Page 39 of Dangerous Contract: Part 2

“Monique and I didn’t have the perfect start. I kidnapped her, remember? I pretty much took control of her home, bank, and everything. I did everything that a man shouldn’t do. Fortunately, she forgave me.”

“Yeah. But my first meeting with Meka was still different than your first meeting with Monique. I’ve been lying to Meka since day one.”

“You never told me how you met her.”

“We met in person for the first time at the casino. But we talked for the first time...” Cas paused when Raz’s phone started to ring. “Who’s calling?” he asked.

Raz checked his cell phone. It was Bryce. That knot in Raz’s gut tightened.

“It’s Bryce,” Raz told his brother.

“Shit.”

“I know,” Raz mumbled before answering the call. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s my dad,” Bryce replied, sounding angry.

Fuck!“What’s happened?” Raz asked.

“I just received word that he’s called a meeting for the entire organization.”

“Who the hell gave him the authority to do that?”

“According to my informant, my dad said that the don is missing, and two of his sons, referring to you and Cas, were in a wreck and are now fighting for their lives. And he said the third son is out of the country. He’s called an emergency meeting, and I’m guessing that he wants to be appointed as the don until your dad is found or until you all have healed. Where the hell is my uncle, Raz? What the fuck is going on? Rome called me over to look after your stepmom, and he told me a little bit about what’s going on. But he was in a rush to get to you and couldn’t tell me more. He never mentioned that uncle was missing.”

Raz sighed as he swiped his hand over his face. “My father isn’t missing. He’s... he’s detained.”

“Detained?”

“Yes. Don’t worry. He’s safe.”

“Why does that sound like a bullshit answer? Raz, where is don Cattaneo? I’m not asking as your cousin or his nephew. Right now, I’m asking as a member of the Cattaneo organization. Because that’s the question other members are about to start asking. And they won’t accept a bullshit answer like he’s detained but safe. Do you know how many businesses our family is tied to? With the don missing, those business owners are going to start feeling antsy, wondering if this will affect their money. Money will make people do crazy shit, like instate my father as don if they feel that will keep things stable.”

“I know. Fuck! I know. Where is your father holding this emergency meeting?” Raz asked.

“At Luxe Bistro Royale. And you know who owns that restaurant.”

Shit. The Tatums.

“So,” Bryce continued. “It’s safe to say the Tatums will be at the meeting despite them not being part of the family or the organization.”

What the fuck was his uncle trying to pull? “What time is this meeting supposed to start?”

“In ten minutes. I just found out about it. I’m driving to the restaurant now.”

Raz glanced down at his watch.Shit. He couldn’t make it there in ten minutes. Even so, he couldn’t allow his uncle to meet with the organization and family without him present. There was no telling what lies his uncle had prepared.

“I’ll meet you there,” Raz told Bryce before ending the call.

“Meet him where?” Cas asked.

“Uncle Patrick called an emergency meeting for the organization.”

“He can’t do that.”

“He can when the don and his sons can’t be reached and are considered missing or on life support.”

“Who tried to reach us? No one has reached out to me.”

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