Page 28 of Vanished in Vegas

“Bring him in.”

“He doesn’t want to enter without his protection party.” The room filled with laughter. A smug grin tugged at my lips.

“He can bring a fucking army in here. It won’t fucking matter,” I spat. The guys cheered. “Tell him to get the fuck in here.”

“You got it, Boss,” Manny replied then stepped out into the hallway. A few minutes later, heavy footsteps sounded.

“Antonio,” Tino acknowledged, walking into my office with his pathetic entourage behind him. A total of six guys. They filed into the room at the far end of the twelve-seat table, where the empty seats were.

Tino wore a shitty pinstripe suit with the pant legs too long. He looked like he crawled off a seventies porn and was about to go represent someone as their public attorney. The slob had no decency or self-respect.

I didn’t respond to him. I simply gestured at the empty seats. He sat down then four of his goons sat down with two remaining behind him standing.

“Where’s my niece?” he asked, looking around the room.

“She’s safe,” I replied with my eyes narrowed in on him. I still couldn’t believe that beautiful Sofia was related to this ugly piece of shit.

“How do I know I can trust you?”

“You don’t,” I smirked. He muttered something under his breath, but we were too far apart for me to hear.

“I want to see her.”

“After we discuss some things.” My eyes landed on Monty. I nodded my head and he closed the door.

“You kidnapmyniece but want me to do things on your terms?” Tino chuckled sarcastically. His goons rolled their eyes and shook their heads.

“You got my memo about Manny, right? Or did you need another memo?” I snarled.

“Yeah. I got it,” Tino replied, sitting back in his chair. His entire aura shifted. He went from cocky-shithead to scared shitless.

“Are you sure? We have some other pieces of Manny laying around if my point wasn’t understood?”

“No. His face being delivered to my front door got my attention.”

“Good,” I nodded. “So, here’s how this is going to happen. You’re going to sign over all rights to any and all casinos you have your filthy paws on.”

“What?” he scoffed. “Not a fucking chance. I’ll just let my brother handle you,” he began to stand.

“I’ll bet a truck driver’s statement that you sit your fat ass back down,” I smirked when his eyes landed on me. They were the size of saucers. All color in his face drained. My words had hit their mark.

Slowly, Tino sat back down.

“Which casinos?” he asked, letting out a heavy sigh.

“All of them.”

“All of them?” he gritted through clenched teeth.

“Allof them.”

“And I get?” His words made me laugh.

“This isn’t really a negotiation. More like an ultimatum.”

He stared at me long and hard. His mouth opened as though he wanted to speak, but it closed just as fast. All eyes were on him.

“And if I don’t?” he finally asked.

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