AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Civella watched me like a hawk, taking note of my every action.
I smiled again and put the tumbler down. “I’ll avoid drinking too much because I’ll be driving us back to Silverlake City later tonight.”
“Smart,” Civella commented. “So, Ms. Azalea. It’s rare for someone like you to be visiting me. How can I help you?”
“My company has taken upon the redevelopment project of the eastern districts of Silverlake City,” I began without beating around the bush. “We have acquired most of the land but we’re having trouble in places like Fairmount and Joshmeyer Square. The residents are refusing to sell because they think it’d upset you.”
“Some of my businesses are operating in those areas,” said Civella. “There’s no way I can allow someone to bulldoze those buildings.”
“But we need that land,” I urged. “We’ve already signed the contract with the mayor and if we don’t deliver in time, we’d be penalized heavily.”
“Mayor Tyrell fooled you into taking up the project,” Civella said in a grim tone. Uncrossing his legs, he picked up a tumbler and sipped some whiskey. “Amhurst Co. is fucked.”
“I’ll pay you to shift your businesses elsewhere,” I said. “Please, just let us have the land.”
He seemed to consider my request. “Silverlake City is one of the best places for my manufacturing businesses.”
I didn’t have to ask what a mobster was “manufacturing” in the basement of those old, crumbling buildings.
“Mayor Tyrell has been doing his best to keep a lid on all criminal activities in the town in a bid to promote the place as peaceful and family-friendly,” Civella explained further. “He thinks it’ll help in the future when he runs for governor.”
He paused, cracking a grin in my direction. “You can imagine how useful it is for me to go on with my business in a town like Silverlake City. No one minds a body or two showing up. Nothing’s investigated too closely. I’m free to worry about other shit.”
I glanced at Noah, letting him see my rising frustration.
He stared back with cool, hard eyes, giving me nothing.
“Is there nothing you can do to help us?” I asked, sounding almost desperate. “I’m willing to cover all your relocation expenses. If you want more, I’m willing to give you that too.”
Civella suddenly chuckled and shook his head.
I silently stared at the man, wondering if he was finding my begging funny.
“It’s painful to say ‘no’ to a beautiful, intelligent woman like you,” he said from his perch. “You even have balls to come in here and ask me for a favor. People rarely do that.”
“I want us to be friends, Mr. Civella,” I said. “I wouldn’t ask you to do anything for me that’d cause you a loss. I’m willing to pay you.”
Getting to his feet, he crossed the distance between us.
Noah and I stood up as well.
“I think we could be friends, Azalea,” he said, taking my hand and brushing his lips over my knuckles. “How about you date me and maybe, we can come to an agreement that suits us both.”
I felt strong fingers curling over my upper arm. Tightening their hold on my flesh, they wrenched me away from Civella.
Before I could stumble, a strong arm circled my waist, steadying me.
“She’s not single,” Noah bit out. “She won’t be dating you, Mr. Civella.”
Fear shot through me as I looked up at Noah who held me against him in a strong grip. He was staring at Civella with a cold, ruthless challenge in his silvery eyes.
Chuckles escaped Civella. “How interesting,” he said, clearing his throat. “The rumors are true, then. You’re a little too close to your stepbrothers.”
“We always protect her,” said Noah.
“Yes, I can see that.” Civella turned to look at me. “I guess you should hurry away, Azalea. This meeting was a good change from the regular ones I’m forced to sit through but there’s a limit to my patience.”
“What about my request?”
