Page 18 of Dark Encounter
"Right." He nodded and turned back toward my father. "We had two fatal incidences, and of course the cops got involved immediately."
"Is Nathaniel still working for you?" My father tilted his head a little to the side.
"Yes. He's our bouncer, but-"
"He's working for us as well now." My father glanced over at me. "Whatever decision we make here today, bring him in on it. He has a foot in both of our worlds, which will benefit us in this endeavor."
"Which is?" I glanced over at Fredrick.
"I need the cops off my ass. If you have a plant in the police department, I could use some help sweeping this away."
"That's all?" I glanced back toward my father, who nodded.
"Yeah, but there's a new rookie detective on the case, and the guy seems street smart. Maybe we could put a bullet in his head as well?" Fredrick's request surprised me a little.
"Cole Matthenson is the kid’s name." My father leaned back in his chair, looking like the devil himself. "I don't think there's any need to off a cop just yet, but we can take care of the plant."
"How much?" Fredrick turned and looked at me and then back to my father again. "I have most of my money tied up in real estate, but I can liquidate a few things if need be."
"Eight hundred thousand for removing the cops from your trail, deleting the evidence and scaring the newbie cop." My father tapped his fingers on his desk as if Fredrick were taking too long, though he'd given the poor guy no time to think.
"Wow. That's a shit load of money, Lucien."
"Take it or leave it, old friend." My father shrugged. We didn't need the money or the pain in the ass to deal with. We had our own shit storms brewing every way we turned.
"Alright, but you have to give me some time to get that kind of green." Fredrick stood.
"You have two weeks. Our part will be done in a few days." My father stood and extended his hand. "And don't fuck with me. You know the way I operate. You don't keep up your end of the bargain, and I'll take something far more valuable than money."
"I understand. Thank you." Fredrick shook my father's hand and glanced down at me. "Thank you, both."
"Sure." I stood up and held the door open for him, closing it after he passed through. I turned toward my father to find him studying me. "What does he have that's more valuable than money?"
"To us? Nothing, but to him? Everything. His daughter is a top model here in New York. They keep their relationship hidden because she wants it that way, but the girl means the world to him. She's all he has left of his wife, Daniella. The girl is beautiful like her mother." His lip lifted in a wicked smile. "I almost hope that he doesn't pay up."
"Why's that?" I moved back toward the door, ready for some time to myself.
"Because you'd like the girl, Erik."
"You know I would never force myself upon a woman."
"You wouldn't have to." He sat back down. "She’s starved for attention. She'd beg for your affection. Might be a nice gift from me to you."
"A needy woman?" I snorted. "No, but thank you."
"Be careful, and tread lightly, son. Don't fall for this city girl. It will only lead to your destruction because of her own." He rubbed his chest and turned toward his window, leaning back and letting out a long sigh. He'd died the day my mother had so many years ago and was nothing more than a heartless bastard with too much time on his hands now.
"Anything else?" I asked softly as my hand lingered on the door handle.
"No. Tell Kane to look into the theft I mentioned and take care of it. Report back when it's done."
"Yes, Sir." I opened the door and walked down the long, empty hall toward the front door. Was Grace still at my place? Asleep on my bed? Her beautiful body tangled in my sheets?
I'd give her a day to rest, and then I was calling... it was time to tease her into full submission, to make her crave me in a way that left her unable to turn me down.
I hated to play games with her, but my black soul demanded it of me.
