Page 4 of Revenge
I fold my arms across my chest to show I’m listening. I didn’t actually come here to kill them, not that I won’t if I have to. But dead bodies don’t make the don rich, so I’m really here to take everything the Yacht King owns.
Including his prize daughter.
Except she’s not for the don.
She’s for me.
Benedict darts a nervous look at his wife. “Y-yes. I can give you the inventory. Forty-five yachts in various stages of build.”
Forty-five yachts that have all been purchased already. The once-wealthy ship-builder is up to his ears in debt. But sure, the don would take the inventory and leave Benedict to answer to his other creditors.
That’s what he sent me here to do.
I want more, though.
I didn’t come here for a piece of his pie.
I came to take his whole world.
To demolish this worm of a man.
The don won’t be happy, but I’ll fix that later. I will run the business for him and give him the proceeds. Make him rich with a legitimate business. Besides, once I explain to him the significant advantages to having our own sea vessels out on the water for smuggling arms and other contraband, he will crown me Prince of the Beretta family.
I say nothing.
“Take the houses. The cars! Anything!” Babs begs. “Please, just tell us what to do, and we’ll do it.”
Ah. That’s exactly the opening I was looking for.
“I’ll take the business. King Yacht Company.”
Benedict looks like he’s going to be sick, but his wife exclaims, “Yes!” almost before the words are out of my mouth. I take a sheaf of folded papers from the inner pocket of my tuxedo jacket.
“Sign over everything you own to me,” I command.
“Do it!” Babs exclaims.
“Fine. Give me a pen,” Benedict snaps.
I wait until he’s signed every line before I deliver the final blow. “This almost takes care of your debt.”
Babs goes bug-eyed. “What else do you want?” Her voice is practically a screech.
“I’ll take your daughter.”
That statement makes them both freeze. They stare at me with obvious horror.
“Wh-what do-oo you mean our daughter?” Babs’ chin wobbles.
I spread my hands. “You planned a wedding. The event of the season. We’ll make it official. Your daughter marries me today to seal the deal. That way, it will all make sense. The business was turned over to your new son-in-law.”
“No!” Babs is horrified.
Benedict staggers to the right and clutches at his chest.
“I’ll keep her safe so long as you maintain your end of the bargain.”
Now Benedict understands me. There will be no going to the police. No trying to reverse this deal. No using his connections with Senator Reese or his limp-dick mayor son to bring down the Beretta crime family.