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“Piece of shit,” Styx said under his breath, which prompted me to throw my brother a hard look. “Don’t listen to my brothers, either one of them. They’re cranky where I’m in a damn good mood for a change. Now, here’s what we’re going to do. On the jump drive I gave you is a series of articles, well written if I do say so myself, that you can run to your black heart’s desire.”
“No!”
When he started to blubber again, I placed my finger across his lips. “Tsk. Tsk. I wasn’t finished yet. Now, with a laptop, you can head anywhere, can do your job from a faraway location. So, given I’m a very fair man, I’m going to make you a deal. How does that sound?”
In addition to sweating profusely, he was crying.
I doubted he could focus on a single thing at this point, but he finally began to nod. Days like these reminded me I was too old for this shit.
“Good boy. Let’s make certain you know what we’re talking about here, because I hate miscommunication. It leads to a whole lot of messy and very unnecessary violence. So, you’re going to pen a few articles on the fact you were wrong and by digging into the lives of the three men and the billion-plus-dollar corporation they own, that they’re genuinely good-hearted people. I think I did an outstanding job of providing you with details, including some fantastic pictures of the arts facility my brother designed with his now wife. They are continually providing millions of dollars in scholarships to allow underprivileged students an opportunity they wouldn’t have otherwise. Now, as you might imagine, our charitable donations don’t end there. Sound good?”
He was shaking so badly his teeth were chattering. “But… But…”
“But what are we offering in return? You mean other than allowing you and your family to live? Well, how about I send you and whatever family members you feel have been threatened on a month-long vacation of sorts. Now, I realize it will be a working situation for a busy man like yourself, but since we own several estates in distant lands, you’ll have your pick and of course, they all come with free Wi-Fi, several with boats, beaches, mountains, and snow for skiing, whatever you’d prefer. I am a generous man for a team player.”
Chase stared at me, likely seeing two heads by now. “I don’t…”
“You don’t understand how we could be so generous? Well, that’s because we’re generous people with families of our own. Well, I’ve yet to be blessed with a wife and child but you’ll be pleased to know I’m working on it, which is why I need to keep this short. In simple terms, if you scratch our backs, we’ll scratch yours. Or if you’d prefer, if you take your head out of your ass and realize you don’t want us as your enemies, then we’ll return the favor. Now, on the flipside, if you dare defy the deal we’re making, well, whatever the asshole threatened to do to you and your family will be child’s play in comparison to what we will do. Sound good?”
He tried to lift his gaze to the others. I was trying to ensure he fully comprehended what I was saying and would know by the look in his eyes.
“I need verbal confirmation that you’re going to be a very good boy. Did I forget to mention all your expenses will be paid to and from, alongside an allowance for food and frosty beverages once you arrive at your destination? Plus, any location comes with built-in security. What could be better?”
Now I could see his bloodshot eyes and they had an incredulous look about them. “Ya… Yes. Okay. Yes. Just don’t… hurt my family.”
“I’m not in the habit of breaking promises,” I said as Styx shoved a paper towel into my hand. “Nor are you in a position to argue or negotiate.” I wiped his face, feeling more like a parent than anything. “Are we good? If so, I’ll send you a list when I leave of the choices you have of where to go until this shit blows over.”
“Yes. Okay. Yes.” Chase even tried to smile.
Good for him.
I stood, tossing the bloodied towel to the floor and patting him on the shoulder. “Excellent. I knew you’d understand and be very eager to bring the truth to the table. We’ll leave you alone to enjoy your day.” I untied him, feeling the heat of my two brothers as they glared at me.
I started to walk away then spun on my heel, tapping my finger across my lips. “You better blind copy me the email you send your editor. That will boost my trust in you. Oh, and congratulations on your engagement. You’re a lucky man to have been able to find someone you care about. Just let me know your destination point and we’ll get you set up.”
With that, I took my time walking out of his room and his house, immediately grabbing my sunglasses and enjoying the sun hitting my face. I only had to wait a minute before my brothers flanked my side, where they remained quiet for a little while.
“Boy, let me be the first to say you’ve turned into one hell of a negotiator,” Creed offered, which surprised me.
I glanced in his direction, hearing Styx chuckling. “What’s so funny?”
“You had him shittin’ in his pants. I’ve never known you to be so forceful. I kinda of like it,” he said with clear and real admiration in his voice.
“Well, then you haven’t been paying attention. I’ve changed.”
“You’re really offering him protection?” he continued.
“Why not. I do remember our mother saying you could get more flies with honey than you could with vinegar. Add a little incentive and you can expect a masterpiece.”
“The bit about you writing the articles for him was brilliant. I wouldn’t have thought of that.” Creed was laughing.
“I will say it was Styx’s idea and a good one.”
Styx did a little jig before we started to head down the walk to the SUV. Creed stopped a couple of seconds later. “Okay, brilliant author. How do you propose we draw out this asshole threatening us now that you’ve turned our little reporter into putty in your hands?”
“That’s just it. If he’s a very good boy, he’ll post what I wrote and I assure you that whoever is behind this little ridiculous ruse will be pissed. We’ll need to watch our backs of course, but I’ve set it up pretty nicely if I say so myself.”
“And here you thought our baby brother wasn’t as conniving as the two of us,” Styx said as he ripped his sunglasses from his jacket pocket.
