Page 81 of Mafia Billionaire's Surprise Baby
“I wish to expand, and I have made some effort to do that in the States, but I find myself faced with… distribution challenges. You see, I do not ever wish to leave France, and I do not know enough Americans to help my interests along.”
Translation: He needs to expand his American market, and he doesn’t want to move his pretty French ass to do that.
“I see,” I say, studying the jelly. “And you’re willing to share your profits accordingly?”
“Within the standard amounts, yes.”
It could be done. In fact, I think it’s a pretty darn good idea.
I smile at him. “This is a pretty neat setup you got here, Gabe.”
“Only you have ever called me that, amour.”
Amour. Oh, I can practically hear Sal’s teeth grinding.
“Thank you, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“No one else would have the balls to do it.”
“That’s definitely a compliment then,” I grin at him.
Gabriel smiles back.
“Ah well. Alors. The very concentrated powders are placed inside my very French jellies, and they are shipped to the United States where they’re unpacked and distributed, but I know this process is not reaching those I wish to reach.”
“Where are they shipped?”
He sniffs. “Currently? The port of New Orleans.”
“And you sell them all over?”
“Oui. The trucks though, they are struggling. I haven’t been able to get a full shipment out to the distributors in nearly a month.”
I bet they are. The Irish have been doing a hell of a job with the motorcycle gangs, paying them off to harass shipments of all kinds of goods and stuff, especially if they know they’re from a rival group.
I will absolutely take this opportunity. I give Gabriel a little grin.
“I can cut your shipment costs.”
Behind me Sal makes a small, surprised grunt, but Gabriel looks interested.
“Tell me more, amour.”
“Rossi Industries recently acquired a… smaller organization. The De Luca Shipping Company trades at the dock in Long Island. I can import your jellies at a discount, and get them to you much faster, because my guys don’t drive trucks.”
“What do they drive?”
The smile I give is genuinely big. “Cop cars.”
Gabriel bursts out laughing. “Amour, you pay off the police to smuggle your exports?”
“Yes, and I’d do it again. Public goods in the US are deteriorating. No one can live on a beat cop salary, and no one in another state is going to pull them over. They’re perfect.” I beam.
“Alors, Gia. You definitely have some kind of attitude to you.”
“Thank you,” I smirk.
Gabriel nods. “Well then. I will accept your offer. You get my jellies out in the world, and I will use you as my distributor.”