Page 16 of House of Payne

I raise an eyebrow. “Then we need to work on establishing new checkpoints.”

“I wanted you to say that.” Carlisle grins in the same way he does whenever he believes he has a brilliant idea. “When I was going through some of the defaults in the city, I noticed that a couple of them have prime locations in the city where we could go nearly undetected. These spots could be used as checkpoints until the heat dies down and we put a more prominent plan into play.”

Carlisle grabs one of the folders near the top of the deck that Katia gave me and flicks through it before grabbing a few sheets and pushing them toward me. “These are the ones.” He keeps talking while I look over them. “The thing is, we’re entering another near recession, which is something for us to worry about were our numbers not continuing to project. It means that several of the loans we’ve graciously given out won’tbe returned because the loan owners are being put out of business left and right. This sets us up for phenomenal opportunities.”

After looking through each of the businesses, I set down the folder. “What opportunities are those?”

He has an evil glint in his eye. “With the recession, most business owners are getting desperate. Our contract is not one they want to cross. We made sure of that.” Carlisle reaches into his pocket and pulls out an orange. I frown, staring at him in confusion. Now’s not the time for a snack.

He peels it before grinning from ear to ear. “If we pressure them just the right way.” He squeezes the orange, and juice runs down his arms. “Then, we’ll be able to buy them out for pennies on the dollar. We’ll make back tenfold what we put in.” He throws the whole orange in his mouth as if it’s the best thing he’s ever had, with Katia shooting him a look of disgust.

I think about his words, nodding at the plan especially when I consider how much Father would enjoy it. He’s a tyrant when it comes to business, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from him, it’s that there’s nothing wrong with being the bill collector.

“We need to make sure they give into the pressure then.”

Carlisle is the point man with our clientele for the most part. It used to be my primary job, but with Father and my brother gone and me running the show, I’ve more or less given him the job, and he does amazing work. When I have a question about a contract, I ask him, and he always has an answer.

He debates silently for a moment. “I think most of them will. There will always be a few stragglers, but the ones with the properties that matter… I’ll make sure theyreallyfeel the pressure.”

Carlisle is power-hungry, but not in a bad way. He does everything he can for this family, and maybe that’s why I trust him.

People only get one chance around here because enemies who knowyour secrets are just too dangerous to be left breathing.

“Before we buy them off, I’d like to see what some of these places have to offer. Is there a prime candidate you’re looking into?” I sit up, resting my elbows against the desk as Carlisle springs into action, placing a map in front of me and pointing at one spot that’s been circled.

“This one stands out as the best,” he says. “It’s a little diner with mediocre food, but it’s in a good location, overlooking the water and near one of the lesser known docs. I was there just before I came here.”

“What makes them a prime candidate?” Nothing around the location makes it stand out to me.

“It’s an up-and-coming area. A lot of action, but the legal kind, which means nobody would suspect anything happening behind the scenes. It’s one of the few areas that hasn’t been raided in the past couple of weeks, not to mention the owner of the place. Everyone loves him and describes him as an honest man. With his name attached, we would have control and limited liability.”

Interesting.“What are the chances he gives it up?”

“He won’t want to. He’s stubborn, from what I’ve gathered, and the restaurant seems to be the only thing he owns of significance, but he’s months behind on his loan and doesn’t have many options to keep it. I think it could be perfect to store goods for the meantime and transport them to the Everett’s warehouse.”

“I agree. Let’s get the ball rolling on that. He’s already defaulted for at least three months?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll go check it out.”

Katia clears her throat. “Should I join you?”

“If he doesn’t want me, what good would you do for him?” Carlisle gripes.

“At least I know how to do things with finesse,” she snaps back. “Not everyone prefers brute displays of strength.”

“Just because you can flash your nipples while using a gun doesn’t mean you’re all that.”

“Maybe you need reminding of what I can do with a knife.”

It’s the weirdest thing. I never see the two of them worked up unless they’re around each other. Do they really despise each other that much, or is something brewing underneath the surface? A truth they don’t want anyone to find out. I frown briefly before figuring that’s the least of my concerns right now.

“Both of you need to shut the fuck up and get the hell out of my office.”

Carlisle seems a bit more concerned about my words than Katia, who nods, knowing her role, and struts out. I watch Carlisle give her a small glance before he looks at me, nods, and walks out.

Finally, the peace and quiet I’ve been looking for.