Obsession.

Chapter 23 ~ Negotiation

Today Valen is meeting with the guy that launders majority of his money. He's never really filled me in on all of the details, but I know how we do our own. It goes through all sorts of small or large businesses that attract lots of customers, then it's washed and kept in a storage building we own.

He told me I should sit this meeting out, which is fair enough because it has nothing to do with me. I plan to just watch some Netflix shows I need to catch up on. I made myself a salad to eat before starting.

The penthouse is pretty quiet while they are meeting. I can see them in the living room through the doorway. They're all dressed in casual business wear. I'm shocked to see Valen in a shirt and tie. The guy from last night's party seems to be the focus of their attention. He must be bringing up some new idea.

I hear the elevator buzzer go off. Maybe they are supposed to meet with someone else. I walk over and press the button to talk.

"Who is it?" I ask politely.

"Mileva, it's Dante. Buzz me up quick."

He sounds panicked. I let him in and wait for him to come up.

A couple minutes later, the elevator opens up. Dante steps out and starts pacing around the hall.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

He looks at me and stops.

"Sorry. I'm fine yeah. Where is everyone at?"

"They're having a meeting in the living room."

"Can they hear us?" He mouths quietly.

I nod.

He looks at the stairs and signals for me to come up with him. We walk all the way up to gym. I lean on the boxing ring ropes, and he resumes his pacing in front of me.

"Dante." I call to get him focused.

He takes a deep breath and sits on the bench press.

"Okay. It's not as bad as I'm making it look."

"But it's bad..."

He sighs, "Last night the guy that launders all of our money was booked. Not for what he does for us, but he was apparently a big advocate for tax fraud."

"Why was he doing our money?!"

"Well you see, my dad didn't seek him out just to do that for us. They were friends. He wouldn't believe what just happened if he were still here."

"Can't we just promote someone?"

"Not exactly..."

"Why?"

"Every single one of the fronts had to file bankruptcy to pay off his debts. In fact they still aren't cleared. So not only did we loose five hundred grand, but we also lost our entire fucking system. Even the people he had working for him threw in the towel."

I can't fucking believe this.

"And he did this all under our noses?"

Dante slowly nods.

I plant my face into my hands.

"Jesus christ." I mumble to myself.

"On the bright side, we didn't get busted!" He cheers.

I reach over to my left and chuck a boxing glove at him.

"Sorry!"

"What the hell are we supposed to do?!?"

"Well, I didn't call you to my place for a reason..."

"NO." I say sternly.

"Why not?"