Page 36 of Business Temptations

“Got it,” Emily replied, drifting easily through the gaming room. “There are three empty chairs at Antonio’s table.”

“We don’t want Ricardo with his son,” Levi replied back. He scanned the security monitors. “Zahir is ready.”

He turned to look at the ruler who was lounging in a chair, speaking with someone on his cell phone. But at Levi’s glance, Zahir ended his call.

“Is it time?” Zahir asked, bending to examine the activities displayed on the monitors. “That is the man who approached me recently,” he said, indicating Ricardo who was stepping into the club. “He’s the one who offered to sell me Matteo’s formula.”

Levi’s smile turned grim. “Then it’s time to teach him a lesson.”

Zahir chuckled. “I like your style,” he replied. “And I’m glad we’re on the same side.”

Levi grinned. “We’re relieved that you brought this issue to us. Matteo is a good man.”

Zahir straightened, jerking the cuffs of his dress shirt. “I’m quickly discovering there are a few ethical people in the world.” He looked directly at Levi, then at Sean and Matteo. “Normally, I’m very cynical about the motivations of the people I meet.” He nodded once, but the gesture encompassed all of them. “I’m honored to assist you with this operation.”

Matteo stepped forward and clapped Zahir’s shoulder in a friendly fashion. “And I am honored that you are willing to help me.”

Zahir put a hand on Matteo’s shoulder. “I’m not just helping you. I’m helping all of us who are sick of the political and financial machinations that are making our world divisive.”

With that, he left the security office with Sean at his heels. The plan was that Sean would introduce Zahir to several of the other club members, specifically the heads of the largest oil and gas companies in the United States. Emily would move in and lead Ricardo towards that table as well.

Matteo watched, trying to remain calm. He had no doubt that his arrogant father would incriminate himself. He was just that type of man. He lived in a small village with his title and his castle and he was literally the law for the villagers. He controlled every aspect of their lives, so why wouldn’t Ricardo assume he could also control the events unfolding today? And Ricardo probably believed he could control Matteo’s life, now that he’d remembered he had a second son.

He remembered being a teenager, lying on that cold, hard floor in the attic and thinking about all the various ways he would get back at his father. He’d imagined several plots to destroy the man’s businesses, to convince the villagers to ignore the man’s dictates, to expose his cheating ways to his wife.

And then a little sprite had whispered under the doorway. Bailey had saved him that night. She’d appeared in his life and shown him compassion.

Suddenly, Matteo just wanted to be done with this so that he could hurry back to Bailey. Her beautiful blond hair and those eyes that always sparkled up at him. She’d been there every day of his life since that fateful night. She’d encouraged him, befriended him, and now…now, she was his lover.

Memories of their one night together flashed through his mind. One night during which he’d spent too much time sleeping and not enough time showing her how much she meant to him. And then that one interlude on his desk. An interlude that would linger in his mind for years to come! He wanted to make more memories on that desk! Yes, he would definitely have to try that scene again. Perhaps late at night though, when they were assured of not being seen, he could reenact that scene, along with a few twists and tricks.

Levi snorted. “You have that look on your face,” he announced as he returned to staring at the monitors.

“What look?” Matteo demanded, moving to sit beside him.

“The look that tells me you’ve finally realized you’re madly in love with Bailey.”

Matteo started to snort, but realized that the sound would be mere habit. He’d denied his feelings for Bailey for so long that it would be hard to break those habits. Besides, Levi was the second person to notice, so maybe he needed to control his expressions a bit more.

But now, thinking about her soft smile and the way that she’d literally created their company, created the secure life that they now enjoyed, not just for themselves, but for the employees in their company. She was the one who’d argued that salaries should be above average. Bailey was the one that demanded better health care benefits and paid maternity leave, not just for the women, but also for the men who wanted to stay home and bond with their newborn children.

She’d created the kind of loyalty and devotion within the organization that had built the company into a powerhouse. Matteo would have instituted average salaries for the various industries and average benefits. Bailey was the one that had demanded more. She’d been right in so many ways!

And now, she was his!

“Concentrate, man!” Levi snapped, jolting Matteo back to reality. “We need you focused tonight, not dreaming about Bailey.” He glanced at Matteo. “She is very sweet and beautiful, and I’m relieved that you two have finally,” he emphasized the word, “realized your feelings. But tonight is about taking down your sperm donor.”

Matteo sat up stiffly and nodded. “You’re right,” he replied. “When do I go downstairs?”

“In a few minutes,” he said, turning back to the monitors. “Emily is leading Ricardo to the poker table with Bernard and Clark.”

Matteo’s features turned grim. “Those two have been hounding Tim to give them his formulas for years!”

Levi grinned, looking over at Matteo. “That’s why we specifically encouraged them to show up tonight. If anyone will take the bait, it’s going to be those two. Zahir is entering…now,” he said with grim satisfaction. “He’s going to glance over to Antonio but…” he nodded again. “Good. Antonio is walking to the table with Sean while Zahir is sitting down with Ricardo.” Levi grunted with approval. “They’ll be in your father’s line of sight, but Antonio will be far enough away that he can’t hear what is being said.”

Matteo leaned in closer to the monitor. “Ricardo will be furious that his son disrespected him,” he said with confidence. “He will consider it a slap in the face and will work even harder to embarrass his son.”

Levi nodded. “That’s the plan. If Ricardo is angry and distracted, he won’t play well. He’ll lose more money and will be more likely to offer the formula to Zahir to earn back his losses. We’re also hoping that he’ll offer the formula to Bernie and Clark.”

---