Chapter 65 Stop! Molly is allergic to smoke
Giovanni’s POV
I didn’t know where this was coming from, but I doubted Molly was directly involved in this. Don Black wanting to see her might be his way of trying to weaken me, but I have everything planned out.
Pouring Hank a cup of black coffee, I shared my observations. “Hank, I think you are confused. There is no way Molly is connected to Don Black. We don’t even know what he looks like,” I explained, but Hank insisted.
“Exactly what I mean.” He lifted the cup of coffee to his lips and sipped. “Just the way I like it. No cream, no sugar.”
I glared at him after pouring myself a cup, signaling him to get to the point.
“We don’t know what he looks like, and Molly has been a housewife for two years. So why would he want to use her against you when you aren’t even her ex-husband?”
Hank’s questions were beginning to make sense, and I dropped the cup of coffee on the table.
It was strange for us to discuss such matters over coffee. The usual choice was whiskey and vodka, but alcohol had a way of clouding judgment, and with such important matters, I needed a clear head.
I wasn’t Molly’s ex-husband, and the moment she entered my life, Don Black, whom I had been tracking for years, suddenly seemed ready to make an appearance.
“Okay, I will question her, but I need a favor from you. Marie needs to get into Wesley’s company to gather information for me, but there are no vacancies.”
Hank sipped his coffee again before setting the cup gently on the saucer. He rose to his feet and reached for a cigar in his jacket, but I stopped him before he could light it.
“Stop! Molly is allergic to smoke.”
He stared at me with a mix of shock and concern. “You don’t share your office with Molly, and yet, you won’t let me smoke here because of her allergy? Gio, excuse me for asking, but are you sure you aren’t getting emotionally involved? With Octavia in the picture, this could complicate things, and Nicole already seems like trouble.”
Frustration coursed through me, and for the first time, I was at a loss for answers.
“Don, we caught Riff. He tried to molest another one of our staff," Zak interjected without permission. I glared at him, prompting a sorry look on his face. "Sorry, Don. The boys are asking what to do with him."
Riff, a drug lord who abused innocent girls, was now in our custody. While I wanted to personally deal with him, my priority was reclaiming Molly's company.
"Declare him missing and release any incriminating information we have on him," I instructed.
Zak grinned, relishing such tasks, while Hank appeared displeased. "Why didn't you assign me that job?" he asked, sounding annoyed. I chuckled in response. "Why pay extra when they are on salary? That's why I hired them."
Hank, despite being my best friend, was a costly asset. While I could afford his services, I always kept an eye on my budget.
Similarly, when he purchased equipment from me, I offered him a generous discount, knowing he had amassed wealth through legitimate means.
As Hank refilled his cup, he brought up the reason for his visit. "So, you want Marie to infiltrate Molly's Company? Do you trust her that much?" he inquired. I shrugged in response.
"It doesn't matter if it's Molly's company; it's Wesley's for now. As for Marie, she sought a second chance and understands the consequences of betraying me," I explained.
A flicker of something crossed Hank's eyes, but it quickly vanished. "You're right. She wouldn't dare. However, unless you're willing to hire some of Wesley's employees, I don't see another solution," Hank suggested, leaving me slightly puzzled.
"Wait, you want me to hire some of his workers?" I pondered the idea, finding the answer I sought.
"Yes, exactly. Offer some of his employees better opportunities to entice them to leave. They can't work here but in our new branches," I proposed. Hank nodded in agreement.
"That's the plan. If you approve, I'll handle the recruitment process and poaching," Hank suggested.
To maintain secrecy, I couldn't involve my current staff in this operation. If Wesley caught wind of my plans, I might need to resort to force, jeopardizing the success of the mission.
He had already transferred ownership to his mother, so who knows what other shares he has sold? Their business is thriving, so there must be good profits there, and Molly would have to get it all.
"Consider it done. Do as you wish," I instructed before remembering how businesses could take him across the world.
"I hope you aren’t going to be MIA anytime soon."
He smiled and retorted, "Will you pay me extra if I told you I refused some million-dollar contracts because of you?"
I was moved to hear that he did that for me, but for a man like Hank, I knew there was more.
"No, you didn’t do it for me."
He smiled and replied, "That’s right. You are so smart, but I let them go because they were too dangerous, involving top government officials."
That was indeed dangerous. As much as Hank loved his job, I knew that he also loved his life. "Then I’m honored to have you full time until this is over," I stretched my hand towards him, but he shook his head and declined.
As soon as he turned to leave, I remembered something and asked him, "About Nicole. How did you handle her?" I saw his expression change.