Chapter 54 Don Black is making a proposal
Nicole’s POV
I successfully caught the first ball, which felt heavy enough to disfigure my face, but to my surprise, Gio caught the two balls and swiftly sent them back to the two bodyguards.
A smile spread across my face. Gio never misses a target, and this time was no exception. The two bodyguards were screaming like chickens as Gio led me to the table, completely ignoring them.
The other tables were all occupied, with only two empty ones, one of which we took.
The atmosphere grew tense as all eyes focused on us. When a waiter approached us, Gio grabbed him and pinned his head on the table. “Tell Don Black to come out now.”
Laughter filled the room, but Gio remained unfazed. His words silenced those who had been laughing moments before.
“What's wrong with these chickens? If you're not afraid of me, then why hide your face?”
Santiago approached our table with two bodyguards, but with both Gio and I being tough, I wasn't afraid.
Pulling up a chair, he sat in front of us. “Don Dawson, it’s good to have you here, but you are late.” Gio and I were both confused by the situation.
"How could he be late? Did you know he was coming?" I didn't want to reveal that I had informed them of his arrival without knowing the exact time.
Santiago smiled. "I am Don Black's spokesman, but don't try to kidnap me. I don't even know what Don Black looks like. He could be among us right now."
I scanned the room for any suspicious individuals. "What do you want, and who are you?" Gio inquired, prompting Santiago to introduce himself.
"I'm Santiago Sanchez, but you can call me Santiago," he said before his phone rang. "Sorry, I have to take this call."
As he answered the phone, Santiago glanced at Gio. "Don Black is willing to make a deal with you."
Gio's expression showed his lack of interest in games, but he responded firmly, "Tell me what he wants."
Santiago inquired, "He wants to know why you are so eager to see him."
Gio's intense glare and response sent a chill down my spine. Diplomacy was my usual approach to handling such matters, but Gio did not seem inclined to go that route.
“I want to kill him,” he said bluntly, and I could see the fear in Santiago’s eyes and those around us.
There was no doubt that if Gio found Don Black now, no one would be able to save him from Gio's wrath.
“Don Black is making a proposal,” he added, glancing towards the entrance where a group of seductively dressed girls walked in.
Knowing Gio's sexual dysfunction, I feared he might give in, especially in the case of a sexual favor.
“You can either spend the night with these four attractive women or drink these four vodka bottles within ten minutes.”
Gio was not a heavy drinker, for as long as I could remember but the doctor had informed my mother that Gio's dysfunction compelled him to seek the company of at least three women every night. If he went a day or more without release, his desire would intensify.
It was evident that Don Black was aware of Gio's weakness and these women could be used to ensnare him.
The women surrounded him, causing me to clench my jaws as one of them reached out to touch him. Don't," I snarled, the giggled, seeming unfazed by my words.
Oh, I forgot the only person they feared was Santiago. He smiled.
"This is the only way Don Black would give an appointment to see you because, as we speak, he's on his way overseas."
My anger boiled as I realized we had been tricked. We could walk away now and no one would be hurt but I didn’t think Gio would want that.
"You could trick him again. How can you be sure Don Black would show his face next time?" I asked him. Santiago smiled at me.
"Don't forget that Don Dawson never booked an appointment. This is an invasion of privacy, but Don Black is kind enough to make an exception because he needs something from Don Dawson too."
Things were getting out of hand and I felt like a traitor for not having told Gio about the depth of my involvement but I feared that if things advanced, I might be exposed.
All I wanted was to be the one to lead Gio to Don Black. It didn’t have to come to this.
But then, why did I have the feeling that this bait involved Molly? It might be a good idea to hand her over to Don Black so that Gio would be mine anyway.
“What does he need from Gio exactly?" I inquired, but a stern look from Gio made me realize my error.
He had warned me from the start not to utter a word, but speaking out was my habit.
Whenever Gio fell silent, it meant he was contemplating other options, but now I seemed to have exposed him to danger.
"When can I schedule an appointment to see Don Black?" Gio asked after tearing his gaze from me, causing Santiago to force a smile that failed to conceal his nervousness.
"I will lay out the terms once you choose between the drinks and the women."