Page 26 of The Mastermind

“First of all, if it was measly, why don’t you just go to a bank and get a loan?” I lifted a shoulder. “Your blackmail landed you on the top of my shit list. If three million bought anything today, it’s a target on your back. If and when you decide to ruin my life, think again. I don’t miss my mark.” I leaned over the table, picked up a blue pen from the silver container, twirling it around my finger. “I’m not a kid you can push around anymore. With that much money, I can hire three skilled men to eliminate my ‘problem’ without anyone knowing. Do you want me to sign that contract with those men?” I clicked and clicked the pen.

Brian fumed, and the vein in his neck pulsed. The clicking annoyed him, so I kept doing it until I got bored and dropped the pen on the table. I rose from my chair, anger pumping off my chest.

Brian didn’t answer my question. Instead, his lips thinned, and loathing filled his eyes. He was probably trying to think of a backup plan, seeing how this one just went down the drain. I knew how his brain worked.

When I received Brian’s blackmail email, I had my PI look into Brian and every model I’d been with. Sometimes patience was required for important projects, and I was a man who had a lot of experience with that virtue. So I waited until I had the necessary information in my hands before I made the trip to Providence.

No one screws with me without repercussions.

Why hadn’t Brian asked Dad for the money? What was he using the money for? More gambling issues? These questions needed answers, which would take time to uncover. It infuriated me he’d already taken up too much of my precious time, which could’ve been spent on something more worthy.

I ambled to the door, paused, and turned to face him. “As for the person who gave you that recording? I’ll deal with her my way. I hope you enjoyed my sloppy seconds.” I grimaced and shook my head. “She was justoneof my many toys. Feel free to pass along that message.”

His expression turned indifferent as though he didn’t want me to see the shock that glittered in his eyes. Yeah, I knew he’d slept with the Czech supermodel, Karolina.

“By the way, have you considered that I might have compromising videos of you? The red-haired escort issucha screamer. I didn’t realize you were into BDSM.”

His eyes widened, and his lips thinned into a tense line.

That’s right, asshole.He thought he was a rattlesnake, making noise and frightening me with a video.

I was the goddamned king cobra.

No one fucked with me and got away with it. My PI gave me the info on Karolina, who I had spent one month with five years ago. Not only had she recorded me—which she’d pay for very soon—she also taped other high-profile men. I took copies of everything she had. I just needed to make one call to one of those profiles, and she would disappear. Then I’d gain a new acquaintance who would owe me a favor.

“Can we forget this conversation ever happened?” Brian asked as I opened the door. “It was a lack of judgment on my part.”

Forget it? No way.

“I came all the way from New York to make this meeting, Brian. It was a long drive . . . and a waste of my time. I’ll have to think about that.”

As soon as I left the house, my lungs rejoiced in the fresh air. Being in that house drained my energy. I got into my car as a van pulled up on the other side of the street. A pink logo with the words We Clean Everything was splashed across the side. Two women got out as I drove off.

I thought about how symbolic their arrival was. I hoped they’d clean all the shit that had occurred, especially in the office where I had been.

CHAPTERTEN

REMINGTON

The next day,Howard and I were in the living room of my hotel suite, reviewing the documents for the name change of Lafayette Marketing to Starke Vision.

“It should be completed next week.” Howard closed the folder, looking more relaxed now that we’d finalized the acquisition without a hitch. “How does it feel to own the entire building and the business?”

“Feels like a successful venture.” I slung an arm over the couch and crossed my legs.

“Are you going to sell the business and the building?”

I pursed my lips. “Not sure yet.” It was the truth.

Unlike before, when Howard asked me about selling it, this time, a strange and uncomfortable feeling settled in me. I didn’t know why, but I didn’t feel a thrill about revamping and selling Starke Vision. I’d never been attached to any acquisition. Perhaps it was the building, the property that offered a close-up view of the WaterFire event. This building had caught my eye a long time ago, and part of me wanted to keep it, but I could also make a lot of money selling it. I already owned La Luna Hotel, which was within the WaterFire district.

Audri popped into my train of thought. I had seen her a few days ago when she presented a marketing campaign to a client that left him beaming and crunching numbers as she told him of the potential traffic the promotion would bring to his website. She proposed a well-executed plan that highlighted the targeted audience as women in their twenties rather than focusing on several demographics.

I didn’t usually attend those meetings, but when I’d walked by and heard her voice, I stepped in and took a seat in the back row. She didn’t see me as I witnessed her charisma, intelligence, and beauty. She was a diamond that couldn’t help but sparkle.

“I think I’ll take my time with this one.”

Howard offered a warm smile. “Are you referring to the business or the person?”

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