Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80503 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80503 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
The room falls silent. Gavino didn’t even know this was my plan. Malcolm looks at the men like he can hardly believe his ears before wiping his palms down his face and shaking his head.
“Why the hell would I do that when I can simply cut all of you out from this deal and make money on it myself? This is absurd, Casso, you’re wasting my time.”
“If you don’t,” I say quickly before anyone else can cut in, “I am going to release a stack of material relating to one particular postal employee and my mother’s wrongful termination. I won’t go to the courts because we all know they’re in your pockets. I’ll go to media outlets, every single media outlet I can find, and at least one of them will have the reach to make your life a living hell. I’ll tell my story, every little gory detail, about how you got my mother fired, how you refused to pay child support and fought us in court, how she spiraled into depression and drug addiction and eventually died. I’ll make your name toxic, Malcolm. I’ll scream the details from the rooftop, and with the materials we gathered from Jim the bookie, Mike the postal worker, and your own hard drives, I’ll make sure the story sticks and buries you. But if you sign, I’ll make sure you get everything, all the blackmail material we have, and we’ll walk away forever. It’s all in writing here.” I jab a finger at the contract and finish my speech.
Another long silence. Gavino’s beaming and even Casso seems both amused and impressed. I’m sweating because Malcolm’s eyes are still narrowed and he’s still staring me down like I don’t have the upper hand here. A chill runs down my spine slowly, and I start wondering if he’s going to turn me down. If he does, what will I do? Can I go through the nightmare of telling my story? Of becoming a media circus? I don’t want to do it, but I know deep in my heart that I will, if at least to get revenge for my mother.
But slowly, Malcolm leans back and crosses his arms. “It’s not enough.”
My eyebrows raise. “Excuse me?”
“I need one more thing if you’re going to get me to agree.”
“Careful,” Gavino says sharply. “She’s offering you the deal of a fucking lifetime.”
Malcolm waves him away and stares at me. “Renounce your relationship to me. Put that in writing. I want it officially known that you are not my daughter and you never were. That, plus all the materials you have on any alleged bribery, and you have a deal.”
My heart’s racing. I look at Gavino and he seems torn between rage and sorrow, but the choice is so easy. Malcolm’s never been my father and he never will be.
“Done. You have a deal.”
Malcolm stands. “I’ll have my lawyers go over this contract and add in language about our relationship. Once that’s finished, your lawyers can ensure it’s all settled, and we will sign.” Malcolm looks over at Casso. “Congratulations, Don Bruno. You’re getting what you wanted.”
“Thank you, Mr. Strafford. It was lovely doing business with you.”
Malcolm hesitates near the door with the contract under his arm. He looks at me for a painful few seconds before shaking his head and leaving without another word.
I collapse back into my seat, panting, and Gavino comes close. He hugs me tight and kisses my cheek, and Casso seems utterly bemused, like he doesn’t quite believe what just happened.
“Sorry I dragged you out here,” I say to him, smiling a bit. “I thought he’d take the deal as-is and you could all sign right now.”
“No worries, I enjoyed the show tremendously.” Casso stands up and stretches. “I think I’ll wait by the elevators.” He strolls from the room, whistling to himself.
Gavino kisses me. I kiss him back, not caring if any of Malcolm’s employees can see us through the glass. I want this man and I just did the craziest thing of my entire life, and a sense of triumph washes through my body. Like a sharp wave.
“You did it,” Gavino whispers, laughing and shaking his head. “My god, you really did it. We got the deal.”
“And Malcolm’s out.”
“Casso’s going to be thrilled when it’s all official, but you didn’t need to do this for me. You know that, right? We would’ve been fine.”
“I know, it’s just that—” I hesitate and kiss him gently one more time. “I love you. I love your family. And I want to show them how I feel.”
“God, you’re too good for me.” He hugs me tight and I stay there in his arms, grinning stupidly. “But you know, if I ever see Malcolm again, I’m going to have to kill him.”
“I’m sure you can restrain yourself.”