Page 25 of Beautiful Chaos

It was no secret who my father was as a businessman, but if these men think they would try to strong-arm me into handing over what’s rightfully mine they have another thing coming.

“Mickey had a run-in with my family years ago. He did something unforgivable. He should have paid for it with his life, but instead, we decided to allow him to pay out his debt in services. One being, that we ran our illegitimate businesses out of the basement in the basements of all his establishments. With some persuasion, he was ready to sign over all the deeds to those properties to myself and my brother. Debt paid in full.” Malice finished, shifting his eyes to his brother with a nod.

Havoc pulled a set of paperwork from his back pocket and slid it in my direction. I reached out and opened the packet quickly reading it. I let out a short humorless snort

“So, let me get this straight, you want me to sign over all the properties my father owned, to repay a debt he owed you? Is that right?” Malice looked at Havoc before grunting and giving me a single nod in answer.

“Okay, except there is a flaw in your plan,” I announced still looking down at the paperwork. I looked up to meet Malice’s confused glare.

“I’m not Mickey, and I don’t owe you a fucking damn thing.” Malice’s lips twisted into the beginnings of a smirk as Havoc rose swiftly, sending his chair skidding backward—a poor excuse for an intimidation tactic. I glanced at Max and gave a subtle nod, signaling him to take my lead.

“Now if you will excuse me, gentlemen, I’ve got work to get to. I have some tenants I need to evict from my newly inherited buildings.” I buttoned my blazer, looked at my watch, and met Malice’s burning glare. “I’d suggest you guys start looking for new locations for your illegal operations.”

Max and I make our way toward the door marked ‘Exit’. I paused just before I walked out of it, turning to face the two of them. Havoc stood and Malice was seated, staring in our direction.

“Oh, and if you please, disregard the current signed contracts, my firm will no longer do business with the Petrov family.” I winked and straightened my tie then turned walking to the door.

* * *

Max remained silent until we reached his car, where I slid into the passenger seat. Max turned the key, and the engine of his Ferrari hummed to life. Before merging onto the roadway, Max turned to look at me. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” he said. I laugh out loud throwing my head back.

“Don’t underestimate me, brother.”

* * *

Once we were back in the office, Max began processing the information I had requested earlier in the morning, as I delved into investigating my father’s interactions with the Petrov brothers.

I had no doubt he in was deep with them. Hell, he stayed buried in shit with other crime families, while trying to establish his own, but the idea of him signing away all his assets seemed too drastic.

Despite my disdain for my father, I couldn’t imagine him yielding to intimidation, regardless of the reason. There must have been more to this story, and I intended to uncover it.

Chapter 20

HARPER

Iwoke up, curled on the floor in front of the door. My neck was stiff, and my throat was still dry from crying before sleep consumed me mercifully. I glanced toward the window, through the part in the curtains, I could tell the sun had sunk below the horizon.

“Oh no, I missed work.” I groaned.

I hadn’t missed a day since I started there years ago.

My phone dinged loudly with alerts from the messages and calls I missed. There were thirty-two missed calls from Aster, seventeen text messages that consisted of threats and desperate pleas for me to answer the phone, and one voicemail waiting from Old man Frank.

When I continued to scroll I saw a missed call from an unknown number, and a shiver ran down my spine. Pushing through the panic, I dialed out to Aster.

“Harper! Are you okay?” Aster pleaded through the receiver when she picked up on the first ring.

“Yes, sorry I was sleeping,” I said with a groggy voice.

“Asleep! Are you joking? Harper, what’s the matter?” She demanded, not accepting silent disregard.

“Old man Frank called me when you didn’t open the store this morning, then you didn’t answer the phone, I thought maybe you were sleeping, but as the hours passed, God Harper, I was so worried!” She rambled frantically. She took a deep breath to prepare herself for the inevitable, interrogation.

“Harper, what’s wrong? Did something happen? Should I come back?”

“No! don’t be silly. Maybe I’m coming down with something, I was just really exhausted.” I lied.

“I’m already feeling better,” I said, with a smile she couldn’t see. I didn’t know if I was trying to convince her or myself that I would be okay.

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