Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 69517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
All present and accounted for.
“Gentlemen,” their attorney says, cutting right to the chase, “I’ll be representing Mr. Leo Morelli this evening. I understand there is the sale of a property to discuss.”
I give him a nod of my head. “That property belongs to me now.”
Perry’s foot nudges mine, probably reminding me not to goad them. I move my foot away because it’s going to take a lot more than Perry’s kicking to keep me from fucking with the Morellis when I have their undivided attention.
A waiter comes by to take our drink order, momentarily pausing our game. As soon as the waiter leaves, I nod at Anthony.
“Mr. Constantine wishes to make this as painless as possible. He’s offering to purchase the Baldridge building back at the original thirty-eight-point-five-million-dollar sales price. I’ve pre-written the contract.” He untucks the papers from his folder and hands them to Evan beside him. “It’s fairly cut and dry as you’ll see.”
Leo scoffs but Lucian’s hard gaze cuts off whatever refute he might have been ready to throw out. That lasts all of three seconds.
“Forty,” Leo throws back, leaning forward and turning his head my way. “Take it or leave it.”
I relax in my chair, studying Leo for a long beat. “No.”
“You’re lucky, Mr. Morelli,” Anthony says, “that he’s not asking to shave down the price any considering everything you’ve done.”
The Morelli lawyer shakes his head at Leo to stop him from speaking. “Leo Morelli doesn’t concede that he’s reneged on the original deal. This offer of sale is merely the Morellis entertaining the Constantines.”
Anthony pulls out more documentation. “These text records between Mr. Morelli and Miss Elliott are indicative of Mr. Morelli’s efforts to threaten, harass, and blackmail the young woman when it was explicitly detailed in the original agreement that if this were to happen, Mr. Morelli would immediately sell the building back to my client.”
“You can’t prove it was me,” Leo says, his voice bored, ignoring the efforts of his attorney to keep him quiet. He doesn’t even glance at the papers. “That’s not my phone number.”
“Sworn testimony by Miss Elliott that you took her phone when you came into her home is but one piece of evidence,” Anthony says in a bored tone. “However, we also have records from the phone company that pings the location of her stolen phone to that of your residence, Mr. Morelli. Furthermore, we have video documentation from a few nights ago at the former Edge Steakhouse that you were the one using the stolen phone to threaten Miss Elliott.”
I smirk at Leo, waiting for him to argue. His jaw works as he attempts to contain his rage. Fucking hothead always flies off the handle and loses his temper.
Anthony continues, “When Miss Elliott failed to give Mr. Morelli information on my client—”
“You have no proof of this,” their lawyer says.
“Again, sworn testimony,” Anthony says, “and the text messages are clear that if Miss Elliott wasn’t to produce information regarding my client, Mr. Morelli would leak private sexual photos and videos to the press in an effort to defame both Miss Elliott and Mr. Constantine.”
“This is bullshit,” Leo mutters.
“Then sign the contract,” Anthony clips out, “and the bullshit goes away.”
Leo starts to speak, but I cut him off, my eyes landing on his older brother. “Lucian, teach your brother something, will you? Even Perry here knows there are some battles that aren’t worth fighting. This is one of those that your family will not win. We made an agreement and it was breached. Let’s behave like adults and move this along.” I dart my gaze to Leo, pinning him with a hard stare. “Trust me when I say I will drag this through the courts for as long as I must. I will see to it that every dark secret you Morellis possess is brought into the light.”
“You’re threatening my client?” the Morelli lawyer has the balls to ask.
“I’m simply predicting their future if they don’t play by the agreed-upon rules.”
Our heated battle of wills ends when the waiter returns to pour wine and take food orders. The Morellis order steak, because they’ve been craving a good one for days now. Team Constantine—I’m going to kill Ash for that one day—order, too. The Morellis’ humiliation and acquiescence are satisfying enough, but I’m hungry.
While they’re deciding on side dishes, Anthony passes me his file folder. I pull it toward me and open it. Pictures and documentation sit neatly tucked inside. Ulrich’s information. Interesting and useful. His timing is impeccable as always. I’ll be making sure to give that man a bonus.
Perry leans in to peek at the folder and surprisingly doesn’t give away his thoughts once he sees what’s inside. I flip the folder closed and hand it back to Anthony with a nod of approval to proceed.
“Forty and this goes away,” Leo tries again, once the waiter leaves. “For good. You might be surprised at what you find out if you drag this through court. The Morelli secrets? Sure. You’d get those, but some of them have to do with Constantines.”