Page 6 of Vow of Sin
“Yes, we know all of this Scarlett. And we have no doubt in our minds that you would be more than able to handle things here in America…” Carlos says, sighing after he speaks, my gut trembling in response to his pause.
“But?” I ask, crossing my leg over my knee before I lean back in my chair, my gaze fixed on both Carlos and Andreas.
“But I’ve been handling this business alongside your husband for over twenty years and not only am I well versed in what goes down here in America, I’m also the eyes and ears for the main house in Columbia.” Nico says from the end of the table, a cigarette resting between his full lips as I whip my head and glare at him.
“But you’ve been in Spain for half a decade. How versed can you be while working remotely?” I quipped back at him, my eyes narrowed.
“More versed than someone who’s only been observing from her little castle here in New York.” he says, his voice on the edge of a growl.
That smug son of a bitch…
“Nico is right. He’s been a part of this family since conception and I have no doubt that he will be able to handle things from here.” Andreas says, putting out his cigar in the crystal ashtray near his coffee cup.
I don’t say anything for a moment. I just sit there, trying to remain impassive as my stomach nearly drops to the floor.
“So.” I start, staring at my wedding ring as I lay my hands in my lap.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to take this off.
“When do I need to vacate the premises?” I say quietly, not making eye contact with anyone as the words leave my lips.
There’s a pause. A long pause filled with a heart wrenching silence that nearly guts me from the inside out. Right as the tears begin to crawl up my throat, the room breaks out in a roar of laughter. I look up quickly, locking eyes with Carlos and Andreas who are shaking their heads at me.
“You’re not going anywhere, Scarlett. Don’t be so eager.” Carlos chuckles, patting my hand as I eye Nico, who looks just as confused as I am.
“You’re right after all, you’re the best damn accountant we’ve seen and we have nobody else who’s as good at studying the legal world as you are. You have cops in your back pocket, kid. We need you too much to let you go.”
“Not to mention, you’ll always be family.” Andreas adds, offering me a small smile, which is actually just a slight lift of the side of his mouth.
“So, what does this mean? Who’s running things here then?” I ask, trying not to make eye contact with Nico as I speak.
Carlos leans back in his chair, crossing his ankles on the table as he rests his hands on his stomach.
“It means you and Nico will be partners in this. Nico will stay here with you in New York, work alongside you as well as be the one to go out for trades. I think this will work out well in our favor. I have a strong feeling about it.” Carlos says and I have to physically restrain my jaw to keep it from dropping to the floor.
I don’t know how he could possibly have a good feeling about this, Nico and I can’t even stay in the same room with each other for longer than a minute and even that’s too much, but I can’t voice this. No one dares to defy the head families orders. If you do, you might as well start picking out your own casket.
I nod and right when I do, a grunt sounds from the end of the table. A grunt that belongs to a very frustrated Nico.
“You have any questions about this, Nico?” Andreas asks, his voice cold and filled with unspoken threats.
I glance back at Nico, who’s glaring at me with a hellfire gaze. He shakes his head and smashes his cigarette into the ashtray, standing and walking to the liquor cart so that he can pour himself a glass of amber colored liquid.
“Great. Then it’s settled. We’ve emailed you a couple options for an upcoming deal with some of our former sellers, Scarlett. You and Nico can arrange a meeting with them in the next week. Please call us if you have any questions.” Carlos says as everyone stands.
He and Andreas kiss my cheek before everyone dismisses themselves from the room, leaving Nico and I alone. Which is apparently going to become a normal thing.
Fuck.
“Do you have anything to say?” I ask him as he stands and stares out of the large window, looking down at the pool house.
He slams the rest of his glass before he sets it on the cart, both hands in his pocket before he turns and glares at me, his eyes darker than usual. Quite frankly, he looks fucking pissed.
The feeling is more than mutual.
“Stay out of my way and I’ll stay out of yours.” he nearly growls at me, a scoff leaving my lips.
“That’s going to be impossible, Nico. We’re partners-”