Page 107 of Dangerous Rhythm

The elevator dinged. Footsteps echoed off the concrete floor.

“Mr. Stiletto,” Lina greeted.

“What is this?” Tony questioned suspiciously. “Sal, call the car back. This doesn't feel right.”

Shit. Is the mission blown?Curtis sweated as he listened from his hiding place.

“Mr. Stiletto. I think you’ll want to stay and talk with my client,“ Lina's voice was bold and confident.

"Who are you?“ Tony questioned. “I thought I was meeting a prospective investor.”

“And you will,” Lina said. “I’m the broker.”

There was doubt in Tony’s voice. “You?”

“I’m a special broker,” she confirmed. “Give me and my client ten minutes of your time and your open mind, and we can meet your investor.”

“You look like a cop,” he challenged. “I have nothing to say to you.”

“I’m a private consultant," Lina's voice softened. “My only concern is my client.”

“Who’s your client?” Tony demanded.

That's my cue.

“I am.” Curtis walked out.

Tony frowned at Curtis. He pushed his glasses up his nose as he took in Curtis’ features.

“You?” Tony finally recognized him. “What the hell is going on here?”

“We’d like to talk with you about your mother,” Lina said solemnly. “She is hellbent on revenge for losing your brother, which we all can relate to.”

“Who are you to talk about my brother?” Tony snarled. “Have you had a brother murdered in cold blood?”

“I witnessed your brother kill a boy in cold blood,” Curtis couldn’t help but point out the hypocrisy.

Tony couldn’t deny the fact, so he lashed out at Curtis instead, “I should kill you right here, right now, snitch.”

Sal, Tony’s man, who had been watching with some confusion, moved to grab something under his jacket.

“Uh-uh,” Lina warned calmly, pointing at the red dot above Sal’s heart. “You don’t think we came unprepared, do you? Hands clear, please.”

With easy and unhurried movement, Lina frisked Sal and took a handgun and a blade from his person. Then she turned to the flabbergasted Tony. “Are you armed, Tony? May I call you Tony?”

“No, I’m not armed.” Tony begrudgingly opened his jacket and showed the inside to Lina.

“Good.” Lina signaled whoever aimed the laser pointer at Sal to stand down. “We’re only here for a discussion and, hopefully, an agreement.”

“I’m here to talk to you, man to man,” Curtis addressed Tony. “I don’t think you want to kill me, Tony. That’ll be bad for business. And you look like a smart man.

“I’ve read a lot about what you’ve accomplished with your family’s empire. You’re trying to achieve what your rival, Connor Murphy, has managed to attain.”

“Oh yeah? And what is that?” Tony played coy.

“Respect,” Curtis said.

“I have respect,” Tony spat.

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