Meeting Lauren’s Father

EMMA

Monday morning kicks off with a brutal workout. Kenny, my trainer, is merciless. After the physical exertion of the weekend, my body feels like it’s been through a marathon. I’m not sure how I’m going to recover.

Diablo, my boyfriend, insists on a cardio session too. What a jerk. I know he’s pushing me because I stood him up the other day, but does he have to be as tough as Kenny?

It’s a harsh reminder that I can’t afford to slack off, not even a little.

After my shower, I head to my walk-in closet. Levi, my bodyguard, is nowhere in sight. He’s probably brewing coffee or something. He’s on edge. Today, I’m meeting Lauren’s father.

I pick out an outfit that screams “don’t mess with me.” White pants with light brown vertical stripes, a matching jacket, and a white tie. I skip the shirt, leaving the jacket unbuttoned.

If a breeze picks up, it’ll part the jacket, revealing my breasts. It’s a bold choice, to say the least.

I do my makeup, a natural smokey eye that brings out my blue eyes. I let my long, wavy black hair fall freely down my back.

I slip into my black stiletto heels and grab the final touch to my outfit—a cane.

But it’s not just any cane. It conceals a secret knife. I had it custom-made for outfits and meetings like this.

I toss my phone and a few other essentials into my handbag before leaving the bedroom to find Diablo.

I find him in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, sipping his coffee, lost in thought. I clear my throat to get his attention. His green eyes quickly meet mine before scanning my body.

“Hell no! You’re not wearing that. Go change now. You’re mine, and no other man gets to ogle you, especially not during the most important meeting of our lives. Change now, Emma!”

“No, baby. There’s a reason for this, and I’m not changing.”

“Then I’m coming with you.”

“No again. Vi will be there, no one else.”

“Who the hell is Vi? Is she new, another person I don’t know about?”

I sigh, already annoyed with him. “No, Diablo, Levi. Levi, as in my bodyguard. And besides, the meeting is between Lauren’s dad and me. You weren’t invited.

“You know it’s disrespectful in this business to bring a third party without prior notice. I’ll call you after the meeting. Bye, baby, see you later, love you.”

I give him a quick kiss on the lips before leaving a stunned Diablo in the kitchen to meet Levi downstairs.

Sometimes I wonder if he’s really as ruthless as his reputation suggests, considering I leave him speechless so often. I chuckle to myself.

“Damn, Ems, you look sexy.”

“Thanks, Vi. You know I had a few of these outfits made with secret compartments for weapons. You look just as shocked as Diablo did when I left him in the kitchen.”

“Well, I get why. I mean, seriously, Lauren might tear you apart looking like that.”

“Oh, so you don’t trust my fighting abilities, Vi. I’m a bit disappointed, especially coming from you,” I say, feigning sadness.

“Screw you, Ems. I know you can take her down, but do you really want to rub this whole situation in her face?”

I look up at him—even in stilettos, I have to crane my neck to meet Levi and Diablo’s eyes, they’re that tall.

“Yes, I do, Vi. She deserves whatever’s coming her way.

“Are we just going to stand around chatting today, or are we going to do some business for a change?”

Levi heads out to pull the black SUV around to the front of the building, laughing all the while. Even when I climb into the SUV, he’s still grinning.

“Screw you, Levi.”

“Love you too, Ems.” As we drive off, we’re both grinning from ear to ear. I love our easygoing relationship.

~Now it’s time for business~.

As we drive up the long driveway to the massive mansion, after being checked at the security gate, I start to feel a little nervous.

Not about the meeting, but because I’ll be coming face to face with Lauren, the woman who slept with my boyfriend repeatedly while I was away.

Levi pulls the SUV up to the front door. We get out and two men greet us before starting to pat down both Levi and me.

Of course, the man searching me takes his sweet time, especially on certain parts of my body. His touch is disgusting. His hands on me are the last thing I want, but it’s necessary.

We’re led to a study and told to wait there. Levi and I both stand in the room, acting casual.

Sitting down without the host’s permission is considered disrespectful, so we stand, waiting for the tramp Lauren and her damn father.

After ten minutes, the door swings open, revealing a fairly tall man—not as tall as Levi or Diablo, but tall nonetheless—dressed in a black suit, black shirt, and black tie. He’s sporting a wicked grin.

He looks to be in his late fifties, early sixties. He strides in with four bodyguards, stopping uncomfortably close to me.

“Ah, the infamous Emma Taylor. I’m Anthony Gambino, Lauren’s father. I heard Diablo has left my princess for you. Not a wise decision on his part, I must say.”

As I shake his hand, I can’t hold back my response.

“I beg to differ, Anthony.”

He looks surprised that I called him by his first name. It’s customary for a guest to address the host by his surname until told to use his first name, which he hasn’t done.

“Feisty, I see. I like it already. Sit, sit, we have a lot to discuss,” he says, gesturing to a chair in front of his desk.

He settles behind his large mahogany desk, two bodyguards on each side of him, indicating to Levi to take a seat in the chairs next to me.

Once we’re seated, the door opens again to reveal none other than the bitch Lauren. “Hello, Daddy. I see you’ve met Diablo’s slut.”

I turn to face her, forcing the biggest, most insincere smile I can manage, without uttering a word of greeting.

She struts across the room, a move I’m sure is meant to impress Levi, and comes to a halt next to her father. With a perfectly manicured hand resting on his shoulder, she shoots me a wicked smirk.

“Emma, we’re not here for a social call, so let’s cut to the chase. Lauren tells me you’ve stolen Diablo from her. What kind of father would I be if I didn’t stand up for my daughter?

“On top of that, you seem to think you can do business with me, while expecting me to forgive you and Diablo for hurting my little girl.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but the only business we’ll be discussing today is the matter of your and Diablo’s punishment.”

“Anthony, I appreciate that we’re cut from the same cloth. Like you, I don’t believe in beating around the bush. I value brutal honesty, especially in our line of work. Your daughter has been lying to you.

“I have evidence that Diablo ended things with Lauren before he pursued me. While I was away on, let’s call it business, Diablo repeatedly told her to leave. She ignored him every single time.

“Her obsessive behavior got so out of hand that Diablo eventually had to ban her from our apartment.

“He only slept with her in his office, and only when she’d pushed him to the brink by being naked every time he walked in.

“She even went as far as drugging him once or twice, which makes your daughter the slut, not me.

“Diablo always made it clear to Lauren that he was with me. I’m the one who’s been wronged. I should be the one plotting revenge against you and her—or better yet, tarnishing your infamous reputation.

“But I want to do business with you. Our partnership could be very profitable, something your daughter will never understand or be able to help you achieve. I’m not considering any of those things, yet.

“I can see you’re a reasonable man. If you need evidence, I’m more than happy to provide it. But be warned, if you question me after I’ve shown you the proof, I’ll make it my mission to destroy the Gambino name.

“I assure you, the stories you’ve heard about me aren’t exaggerated. So, do you need proof?”

“Yes. We’re talking about my daughter’s honor and virtue here. If your proof is convincing, we can discuss business.”

I tap my cane once on the floor and Levi hands me the phone.

Everyone’s eyes are on me, filled with curiosity. Levi and I have a connection that doesn’t require many words. It still amazes me how people can’t grasp that.

I scroll through the folders, searching for the relevant videos with sound. As I rise and walk around the desk to Anthony, all four bodyguards go on high alert.

“Relax. I’m just showing him the proof.” I stand next to Anthony and play video after video.

After the fourth video, Anthony roars, “Enough! I’ve seen enough. Lauren, I’m disappointed. You’ve lied to me and nearly jeopardized this family’s future.

“I’m just grateful Emma is so understanding. Otherwise, we’d probably all be dead.”

“I’ll deal with you later. Get out. I need you out of my sight before I say or do something I’ll regret.”

“B-b-but Daddy, I’m your daughter. You can’t seriously be taking her or Diablo’s side,” she stammers.

“Out. Get out now, Lauren!” With that, Lauren storms out of the room like a petulant child.

“Let’s discuss terms, Emma,” Anthony says.