Page 84 of Taming the Elusive Billionaire

“Shhhhh.” James began, turning toward the mayor. “Just one question, how did you manage to get out of your office?”

“I . . .” The mayor stammered, looking around with fear.

James held his hand to his ear and frowned. “I . . . What? I can’t seem to hear you.”

“I jumped out the window.” The mayor answered hastily while bringing his head down in shame.

“I told you.” James whispered, turning towards the men he came in with, “He is a thief, a big unrepentant one at that.”

“I told you, we do not have any business with you, and never will. We want nothing to do with you or anything related to you, your boss, or your business. Get out and never step foot on my property or my home again.”

“I am aware, but just like we do not like it when people say no to our proposals, we also do not like it when people, like your mayor over there, cheat us from a deal.”

The mayor wiped his mouth and walked forward with rage. “He has nothing to do with this. This is between me and you.”

Mom nodded and stepped forward. “You heard the man. We have nothing to do with your business with him. So, please leave, or I will call the police.”

James chuckled and began to walk around our sitting room, studying the pictures and the shelves. “You know I went home, took some rest, and began to have this thought. You see, I have been in this business for a long, and I know a fraudulent scheme when I see one.”

“What are you talking about?” Dad muttered, looking James directly into his eyes.

“I think you both are in on this. In fact, I think you both never wanted to sell and knew perfectly well I would go to the City’s head for negotiation, and thus together, you both fleeced that money off my pocket, and I am here wondering, just how many buyers have you guys done this too.”

“That is a bunch of bullshit,” Dad muttered. “Of course I never wanted to sell. I have made myself crystal clear on that. So, get the fuck out of my house and off of my property before I make you.”

“That’s what you are going to say, but the facts speak for themselves, and I will do the same when I take you guys to court.”

“Court?” Mom asked, rattled.

“Yes, if it comes down to it. But I will forget about this fraudulent scheme on just two conditions: give me the land, or we spend a long time in court where I will show a series of forged documents of you guys doing the same to others. With what I am seeing, I think that will give you guys about ten to twenty years each, while also forfeiting the land to us, so you see, a win-win situation for me.”

My body felt so weak. I reached for the couch and gently sat on it for support, too stunned to believe what I was hearing.

I looked at Dad’s face, and a tear slipped. I quickly wiped the tears and watched Mom reach toward Dad and grab his arm gently.

“So, what’s it going to be, you know, I know your company has been running on a deficit for some time and thus can’t afford the legal battles, and trust me, our lawyers are getting paid so much they thrive in conflicts and situations like this.”

The mayor walked forward, terrified, “Don’t do this, sir. Please, I am begging you. They have nothing to do with the money I took. Leave them out of this.”

“The time for that is long gone, Mayor, and I think right now, you both need to discuss and decide if you will be preparing the documents for the land or gathering money for the court case. In any case, you have just seventy-two hours to give me a call.” With that, James turned and slowly walked toward the door.

As he made his way to turn the door and walk, I stood hastily for the pillow beside me and threw it at him.

A loud gasp escaped the room as the man turned to glare at me.

“How dare you come into my father’s house and threaten us!”

James looked at the pillow on the floor and then looked at me. “Do you know who I am?” he asked, moving closer, “Do you fucking know who I work for?” he asked, glaring at me, but my dad blocked him off, his hand turned into a fist.

“Your message has been received.” In a low, deadly tone, Dad muttered, “I expect you to leave now so we don’t have to do things we will regret later.”

“You.” James muttered, stepping backward, “It’s now forty-eight hours, two days, and my God, you won’t know what hit you.” And with that, he turned and walked out the door.

CHAPTER TWENTY

MASONBLACKWOOD

I woke with a shout, the same dream I had consistently had for weeks. A vision of someone dragging Lucy away from me, only this time, the person had a face. Mine.

---