12. Consulting The Enemy
CHAPTER 12
Consulting The Enemy
THE SAYING IS KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE AND YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER BUT SOMETIMES IT’S HARD TO TELL WHICH IS WHICH
T he next day the shop looked normal. You would have never suspected two men had broken in. But while I spent the day inside of the shop, sewing a few dresses, I could see Costa's men passing by the windows every once in a while. It didn’t ease the growing feeling inside though.
While I was told to trust the Costa men, they weren’t my men. They had no reason to help me nor protect me. I could only trust that they would listen to Dante.
Walking around the shop I felt like I could still feel the presence of those masked men. Their footsteps were like ghosts floating around.
My hands slightly shook as I looked at the clock. Any second Cole Anders would be strolling in for a consultation and I had to get info out of him. I needed to know how this territory factored in with the mafias.
I finished off the hem of a dark green velvet dress. I held it up in the light. It had a high neckline that was bejeweled. It sparkled in the light along with the rest of fabric that held tiny hints of glitter. It also had a high slit. I felt envious of this dress. I designed it for no one in particular. That was a lie. I designed it for me. It was going to go on a mannequin as a sample.
If people were interested in it then I would recreate it for them. I was folding it when the bells of the door rang. I sucked in a breath before turning around. It was time.
Cole Anders walked in with his hair parted to the side. His clothes were more casual this time but wreaked expensive. He had on white polo and khaki slacks. He pulled off his faux brown leather jacket. He wore a simple gold chain around his neck that I bet cost as much as this shop. I plastered on a smile.
“Mr. Anders! Good afternoon,” I said, walking up to shake his hand. He eyed it for a second before giving me a firm shake. Good. I hated when people gave a weak handshake. He gave me a hesitant smile. Interesting. He had no problem at the charity ball giving me snide smiles.
But now that it was the two of us he seemed more like a prey than predator. I did remember noticing there was a flash of regret in his eyes. There was more to him. Maybe I could use that to my advantage.
“Thank you for meeting with me so quickly,” he said curtly.
“Follow me this way,” I said, leading him to my sewing machine. I offered him the seat across. From the corner of my eye I noticed a camera was angled at Cole’s back and for some reason that’s what I wanted. I wanted to watch Cole for myself. I needed to assess the situation.
“What is it that you're looking for particularly?” I asked, opening my notebook. Cole glanced around the shop before meeting my eyes.
“I would like a classic three piece suit,” he said. I nodded, taking notes.
“Fabric? Color?” I asked. Cole’s eyes twitched.
“Fabric…possibly something that is stiff but moveable,” he said. I bit the inside of my cheek. “Color….gray,” he finished. I watched his face. His eyes bore into mine but I could see there was a faraway look in them. He had no idea what he wanted. He was unprepared for this meeting. Either because he truly had no idea what he wanted or he was here for something else. I nodded.
“How about we do a charcoal gray suit, silver buttons and as for material, maybe wool,” I said. I stared into his eyes. “Wool can feel lightweight. It’s also durable. Which works for your job. And it has a bit of moisture-resistance,” I said. His eyes regained focus and he cocked an eyebrow.
“Moisture resistance?” he questioned. I shrugged my shoulders.
“You know, water…blood,” I said casually. His fingers twitched on his knee. I smiled.
“Your line of work is construction no? You must go on job sites. It’s easy to get hurt,” I said. Cole gave out a dry laugh. My heart was pounding in my chest. I had stayed up late researching whatever I could find on the Anders.
They owned a large construction company. The company mainly worked in their own city. But something told me they were looking to expand.
“Correct. Construction. May I ask a question?” he said.
“Of course,” I said, closing my notebook.
“How long has your shop been here?” he asked. I tilted my head back and forth, taking my time to answer.
“I’m 28 so possibly 42 years,” I said. I grew up in this shop. I knew the ins and outs even though I was unaware of the type of clientele we serviced. He nodded.
“You own the building?” he asked. I smirked.
“My grandfather does and one day it will be mine,” I said, smiling.
“Ever think about selling?” he asked. I held onto my notebook.
“This shop is a part of my family, my blood. My family has poured their life into it. And one day it will be mine,” I said. His eyes narrowed slightly. He laid back slightly in his chair, becoming comfortable.
“Everyone has a price,” he said.
“Do the Anders plan on trying to buy my shop?” I asked, boldly. There it was. I needed to know if they were interested. If they were…well then I had a good idea about those men. Cole hesitated again. His eyes flashed with the same look from the charity ball. Regret. He cleared his throat.
“We are looking to expand. This area seems nice,” he said, calmly. I was correct. I crossed my arms. This conversation was heading towards a cliff, but I’d be damned if I was going to get pushed over.
“This area is nice. People here are kind, respectful, and loyal . They love this shop as much as I do,” I began. I looked around the shop, making eye contact with the cameras I could see. “They won’t simply accept a newcomer who thinks they can run this town. There are other locations you can try to look into but this is mine,” I said firmly.
A tick worked in Cole’s jaw. He leaned his hands on his knees, staring at me. He wanted me to break. I could tell. My heart slowed. I had control over this conversation. He was in my shop. My area. Mine.
“I think you mean your grandfather,” he commented. I uncrossed my legs.
“It belongs to the Silva family and I’m a Silva,” I said. He glanced around again.
“Is your grandfather around? I missed him at the charity ball,” he said, casually. My body tightened. I didn’t like his tone. He wanted to see my grandfather but he got me instead. And now we were sitting here in a battle of words unspoken.
“He is not. But soon. Would you like a meeting?” I asked. He leaned back in his chair. The last thing I wanted was for my av? to be in the same room as Cole. He looked at me up and down.
“There are some things I would like to discuss with him,” he said. I scoffed.
“And you think you can't discuss them with me?” I said. Another tick in his jaw. Cole opened his mouth to say something but I held up a hand. I stood up, enjoying looking down at him. “Mr. Anders, I will gladly make you a suit. As for my grandfather I can tell you for certain that he will not give up his shop to anyone. Especially The Anders family,” I said. Cole stood up, near my height. He narrowed his eyes. But I wasn’t going to let him scare me.
“But to the Costa’s?” he asked. I clamped down on my tongue to keep my features schooled. The Costa’s? My av? wouldn’t think of handing our shop to them would he? He couldn’t. This was ours. I rolled my shoulders back.
“To no one. Now are you still interested in a suit?” I asked.
After finalizing the suit that he legitimately wanted Cole walked out and I scurried to the office. My heart finally began racing as adrenaline coursed through my body. What the fuck was that ?
So the Anders really wanted my territory. They think my av? would hand it over to the Costa’s. I sat in my av?’s chair and stared at my reflection on the computer screen. I hadn’t known about the mafia for long but one thing I knew was that the Silva family and this shop was important to the Loba Vista community and I’d be damned if I let any man take it from me.