Page 56 of Reckless Chance
For now.
32
SEAN
Paxton Rossi and, to a lesser extent, his twin brother, Kincaid, hung out with Evan and me throughout college. That was before we learned that our families’ businesses were incompatible with our friendship.
At that point, we faced a difficult decision. In the end, Evan went back to Catalinius, so it wasn’t as much of an issue for him. Kincaid took off for medical school and wasn’t around much. Paxton and I opted to find a way to preserve our friendship. As part of the solution, we agreed to never discuss business, and we never have. It was the only option given the conflict between our two families’ occupations. Mine runs a casino; his runs the Las Vegas mafia.
Regrettably, today I must break that pact. We have to discuss business, and it’s his fault. His people brought Rossi dealings onto my property. That was beyond unacceptable, and I’m going to find out why and make sure it never happens again.
Arriving at Henri’s Bistro ten minutes early, it’s obvious Paxton is already here. Two of his security men are stationed by the front door, and another is roaming the parking lot. Knowing him, his security team arrived at least twenty minutes before meto scout the place. Of course, there are more people gunning for his life than mine.
Walking into the restaurant, I scan the dimly lit dining room, immediately noting that it’s completely empty. A moment later, the tux-clad maîtred' greets me and motions for me to follow him. I do, chuckling to myself that Paxton has taken this meeting request to an extreme. We need to talk, but there was no reason for him to buy out the restaurant. A private room would have been sufficient. He’s been a bit dramatic ever since his father’s revelation at the end of college. It’s probably why he’s still alive though. Who knows what I would do in his situation.
Walking through burgundy velvet drapes guarded by two burly linebacker types, I’m greeted by my college buddy, who extends one hand and slaps my back with the other, saying, “It’s good to see you. It’s been too long.”
“What’s up with the deserted restaurant? I was starting to expect a body search before I could be in your presence,” I say, only half-joking.
“My apologies for the extra precautions. Your invitation was unexpected, and I’ve received verifiable threats lately. I’m taking extra security measures when I’m in public these days.”
“I wanted to meet in person, but I don’t plan to cause you bodily harm.”
“I know. It’s everyone else who worries me. Like it or not, that’s the life my father left me. I’m trying to reform our business as much as possible, but change happens slower than I’d prefer when it comes to how others perceive my family.”
“Our dads both threw us curveballs when they passed away prematurely.”
“They did. Have a seat and let’s talk. Mauricio, Macallan for my friend and a vodka martini for me.”
“Of course, sir.”
“It’s been close to a year since we’ve met. We’re overdue for a lunch, but why the emergency meeting today?”
“Let’s enjoy our drinks before getting serious. Tell me how you and your family are doing,” I say.
“Kincaid’s a successful surgeon in Los Angeles. Our little sister, Brooke, is in Europe now, studying art history. Neither of them wants to be near the family business even though I’ve cleaned it up considerably. We still see each other occasionally. Mom did a stellar job shielding all of us from Dad’s world, but you know what happened. In the end, I couldn’t escape it. Luckily, they could.”
“Your mom made the correct choice using her British citizenship to take the three of you to England for school. I know you hated boarding school, but she gave you a normal childhood, which wouldn’t have been possible here.”
“That’s true. Dad showed up for visits when the other fathers did, so we didn’t figure out the family secret.”
“I’m surprised your parents let you attend college in the States.”
“They tried to convince me to study in England, but I was an adult by then. They didn’t have much choice but to let me return to the U.S. Regardless, I didn’t learn the real nature of Dad’s work until my senior year of college. It was a shitty day when he sat me down andexplainedthe family business.”
“I’ll never forget that day either. I wasn’t sure I believed it when you called and shared the outlandish story. I mean, it was unbelievable that my friend’s dad was the head of the Las Vegas mafia.”
“It felt like a nightmare, and I couldn’t wake up. Can you believe that day he asked Kincaid and me to decide which of us wanted to take over for him when he was gone? I’m still shocked my twin got up, said he was going to med school, and walked out,leaving me to deal with Dad by myself. That was the first time I felt alone. Before that, Kincaid and I were inseparable.”
“I remember.”
“You and I got ridiculously drunk that night trying to figure out what I was supposed to do.”
“We never did come up with a solution where you weren’t stuck with the business.”
“We didn’t,” he says as food arrives.
As we eat, I remember Paxton wasn’t the only one impacted by Mr. Rossi’s revelation. It shook my life too.
