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“Who said they were harming women and children? They don’t have children working for them, and the women choose that profession just like Emily chose to work at the club for us.”
Speaking of Emily, I haven’t heard anything from her since Dad reached out to all the employees. Is she still planning on working for us, or did the Reapers scare her away?
“Do you really think women choose to be prostitutes?” He takes a few steps toward me and clenches his jaw as if he’s looking for a fight.
That would be the biggest mistake he could make right now.
“Some, yes. Look, I don’t know every little detail about them, but from all the research I’ve done about their family and their financial situation, I trust that they aren’t going to screw us over. If you have a problem with our businesses or where our operations are headed, then you are free to leave.”
Rhett Montgomery might be the captain of the Savannah Sharks, but I’m the captain of this team. I’m not going to let him derail our future because of his hesitations over prostitution.
He can either get in line, or take my sister and go his separate way.
I guess this is why Uncle Tony didn’t want Dad to bring in outsiders. It’s easier when everyone is supportive of the family’s goals.
“I get that you’re going through some shit, but I’m not going to stand around while you are being a dick.”
He places the dumbbells back on the rack before turning toward me.
“I’ve always put the family above everything else, even my own happiness, and you know it, but I think you are making a huge mistake by partnering with another mafia family. Prostitution is a line we never should cross, and if that means I take a step back from the family, then so be it.”
He turns around and leaves without giving me a chance to respond.
I turn the speed up on the treadmill until I can barely keep up. Rhett is my oldest friend on the team, but if this is the hill our friendship dies on, then so be it.
After several minutes of sprinting, I turn off the treadmill and head upstairs to shower.
My phone chimes with a message from Dad.
I just finished with my meeting and am heading back to the house. Be ready for the meeting in twenty minutes.
I don’t bother messaging him back. I take a quick shower before getting dressed. Jogging downstairs to the meeting room, I hear Dad yelling at someone.
“I don’t fucking care what excuse he gave. Fix it today, and then fire his ass. Make sure he doesn’t get a job around here ever again.”
I sit at the opposite end of the meeting table and listen to his conversation.
“Just get it done. I’ll call the shipping company for an insurance claim.”
He hangs up the phone and immediately makes another call.
“Victor, hey, it’s Artie. I need you to file an insurance claim for the last shipment. I’ll get all the necessary information after my meeting.”
He ends the call and glances around the room. “Have you heard from Alexandra?”
“Not since last week.”
I glance at my watch. Alexandra is late. She’s never late unless she has a doctor or dentist appointment.
Dad frowns, as if he’s worried. If neither of us has heard from her, then who has?
“I can reach out to Franny to see if Alexandra is at the office. Maybe she thinks the meeting is over there this morning.”
Alexandra never gets her meetings mixed up.
She wasn’t at her new apartment, even though her car was in the parking spot. Or maybe she looked through the peephole and saw who it was and ignored me.
I don’t blame her, but I warned her.