Page 71 of All That Glitters

Unable to refuse his offer, I take my cup in hand, both of us fixing the brews in silence before Stanic takes the first sip.

It pays to be careful. I watch him for any sign of a reaction before lifting the porcelain to lips.

“I have to be honest,” Stanic says, “I never expected to receive your call. It delighted me to hear your voice again, and even more so when you made the deal.” His eyes twinkled with mirth, his accented voice low and lulling.

“You were so eager to lose Parker,” I reply, stalling before we get down to the nitty gritty.

“Parker has always been disposable. He is too singularly focused, too selfish. He never had your vision.”

“You mean my willingness to see the larger picture.” How would Maxim react if I told him my focus has narrowed? He probably already knows.

“It is an asset to be able to look ahead and consider all the outcomes,” Stanic agrees with a nod.

My eyes turn to slits as I watch him. “Did you foresee this?”

The glint in his expression says yes. If I know one thing about Stanic Maxim, it’s to never underestimate him. He looks like a jolly older gentleman, having taken the transition past middle age better than most. He’s the poster boy for looks being deceiving. It’s what got me involved with him in the first place.

I shift on the couch, the cup warm in my hands, the rest of me achy and uncomfortable and trying not to let it show.

I’d had no one to look out for me except a kindly guy who took an interest in what I had to say. He’d roped me with ease, and I went willingly.

I might have stepped up in the world, but if he wasn’t happy with the arrangement or my use to him, then I’d be gone in the blink of an eye. He’s a cold-hearted son of a bitch with only a single love in this world: his fucking dog.

I brace, waiting for the other shoe to fall, for the axe to drop and my head to roll, sullying the pristine floor.

Stanic takes another careful sip of coffee before lifting his gaze to mine. “Now,” he says abruptly, his tone colored by his accent. “Let’s discuss the details of our merger, shall we?”

I set my cup down on the coffee table as my stomach churns with acid.

“I thought the others would be here,” I start. “What happened to your second and third in line? Do you not trust them anymore?”

Stanic waves me away. “Why not keep things simple between two old friends? It makes the most sense, does it not? It seems more personal this way.”

“What would you like me to say?” I ask.

“Gratitude would be a start,” Stanic says simply.

Why? He wasn’t the one who pulled the trigger today. He wasn’t the one who sent Parker Heath straight to hell.

“I didn’t have to accept your offer.” Stanic clicks his tongue, as though he hears my thoughts out loud. “It is enough that I took your call. More when I agreed to hear you out.”

“You have a point.”

“Now, the way I see it, there is no reason for us to delay. You and your starlet will finish Heath’s movie.”

He must have noted my surprise as well, the slight tick of a muscle near the side of my eye.

“You will take over where Parker failed and bring in more money from Hollywood venues. For the family. You understand.”

It feels like another nail in my coffin, but yes, I do.

“He did as well as he was able, given his greed and proclivities.” Stanic studies his cup. “Lately, it seemed as though he lost sight of things, too focused on women and horses to pay his dues. But if he brought you back, then I must thank him—from this side of the grave, of course.”

Stanic has always used his ill-gotten gains to produce movies and move into larger and grander events in Hollywood. Now I’m part of his laundering schemes. I’ll be the middleman, taking his cash and growing it.

His territory will expand like the plague because of me. And Empire.

“I will agree to all your terms.” The words taste like ash on my tongue. “But Miss Stone is out after this movie. I refuse to let her become involved in any way, shape, or form. She’ll only take another part if she wishes and if she so chooses, it will have nothing to do with you or the family,” I clarify.

---