Page 39 of Dirty Hearts

“That’s not very surprising. Your reputation proceeds you.” David nodded.

The thing was, I wasn’t exactly known for business. Not like this, anyway.

“Glad to see I’m known.” I straightened and gazed at him. At least my damn brain was working enough to form an answer.

I’d been at the office for over an hour. When I woke up to find Ava gone, the first thing I wanted to do was go find her.

I even got ready with the mind to do just that.

But I stopped myself.

Find her and do what?That was what I was faced with.Find her and say what?

It wasn’t as if the problems that surrounded us were resolved.

Today, however, I felt more than ever that I had to tell her the truth. Then she could decide what she wanted to do with it.

It was like that moment when she’d first asked me if I was a mobster. That day was so long ago it felt like it never happened.

I was straight with her and told her the truth. I told her the truth then because I couldn’t lie to her. Even if I wanted to.

David tilted his head to the side and mirrored the way I sat by leaning forward in his chair, elbow down on his left knee.

“I actually had another proposal for you,” he declared.

I wasn’t so sure if I liked this guy yet. There was something off about him, but then to me, there was something off about everyone.

“What’s that?”

“Of course, on your word I’d love to lease the company, but in actual fact, I wondered what you’d think about selling it to me.” His face brightened.

Dante looked at me, and Gio tensed. I wondered if they sensed something too or if they just thought it was a bad idea to sell.

The assets that were owned all worked together in a tandem with each other. I wasn’t sure what would happen if I got rid of one. From what I could think right now, maybe nothing would happen, but I’d have to check things out.

“The shipping company wasn’t for sale. We have clients that use the service and have done so for years.”

“Oh, and they still would be able to. I wouldn’t just up and get rid of them or what you already have set up. It’s just that it’s worth it to me to have access to something I own.” A lock of his hair fell forward over his eyes, and he smiled.

“What do you want to offer?” I would be interested to know what he thought the company was worth.

“I was thinking five million. I checked it out, and that’s a hell of a lot more than your annual turnover for the company.”

I leaned my head to the side. It pissed me off that he’d checked the place out and was bold enough to throw dirt at me that wasn’t dirt.

“I’m very comfortable with the current earnings on the place. Sometimes money isn’t everything.” I made sure I gave him a pointed stare.

“Mr. Morientz, I apologize if I offended you. I didn’t mean to.” He held up his hands and widened his smile. “I just meant it seemed like a reasonable offer.”

“It is, and I will think about it.”

“Oh, good. Can I ask when I may get an answer. I don’t mean to rush you. I just want an idea so I can plan. That’s it.”

“Draw up your proposal and send it over to me by Monday. I’ll look over everything and get back to you.” By look over everything I meant check things inside out.

Five million was a lot of money to turn down. It was also usually a dead giveaway that I needed to be certain I’d left no stone unturned. This proposal of his might be something I’d be better placed talking to Pa about because he knew all the things we used that company for. Right from way back when. He’d be back by the weekend.

“Fantastic.”