Chapter 53 Another Negotiation
Cora's P.O.V.
My Jordan plan didn't work as I had expected. I heard about that woman being shot at his penthouse, and I was hoping she would die, but she didn't. I was staking out Jordan's place from across the street, waiting for him to come home while she was in the hospital, but he never did. I saw him come home a couple of days ago, but he had the blonde bitch and her brat with him. When I tried to get into the building, two large men stopped me and said I wasn't on the list of permitted visitors.
I'm sitting on a bench across the street, trying to figure out how to get inside, when a limo pulls up. When I see who steps out, I gasp out loud. Why is the Kondrati family going into the building? Who are they going to see? Is the woman with Jordan related to them? This is something I need to verify because I have a feeling other families would be interested in knowing that a member of the Kondrati family doesn't live on their compound. Maybe they can kill the bitch, and I can force Jordan to take me back.
I tried to get the dad of this thing in my stomach to pay for an abortion, but he refused. I could pay for it myself, but it's his responsibility. I would threaten to tell his wife, but he's a scary man, and I may be the one who ends up dead. I stand and walk down the street. I need to find someone who can tell me if this woman is connected to the Kondrati family, and then I can tell anyone who will listen. I bet they'll pay well for that information. I can already see it. The woman and the brat will be dead, and Jordan takes me back. Then, I can sit back and let him give me everything I deserve. I will have it all soon.
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Gregory's P.O.V.
I haven't shown my face at the office because I know Jordan knows about me. I figure he probably has already told security to keep me out. When I heard about Anushka being shot, I thought she was going to die, and then I was going to move in on Jordan while he grieved. However, she didn't die. In fact, she's back at Jordan's house, and that nurse who was supposed to kill Anushka is working for them. What's even worse is that he has increased his security at his penthouse. I have to figure out a way to get to him, but I don't know how. My phone begins ringing, and I answer without looking to see who's calling.
"Hello?"
"Is this Gregory Coy?" A man whose voice I don't recognize asks.
"Who is this?" I ask before confirming or denying.
"I understand you're trying to get to Jordan Holt," the man says.
"What do you know about it?" I need to be cautious without confirming or denying it, in case this is a setup.
"I'm with the Kondrati family, and we recently discovered that Anushka is part of our family. We're not fans of Jordan and want to get her away from him. Would you care to meet with us so we can negotiate?" I can't believe my luck. The Russian mob is going to help me.
"Where can I meet you?" I ask anxiously.
"Come to our compound at noon. We'll be ready for you."
"I'll be there. Thank you." I'll run home and change before I leave. This is perfect. If anyone discovers what I did to Jordan, I can blame it on the Kondrati's. It's a win-win situation for me.
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Christov's P.O.V.
"Did he fall for it?" I ask Bobby as he puts down the phone.
"Hook, line, and sinker," he replies. We had him call because we never call ourselves. I want to eliminate all threats to Anushka, Dakota, and Jordan.
"Good. I'm sure when we're done negotiating with him, he'll see the light." I look at Dakota, who's watching me.
"What does it mean to see the light?" she asks.
"It means he'll understand it's not good to be a bad guy," I explain.
"Okay, that's good." I look at Anushka, who just finished with her physical therapist, and she smiles slightly.
"I think we'd better take off so we can prepare. Are there any more people we need to be aware of?" I ask her when she sits next to Jordan on the couch. Before they can answer, Dakota does.
"What about the mean lady? I think she needs a time-out," she says, looking at Jordan and Anushka.
"What ‘mean lady?’" I ask them.
"My ex-girlfriend, Cora. We broke up over six months ago. She showed up here when we got back from vacation and said she was pregnant with my child, except she was only four months pregnant. There's no way that child could be mine because we hadn't been together for at least a month, even before we were officially separated. She showed up again the day Anushka was shot, and I threatened to call the police on her. I don't know what her plans are." I nod but don't say anything. We won't take her to the negotiation room, but we can give her a warning.
"We'll leave now so we can prepare for our guest. Would you mind visiting our place this weekend to discuss the birthday party? We can check with your doctor to make sure it's okay," I ask Anushka, hopefully.
"I'll talk to Dr. Martinez when he comes today. If he says it's okay, then we'll come," she replies. Dakota clears her throat. She has that look with her eyebrows raised, arms crossed, and foot tapping.
"We promise there will be no guns anywhere in the house." I raise my hands, and she starts laughing. We all leave except for Kozar. When we get into the limo, I look over at Yurkov.
"So, what did you think of your sister and niece?" I ask him. He smiles, which I rarely see him do.
"I'll admit I think they're amazing. I asked Dakota if I could have Luka and his mom come to her party. She said they're family, so they can come. It's time I try to repair that relationship if Corrine will let me." He looks out the window while his brothers and I stare at him in shock. He wouldn't listen to us when we told him that, but he's a changed man after a couple of hours with Dakota.
We have the negotiation room ready when Gregory shows up a few hours later. I want some answers from him before he's put in a permanent time-out. One of our enforcers shows him to the shed where we're waiting. When the door opens, and he sees us, he tries to turn and run. Yurkov smiles as he walks toward Gregory.
"Come in and sit down. We just want to negotiate."