When I hear the ding of the elevator and then their murmured voices disappearing, I let out a harsh breath of relief. Leo grunts in response, storming from the room as though he can’t get away from me fast enough. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more money to make.” I tip my head at him. Using my own pen that probably costs more than his entire outfit, I sign with my usual distinguished Constantine flourishes. Leo scribbles his name across the back page before sending it my way. Trenton pulls one from his breast pocket and hands it over. I would die before I let Perry or Keaton go up against Lucian Morelli alone. And when I buy up that entire goddamn city block, Lucian will extract that payment out of Leo’s ass, as he should, though they’ll be poorer thanks to Leo. No, I’d rather do it the good old-fashioned way, through hard work and perseverance. I’m not some idiot who’d try and sneak in hidden verbiage to pull one over on my opponent. Leo takes his time reading through every word as though that will piss me off.

“This is an agreement between us, but the actual sale of the building will be handled through my attorney in the morning.” I quickly peruse it before sliding it across the table to Leo. “Here you go,” Perry says, handing me the agreement when he reenters the conference room. They may be plentiful, but they all squash the same beneath my Italian leather dress shoe. The agreement has already successfully taped his mouth shut. “When you’re God, you see… everything.”Ī tremor of glee ripples through me that he didn’t throw out Ash’s name as a threat. “Here’s the thing, little Leo.” I give him my best boardroom smile-the same one I reserve for the men I shred with one signature on a dotted line. I glance at my watch just to make this fucker think I have more important shit to do before I finally meet his infuriated glare. “Your head is so high in them, you can’t see the devils doing all the dirty work, stealing all the bricks from your foundation. Talk about clouds…” He snorts in disgust. You think you’re God in this tower overlooking the city below. Perry nods at me and strides out of the conference room to grab it. “It clouds your judgment and makes you retaliate without considering future moves.” I finish typing on the document and hit send to the printer. “The Morelli anger has always been your family’s Achilles’ heel,” I state, shaking my head in disproval. “You’re fucking pushing, and when I’m pushed into a corner, I come out swinging.” Are you sure you don’t want to wait for him to sign off?” “His little brother is out striking deals with a Constantine. “Lucian isn’t going to approve,” I tell him, giving him a triumphant grin. Again, his eyes flash with unspoken intent.

Skyscraper Cinderella by K. Webster