Page 11 of Unbound

“He did. His words. Tell Tommy Ferrano that I recommend he show up.” Ben sipped his drink. “It’s on neutral territory, a nightclub just off the strip. I have half a dozen bouncers who can accompany us and keep the peace.”

“You go. Let me know the gist. He wants a meet with me, he can reach out directly and request that. My response to that request will be a reflection of the way his request comes across.”

It’d also happen only after I had a chance to scout the planned location, or choose it. And bring my own muscle. With a sniper planted, his weapon pointed at Denarda the entire time.

Johnny shook his head. “He’ll see that as a sign of disrespect, Tommy. You really wanna poke him like that?”

“Ask how many fucks I give,” I clipped. “That disrespect is not unearned. That slimy little cheap-suited fuck hasn’t earned the time of day from me and if my suspicions are right and he’s fucked with all that shit back home, he’s gonna feel the opposite of my respect. Right where it hurts.”

“Shit back home?” Ben asked.

I shook my head. “Forget about it for now. I’m still confirming. You take the meet and lemme know the gist.”

The subject got dropped and our meeting went on and we dealt with the things we needed to, final numbers and plans for the launch of Fete. There was PR happening and we’d be having adult industry big-name entertainers flown in for it.

I wasn’t planning on attending the opening night events. They were trying to talk me into it but bringing my pregnant wife into that scene? The alternative of going stag? Probably not a great idea. I told them I’d think about it.

Dare and I didn’t want to be in this business long-term because of some of the people it’d tie us to, but based on associations and the past as well as the façade we were trying to keep up, it was the only thing that made sense for now.

John needed this, he’d taken some financial hits in the past few years. I’d help get it going and then in a year, maybe two, we’d sell our shares back to John and Ben.

I got a ride back to my hotel from one of Ben’s drivers, calling Tia on the way. She answered on the third ring, her voice small.

“Hello?”

“Sleepin’ baby?”

“Mm. It’s okay. How are you?”

“I’m good. On my way back to my room, crashin’ early. Just wanted to see how you’re feeling.”

“I don’t know yet. I guess I’ll find out when I finally get my head off this pillow.”

“You been in bed all day?”

“No. I got up and got stuff done for the party tonight and then I decided to take a nap after I made all the food. Sheesh, I slept a long time.”

“I’ll call you later then. Sarah still there?”

“Think so. I’m gonna take a shower; girls’ll be here soon. Love you. Call me before you go to sleep?”

“Yep. Have fun. Love you, baby girl.” I entered the hotel and tucked my phone into my pocket and then stopped near a bank of elevators, leaning over to fix my shoelace.

From the corner of my eye, I saw something that tweaked me. An older guy, trench coat, coming up beside me. He halted when I bent and then he skirted the couple walking in front of him, quickly walking by me, disappearing around a corner in a way that felt unnatural.

It might’ve been nothing, but I’d learned over the years to trust my gut. Trench coat done up like that indoors in the fuckin’ desert? I’d lay bets he was following me. And packing. But for who? Denarda? Or, I was being followed by Zack’s Fed buddies.

I hit the button for the elevator. One opened immediately. I got on it and hit buttons for the second, third, fifth, and twenty eighth floors.

I let the doors open and close on the second floor and then got off on the third, crossed the long hallway to the other end and then climbed up to the fourth floor and called the elevator. Whoever was watching me wouldn’t know which floor I’d gotten off on, unless they had the elevator camera feed hacked.

As the elevator climbed to my floor, I texted Nino.

Come to Vegas. Get on the next flight. Arrange security detail for me. Double security for Tia. Tail the goof and toss his house. Thinkin’ he might’ve put out a hit on me.

I entered my hotel room with my gun drawn. The room was empty, but I wasn’t taking any chances so I examined, then packed up my shit, changed into jeans and a hoodie with dark glasses and sneakers, and then I switched hotels and checked in under a fake name.

It was the next day. I was in another meeting with John, Ben and the other investors for Fete. Ben said Denarda had canceled their meeting after the start-time. So, my guess? He saw I wasn’t there and that’s why he canceled.

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