Page 20 of Punish Me

“That is correct. The DeLucas and the Blacks have been in business discussions for the last year about a project they want to undertake. They’ve met with various contractors but settled on the fact they all want to do business with Top Tier.

“What these gentlemen are proposing is to bring a resort hotel here to Ocean Falls similar to the resorts that the Blacks own in other cities around the world. However, this would be an adult-only resort that includes a casino and a gentlemen’s club.”

“What type of offerings will this resort provide?” Rick asks.

“It will be an all-inclusive, adults-only casino resort,” Mitch says. “The adults-only isn’t singularly focused on the casino, but also the fact that we’ll host special events designed for singles to meet potential partners. The other side of the resort specializes in romantic couples’ getaways. Of course, we’ll have the casino,on-site restaurants, bars, spas, saunas, scuba diving, snorkeling, shopping, golfing, and other amenities.”

“Based on the specifications you provided in the original conference call, we have had our lead architect, Austin, draw up a few designs,” Rick says.

“Yes, he’s sent those to us via email. We’ve narrowed those down to one design,” Alessandro replies.

“I have met with the local council, and I’ve been assured that we shouldn’t have any problems procuring the permits that we need to begin design,” Marco says with a wicked gleam in his eye.

I’m sure that meeting included bribes and maybe a few threats if necessary.

“That and we’ve purchased the land,” Dave Wolf says, leaning forward on his elbows as he clasps his hands. Looking around the table, he asks, “Gentlemen, is there anything stopping us from moving forward on this agreement besides negotiating costs?”

Rick looks from me to Austin and then back to me again. “Gentlemen, I’m sure you know it has always been Top Tier’s policy to conduct business negotiations with reputable businesses. Businesses like the Black Hospitality Group are among the companies we prefer to conduct business with. I um...”

Rick clears his throat, and I bite back a smile as I look at my cousins across the table. Their dark eyes hold no warning of the hell they could create for our attorney’s life. I feel the tension emanating from Rick as he chooses his words carefully.

“I believe the board will challenge the legitimacy of conducting business with an unknown group, which might create funding issues, produce time constraints, and pose potential risks—”

“The only risk that I see is not doing business with us. I don’t play fucking games. When I see an opportunity for growth and—”

“Marco,” Mr. Baxter warns, touching Marco’s shoulder. He takes over the conversation while my cousin controls his temper. “We could easily bring in another construction company to handle a project of this magnitude, Mr. Ward. A company that would be eager to grow in this area, stake its claim, and build its reputation on a project like this one. It would be easy for them to redirect your clients and business to themselves by offering predatory pricing. I don’t think your company would look too kindly on missing out on an opportunity like this one when the variables are all laid out for you.”

“I can assure you that our company would not look kindly on doing business with the mafia,” Rick boldly bites off, slinking a gaze towards my cousins.

“Ahht, ahht. I’d be careful with the names if I were you,” Alessandro says, smirking at our lawyer.

“Especially considering said company has placed the cousins of supposed mafia members as their lead architect and in their head seat as the CEO,” Marco says, steepling his fingers together and closely looking at his fingers as if willing them to remain poised and in control.

Rick’s eyes shoot my way before slowly shifting to Austin before swinging back to me again. It’s as if he’s praying that we will deny something his brain knows is true.

“I don’t believe we’re doing business with the mafia, Mr. Ward. We’re doing business with the DeLuca Group. A reputable company generating over five hundred million in revenue annually, the largest foreign-owned entertainment contributor in America, employing over six hundred employees. These gentlemen operate in the business world with integrity and vision, and if I could have ten business relationships like the onethat I enjoy with the DeLucas, I would die a happy man, Mr. Ward,” Greyson says.

“It is the expectation of this company and the board of directors that I advise the CEO and the board of anything that might put the company at risk.”

“Rick.”

He looks at me.

With a single nod, I say, “Let me handle the board.”

Rick’s eyes widen, and he throws his hands up in exasperation. “Not sure why I’m hired and paid an annual salary of four hundred grand if my advice and legal expertise aren’t honored,” he mutters.

“It’s because you play in peanuts like that and think the way that you do that you don’t generate more income,” Marco sneers.

“Walk me through the logistics of this business partnership and your expectations from the company, and I will give you the projected costs for the job,” I say.

Although I’m listening with one ear to everything they’re proposing, I know that Austin and Rick, despite his mini tantrum, are listening wholeheartedly and taking notes. Despite the name of my mother’s family, I know this is a great business opportunity for the company. I also know that my cousins are reputable businessmen regarding their legitimate businesses.

I would never place this company in a risky situation that might compromise everything it has been built upon. I also know that my cousins wouldn’t ask that of me. The only thing that has me concerned right now is Brynlee.

If she recognizes the DeLuca name, she will make me eat shit for breakfast. If Rick easily recognized it, I don’t see how she might miss it. She only met my mother a couple of times and knew her then as Mrs. Charles or Mrs. Rita. She had no reason to know of my mother’s maiden name or ties to a mafia family.

Was she aware that my mother was Italian? Of course. Just as she knows that my father is French and Cuban, we didn’t do an ancestry.com chart or anything. Yet, I know when she finds out about this, the shit will hit the fan. And she will find out. Rick will make sure to get the word out to the executive staff and the board, and I expect nothing less from him. I only pray that I have time to explain to her first.

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