Chapter 155
Chapter 155
Lucky
“Why are the workers not working?” I ask Alex trying hard to calm my temper down. For some reason I seem to be flying off the hook for no reason and having outbursts. It’s hot in Arizona and I haven’t seen Nico for the last three weeks.
He has been in New York City and I am trying my darndest to get this project beyond the first phase. The footings are almost done and boy was that a headache. It seems men do not like taking orders from women. So, I hired women and you know what? They get the fucking job done. No questions, ifs or buts, they just do it. I pay them extra as well, not that I make that apparent. Instead, to make it all above board, I gift them a productivity bonus. Tough shit to the men, I say. If they want to disrespect me and favor Dario – fuck them!
“There is some strike on about labor wages,” Alex tells me glancing up from her screen, moving her clear framed glasses back up her nose.
I furrow my brow. “What the fuck do you mean a strike? Why wasn’t I notified?”
“Lucky, I thought you knew. Dario was supposed to have a meeting with you two weeks ago and discuss how you were going to move forward with this.”
What the fuck? That little shit didn’t say anything to me. Listen, we’re still not on great terms but conversation does flow. If we are talking about the casino and hotel project. It would appear the little snake in the grass is only divulging what he wants.
“He didn’t. In future, Alex please make sure you keep me abreast of everything. Dario is obviously not keeping the lines of communication open. God, why is it so hot in here?”
She doesn’t get phased by my outbursts or temper tantrums, instead she gets up and goes to the fridge in the corner of my office and pulls out an iced coffee and pours it into a crystal glass, with two ice cubes.
“Here, have this it might help soothe your fraught nerves today. The women said they would work, but Lucky if they do, they will get a lot of shit from the men.”
I mull it over. “Fine, tell them not to jeopardize their roles within my organization. I don’t want them fighting with the men and being jeered at. It’s hard enough for them anyway as it is working in a male dominated environment. How long this this strike on for?” God help me.
“Two more days.”
I feel like I am about to have a cardiac arrest as my chest hammers in my heart. “That is going to put us back a week or more. Shit, double up on the labor when the strike is over. I can’t afford to be behind on schedule. I have to present to Nico and the stakeholders in another week’s time.”
And talking of snakes in the grass, in waltzes the very man himself with a grin on his face I could easily slap off. My blood is boiling. If I’d have known, I would have gotten extra labor in a week ago and had double crews and shift in place.
“Lucky, how are you this morning? Nice and early I see.”
“Sit!” I command. He raises an eyebrow at me.
“Bit feisty this morning, aren’t we? Did you get out of bed the wrong way?” I swear to God, I could drive a stake through his heart. The only thing stopping me from getting physical is that he is Nico’s kid brother.
“Want to explain to me why you never mentioned there was going to be a labor strike? This is your domain and I am your partner.”
He checks his nails as he crosses one leg over the other. Is he fucking emulating my husband right now? Cheeky bastard.
“Lucky, in all honestly, I thought you were across everything. You missed it, not like you sister-in-law.”
“Right, that is it. I am speaking to Nico to have our arrangement revoked. You are off the project.” I stand as I deliver my announcement, my hands resting on the table in front of me. Alex’s eyes bug out of her head; she slides the glasses back on her nose and fans herself with her right hand.
“You can’t do that, Lucky. I’m a Santangelo. This is Santangelo business.”
“And I, Dario am the fucking Queen of this Mafia scene.”