House Rules(53)
There was a knock on the door. “Come in,” I said, not even bothering to hide the irritation in my voice.
I turned to face the man himself, Nathan Marcello.
Could he be anymore stereotypical? Probably not. The oily slicked back hair, the black pinstripe suit, not to mention the hat. Jesus Christ. Had he ordered his outfit from a costume store? If I hadn’t heard of some of the shit he’d done, I’d laugh and kick his ass out of my office. He looked ridiculous.
He walked up to me, hands in his pockets. “You must be Miller Hawes.”
“And you’re Nathan Marcello. I’m pretty sure we knew that before you got here. I don’t feel like standing here playing with niceties. Can we get to it?”
“A man who gets straight to the point.”
The man would understand the word respect so much better when he left. Without a word, I took the seat behind my desk and gestured for him to sit. While I wanted to climb over the desk and teach him respect the old fashion way, I’d let my words sink in first.
“Of course I do, why wouldn’t I? I’m a Hawes, I don’t have to worry about anything in this business. Not sure I can say the same for you.”
He sat back in the chair. “I seem to be doing just fine.”
I leaned forward, resting my arms on the desk. “Only because I haven’t put you out of business yet.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You honestly believe you have that kind of power?”
Dean stood in the corner, ready for anything. I leaned back in my chair and put my leg across my knee. A little push was needed. “I do. But that isn’t why I called you here. I’m more interested in the way you handle non-payments.”
“You want to learn from me?”
I scoffed. “Don’t be fucking obtuse, we handle our debts without a problem. We don’t go after family.”
He shrugged it off. “Someone has to pay.”
Dean brought over a decanter and filled two glasses.
“Yes they do, but it should be the person who borrowed the money.”
He pushed a glass over to me and one to Marcello. I knocked back mine and watched him do the same. “That’s not nearly as effective as my way.”
“Your way means a woman who has no involvement with your client is caught in the crossfire. I want you to leave her alone, pretend you never heard of her, and deal with him.”
Marcello watched me for a moment. “And which debt would you be talking about?”
“Ray Wasden.”
He chuckled, the stale scent of cigarette breath wafting in my direction, turning my stomach. “Ah, that sexy little brunette my boys have been looking for.”
I clenched the glass so hard, I thought it might shatter in my hand. ““She’s mine now, and I can’t be held accountable for my actions if one little hair is out of place on her head. You need to call those motherfuckers off.”
“Say I’m willing to do as you asked, what do I get out of it?”
I looked him square in the eyes. “More than you’d get by going after her.”
He contemplated the glass in his hand. “Let me get this straight, I call off my boys and I get something from you? I take it you’re aware that little shit owes me half a million.”
“I am, and I brought half.” Dean stepped forward and placed the bag of money in front of Marcello. I leaned forward in my seat. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to take the bag and walk out of here. When you get to the car, you’re going to call your men and tell them they are to look for Ray only. The woman is off limits. Do we understand each other?”
“Half? What am I going to do with half?”
I stood and slammed my hands down on the desk. “I don’t give a fuck what you do with the money. If you want the rest, hunt the little prick down and get it from him. She’s off limits. Now I’ll ask again: do we understand each other?”
His jaw clenched and he glanced at the man who’d entered the room with him. I hadn’t paid him notice until now, too focused on dealing with the chicken shit in front of me. I watched their silent exchange, my patience rapidly reaching its limit.
A short moment later, Marcello turned back to me. “We understand each other perfectly.”
Finally. “Anyone touches her, and I’m coming after you. And it won’t be for the money.”
“Understood.”
I nodded to Dean and stood. “I’m glad we agree,” I said, adjusting my jacket.
He nodded. “It was interesting meeting you Mr. Hawes.”
Marcello stood and gave a quick nod of his head at the bag. His associate grabbed the bag and turned to leave. Once the door shut behind them, I sat down and poured another drink. Dean brought over a glass and did the same.