“I’m just here to discuss his debt.” I sit down.
“There is already a deal in place for what he owes.” Diaz leans forward. “I don’t take his bets anymore, so if he’s got another one, it isn’t with me.”
“Then this is a renegotiation.” I drop my hands into a pyramid and rest my chin against my fingers. Lawson used to call this my business stance. It’s a habit I’ve never tried to break.
“Wouldn’t we have to make a deal first if we were going to renegotiate the terms?” He tilts his head slightly. “I made my deal with Hudson’s sister.”
“She’s no longer handling his debt.” I shake my head. “I am.”
“If she’s not going to handle his debt, then things will get very ugly for Hudson.” Diaz’s eye twitches. Is that a tick? Is he annoyed? He’s not someone I want to annoy without some heat close enough to grab.
“You want to get paid; otherwise, you would’ve already done something to him.” It’s a bluff, but the facts add up. “I can make that happen a lot faster than his sister can.”
“Okay, I’m listening.” He nods.
I wish I could write a check and pay Hudson’s debt off in one fell swoop, but I’m not in a position to do that. The best I can do is make an offer that is enough to buy Hudson some time—just like Kiana did. Simple math tells me that Kiana could only afford a couple of grand every month, even if she got some generous tips—so I’ll shoot for a number higher than that.
“How about five grand a month until his debt is cleared?” I lean forward. “I know that’s more than his sister would’ve ever been able to pay.”
“His sister cried when she was sitting in that chair.” His expression sours. “I felt bad for her. My sympathy has worn off now. Twenty-five sounds a lot more reasonable.”
He’s testing me. I can’t blame him. He has no idea what I’m worth, and if I’m lowballing him or making a serious offer. He’s negotiating with me—that’s a good sign. Now we just have to walk away from the table with a number that makes us both happy and doesn’t bankrupt me.
“I would pay that if I could. I’m just trying to help out my friend’s kid. How about seven? On the first of the month, every month.” I swallow as if I’m uncomfortable paying that much money—it’s not far from the truth.
“Seven from you and Kiana keeps making her payments as well. I see no reason for her to stop dancing at Max’s club.” A slight smile forms on the edge of his lips. “I kind of enjoy watching her when I can—a perk I’m not willing to give up for anything less than ten.”
He’s figured out that she’s the reason I’m here. He might be a thug in a suit, but he’s not stupid. I want to reach across the table and give him another scar for even suggesting it. I keep my composure—for my sake, and because we’re close to bringing these negotiations to a peaceful conclusion. Ten grand a month will be rough, but I can make it happen.
“Okay.” I nod. “Ten grand a month it is.”
“Interesting…” He seems to be studying me, but after a couple of seconds he extends his hand. I shake it. “But my deal is with you—which means Hudson’s debt is now yours. If you miss a payment…”
“Got it.” I match the firmness of his handshake until he lets go.
He doesn’t have to finish his sentence. I know exactly what I’ve gotten myself into and the repercussions of not holding up my end of the deal. Was my decision rash? Maybe. I would have helped either one of Lawson’s kids had they showed up at my door begging for it. Kiana didn’t beg. Not for my help, at least.
I have no idea if Kiana will be appreciative or still upset with me for intervening in a situation that she thought she had under control. I know she didn’t. Not really. She put a band-aid on something that needed a lot more than that to close the wound. I’ve closed that wound and opened a new one. I’ll suffer financially until the debt is paid, but at least Kiana will never have to step foot on a fucking stage again.
After I leave Pasqual’s Tavern, I head to the office. I still have some work to do, and I need to look at my expenses. There was a time when I could have wiped my ass with ten grand a month and never missed it. Lawson could have done the same. I can’t even fathom how many of Hudson’s debts he had to pay off in order to bring himself to financial ruin.
Maybe I should reach out to him…
“Mr. Ward.” Joanna pushes my door open. “Dan needs some help. Jack’s here.”
“He is?” I blink in surprise. “Okay, where are they?”
“The conference room next to Dan’s office.” She motions in that direction.
Jack should be sleeping off a hangover in The Hamptons—or whatever it is people his age with that kind of money do. The deal was already made, and it’s too soon to check in on his investment.
I hurry down the hallway to find Jack leaning over the table and Dan furiously shuffling through paperwork. Not a good sign.
“Jack!” I put a smile on my face and some cheer in my voice when I walk into the conference room. “I didn’t know you were going to be stopping by today.”
“Bro!” Jack turns toward me. “I was talking with my friend, and he told me about this really awesome company I need to invest in!”
“Oh?” I glance at Dan who has a disheveled look on his face.
“Yeah.” Jack nods. “They’re about to launch a new energy drink that’s going to put Monster, Red Bull, and Rockstar out of business, bro! My friend got in on the ground floor, and I don’t want to miss out!”
“This company…” Dan sighs.
