14
1418 Words
Mia
Later that evening, my phone rang. When I noticed who it was, I almost didn’t answer it. But then curiosity got the best of me.
“Hello, John,” I said into the phone coolly. “What a surprise.”
“Hello, Mia,” he said softly.
“What’s up?” I asked, wanting him to get to the point.
He sighed. “I thought we could talk.”
“There’s not really anything to talk about.”
John was silent for a few seconds and then asked me if it was true that I was going to be on Damian’s yacht over the weekend.
“Yes.”
“I heard from someone that he’s having a bachelor party and you and Ridley are catering it?”
“We are,” I admitted.
“It’s a very bad idea.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Look, don’t say anything to Damian but I’ve heard about the parties on his yacht.”
“And what is it that you’ve heard?” I asked dryly.
“They’re crazy. Everyone gets high and rip-roaring drunk. Damian has the money to supply anything his guests want and he gladly does it.”
I rolled my eyes. It sounded like a load of crap to me. John was obviously jealous. “Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”
“I guess I didn’t expect you to. Are you two really seeing each other?”
“Yes,” I lied.
“Mia, as much as I hate the thought of you seeing another man, I really do want what’s best for you.”
I didn’t say anything.
“I know that you and I will never get back together. And after what I did, I don’t deserve a second chance. I know that now. But, Damian Stryker is not the man you think he is.”
He certainly hadn’t been either.
“And what kind of man is that?”
“I am not supposed to be sharing information like this, especially being his attorney, but I owe you this at the very least.”
I wasn’t sure where he was going, but I was definitely intrigued. “What are you talking about?”
John lowered his voice. “His ex-wife left the marriage because of his excessive drinking and partying. Not to mention she was scared shitless of him.”
“I heard it was the other way around,” I said, wondering why she’d be frightened of him.
“That’s because he gave her a big settlement and a warning to keep her mouth shut. He’s a dangerous man and hangs out with some very bad people. Ones who would go after her if she said anything.”
“But, he has custody of their son,” I replied, having a hard time believing John’s story.
“Yes. That was part of the deal. The judge was paid off as well.”
I didn’t say anything.
“Mia?”
“You’re lying,” I said flatly.
“I wish I was. But, I’m not as good of a liar as he is. Obviously, he already has you wrapped around his finger.”
“This story of yours is insane.”
“No. He’s insane. Let me tell you something else. You must have heard that he’s not pitching anymore, right?”
“Yes.”
“I bet you didn’t hear how he hurt his shoulder.”
“No,” I admitted.
“He became drunk one night and damaged his entire career in a car accident. Of course, they kept it out of the news. But, it happened. Believe me.”
I frowned.
“Mia, the man is out of control and I noticed he was drinking again at the club. Alcohol and Stryker are a very bad combination.”
As much as I wanted to believe that John was lying, I was starting to have my doubts. “Did you help him take his son away from his mother?”
“I did what he paid me to do, and to tell you the truth, I was afraid not to.”
Now I was starting to get a little nervous. His story was compelling.
“John, I swear to God, if you’re lying to me–”
“I’m not. As much as you hate me, Mia, I still care about you and don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Why should I believe you?”
“I know you don’t have any reason to, but if you go on this trip, something tells me that you’re going to regret it for the rest of your life.”
My mind was reeling. I really didn’t know what to believe.
“I bet you have no idea of who all is going to be boarding the ship. Do you?” he asked.
“Celebrities. Famous people.”
“More likely ‘infamous’ people. He hangs around criminals, Mia. Very rich ones who you don’t want to cross paths with. Have you ever heard of Thomas Gambini?”
“No,” I replied.
“He’s mafia and a close associate of Damian’s.”
My eyes widened. “Mafia? They’re still around?”
“Oh, hell yes. Look, I can’t say anything more other than that you need to cut ties with Damian immediately. Both personal and business.”
“I don’t see how I can.”
“Mia, you’re making a mistake,” he said, sounding frustrated.
“If what you’re saying is true, I’d rather not have any dealings with him. But, right now we have no choice.” I then told him that we’d already spent much of the money Damian had given us.
He sighed heavily.
“How were we supposed to know?” I asked defensively.
“You wouldn’t have known. In fact, nobody knows about his private dealings except for those closest to him. And me, his lawyer. Shit, my other phone is ringing and I have to take this call. Mia, I don’t know what else I can say to convince you not to board that ship this weekend.”
“As I said before, I don’t think we have any other choice.”
“Just… promise me that you’ll try to get out of it and whatever you do, don’t tell anyone that I told you this. Not even Ridley. If Stryker ever found out, he’d probably send someone to kill me. No joke.”
My eyes widened in horror. “What?”
“Like I said, he’s dangerous and I know more than anyone that he will do anything to keep his private dealings… private.”
***
After hanging up with John, I contemplated about keeping our conversation a secret, but knew there was no way that I could hold it from Ridley. If what he said was true, then it was possible we’d be at sea with some very seedy characters.
“I’m sorry, but that’s got to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” she said, staring at me in disbelief.
“I thought that at first, too, but John was very serious about the matter.”
“Think about it – John is jealous of Damian. He’s making all of this up. Look, I’ll call my brother and ask him if any of this is true,” she said, grabbing her phone.
“He said not to tell anyone,” I replied quickly.
“Michael won’t say anything if I ask him not to.”
I sighed. “Okay.”
Ridley called him and he agreed with her that John was making all of it up.
“I have never known Damian to be associated with criminals,” he told me over the phone. “And think of it this way – if he was involved with them, the media would have gotten wind of it a long time ago.”
That made sense. I sighed in relief. “I imagine so. John just sounded so convincing,” I told him.
“He’s the one you need to watch out for,” replied Michael. “Ignore him and change your phone number.”
“Good advice,” I replied, wishing that John would just fall off the face of the earth. He was definitely not the man I thought I’d fallen in love with. Thankfully, he was out of my life and I vowed to avoid him in the future at all costs.
- Writer
