Page 20 of Tammaro DeLuca

“Then?”

“I had a plan. That’s all that mattered.”

“What exactly was the plan?” I scoffed. “Because all I see is drama unfolding.”

“Revenge. Getting you. Moving on.”

“Getting me? Explain exactly what that means. Because for the past week, you’ve been getting me in more than one way. How does this change anything?”

“The marriage between us keeps your father from trying to renege on the deal we have. I need him to cut all ties with Puff Real Estate.”

“Why?”

“Because they’re trying to ruin my business. I’ve explained to them a million times that none of my property is for sale. They can’t seem to understand that. They’ve tried so many times to pull one over on me with underhanded deals with people that are loyal to me. From the decorators to the gardeners. Even the damn cleaning crew. No means no and they’re bullies. So, I’m coming here to hit them where it hurts.”

“They can find new attorneys anywhere.” I pointed out.

“Not if I’ve done my job well. I’ve contacted all the major players to let them know what’s going on. Also explained the number of lawsuits coming Puff’s way.”

I shook my head. “Real Estate law.”

“Yes.”

And if they would have still been clients, I would have been the one to represent them.

“Now she’s catching up, ladies and gentlemen.” He said cockily.

“I understand why you had us fire them. Goal achieved. What about me?”

“I thought you understood.” He stood up and flinched when he put weight on his right leg.

“Cut the shit, Ro.”

“I need to know that I can trust you. The last thing I need is for you to fuck me over.”

“How would I do that?”

“Because on Monday, I’m going to approach your office for legal advice. They’re going to appoint you as my attorney. Since I’m suing your old client, it’s best that it’s not a conflict of interest.”

“For how much, Ro?” I massaged my temples, hating this plan.

“More than they have. I have proof of how they’ve tampered with things to swindle the property from me. All I need is for them to be tied up in court with this, so all of their assets are being scrutinized. I don’t plan to win, at least not the way they think I do.”

“Ro, this is a lot. You own it. Why not let all the rest of this go?”

“Because they won’t. They’re convinced that they’re going to expose me for criminal activity. There aren’t any. Everything with these properties is legit. They know that Beniamino and Massimo aren’t in the legit end of things. The threat he left on my doorstep explicitly said that they were coming for the entire empire.”

“Then we’ll find another way.” I sighed. It was too late to make my brain do what I needed it to do. I was emotionally drained, and this was only adding on to it.

“We?”

“You’re stuck with me for five years. It’s ‘we’. Are you going to tell me what my father has to do with all this and why you’re blackmailing him?”

He swallowed and stared at me. “What’d your father tell you?”

“That you wanted him off the case with the property because of your war with Puff. It doesn’t tell me what you have on my father to make him gamble with the largest company that we’re partnered with. There has to be more to the story that neither of y’all are telling me.”

“His demons are his alone. I got what I wanted.” He was passing me in the hall, and I grabbed his arm to stop him.

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