Page 37

Chapter Ten

Salt

––––––––

Strumming the sharpcorner of the note in my pocket, I leaned back in the chair as Virgo adjusted himself behind his desk and cleared his throat.

Pulling a small wooden box out from inside his desk, he opened the lid and pushed it across the smooth surface. “Cigar?” he asked, taking one for himself and running it under his nose. “They're the best money can buy.”

Crooking my jaw, I nodded and pulled one free from the small humidor. “Thank you.”

Virgo snipped the tip off both cigars with a bold smile on his face. “Your father used to love these.”

“I'm sure he did, my mother hated when he smoked.”

Laughing, Virgo grinned as he sparked a lighter and lit his cigar, passing the flame to me. “That's usually how it goes.” Sucking in a thick stream of smoke, he let it swirl around inside his mouth, rolling the cloud like he was a God. “Your father was a good man, he always followed through, but he was horrible at taking control. That woman held his balls far too tightly.”

“Is that what you think?”

His eyes grew wide as he realized the slew of shit he just sent my way. Holding up his hand, the white smoke spilled out of his mouth. “No offense to your mother of course. I just know how much she got on his ass about certain things. She never did agree with his choices.”

Setting the cigar between my lips, I stared at Virgo with my lids half shut, studying his reaction. He was one of my father's first clients, they had been working side by side for years. They had their system, one that worked for both of them.

So I was certain the fact that I showed up unannounced like that wasn't something he cared for. It probably pissed him off, maybe even made him a bit nervous, and rightfully so.

I was a force to take seriously. When my father lacked the ability to jump in anymore, I had no fear. When my father needed someone to teeter on that thin line of moral value, I was the one who volunteered. Because I wasn't afraid to get my hands dirty. I actually enjoyed playing in the mud.

I called Virgo that morning, told him we needed to speak, and hung up before he could say one fucking word. There wasn't going to be a debate, I had new terms, and this was how it was going to work from now on. Period.

“I'm not here to discuss my family, Virgo.”

“I'm aware that this isn't a vacation.” Relaxing into his seat, he was quiet for a long second. “So what are you here for?”

“My father—”

“My condolences to you and your family,” he said, cutting me off. “Did you receive the flowers I sent?”

“We did.” My voice was low, uninterested in his ploy to show concern for my family after my father's death. “You understand why I'm here then, don't you? You must have some idea about why I'd come all this way to speak with you in person and not just call you instead.”

The end of his cigar lit bright as he drew in a long pull. “I'm sorry, I don't. Your father and I had a deal, I assumed after his death that deal would remain the same. So, honestly, I have no idea why you showed up here like this.”

“You're right, the deal you hadwaswith my father, and unfortunately for you, I'm not him.” Rolling the end of my cigar in the ashtray, I watched the red embers as they flaked off. “My father and I have done a lot for you over the years, but now it's time for a change.”

Virgo's jaw rocked back and forth, and I could hear his teeth as they ground down on each other. “Change?” he asked, but I didn't answer, simply letting my eyes connect with his. “What type of change?”

Pulling a thin stack of folded up papers from the inside pocket of my blazer, I slid them across the desk. “I'll leave these here with you, take a day or so to read them over.” Tapping out the hot end of my cigar, I stood up. “I'll be in touch.”

“Bentley, your father and I go way back.” Standing up from his perch, he pushed his hands into the top of his desk. I could hear the desperation and worry in his voice. “I hope these papers of yours don't start something you can't finish.”

“Like you said, my father had an issue with control, Virgo. Lucky for you, I don't.” Turning my back to him, I headed for the door. “We'll talk soon.”

“If I don't like what I read, we're going to have a problem. I'm not someone who enjoys problems, Bentley.”

Holding the door in my hand, I gave him a smug grin. “And I'm not someone who handles threats well, Virgo. You know I'm really good at what I do, and I know there's not a chance in hell you'd do this shit yourself, or send one of the assholes you have roaming this fucking club. That's why you called my father in the first place. So, I guess we'll have to come to an agreement, won't we?”

Not giving him a chance to answer, I slammed the door shut as I walked out.

The man standing guard outside the door, jumped in surprise, shooting me a disgruntled look.