“An if we decide not to use you as a promoter?” Samson asks.
“If you look at the last page of the proposal again, you’ll see the figures.”
I flip to the last page, and Samson leans in over my shoulder.
“Fuck!” Samson straightens. “If we don’t use your company, you jack up our rent four times.”
“Don’t misunderstand, I still want the both of you running it. I want you to be the faces, but . . .”
“You’ll get the higher percentage and voting rights as owner.”
“I’m afraid so.” The slimy bastard actually sounded sorry.
“Think of it this way, gentlemen, you’ll not only have more time for your families, but you’ll have fewer headaches and benefit from my good name and reputation. Bigger budgets for advertising, my relationship with the media, and my A-list clientele.”
Samson throws his large body onto the couch. “Sounds like bullshit to me.”
“Maybe it could work,” Jax offers, finally breaking his silence.
I shoot him a look that saysAre you fuckin’ kidding me?
“It will work.” Graham leans in. “We need each other. I need your know-how with handling people who patronize Wicked, and you need the perks I’m offering.” He squares his shoulders. “I’m the partner you need, plus it lessens the burden on you.”
“And if we don’t?” Samson asks.
“I don’t like to think of that consequence, but I would have no choice but to terminate your lease at the first of the year.”
This is no coincidence. This fucker knew our lease was up January first. Probably had this in the works for a few months just waiting long enough to pressure us into a decision.
“I’m sure you know finding another spot like this in Vegas is next to impossible. I’m guessing the only reason you got it in the first place was because of your Brooklyn connections.”
“That’s a fuckin’ lie.” Samson pounces, and I jump between them with my eyes on Pierce. “Whatever we got in Vegas, we got on our own.”
“Settle the fuck down.” I plant my hand on Samson’s chest.
Graham’s eyes grow wide. Another second and he would’ve been eating Samson’s fist.
Graham draws in a breath. “The only thing left to do is sign the contract.”
I glare at Graham. “We have until January first, correct?”
“Yes, but it would be much better for all parties involvedto get all this business out of the way before the upcoming holiday.”
“What do you mean, all parties involved?”
“I also had a meeting with Cheryl Benson over at Selective Services. I’d like to acquire her business in my portfolio also, but she seemed a bit reluctant.”
“Cheryl has nothing to do with our business with Wicked.”
“Yes and no.”
A cold chill slithers down my spine. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Owning Wicked and having her account would go hand in hand, but I sensed her slight reluctance to go with Pierce Productions.”
“Cheryl makes her own decisions when it comes to her business.”
“I’m sure, but after we discussed how her business runs, it occurred to me that there are so many loopholes.”
