“Twenty-five years now,” he fondly says. We both then turn our attention to our wives who are down on the club floor below. While I had violently rejected the idea of Imogen not being by my side I understand her need to enjoy herself. And the fact Jade is with her.
Our meeting is being conducted in his office upstairs. The noise is at a minimum but the vibration of the bass thrums below our feet. You can see the sweat glistened bodies grinding and dancing from the one sided window pane.
Nightclubs for me are an absolute nightmare. The noise is at an obnoxious level and the mass crowd who allow no personal space sends my mind in a frenzy.
But Imogen seems to be enjoying herself. Dancing with Jade and laughing easily with her. As long as she’s happy.
“I would ask how you two met but I know arranged marriages are still a thing on your side of the business.”
“I stole her.”
He chokes. “You stole her?” His eyes are comically wide. “Listen man, if you guys are into the trafficking business I have to see myself out. I ain’t getting caught up in that fucked up shit.”
My lips twitch. Morale is such a funny thing. Criminals can justify certain crimes but others are considered irredeemable. Not that I disagree on this particular matter. If there is one trade The Donati Famiglia will never partake in, it's the human trade.
“Settle down, Marquise. The Donati Famiglia has never been and will never be part of the flesh trade.”
“Right, right,” he says unconvincingly. “Care to explain the stolen part then?”
“She was my captive. At first she was just leverage against her father, Seamus.”
“And then it became more.”
I nod my head. “And then it became more.” So very much more to where I don’t know how to exist without her.
His laugh is one of disbelief and shock. “You certainly have a great story to tell the kids one day. One twisted fairytale you two have.”
I’m well aware our story isn’t conventional. Our love wasn’t cultivated in the light of day. It was born in the shadows. A dark bloom.
“Not everyone has the luxury of being high school sweethearts.”
“True,” he laughs. “Now,” he claps his hands together as his face becomes serious, “what has you here with me instead of enjoying your wife on the honeymoon?”
I appreciate the cut of pleasantries. If we were about to talk about the weather I might’ve killed myself. “Don Constantine Donati has brought me to propose a lucrative new drug deal.”
A smile splits his face ear to ear. Excitement buzzes beneath his skin. “Lay it on me. What are we playing with, Rico?”
“Alavro Acosta has a new drug called Eden. It’s promising. Those who take the drug will be in a euphoric out of body state of mind. We need someone trustworthy to distribute. You and your men run a tight ship. You’ll have a pay raise, of course. And if it runs smoothly you can expect a bonus.”
He rubs his chin considering. “This is the mogul from Cuba, right?”
“The very same.”
“How big a pay raise are we talking here? You’re asking me to store a whole new drug and have my crew do double the work with the drugs they’re already running. Big risk for them.”
“We’re talking a twenty-five percent pay raise initially.”
He whistles sweetly. “I like the sound of that. When’s the drug coming?”
“A shipment will be here in two days.”
“Soon,” he comments. “What if I would’ve said no?”
“I would’ve convinced you,” I respond vaguely. Marquise is a smart enough man to pick up on what I’m hinting at.
“Well,” he singsongs. “It’s a good thing I didn’t need any convincing.” He extends his hand for a shake to confirm the deal and I shake his hand firmly.
My eyes desperately find Imogen once more and when I do my blood boils. A man has closed in on her and is trying to dance with her.
