Chapter 32 FAMILY BUSINESS
Rafael's eye twitched, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place as he began to understand what was going on.
He had not expected this new clause in their deal nor had he anticipated the involvement of Morano DeLuca's son in the deal.
But one thing was sure to him, tye new clause was purposely added to the deal in order to satisfy Sergie's wants which is to have Vanessa as his.
Rafael laughed without anyone telling a joke— not that he was insane, but he was wowed at the realization that the business deal he had with the Martini DeLuca family was only going to be successful if he handed over Vanessa.
Basically, as it was, the business deal was based on Vanessa and he found this to be hilarious. Rafael reclined deeper into his seat, his legs widening like he was a show while he kept tapping his index finger against his lips as he rested his left hand on the armrest.
He looked over at the men who seemed to be seeing beyond his crazed expression masking the absurdity of their request to his ears.
Sergie had suddenly popped out a gum which he started to chew in an awkward manner meant to irritate Rafael and this time, he had the look that he was still a step ahead of Rafael, glazed within his pupils.
Morano DeLuca had all the time in the world to hear what Rafael's end of the bargain would be.
It was a simple choice to make; either he agreed to the Martini DeLuca's family terms and made a fortune off the deal by giving up his woman to make a beautiful addition to the Martini DeLuca family and equally foster the relationship between both families.
Refusing the family's term would equate to losing tons of dollars and as well create a possible rift between both families, so Morano DeLuca continued taking drags from his cigar and he painted the room with his puffed up smoke.
Luca— the Martini DeLuca family's consiligiere was already preparing the paperworks, pulling out a wad of documents which he arranged neatly in front of the men, each accompanied with a gold pen.
After a while of subtly watching the men, Rafael's smile faltered, but his expression didn't change to sell off his actual emotions.
“Mr. Santiano,” Sergie called, speaking for the first time since the meeting had begun. “We don't have all night here— we still have a cause to celebrate once…” he looked down at the documents on the table, carefully touching each paper with the tip of his pocket knife. “You sign these papers, agreeing to our terms.”
As if those were the words Rafael had been waiting for, a smile broadened on his lips as he said,
“I'm afraid that will not be possible.”
“Why not?” Sergie asked, raising a questioning brow as the quirky smile playing on his lips suddenly melted. His mouth halting the chew of the gum in it.
Morano DeLuca also paused from taking drags from his cigar stick.
“The woman is under my protection and will not be a subject in our business deal.”
Morano DeLuca leaned in, his voice taking on a menacing tone.
“I think you'll find that this business deal is worth giving up a little collateral.”
“She is not a collateral.” Rafael said, shaking his head with a playful smile.
“You risk losing a lifetime fortune for a woman, Santiano.” Luca spoke up, doing the annoying thing with his glasses again.
The room fell silent, the tension between the men becoming extremely palpable. Rafael could hear the screw of the silencer from the man earlier making crooked little noises as he had begun to fasten the silencer once again.
He looked over at Sergie who still has the look with a sparkle of little hope for a change of Rafael's mind in them, his mind racing with the implications of the failed deal once Rafael decides to take his business elsewhere.
Sergie forced himself to believe the Martini DeLuca family was the first and last hope for the Devereaux family Whiskey Reserve deal and with that, he could claim his woman— Vanessa.
It was a win-win situation for the Martini DeLuca family either way while the Devereaux family would suffer their miserable loss due to the choices Santiano Rafael Devereaux made alone once the news about the clear cut deal with the Martini DeLuca family spread across to other Mafia families across Italy and beyond.
But Sergie DeLuca knew he would be losing Vanessa if he never made a try for it and he was ready to start a war on her behalf if need be.
He had seen her, he had wanted her and now, his sole ambition was to get her— claim her and own her.
Rafael got up to his feet moments after, his eyes locked into Sergie's, his voice cold as ice as he made his final pronouncement.
“The deal is off.”
Sergie could have tilted out of balance as Rafael's words rang through his ears, his anger slowly building up with his gaze firmly latched onto Rafael.
He smelt of anger, rage, and blood.
Rafael could see Sergie ball his fist in anger and the aura he exuded in that moment was indeed deadly and dreadful, but Rafael knew it as a weakness to his path— Sergie was overdoing things.
Luca suddenly cleared his throat, taking up the grace to speak at once.
“Mr. Santiano, you can get back to us if you think this offer through,” Luca said, picking up the pieces of the documents, sorting them and placing them back into his briefcase.
“Business deals like this don't come around twice on a silver platter. The Martini DeLuca family don't give second chances, so we've made an exception for you.”
“I prefer golden platters.” Rafael said with a scoff, tilting his head in an ‘adios’ wave before turning away to leave, but before he left with his men, he gave Sergie a warning piece.
“That girl is my woman, so don't even try to talk to her if you ever see her again.”