“Getting my hands on half a million in cash isn’t exactly easy,” he says.
“Oh.” I sit down in the chair. “So you’re just going to… pay them?”
“That’s on the table.”
“Okay. Right, yeah.”
He frowns at me, narrows his eyes. “Are you okay? You look a little on edge.”
“I think so.” I shift a little. “Look, I should tell you—”
His phone starts ringing and he holds up a hand. “Sorry, hold on a second, it’s Darin.”
“Go ahead, yeah.”
He answers and holds it to his ear. “Hey,” he says. “Yeah, I’m there. Right now? Are you kidding me?” He looks at me, tension in his eyes. “Shit, all right, fine. I’ll handle it.” He hangs up the phone.
“What was that?”
“Carmine’s on his way up.”
“Wait… what?”
“Yeah. Carmine. Right now.”
I lean back in my chair. “Oh. Shit.”
He laughs a little. “It’ll be fine. He won’t get violent right here in the office. That’s why I wouldn’t go meet him on his terms.”
“Smart, I guess.”
“Not really. Fucking stupid to get involved with guys like these.”
I chew on my lip. “Look, Jacob. You should know something.”
He cocks his head. “What’s that?”
I stare at him for a long moment. I want to tell him… but this isn’t the time. He needs to be on his game, and I think this might push him off balance.
“I’m on your side,” I say.
“I know you are, little Valerie.” He smiles a bit then looks past me and stands.
Carmine sweeps into the room followed by Dee. They’re wearing their expensive suits, but neither man is smiling. Dee shuts the door and stands in front of it as Carmine walks toward us.
“Carmine,” Jacob says. “I’m glad you came.”
“I’m not,” Carmine says. “Normally, when I tell people to come meet me, they come. You did not, and that is annoying.” He looks at me. “But at least your little bitch is here.”
Jacob tenses. “That’s not called for.”
“Is it not?” He cocks his head. “The bitch lost me half a million dollars. What should I call her?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Caro. Risk is an inherent part of—”
“Shut your mouth, you fucking stupid cunt,” Carmine snaps at her.
I lean back in my chair, shocked. I’ve never had someone talk to me like that before. It was so vicious and violent, like I’m just some trash woman he could throw out.
Jacob comes around the desk. “Carmine. There’s no need to talk to her like that. She’s a very good investor. Things happen sometimes.”
“Things happen,” he repeats. “Strange. To me, it seems like things happen more often when you have some stupid cunts involved. Why didn’t you give my account to a real investor? Or do it your fucking self?”
“Are you suggesting that I can’t make investments properly because I’m a woman?” I say, despite myself.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying, you silly little bitch.”
“Carmine.” Jacob says his name loudly. He steps forward and I have to scoot back as my heart starts to race. Dee tenses over near the door. Jacob looms over both of them, bigger and stronger and angry as hell. “If you talk to her like that again, I’ll make sure you lose all your fucking money.”
He stares at Jacob. “You really want to threaten me? Do you know who I am?”
“I don’t give a shit,” Jacob says. “I think you’re some stupid thug that thinks he can come in here and bully one of my employees. This is a legitimate business, Mr. Caro. Maybe you’re not used to dealing with real businesses.”
Carmine shows his teeth, more of a feral grimace than a smile. “Oh, maybe, maybe not. But I am used to men like you. Men that think they’re strong, real tough guys, but have no clue what it takes.”
“You came here to solve our problem,” Jacob says. “Then let’s solve it. But if you speak to her like that again, you’re leaving, and I’ll make sure we piss your money away. You think ten million matters to me?” He smirks at Carmine. “You have no clue what money is.”
Carmine bristles at that. “I want it back,” he says. “I want my half million back.”
“We’ll make it back. It might not happen instantly.”
“You lost it instantly.”
“I understand. That was a fluke. The average rate of return—”
“Don’t give me that fucking investor bullshit,” Carmine snaps. “I want it back. Make it back for me. Do what you gotta do, but make it back.”
“Carmine—”
“No, you fuck. I’m sick of this shit. Darin promises it’ll be easy, but then you appear, and you make things hard. Darin promises you’ll make us a lot of money, but then I hear you lose me half a million in just barely six weeks instead. You think this is a game? It’s not a fucking game.”
“I don’t play games with other people’s money,” I say. “I’ll make your money back. We’ll earn it.”