Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 404(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 404(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
I’m righting the wrong.
Taking what my family is owed.
It’s nothing personal.
6
Brielle
“I spoke to our team of lawyers, and there’s no other way. With Kane owning the twenty acres adjacent to the waterfront property, if he goes through with the Section 8 housing, property values will tank.” Dominick scrubs his hands over his face, stress evident in his features. “I think we should call the whole thing off.”
“And lose the millions you’ve already invested?” I point out.
We’re sitting in Dominick’s downtown office. I was at my morning Pilates when he texted me, asking me to meet him, Matteo, and Lorenzo to go over what his lawyers told him. It’s only been two days since Kane threw the bomb at us and walked away, but Dominick didn’t waste a minute trying to figure a way out of this mess.
“I’d rather lose millions than get into bed with that asshole.” Dominick huffs.
“And what about the other investors?” I mention. “You’ll piss them off and burn so many bridges.”
“He’s a smart businessman,” Lorenzo points out, making Dominick and Matteo glare at him. “I’m just speaking as a businessman,” Lorenzo says, putting his hands up. “Joseph’s company was failing because our fathers were slowly pushing him out. When he died, Kane not only saved it, but it’s now a Fortune 500 company with a pristine reputation. I had Eddy look up his connections.” He whistles. “Fucking impressive. He’s got contracts with several large development companies, including a few that we work with. If we pull the plug on this project, it will cost us billions, not millions.”
“Yet he wants to taint it by joining forces on this project.” Dominick scoffs.
“He wants revenge,” I correct. “And to get what his family was promised. You guys own the largest real estate development companies in South Florida—hell, maybe even the East Coast. He saw a way to hit two birds with one stone and took it.”
“Maybe we can convince him that we’ll do business with him without involving Brielle,” Lorenzo says. “He doesn’t have to marry her to get what he wants.”
“Good luck with that,” I mutter just as there’s a knock on the door.
“Mr. Antonov,” Dominick’s assistant says, “Mr. Morgan is here to see you.”
And speak of the devil …
“Let him in,” Dominick says, his voice tight.
“Gentlemen … and lady,” Kane says, strolling in. “I came to deliver the contracts to Dominick, but it looks like I get to see my soon-to-be fiancée as well.”
“I hope you get hit by a bus,” I deadpan.
Kane grins.
“We were talking, and we’ll agree to your terms,” Dominick says. “You can get in on the waterfront expansion, if you’ll agree to cut the marriage out of the deal. There’s no reason for you to marry Brielle.”
“There’s every reason to marry her,” Kane says. “For one, that was the deal that was made between our fathers.”
“Before your father went behind my father’s back and fucked the woman he was in love with,” Lorenzo points out.
“Is that what Maria said?” Kane tsks. “Let’s get one thing straight. My dad didn’t do shit behind your dad’s back. He got fucked up one night, and Maria seduced him. He didn’t even remember being with her until she came to him and told him she was pregnant. He tried to tell Giuseppe and Andrey that, but Giuseppe was too emotional and wouldn’t listen. So, he manned up and took the brunt of it.
“But Maria never stopped fucking around. She just made sure she didn’t get pregnant again. Meanwhile, my dad had fallen in love with my mom, and she got pregnant with Enrique, but it was too late, so she became the mistress. And because she loved him, she accepted it.”
Kane sighs and glances at Lorenzo. “Our dads were best friends, and he hated what it did to their friendship, but since he couldn’t fix it without making Maria look bad, he delved into the business, giving it damn near all of him. And he thought once the families were unified and blood was mixed, maybe things would be different. Until he died and you pushed his company out.”
“It was business,” Dominick says. “Not personal.”
“And so is this.” Kane shrugs. Then he turns his attention to me. “It’s time we’re seen in public. I’ll pick you up at your place on Saturday night.” He pulls his phone out. “What’s your number?”
I consider telling him to go fuck himself, but it will only create more animosity, so instead, I give him my number.
“I’ll text you,” he says before he walks out.
“I hate that fucking guy.” Matteo seethes.
“Yeah, well, you’d better learn to like him because he’s about to become your brother-in-law,” I mutter.
“I appreciate you meeting me.”
Theo smiles softly at me and reaches across the table to take my hand in his. “I care about you, Brielle, and I would do anything for you.”