“Honestly, I’m excited about this next phase in life,” Robert Hart says, taking a sip from his bourbon. “Susan has dreams of traveling the world and spending more time with the grandkids.”
“Time with family is important.”
Robert chuckles. “Indeed it is.”
A deep voice outside the door draws my attention. “Listen to me, Françoise, you better call me back in the next three minutes. You cannot fuck this up.”
The door opens, and William Ingram walks in. He looks a little frazzled.
“Robert, I’m so sorry I’m late. I have the—”
Will’s words trail off when he spots me sitting beside Robert. His brow dips and his jaw slacks.
“William, come join us,” Robert says, holding his hand out to the open seat.
William seems skeptical, but he follows the orders. He takes the seat across from me.
“Basille, what are you doing here?”
I don’t answer. Instead, I smile politely.
“William, I'll be upfront with you. I decided to go with Basille for the Hart Resorts.
“What?” William shouts, shooting to his feet.
Initially, I didn’t give a shit about the Hart Resorts. But after finding out the truth about Will, I decided to get in on the deal. It required some negotiating.
I convinced Robert to allow the resorts to keep his naming rights, and I paid him a little more than his asking price. In the end, I got the better deal. Within the first year, I will recoup what I paid for the properties. I already have a few deals set up that will ensure it.
Although I did this for revenge, I’m a businessman first.
“What the hell?” William shouts. “You promised me the deal. I was getting you the money?”
Robert waves him away. “It’s business, William. That’s how this works.” Robert looks at his watch. “I have to go.” He slides his chair back and stands. I stand to my feet. Robert shakes my hand.
“It was nice doing business with you, Basille.”
“You too, Hart.” I watch as the older gentleman walks out of the private dining room. Slowly, I take my seat.
“I can’t fucking believe you,” William snarls. “My father was right. You’re a conniving, money-hungry snake. I’m going to make sure—”
“Sit your bitch ass down and shut the fuck up.”
William’s face pales as he stares back at me. It takes him a minute to pull his shit together. He licks his lips and tugs at his coat jacket.
“I… don’t know who you’re talking to, but I won’t stand for this.” He tries to leave, but Ghost politely shoves him back down in the chair.
He was so busy cursing me out for stealing his deal that he didn’t notice my men entering the room after Robert left.
I lean back in my seat, placing my foot on my knee.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, but this is uncalled for.” William is trying his best to maintain control.
One of my guys walks over to the table and places a covered tray down in front of William. William looks at the tray and then back up at me, confused.
“Go on, open it.”
Slowly, he pulls the top off the covered tray. The moment he peeks underneath, he gasps and then immediately leans over and hurls.
