The Meeting #3
Ari spoke up. “Yes, I think this will work out well. Mr. Stone, while working in the kitchen and bar, your salary will be eight hundred a week plus tips. You will put in at least forty hours, and more if needed. Should you progress to Jessie’s Sentinel, you will start at two thousand a week and work as many hours as required.
Days off may be limited.” He turned to Jessie.
“Please discuss with Mr. Stone our drug-use policy.”
Johnny turned to Jessie, who sat down next to him. “Stone… let me put it this way. If I even think you are back on drugs?”
Suddenly, Johnny found a black-bladed knife pointing millimeters away from his eye. He was shocked at how fast she moved and could only stare at the knife point threatening to impale his eyeball.
“You get my drift, Stone?” she purred.
Johnny swallowed. “Yes, I do.” He watched as her knife disappeared from view, then she shot him a seductive smile as Ari spoke.
“Miss Deepa will advance you half of your first week’s salary to get you started. Any other questions?”
“No, sir, Mr. Ascher. Thank you for the opportunity and job.”
“Prove yourself to us as an asset, Mr. Stone.” Ari gestured to Jessie, and in turn, she motioned Johnny to get up. Just as he was to step out the door, Ari’s voice came from right behind him in his ear. “Mr. Stone?”
His blood turned cold as he turned to face Ari, startled at how he came up so quickly and quietly behind him. “Y—yes, sir?”
“That comment on the plane to Halo about always being a ‘dick’? You will get over that part of your life, unless we need that Johnny. Do we have an understanding?”
“Yes, yes, sir.”
That night, Simo sat back at Ari’s home with his ouzo and watched Xander and Halo as they were negotiating the terms of selling their story to Ari and Ronson.
Xander was hoping for Halo’s help, but all Halo said was that she trusted him.
Which was a shock, as Halo was known for her negotiating skills.
It was another test of sorts, Simo guessed.
Simo was surprised that Xander asked for tequila when asked what he wanted to drink.
Except for himself and Halo, they all were drinking Patrón Silver tequila straight.
Through some intense negotiations, they eventually had a deal hammered into place that left Halo smiling.
To Simo, it seemed like malaka Xander did good. Simo kept quiet all through a delicious dinner as well. Eventually, the women made their way down to the pool, along with Athena and Christina, as the men moved to the veranda.
Simo held his glass of ouzo in hand, occasionally swirling the ice around.
He was watching Xander interact with his future father-in-law.
He was still irritated with Xander for nearly blowing their plan for Joel.
He kept quiet as he listened in on their conversation and could easily sense that Ronson held him in great respect.
Watching Xander, he wanted to hate the guy…
the fucker seemed to have social graces, and Simo knew firsthand he could sing and dance.
He shook his head at himself, thinking that Xander had too many sides to him.
It’s where his unpredictability came from.
He preferred people who were straight up and regular…
like Eleni. But with the crap Eleni pulled at the Gala with Jessie, it was too many women for him to deal with, he groaned to himself.
Then Ronson asked Xander what his future plans were, and that caught his attention.
“I don’t know. Halo has offered to have me come to work with her, but that is her company.
I’d just get in the way. Besides, I like coming home to her or vice versa.
I do have the gig of being the spokesman for Breitling and Harry Winston to do soon, for helping with the cost of her engagement ring… ”
Simo looked at Ari, who was also watching Xander. Ari gave Simo a surreptitious nod.
“How about you come train with us?” Simo asked quietly. That got his attention; Simo smiled at himself and continued. “Harding is still out there… maybe you should learn some skills to help protect your family?”
Xander stared at him for a long moment. “I thought you were still upset with me.”
“I am…”
“Then why offer this? Payback in there somewhere?” Xander smiled.
“Maybe, but I think it would do you good until you decide on your future. Halo plans on going into her office three to four days a week, then she has your upcoming wedding to plan. Then your baby. Theo can chaperone them and provide security until you are ready…”
Xander paused. “So, what do you intend to train me in?”
Simo grunted with a smirk. “Everything.” He caught Xander’s brief arch in his eyebrow. “Maybe I wanna see how much of your father is really in you.”
Xander looked at Ari and Ronson, then back to Simo and chuckled. “According to my father, I was too much like my mother.”
“Ha! I’ve seen that.” Simo smiled back sarcastically.
Xander shrugged. “Ok then, how much are you going to charge me this time?”
Simo felt his own eyebrow arch at his offer. “Ten thousand should do it.”
Xander considered negotiating it down, but passed as he was negotiated out. “Sure.”
“Ah, there is one thing... you have to finish your security training for your concealed carry permit, minimum.”
“Ok, fine. So, what can you tell me about Harding?”
Simo and Ari began to fill Xander in on everything they knew, which wasn’t much.