Page 38 of Business Temptations

Ricardo glanced over at Zahir, who was casually leaning back in his chair, but listening intently. Another surge of power washed over Ricardo and he nearly preened with satisfaction.

He suppressed the sensation, promising himself that he’d preen later.

“I…obtained…the formula with help from an insider. Or at least, he claims to be an insider. I don’t know, nor do I care.” He flicked his fingers as if brushing away dust. “I just know that the formula is real. It was obtained directly from the vault in the laboratory.”

Clark licked his lips. “How the hell did you get the combination to the vault?” He glanced over at Bernie, then at Ricardo. “We’ve tried to get that formula ever since it was first introduced, but we’ve never managed to break into the vault.”

“And how do you know that the formula isn’t a fake?”

Ricardo chuckled. “It’s real. My chemists are testing the formula now.”

Clark’s bushy, silver eyebrows shifted closer together. “They are only testing the formula?” he grumbled in a low voice. He looked carefully around, spotted Matteo well out of earshot and continued in a quieter tone. “When will you know if the formula is the same?” The man turned and glanced at Antonio’s table. “And what about your son? What’s his role in this negotiation?”

Ricardo shrugged. “I have confidence in my chemists as well as in the person who…obtained…the formula,” he assured the man, then glanced at Antonio. When he swiveled around again, Ricardo feigned disappointment. “And my son does not have the gastrointestinal fortitude for such…arrangements.”

Bernard licked his fleshy lips hungrily. Both men leaned in, eager for more details. “If what you’ve got is real, then I want it. I’ll pay whatever the hell you ask.”

Clark nodded fervently. “I’ll contribute as well. We want that additive off the market.” He turned to Zahir. “Your Highness, are you interested in this operation as well?”

Ricardo eyed the fourth member of their poker game as the sheik finished stacking his chips. The man was grotesquely muscular, but Ricardo supposed that women liked that. The guy was taller than Ricardo, which irked him, but he kept a polite, almost disinterested expression as he waited for Sheik bin Aristi’s response. Of course the man would want to get the additive off the market. Extending the gas mileage for every gallon of fuel ate into the country’s profits by reducing the amount of fuel needed. It was basic math!

“Although my country is still heavily invested in fossil fuels, I have also instructed the universities to research solar, wind, and other green energy alternatives,” he explained, then looked at each man in turn. “The future of energy isn’t in traditional fuels, gentlemen.” He turned to Ricardo. “However, I would be interested in hearing more about this formula you have…” he hesitated briefly, then finished, “obtained.”

Ricardo heard the sound of the plastic poker chips clinking as Zahir lifted a stack of chips and let them fall through his fingers onto the green, felt table. The sound grated on his nerves, reinforcing the fact that he’d lost a significant amount of money tonight. However, the eagerness of the two buffoons sitting across the table was promising. The only unknown factor in his plan was the sheik. He was more…reserved. Cautious.

Ricardo respected that. He also knew that the man’s cautiousness might make him into a stronger ally. Strategic thinking was needed now.

“Can I refresh anyone’s drink, gentlemen?” a female voice asked.

All four of them turned to see a very pretty waitress. Unfortunately, she was covered from her neck all the way down to her toes. Pity. Once again, Ricardo wondered why the owners didn’t enforce a sexier uniform for the waitresses. Men deserved a bit of beauty to enjoy while they were conducting business.

They ordered another round of drinks, and Ricardo was nearly salivating at the potential. A drunk man was more likely to commit to his offer.

They played another round, and Ricardo gritted his teeth when he lost another few thousand dollars. The play was deep in this ridiculous club! Why did the damn chips have to be worth so much money?

It didn’t matter. Bernard and Clark were now on their fourth drinks. The sheik was only on his second, but that probably wouldn’t matter. He had more to lose if people slowed their fossil fuel usage. Sheik bin Aristi knew where his money was made.

“So, when can we have this formula?” Bernard demanded. “I’ll want to submit a patent for it.” He tossed another chip onto the pile. “And I have a guy in the patent office who will back date the application. Once it’s approved, we can stop Larmpo from manufacturing the additive.” He glanced over at Clark. “As soon as the additive is off the market, then we can get fuel usage back up to previous levels.”

“Here you go, gentlemen,” the waitress interrupted.

Startled by the interruption, Ricardo glared at the waitress, furious that she’d interrupted the conversation at such a critical point in their “negotiations”.

He waited until she left, ignoring her when she stood against the wall. He’d already dismissed her from his thoughts. She was only a woman, after all. They were flighty things. However, he glanced at the woman and thought that she might be a good distraction for later in the evening. He wouldn’t mind stripping her bare and making use of her body, but he doubted she had the intelligence to understand the conversation. Business issues were outside the realm of the female mind.

Refocusing on the discussion, he began his pitch, “For one million dollars, I’ll grant you the right to view the formula,” he emphasized to the group of men. “Each of you. One million dollars.” He didn’t want any confusion. “And if you want exclusive rights to the formula, it will go to the highest bidder.” All three men were leaning in and listening intently. “Bidding will start at one hundred million dollars.”

With that, he stood up and walked away, taking his lone, blue poker chip with him. It was worth about a thousand dollars, and he wasn’t giving that up. He estimated that he’d lost about ninety thousand over the last three hours. But he was absolutely confident that he’d have three million dollars in his bank account within a few days.

“Have you heard enough?” Levi asked, glancing at his friend. Matteo had spent only about ten minutes in the billiards room. The point was to be seen, to irritate Ricardo. Then he’d returned to the security office, wanting to watch his father’s antics.

Matteo rubbed his forehead. “I cannot believe he is so arrogant. He literally just admitted to corporate espionage in front of witnesses!” He looked at Levi. “Is he daft? And we have him on video stating this!”

Levi chuckled. “From what I saw, he truly believes that he can get away with his crimes.”

Matteo sighed and shook his head. “I still need to find the person my father hired to break into the vault.”

“True, but that should be easy enough to do.”

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