I roll my eyes at the sarcasm.
Me
I did, and it’s bullshit. They’re trying to make us pay more for fewer supplies.
Gino
Fuck. Do you think you can fix it?
Me
We didn’t sign anything, so maybe.
Gino
The whole reason this is happening is because my father signed a deal we have to honor.
Me
We might need to send someone to Italy to negotiate face to face.
Gino
You want to do that? You don’t have to answer. I already know you don’t. Come over tomorrow morning and we’ll figure out a plan.
Me
Alright. See you tomorrow.
Gino
See ya.
I lock my phone and drop it on the desk, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. This is going to suck. I already know the only real option is for me to go to Italy. We need someone who can negotiate without throwing punches. I let out a long, frustrated groan.
“Is everything okay?” Vanessa asks softly. I glance over and catch the small, gentle smile on her lips.
“Honestly, I don’t know. This whole thing feels off.”
“How so?”
I hesitate. I don’t want to dump everything on her, but if there’s a chance I’ll be leaving, she needs to know. “Thispartnership was something your father agreed to. It wasn’t formal, not on paper, but he gave his word, so in some way we have to honor it. We agreed to one shipment, but this contract is trying to make us pay more and commit to more than one.”
“Shipment of what?”
“You’re not going to like it. Supplies for drugs. And before you get upset, it’s supplies to make them. We weren’t planning on using them, just buying them and repurposing the materials.”
“This is the mafia,” she says with a dry laugh. “Drugs are basically currency around here.”
“I know how it looks, but we’re trying to clean things up and move away from the shit our parents did. This is the last thing tying us to all of that.”
“So after this, how do you plan to make money?”
“You’re worried about money?” I ask softly. “I have more than enough.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know. That’s why we all have other skills. I love being a lawyer, but I never wanted it just for the family. I could work at any firm if I wanted to. We just have to clear out what’s left of the past first. Your brother’s brilliant with business and already lining up real contracts and bids. This isn’t what we want to do, but it’s what we have to do right now. After this, we finally get to do things our way.”
