Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
She lifted her view again. This time a neutral expression covered her face. “What's the position?”
“Guard dog for the Boss.”
“That's pretty high up.”
“It is.”
“Possibly less action.”
“True.”
“With Francesca, you were more like her Executioner, Canvasser, and Project Manager.”
I chuckled. “I guess. If one threw on corporate names to the life, that's what those would be.”
“What did you say to the offer?”
“I wanted to think about it.” I quirked my brows. “More important, what do you think? What do you know about them? Catch me up.”
“I only know the business side, but I'm sure it's connected.”
“Tell me more.”
“Two months ago, Viper Mob lost an auction bid on the waterfront property.”
“Oh yeah?” I blinked. “Shadow Heights’s waterfront was just grass, dirt, and rocks along the river. Now it something people are auctioning over?”
“Paradise City is getting expensive and dangerous. More people are moving out to areas like Shadow Heights which has triggered expansion.”
“And the bid? What was the winning one?”
“500 million dollars.”
I whistled.
Zuri sat up in bed, raising the blanket over her breasts. “Guess who Viper Mob lost the bid too.”
“Francesca?”
“Very smart.” She gave me a sad smile.
“So, Viper Mob freeing me from prison wasn't about gang territory?”
“It was about getting real money, the legal kind.”
“And how do you know this?”
“Marcelo wanted in on the auction but stepped back after a dinner with Sabato Martelli and his two sons.” She sighed. “I was there.”
“Then, you met Anthony.”
“Yeah. I think he was the one that did a lot of the talking toward the end.”
“He's the true leader.” I looked up at her. “So, Francesca was trying to go legal.”
“They called themselves Crimson Corp and did a lot of killing to get inside the auction.”
“And what about Viper Mob?”
“Their front is called Serpentine Enterprises. Sabato is listed as the CEO. They have a Board of Directors of highly influential politicians as well as legitimate businessmen in various sectors like real estate, finance, and technology.”
“How did you remember that?”
She frowned. “I didn't. I looked them up again tonight. I needed to know who you were dealing with.”
I smirked. “You love me?”
She rolled her eyes. “Their subsidiaries are Serpentine Real Estate Development which deals with high-end properties. Then, there's Venom Capital Ventures which is all investing in emerging technologies and startups.”
I widened my eyes. “Wow.”
“There's Fang Security Solutions too, which apparently provides high-end security services.” She leaned over to her nightstand, pulled out the top drawer, and took out a small joint, an odd ashtray, and a lighter. “Also, one cannot forget Viper Entertainment.”
“Oh. They're into movies?”
“No. It's mainly nightclubs, restaurants, and exclusive events.” She got up from the bed and strolled over to the window. “But back to the bid.”
My cock came to life as I admired the lush jiggling of her ass. “Okay.”
She placed her hands on the window, and with a smooth motion pushed it up. “That waterfront area was turning into prime real estate, losing out on that bid was a big deal.”
The room was instantly filled with the crisp, fresh air of the winter night as well as the muffled sounds of the city.
“The bid went way higher than anyone anticipated. The winning bid was astronomical.” Zuri paused for a moment and gazed at the night sky.
A few snowflakes drifted in, melting the moment they touched the warmth of her bedroom.
“What a beautiful night.” She sighed.
I continued to watch her. “Not as beautiful as you.”
She blushed. “Have I told you how much I missed you?”
“Yeah, but keep on telling me.”
Right when I thought she was returning, she headed over to the dresser and grabbed a green towel. “Anyway, the waterfront plans were for a huge mall and luxury condos. It is going to be a massive development. Upscale. The kind of place that attracts big spenders.”
Dollar signs flashed in my head.
“Therefore, this wasn't just a real estate venture; it was a potential goldmine.”
“And a mega way to launder huge amounts of money.”
“An insane amount.” Zuri then walked over to the door, kneeled down, and carefully placed the towel at the bottom of the door, ensuring that it covered the entire gap. “In fact, in order to get Marcelo to step back from the bid, Viper Mob promised Marcelo that they would include him in the investment as a silent partner, so the Diamond Syndicate wouldn't know.”
“They said this at the dinner?”
“Yes, and they offered to launder considerable amounts of cash at a low percentage rate.”
“How low?”
“Less than three percent.”
“Is the average laundering fee still twenty percent?”
“Not anymore. The Syndicate charges thirty-five and includes processing fees.” Zuri smoothed the towel out with her fingers, pressing it firmly against the threshold.
It was a simple, yet effective method to seal the room and keep the smoke from slipping into the hallway and venturing down to my baby girl’s room.
Meanwhile, all I could think about was how I was going to bend her over soon and slam my cock into her. My gaze lingered over her ass, and my desire intensified with each passing second.