Page 42 of Vicious Heir

“And you’ll continue to do that.”

He hesitates. Clearly, he wasn’t expecting that. “You’re going to leave me in charge?”

“In name only,” I clarify, walking slowly over to his nice view. “You were at the wedding last night. You’re aware that I have enemies.”

“That was terrible, what happened,” he murmurs softly. “I hope everyone’s okay.”

“They are, no thanks to you. I made sure my men handled it.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“But that incident only made it clear that I don’t have much time to shore up my power. I need this fund, and I need it immediately.” I turn to face him. “You’re going to start washing my fucking money, and you’re going to do it with a smile on your face because the fund will take a small cut for every dollar it cleans.”

His eyes go wide. I let him process that statement. Then he shakes his head. “That’s insane. We’re ahedgefund, not some crooked fucking deli.”

“Exactly. You’re a hedge fund. That’s way worse than a crooked fucking deli. The first wire transfer should come through in the next few hours. You’re going to make sure I get back ninety-eight percent of that, clean, clear, and taxable. Two percent is your take.”

His jaw works. He’s clearly outraged. I wait for him to grow a spine, but instead, he surprises me.

“Three percent,” he says, jaw tight and eyes sharp. “Two for the fund. One straight into my pocket.”

I almost laugh. The audacity of this man. But I appreciate pragmatism, and in the long run, three percent is a tiny price to pay if it means getting enormous sums of spendable cash in return.

“You drive a hard bargain.” I shake his hand tightly. “I need you to keep an ear to the ground for me. I’m sure you’ve heard rumors about what happened at the wedding.”

“People are talking about it,” he agrees, sitting heavily at his desk. “They’re saying you’re dangerous.”

“They’re probably right.”

“You have people spooked. Cops are swarming all over too.”

“We can handle the PPD and the district attorney. They won’t link the bombing to us.”

“You sure about that?”

“Positive.”

Luca’s phone starts to ring. He answers it quietly and glances over. “Adriano, it’s Vittorio.”

I check my watch. A little past noon. “Took him long enough.”

“He’s got our packages. Two of them. Though one’s not doing well.”

“We’ll meet him back at the house shortly.”

Luca relays my message and hangs up.

I face Pierre. He seems wary but less stressed. The poor idiot must’ve been afraid that I’d fire him and take control of the fund myself.

But why would I want to do that when I could keep him here as a fall man, just in case?

“You’re my man in here now, Pierre. Do you understand me?”

“I understand you.”

“Good.” I turn away. “Fire half your staff.”

“Wait, what?” His mouth drops open like a gasping fish.

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