With a last glance at the closed bedroom door, I put my empty cup in the dishwasher and leave. On my way down, I push a leaflet under every door. I’m certain now Alexis slipped in behind me that day. I was too blinded with anger to pay attention to what was happening around me, a mistake I won’t make again. Only Zoe can push me to such a state of carelessness. Still, I’m not taking chances. Everyone in the building must be aware of what has happened. Vigilance is prevention, and prevention is always better than cure.
There are ten apartments, three on the first three floors and ours taking up the whole of the top story. When I’ve done my distribution, I exit into the crisp morning air. Summer is around the corner. It’s in the brighter blue of the sky and the way the sunrays already slide over the neighboring building to disperse with wedges that cut through the alleys. At the corner bakery, I take a table outside and order a croissant and an espresso. I’m not taking breakfast outside only to adhere to the French tradition, but also to keep an eye on our building before I head to the office. So far, no conspicuous men that could be connected to Alexis are showing up to watch our street.
While I eat, I read my emails on my phone. There are little confirmations for the auction in Paris. My regular buyers are still skeptical about my split from the mafia. Until I’ve proven I’m as capable on my own as when I was the mafia underboss and there’s no danger of retribution from my family, they’re not going to support me. The stones Damian Hart provides are of good quality. They are pure with great color. They don’t come free, and whilst I have a vault full of them, it’s not going to help me keep the business afloat if I can’t sell them.
There aren’t that many buyers in the world. The European ones are especially finicky. They know the consequences of being disloyal to my family only too well, ironically thanks to my own doing. For years, I was the one who doled out the lessons. I have no doubt that my brother has something to do with their reluctance in supporting my business even though they need the stones. Ours are conflict free and the quality is much higher than any other on the market. Plus, Hart has recently extended to add black diamonds to his inventory, a craze that has hit the world by storm. For those who can’t afford a highly graded diamond, a black diamond is the perfect alternative. It makes diamonds accessible to a broader market. Thanks to Hart, I’m the exclusive importer of black diamonds to Europe. Yet the buyers are not biting. If I don’t manage to win them over soon, the business is in serious trouble. I’ll be going down, and I’ll be damned before I take Zoe with me.
Pushing my concerns aside, I survey the street once more before going down to the parking for my car. The traffic is already heavy despite the early hour. I don’t get to the office before nine. When I enter the underground parking, my shoulders draw tight with tension. A black Mercedes is parked next to my regular spot. The windows are tinted, but I don’t need to see inside. I know to who it belongs. Drawing my gun out from under my seat, I keep it ready on my lap before I pull in next to the Mercedes and cut the engine. When the driver gets out of the Mercedes and opens the passenger door, I tuck the gun into my waistband before getting out, but I don’t slide into the passenger seat as per the silent instruction. I cross my arms and lean against my car.
After a short wait, the backdoor on the other side of the Mercedes opens. My father groans as he folds his body double. He straightens with a flinch. He’s put on weight. The trench coat doesn’t hide his bigger stomach. His face looks older, his bad eye sagging more in its socket and deeper lines running over his forehead. Through the open door, I glimpse a young woman with red hair and big tits. The dress shows off more skin than a stripper’s uniform at the club. My father hasn’t waited very long to replace my mother, not that I care. Catching my look, she averts her eyes and pulls the sides of her fur coat together to cover her cleavage.
“Max,” my father says in greeting.
I turn my attention back to him. “Why are you here?”
He gives a humorless smile. “No cutting corners, I see.”
“Since I’m dead to you, there’s no point in wasting time with politeness.”
“You’re right.” He squints at me. “I hear your business isn’t doing well.”
I laugh. “Spying on me? Are you afraid?”
He shrugs. “I hear things.”
“Things.” I straighten. “Is there a point to this conversation?”
“You need our old clients or you’re going under.”
I clench my jaw. “They need me too.”
“They’re buying from De Beers and Anglo. They don’t need you.”
“De Beers and Anglo don’t have the stones I have.”
“Yeah.” He leans an arm on the door to support his weight. “I heard black diamonds are the latest rage.”
So, the old man is keeping up with the business. “Get to the point.”
“Cut Alexis in.”
This time, my laugh is harsh. “Not
