Chapter 113 Business Deal
Lila POV
He stepped closer, folding his fingers through mine. “There’s a certain way we do business, and I need to act in a certain way, be someone you might not like very much.”
The gentle, almost remorseful tone in his voice scared me. It sounded like he was already apologizing for something he had yet to do.
I met his gaze and tried to sound as confident as possible even though I was nervous on the inside. “I think I’ve seen the worst of you, .”
“Don’t be so sure.”
I wanted to ask him what he meant by that, but the big double doors opened, and a crowd of people walked inside. The security that stood scattered around the lounge didn’t react, which told me these were welcome guests.
Nico turned and softly murmured, “By my side at all times.”
Just as he turned, a man emerged from the sea of huge, evil-looking guys who seemed like they were itching for a reason to pull the triggers of the guns they didn’t even try to hide.
“Mike.” Nico reached out and shook the hand of a middle-aged man with dark hair and dark eyes. I expected a big-bellied, gross-looking criminal, but instead Mike was a well groomed, handsome man who didn’t seem like the hardened criminal type at all. “Nico. It’s been a while since we’ve met face to face.”
“Indeed it has. We should try to meet on more joyous occasions rather than wait until shit hits the fan.”
Mike grinned. “In this case, the shit you are referring to is your little brother.”
“He’s always been a little shit to me.”
Mike laughed, and then his gaze fell on me. “Who is this beauty?”
Nico wrapped his arm around my waist, his fingers digging into my hip. “This is Lila Falcone.”
He's eyes grew wide, his lips twitching at the corner. “The Lila Falcone?”
Nico and I both stiffened, but I gathered all my courage and smiled as I held my hand out to him. “It seems like my reputation precedes me.”
He took my hand gently. “It certainly does.” Mike turned to Nico. “I can see why you chose her.”
Nico smiled a fake smile. “She is quite the woman.” He glared in my direction, and I swear I could hear him scolding me because I had spoken what he would deem as out of place.
More people came walking into the lounge, mostly half.naked women, and a few suited men. They were all laughing and talking, obviously looking to have a great time.
Nico noticed the crowd. “I see you brought quite the entourage.”
“You know me, Nico. I love a huge crowd eager to have some fun.” He winked suggestively, and I was immediately grossed out by him.
“Come, let’s have a drink.” We walked over to a set of leather seats at the corner of the lounge. Mike sat down opposite us, his eyes darting between me and Nicy as if he were amused with us somehow. “You know your brother wants her dead?” The way he said it sounded like he wanted to discuss the damn weather.
Nico didn’t even flinch, but my heart felt like it wanted to rip out of my throat. “My brother has always had a problem with the women in my life.” Nico reply was smooth, unfaltering. “It seems he has some trouble finding his own.”
Mike snorted. “It’s different with this one, Man.” This one, as if I wasn’t even there. “Word on the street is there’s a hefty reward for the one who brings him her heart.”
“Word on the street is that Damon is in way over his head.” Nico demeanor remained unchanged, unaffected by the direction this conversation was going.
He and Nico stared at each other for a few more seconds before Jorge clapped his hands together. “Okay. So, before we get to business, we need to start the evening off right.”
Nico stiffened, yet he didn’t take his eyes off him.
Mike summoned one of the men standing behind him and the man scurried around the couch, and the little plastic bag in his hand caught my attention. I watched as he poured white powder onto the glass table in front of us, that was white powder? Drugs. Christ.
The man sliced through the powder with a thin rectangular blade, moving so fast that it was clear this wasn’t his first rendezvous with this stuff.
Mike looked at me, holding out a rolled-up one hundred dollar bill. “Ladies first.” My heart was no longer in my chest. It was in my belly trying to tear its way out of me.
Nico leaned forward. “I’m afraid she won’t be using tonight.”
He lifted a brow. “May I ask why not?”
Nico grabbed the rolled up bill and leaned down toward one of the white lines. “I prefer the women I feed my cock to to be sober.” And then he snorted up an entire line, an entire line of drugs.
Jesus Christ.
He sat back up, sniffing and snorting, acting like I wasn’t even there. Good God. Nico was using drugs, what the fuck was this?
Mike sniffed up two lines before sitting back. “That’s where we differ, Nico. I prefer my women drugged up and willing, rather than sober and stupid.”
They both laughed and clanked their glasses together with loud cheers.
Nico was right when he suggested that I hadn’t seen all sides to him because never in a million years did I think he would use drugs. I was shocked to the core, even though there was a little voice inside my head saying, “Really? You’re shocked because the man who kidnapped and tortured you is using drugs? Get a clue girl and stop lying to yourself.”
Mike casually leaned back in his seat. “So let’s talk business.”
Nico gulped down the last of his drink and held out the empty glass to the waiter. “I know Damon approached you. I know my little brother is eager to get his hands on your supplies and I want to make sure you won’t be easily swayed.”
Mike smiled. “I’ve done business with your family for years, Nico and I have to admit, it’s a little weird now that the Moretti family has been split in two.”
“It shouldn’t be weird for you at all, Mike. Just continue supplying me with what I need and all is well.”
Mike stretched his arms out over the couch. “You should know that Damon presented me with a very good deal.”
Nico jaw ticked. “And you think my little brother can be trusted?”
“It’s not about trust in our line of business. It’s about money.”
I watched as Nico leaned forward, annoyance casting lines on his forehead. “You know that whatever my brother offered you, I can double. Damon doesn’t have the amount of support I do. I have more than half of the Moretti associates behind me. All Damon has is ambitious, reckless fuckers that have no idea how things work.”
Mike shrugged. “That might be true, but you know money talks in our line of business.”
“And loyalty is everything.”