“I’d say that’s a threat,” Dasha says. “I’m not advocating any violence. In fact, just leave me and Holly out of this, okay? I’m just acting as a friend. Playing devil’s advocate. If I were you, I’d take all your money and leave the state.”
I grin. “And just ignore all my employee’s needs? I run a legitimate business. This isn’t the movies,” I say.
There is no plan. There’s just meaningless worry and some words to back it up. It’s going to take something bigger to take him down. Much bigger.
It’s going to take someone like me.
“Well, then you come up with a plan,” Dasha says, throwing her hands in the air as if she’s given all the thought she can to the situation.
“We need a business solution,” Madison reiterates. “A meeting. Anything.”
I get off the couch and pace the room. Then it hits me. “You haven’t given him an answer about Boulder, right?” I ask.
“No, but what does that have to do with anything?” she asks.
“We should use it to our advantage. You’re not going to like what I’m thinking. It involves some… risk.”
What good plan doesn’t involve some of that?
“Spill it,” she says.
I sit and lean forward, whispering. “Look, he wants you out of here because you’re with me. You don’t think there’s some weird jealousy there?”
“No, I don’t. I think it’s all power with this guy,” she says.
“Well, not exactly,” Dasha interrupts. “He’s powerless against you because you have no feelings for him. This is a guy who’s used to getting what he wants, right?”
“Right,” Madison says. “I don’t think I like where this is headed.”
I start to explain myself. “Just hear me out, both of you. Because you’re not going to like where this is headed, but you will like the outcome.”
“Fine,” she sighs. “Go on.”
“You go to Boulder. Both of you. You work the fundraiser,” I say.
Before I can continue, they’re both yelling at me, telling me how this is the worst idea in the world.
“Just stop and listen to me for a second,” I say. “It’s either this or I shoot the asshole in the face. You have any better ideas?”
“Fine,” Madison sighs. “Tell us the rest of your brilliant plan.”
“You’ll work the stupid fundraiser. Smile and look your best. You’ll stand near Byron, and be sure the deal goes down as planned. I don’t care how well it does for his company. You have to be positive this deal happens,” I say.
She makes a face, but I continue. “Dress sexy, both of you. Lead Byron on. Make sure he feels powerful and in control. I have an old friend, an accountant I can hire. I’ll have him go through his tax statements, his internet history, and any other thing he’s trying to hide. I’ll find some inconsistencies, and we’ll bring him down when he’s at his weakest. We’ll humiliate him. We’ll send that bastard to prison forever.”
“It’s not a bad plan,” Dasha says. “But I can’t leave my kid for half a week. She needs someone to watch her.”
Madison looks worried. This wasn’t the way she wanted things to go down, but I figure it’s the best compromise we can get to right now.
“I’ll hire a trustworthy nanny. It’s on me,” I say. “Look, if you don’t want to do this, we don’t have to. But I’m telling you, it’s going to be worse if this doesn’t happen.”
“I’m scared, Rocco. I hate to admit it, but I’m scared he’ll figure we have a plan. What if he finds out and tries to harm us?” Madison asks.
“I’ll be there the day after you arrive. You don’t even have to talk to the man until the fundraiser, right? It’ll work out. Trust me on this. I won’t let you get hurt. I promise,” I say.
They both nod, but sit in silence. This is going to be tough, but I think we can pull it off. At least, I fucking hope so. If not, I still have the gun in the back of my pants. I have the knife in my coat pocket. And I’ve got all the love in the world for this woman beside me.
No one is ending this relationship. Not if I have anything to say about it.