Page 111 of Arranged Obsession
“Actually, you’re going to get down on your knees and grovel.”
“Like fucking hell. You’ve gone too far now, Whelan scum. I don’t care who you are or what you can do. This means war.”
“Well, that’s one reaction. But there’s another way.” I pause for a moment and listen to his heavy, angry breathing. Poor bastard might have a heart attack here and now. That’d be a real pain in the ass. I still need him. “You are going to get your father in a room with my old man. We’re going to cut a deal.”
“Why thefuckwould I do that?” he explodes.
“Because your life is on the line. Either I’ll kill you or your father will. And with the money we stand to make selling all your lovely drugs, we’ll arm our entire family to the teeth and make sure we bury your fucking organization deep in the earth.” Another pause. Sounds like the fucker’s having an aneurysm over there. “Or you can be smart.”
“This will never work.”
I reach my car and open the trunk. The gun fits perfectly nestled under a tarp. “Your father got to his position for a reason. He’s not stupid. He knows we have the upper hand.”
“Then why negotiate?”
I smile as I climb in behind the wheel. “Because I’m a family man now. My wife doesn’t want me to kill you and all your relatives. Not that she’ll stop me, but she won’t be happy, and I hate disappointing her.”
He barks a disbelieving laugh. “You’re fucking crazy.”
“Probably, which means a crazy fucker’s holding a knife to your throat. What’s it going to be? Twist around and get yourself killed?”
There’s another silence. Finally, he lets out a frustrated growl. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Make it happen. Tell your father to send a message to mine in the next two days. If we don’t hear anything, I’ll assume the war is on, and you know where my first stop’s going to be.”
“Even if we make peace, I won’t ever forget this,” Taras says softly. “I’m not the kind of man that forgives.”
I cluck my tongue, shaking my head. “God, you’re so fucking stupid. Good luck with that grudge.”
I hang up the phone and lean back.
What a lovely night’s work.
Bianca might not love all the blood on my hands, but she’ll be happy when this is all over.
Chapter 37
Cormac
Bianca wrings her hands together, looking nervous. “Did it have to be here?” she whispers, craning her neck toward the large conference room.
“Your office was the best place, honestly. It’s going to play a part in the deal we’re about to cut.”
“How’s that?” She frowns at me but holds up a hand before I can reply. “Actually, I don’t want to know. I’m just here to sign my name on paperwork, remember?”
“That’s my girl.” I gently kiss her cheek. “I love you, Bianca. I’d lick the ground you walked on just to taste the soles of your feet.”
“Freak.” She bites her lip, trying not to smile. “My feet don’t even taste good.”
“Every inch of you is perfection.” My heart patters as I look at her. I swear, my feather glows. She’s truly divine in a way she’ll never really understand. Without her, I’d be nothing but a worthless slug, a mindless killer, a sinner with no conscience.
She holds me together. She keeps me from breaking loose upon the world.
“Just be quick, okay?” She rubs her arms with her hands as if she’s cold. “I’ll be in my office with the door locked.”
“You’ll be fine, don’t worry. I’m here.” I kiss her lips and pat her butt gently. “Go on, I’ll see you soon.”
She mutters to herself as she disappears into her office. I wait a moment before heading to the conference room, slipping inside, the meeting already well underway.
