will learn the hard way. Have a wonderful day.
” I kept a smile on my face as I headed for the door, happy as fuck I’d made the decision to show up at his house.
“I’d be careful if I were you, Montgomery. Bad things happen when they are least expected. I certainly don’t think you want to hear screams in the middle of the night again. Do you?”
I took a deep breath, refusing to acknowledge his bullshit. However, rage rushed into my system, enough so I had difficulty focusing. I’d known all along he’d been responsible for my wife’s murder, but no one had believed me.
Now my needs weren’t just about retaliation for his business tactics. I would take what belonged to him.
Then I would kill him with my bare hands and enjoy every second of it.