Page 49 of Dangerous Contract: Part 2

"Alright, Uncle," Raz addressed Patrick again. "Now that you're not under immediate threat of redecorating the walls with your brains, tell me, do you agree that the choice of the president is ours to make and not theirs?"

Patrick remained silent, weighing his options or perhaps calculating who would be the most beneficial to betray: Raz or the board. The eyes of the board members flicked back and forth between Raz and Patrick. But they remained silent, their tongues held hostage by fear.

"Businesses require structure and order...." Patrick began, only to have Orazio cut him off.

"Careful with your words, uncle. Bryce is feeling trigger happy."

From the front of the room, Bryce's eyes remained locked on his father, a storm of unresolved anger swirling within their depths.

Patrick's gaze flicked nervously toward his son, then back to Orazio, whose smile wasn't a reflection of amusement. Raz wasn't amused at all. His smile was more a baring of teeth – a wolfish grin that made his prey uncomfortable.

Shifting in his seat, Patrick said, "I'm just saying a business needs structure. Without structure, it'll collapse."

"It's funny that you're speaking of structure, uncle," Orazio mused, leaning back in his chair, the leather creaking under his weight. "You dare speak of structure when you've been undermining the family from within. When you've been plotting with snakes like Tatum. When you've been having secret meetings with the board behind the president's back."

The board members shifted uneasily, stealing glances toward Patrick, desperate for some sliver of hope to cling to. They found none. In this room, Patrick was as powerless as they were, and Orazio reveled in stripping him of the illusion of control.

Orazio's father had let his uncle get too comfortable with his bullshit. Orazio was nothing like his father. The board members continued casting glances Patrick's way, hoping he'd help them. Patrick couldn't help them. No one could. Raz started to saymore, but Rome leaned over and whispered something in his ear.

In Raz's ear, Rome said, "Leo left to get rid of the bodies we dropped in the restaurant. Also, I've found all the board members' email addresses. I'm sending them a contract to sign since a verbal agreement doesn't mean shit. They'll sign over their rights to be part of how the president and vice president of Cattaneo Corporation is elected in the company."

Raz nodded. Rome went back to clicking on his laptop as Raz addressed the board.

"If you all want a new president for Cattaneo Corp, if you feel my father isn't doing a good job as president, I understand," Raz stated. "The family and I will discuss this, and if we believe my father needs to be replaced, he will be. But this isn't a decision that can be made lightly. Our family will let you know what we decide once we're done talking things over. Any questions?"

Raz waited for someone to speak. When no one did, he said, "It's okay. You won't get shot for speaking your mind right now. Go ahead. Tell me your thoughts. I'm willing to listen. Last chance."

A few of the board members shifted in their seats, looking like they wanted to say something.

It was Mr. Frillman who spoke up. "I agree with whatever Mr. Cattaneo decides. The young Mr. Cattaneo. Not Patrick. If we're done," he whined. "I'd like to go to the hospital now."

The man's eyes briefly drifted shut.Yeah, that one wouldn't be conscious much longer.

Raz pointed to Mr. Frillman and said, "If he dies, it's on you all. Yeah, I shot him. But you all are the ones holding him hostage. This meeting can end as soon as you all agree that my family will control who the president of Cattaneo Corp is and how a president is elected. Do you all agree?"

Their gazes swept to Mr. Frillman.

"P-please," Mr. Frillman whispered.

Slowly, they began to nod their heads.

Raz looked to Rome and asked, "Have you sent it?" Rome nodded. Raz faced the board again and said, "While I do trust you all, a business can't run off verbal agreements alone, right?"

Phones dinged around the room.

"My brother has sent all of you a contract stating that from now on, these kinds of meetings won't be necessary. I'm not saying you all can't meet. But I am saying that you can't meet to discuss hiring or firing a Cattaneo or discussing the role of president atourcorporation. Our family will take care of that. As soon as you sign the doc, you can leave. No other board member has to be shot, and no board member has to be killed... today."

The men stared at their phones, seeming reluctant to sign over the power that made them bold enough to have a meeting like this in secret. Raz placed his gun on the table.

"You have five minutes before I start killing everyone who hasn't signed," Raz snarled, voice cold, emotionless.

He was ready to get back to Monique. He didn't have time for this shit. Motherfuckers suddenly remembered how to e-sign docs on their devices. He watched as they scrawled their signatures across their phone screen.

From the corner of his eye, he saw his uncle watching him. Orazio could practically feel the anger rolling off Patrick Cattaneo. His uncle could stay mad. Raz wasn't the reason this was happening. Patrick was. Raz looked over at Frillman, who was still trying to get his phone out of his pocket.

Raz sighed and said, "Someone help Frillman with his phone."

One of the other board members rushed to do Raz's bidding. As he stared around at the board members, he realized this was one circus he didn't want to be the leader of. He didn't know how his father put up with complaining ass men all the time.

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