The Billionaire's Plaything

Chapter Ten: Business Dealings

CARLO

I nodded as Pete updated me on Elena’s movements. As much as I wouldn’t want to admit it, Elena was smart. She knew just what to do and if I hadn’t already made up my mind before I laid eyes on the little princess that had won the heart of society with her world-defying beauty and grace, I was certain we would have a different story.

“Just let them make sure she’s not doing anything erratic.” My words and tone told him I didn’t want to know more. I didn’t exactly care about her going to her store or having hot chocolate for breakfast.

I just needed to know that my wife was not doing anything she shouldn’t be doing. Wife… the word was foreign to my mind and heart. There was no possible way that I had treated her anything like a wife since we married.

“Boss, we noticed that men from the Bratva were trying to get into Calabria.” While Pete was my personal assistant, Lucio was the head of security and knew exactly where things were going wrong. Calabria was one of the biggest areas and forces of the mafia power and it also signified who called the shots.

“I already guessed it would happen. Daniel’s main power is there and I don’t intend to get near him now.” I said, understanding that the moment he realized my powers in Italy, he would be more guarded around me.

“So do we leave them?” He asked, our gaze meeting through the rearview mirror.

“Yes, we will leave them, Lucio.” Daniel was just like his father. He was no weakling and I was sure he would sniff things out.

I had a meeting with one of my business associates who seemed to have a problem with how much he was making from our deal, which wasn’t exactly a problem, since handling greedy business men was easy. Mafia men, on the other hand? There was no handling.

“He reserved the first room on your right.” The bouncer informed Lucio as soon as he told him who we were here to meet.

“You can stay here.” I informed Lucio as Pete opened the huge mahogany doors to room 201. He replied with a curt nod and I entered the room. My brows twitched slightly.

This was definitely no ordinary business meeting, since he had come with one of the men from the Cosa Nostra.

“Carlo.” James called out, his voice hoarse and scratchy from years of tobacco abuse. He was one of the Capos heading Apulia, which was one of the smallest regions of our power stretch in Italy. However, his presence had changed this from being a simple business meeting to a deal.

“My nephew here said he would want some more percentage in the contract you just signed. I thought we could pay you a visit.” He said, as I looked between them carefully.

While there was some resemblance, they were definitely not what he claimed they were and I wouldn’t put it past James that this was a bastard son.

“What do you intend to give for such a convenience?“ I asked, chuckling as I saw dissatisfaction cross his face.

He probably knew I had my hands in the Cosa Nostra. As for my influence and how much I had taken over? I was sure he knew nothing.

“You know who I am, Carlo,” James said while his son squared his shoulders, a sign I took as confidence.

“And I know that if I made a call to Luigi now, you would be out of this room in seconds. Now get out before I do that.” His eyes bulged wildly and he looked between me and his son's hesitation clouding his face.

“Pete.” I called out and my assistant hurriedly pulled out his phone to let him know there was no way I was bluffing.

“I think we should leave it at that,” James said as he sighed deeply and looked away from his son.

“Just what I thought too,” I said as I adjusted my shirt.

“Don’t be in a rush. I have something else for you.” James said, pulling out a card from his inner pocket. The gleam of a gun flashing from the little space in his suit jacket was completely normal to me in our world.

He handed me the card. “I had a meeting with Dante earlier today and upon hearing that I would be meeting you, he asked me to hand this over to you.”

I remembered I had missed a call from Dante earlier today, he had probably called to let me know he sent this my way. This meant that James had expected that I would know he was going to be there and would have done research on him. Or got a warning of some sort from Dante.

Knowing that he probably had no idea how involved I was in the Cosa Nostra made me relax my stance around him.

“Okay. I will take my leave now.” I said, opening the envelope immediately.

Seeing it was an invitation, I passed it to Pete while I pulled out my personal phone to call Dante.

Dante was one of the few friends I had that wasn’t involved in the Cosa Nostra or anything I did. We met in college and bonded out of similar interests.

“I saw your invitation.” I said the moment he picked up the call and I caught Pete’s hand signal that informed me that it was today.

“I had no idea you were back in town. The moment James informed me that he wanted to pay him a visit. I decided to send that through him. He can be difficult at times and I hoped that would, of course, help me know that I was someone on your team.” He said calmly and I could imagine him seated on his office chairs and poring over some documents.

“Hmmm. He can be. I handled him already. Would you need me to make a personal appearance?” I asked, despite not knowing what exactly he was hosting yet, but if it was Dante, I could go for about anything.

“I haven’t met your wife or you since your wedding. You could do me the honor by bringing the number one socialite to my charity ball. The guest list would definitely not embarrass you”, he added as an after thought.

My mind flashed to my wife who had rushed out of the house earlier this morning.

“Okay, I’ll be there with her.” I said, and the conversation drifted to other topics before we ended the call.

“I’ll send someone to pick you up in ten. Be outside.” As soon as I sent her the message, I instructed Lucio to pick her up.

If we were going to catch an event in ten hours, we definitely needed matching outfits. This would be our first public appearance after all.