Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
To that, Renzo sucked in a deep breath before letting out with a sigh.
“Right now, it’s not that easy.”
“Why?”
“We got a new AUSA out of EDNY. She’s young and hungry to prove herself. Especially after the last one was ousted for taking bribes.”
“And let me guess, she’s got a crush on you,” I said.
“She thinks she’s gonna make a name for herself by taking this family down. So we gotta start keeping a low profile. It’s not the time to open a new legit business. She’d be all over it. Rico is already locking down the meat shop hard. And we barely move anything through the plant store, so we’re not worried about that.”
“But the money still needs to be washed.”
“Yep.”
“So, who are you using?”
There was no shortage of money launderers to turn to if you had a stack of cash you had to legitimize. It wasn’t always easy. Sometimes you had to invest in art, jewelry, gold, or simply stocks. You had to layer that shit so it was impossible for the cops or district attorney’s office to trace it back to its original origins.
“No one that is known for it,” Renzo said. “They got too much heat on them too.”
“Okay. Then who?”
“Soren Vale.”
“Soren Vale?” Bass repeated, tone very ‘who the fuck is that?’
I was always just a bit more blunt.
“Who the fuck is Soren Vale?”
“On paper, he’s considered a ‘nightlife impresario.’”
“Nightlife impresario. Is that a fancy word for a pimp?” I asked, getting a snort out of Bass.
“It’s what the papers call a man who owns a bunch of nightclubs.”
“So, what, you’re gonna funnel the money through one of his clubs?” Bass asked.
“Not exactly. You,” Renzo said, looking at me, “are going to become a silent investor. Though I went ahead and didn’t tell Soren that you aren’t likely to be silent about any goddamn thing.”
“Why me?”
“Because you’re the only one here with plausible deniability. You’ve never been arrested. Which is a fucking miracle, given how unhinged you are. And as far as we can suss out, you’ve never had a police detail. No one’s looking at you.”
“That’s… incredibly insulting. I pull in more than the two of them combined. We can even throw in Coal and Cage for good measure. I out-earn all of them. Put together.”
“It’s one of the few times when your sex works in your favor, I guess. No one has linked you to the family in any official way.”
“I’m always around, though.”
“So are a lot of women.”
“I’m not gonna pretend to be someone’s escort.”
“I’m not asking you to. I’m saying you need to keep doing what you’re doing. Keep your head low, your hands clean. I don’t want you getting linked to the family. At least not until the ink is dry for the nightclub. Don’t wanna spook Soren. But once the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed, it won’t matter as much anymore.”
“Wait, does Soren not know who I am?”
“He’s… not asking.”
“Am I supposed to not say?”
“Look, you don’t lie. If he asks, you can’t lie. But if he doesn’t ask, you don’t need to volunteer information.”
“But he knows you’re funneling your money through me and into the club?”
“Jesus,” Serano said when Renzo exhaled hard.
“Wait, he has no idea? You’re going to funnel money into his club without telling him?”
“No, actually. I’m not. You are.”
“Okay. Right. But I’m gonna be doing that under his nose?”
“Right.”
“Why would he want a partner? If he has a bunch of nightclubs, wouldn’t he be rich enough to do it without me?”
“Because I—soon to be you—am the only person who owns a building that would, for one, be suitable for a nightclub. And, for two, has a liquor license and falls into the 500 and 200 foot rules that an establishment that is open that late and serves liquor has to adhere to.”
“Did you do that on purpose?”
“No. I took it as payment for some pretty substantial debt owed to us. I’ve been sitting on it for years. It’s a shithole. But if he wants to spend his money fixing it up, that’s on him.”
“So I’m just some random woman who happens to own the exact building he wants?”
“Pretty much.”
“And what do I do for a living?”
“Babe, am I supposed to hold your hand through all this? Figure it out. And don’t fuck it up.”
“Fine.” My chin jerked up, angry at being chastised, but knowing I had to toe the line. “And what are they here for then?” I waved over at the other two men.
“They work for you. Don’t imagine Soren is going to demand to know their titles and salary.”
“But why do I need them?”
“We should bottle that charm of yours and sell it,” Bass said, shaking his head.
“Look. I’ll level with you here. I don’t know much about this Soren guy. He’s got his shit locked down tight. Until I know shit is safe, I want to know you’re not alone in this.”