“Parker,” Mr. Bianchi says sharply. “Remember why you’re here.”
He rounds on the old man. “Did you hear… she just called me…?”
All at once, the tension leaves our side of the table. Doc barks out a laugh and Eli leans back in his chair.
“I don’t think it matters if Miss Whitehall refers to you by your first name, Parker,” Mr. Bianchi says. “Sit and we can begin the meeting.”
There’s a definite bite in his voice and I feel a little proud that the scary old man likes us more than Mr. Parker.
My ex-fiancé settles at the other end of the table and his seven men fan out around him. A few have briefcases which they put on the table, and take out thick pages of documents. I think of all the guns and knives we surrendered downstairs. Why didn’t we come prepared with our own lawyers and paperwork, too? Maybe Doc and Adriano said that strategy was for nerds…
Mr. Bianchi fixes a pair of gold glasses to the end of his nose. “Everyone’s here. It’s time to proceed.”
The room chills by several degrees. We all sit up straighter.
“I’ve been assigned to end the conflict between your organizations in an amicable, and more importantlyfinal, way,” Mr. Bianchi says. He looks around the table and I nod, the way I used to in school, so teachers knew I was listening.
Mr. Bianchi gestures to the invisible guys at the window and one man rushes forward with a leather folder. Mr. Bianchi opens it with his spotted hands. “This is the contract that’s been drawn up. Both Velvet House and Parker Enterprise Holdings have had several days to look over it and make adjustments, so you should all be familiar with the contents. However, I’ll briefly summarize the agreement.”
Eli’s thigh contracts against mine. He’s refused to answer any of my questions about the contract. I’m sure he didn’t want me to hear this. My heart gives another painful squeeze.
Mr. Bianchi points to Mr. Parker. “In signing this contract, Zachery Parker renounces any romantic, financial, sexual, or familial claim to January Joy Whitehall. He may not threaten or harm her. If asked to comment on their previous relationship, he will say he ended their engagement so Miss Whitehall could attend college…”
I feel Mr. Parker looking at me and I try to think about fractions. Fractions are the most boring thing in the world. Fractions will save me.
“…should Mr. Parker or anyone who works for his organization be found in violation of this contract, by harming Miss Whitehall or contacting her or her family, their lives will be forfeited.”
Mr. Bianchi pauses so we know he means ‘get murdered.’
“Afterward, the entirety of Parker Enterprise Holdings’ assets will be divided between my association, Capital Nine, and Velvet House.”
Mr. Parker tilts his chin. “Understood.”
“In addition, Mr. Parker surrenders any and all claims to the patent for the drug known as ‘Orchard,’ and swears he is no longer in possession of any outstanding product.”
“I swear,” Mr. Parker says, pressing a hand to his chest.
I think of his tree safe and the drugs he threatened to give me and Emilia in Vegas and I know with my whole heart he’s lying. He still has old Orchard. He’d never give it up. I open my mouth to say so and Eli’s hand clamps over my thigh. I stay silent.
Mr. Bianchi turns to Eli. “In exchange for the dissolution of his relationship with January Joy Whitehall and his renunciation of any claim to the drug Orchard, Zachery Parker will receive clemency for any and all misconduct toward Elliot Morelli, Roberto Bassilotta, Domenico Valente, and Adriano Rossi.”
Beside me, Doc is grinding his teeth. I touch his leg. His wiry muscles clench and I think he’s going to throw me off, but then his hand settles over mine, warm and heavy.
“Should the four of you, or anyone who works for your organization, be found in violation of this contract by harming Mr. Parker or contacting him or his associates in any way that could be deemed improper, your lives will be forfeit and Velvet House’s assets divided between my association, Capital Nine, and Parker Enterprise Holdings.”
“We understand,” Eli says.
The old man continues to look at our end of the table.
“Agreed,” Bobby says quietly.
“Fine,” growls Adriano.
All of us look at Doc.
“Got it,” he says through the smallest possible opening of his lips.
“Wonderful,” Mr. Bianchi says briskly. “Finally, in addition to personal amnesty, Zachery Parker will receive compensation for the money he gave the Whitehall family to secure a marriage with January Joy Whitehall.”
