“Twenty percent.”
“Twenty?” I try to hide my disbelief. This guy is nuts, and the last thing I want to do is show him any emotion. “Isn’t that a little low? I know the going rate is a lot closer to forty.” This asshole is trying to lowball me, and it’s pissing me off.
“Ah, Michael, I see you have done your homework.”
What the fuck! Did he really think I am so green that I wouldn’t check this shit out? He insults my intelligence, and I immediately don’t like him.
“I can go up to thirty-five, but it’s my final offer.”
I get up from my chair. One of his guys begins to stand, but Gallardi holds his hands out for him to sit. I look at him curiously and pace. This guy has pissed me off so much that sitting just isn’t working for me. Besides, I do better when I walk and talk, especially when I’m negotiating.
“So what you are saying is you want us to push your product through our family connections, knowing many of these family connections are political, law enforcement, and upstanding business associates. You also want us to move your product into Canada, where we also have influential contacts. Am I right so far?”
He nods proudly. “Yes, you are correct.” Fucking smug asshole.
“And if we do all this, which I have to add here puts our relationships at risk, we get thirty-five percent.”
He sticks out his chest and says, “Yes.”
“Romeo, forgive me, but I have to ask, what made you think my family would be interested in venturing out into drugs?”
He turns his swivel chair to face me and says, “Frankly, Michael, it is the one vice your family has yet to dive into. I’m doing you a favor by offering this to you. You will have the means to make a lot of money.”
Again he insults me. “Romeo, I have a lot of money.”
“But you join forces with Gallardi, and you will have much more.”
I’m done. I’m sick of looking at this guy and his goons, and I am most definitely sick of talking to him. “Well, Romeo, I appreciate that you thought of the Vitalis on such a lucrative offer. I also appreciate you took the time to come to New York to meet with me. However, I cannot give you an answer today. I will think about your offer and will let you know.”
“Michael, it doesn’t work that way. I’ve come all the way from Mexico for an answer, and I expect to get one.” He rises from his seat, and his entourage follows behind him.
“Well, that is not how I do business. Perhaps you should have done your homework. Leave your contact information with my girl out front, and I will be in touch.” I open my office door and say, “Good day, gentlemen.”
“This is not the last you’ll hear from me, Michael Vitali,” he says as he walks out the door.
Alex follows behind him, and I watch from the office window as he drops a card on Laurel’s desk and turns toward the elevators. Sal and Ricco stay with me, Ricco’s gun is drawn in case there are any issues. Alex and Augie linger at Laurel’s desk until they are safely ensconced in the elevator. Alex then grabs the card and returns to my office.
“Holy shit, Michael, what an asshole,” he says as he hands me the card.
I sit on the couch and let out a long breath. “Thank fuck that is over!”
“You handled him well,” Ricco says.
“I couldn’t fucking wait until he left. What an arrogant prick.”
“You gonna do it?” Ricco asks.
“Hell no! This family has prided itself on the fact it never had to resort to drugs for an income. I will not take us down that path now.”
“And you think Gallardi will just accept it?”
I shake my head. “No. I think Gallardi is the type of man who will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. We are in for a fucking shit storm.”
“I’ll get a jump on taking extra security measures. We can bring in the other families too.”
“Yeah, and don’t forget we have the MC coming. At least they can serve as reinforcements if needed.”
