Page 69 of Lord of Ruin
He laughed nervously. “I don’t know, but as soon as I made your offer,” he laughed. Then he threatened me.”
I was taken aback. “How?”
“He mentioned shit about my business, my family. Hell, even my old college girlfriend. He then hung up on me after cursing me out. Thirty minutes later, he called me back, managing to find my private number when it’s listed as unknown. His attitude was completely different at that point, telling me the offer was generous, even apologizing for what he’d said earlier. That’s not normal.”
“No, it isn’t,” I growled. “What else?”
“Well, he had the contract signed within thirty minutes, a copy emailed and I expect a courier to deliver the real physical copy in the morning bright and early. I’ve wired him a deposit, but I don’t trust him enough to send the entire amount until it goes through a typical real estate closing, including doing a full appraisal and inspection.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way, although I do want the sale expedited.”
“It’s New York, Mr. Diamondis. Things take time.”
“Find a way.”
He sighed for the second time. “I’ll try my best.”
What in the hell was going on? The question was getting old. “You do that, and I want every scrap of information on the owner sent to me immediately.”
“That’s not much,” Jeff insisted. “At first he seemed like some jackoff slumlord, but there’s more to it.”
Was it possible I’d been lured to the very area where her veterinary clinic was located? “I don’t care what it is. I need everything fucking scrap of info. What is the asshole’s name?”
“Rocky Salvatore.”
“Fine. Send everything when you can.”
“I will but I wanted to talk to you anyway, although it is late at night. Maybe you can swing by the office tomorrow.”
“For what reason? I need to know now.”
His hesitation was just enough to piss me off. “You’re going to need to find another firm to represent your family. We’re going in a different direction.”
I rubbed my jaw, laughing from his announcement. “A different direction.”
“Yeah. We’re going to be representing a conglomerate who will need every available hand to take care of their business.”
There was no point in arguing. However, I had the feeling there was no coincidence with the timing. “Fine, Jeff. We’ll terminate our relationship. But it won’t be without consequences.”
I ended the call, immediately texting Phoenix that we’d need to talk the next day. What in the hell was really going on?
Before I headed up for the night, I made one last phone call.
“Do you fucking ever sleep?” Christos growled.
“I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”
“Famous last words. What do you need, cuz?”
“Information on a thug out of New York.”
“Who is he?”
“The fucking pervert who owned the building where Jenna’s clinic is.”
“O-kay. Should I ask why?”
“Just find out if he’s connected to anyone. His name is Rocky Salvatore.”