Marriage by Blackmail - Book 1

Chapter Twenty

Damian

The next morning was tense as we all sat at the breakfast table waiting for Naia to tell us what happened last night. She still had that subdued air about her which told me that either something terrible happened or she felt terrible about something that happened. She refused to make eye contact with either of us and was just picking at her chocolate chip pancakes that Lia made specially to sweeten her up.

"Naia, come on you know I'm here for you no matter what," Lia urged her, as the young woman seemed to grapple for words to use.

"Guys, I-I'm so s-sorry," she started, obviously finding it difficult to admit whatever was on her mind.

I found myself becoming anxious at whatever she was preparing to say that she felt the need to apologize for. She opened her mouth to speak again but was cut short by the ringing of my cell phone, the one I kept for business calls. I glanced down at it quickly, planning to just let it go to voice mail but the name on the caller ID had me excusing myself from the take to take the call. I'd been waiting for months to receive this call, there was no way I could allow such a golden opportunity to pass. I sent an apologetic glance to the girls, indicating they should go ahead without me and hurried out of the room, answering the phone just before it stopped ringing.

"Alexander," I said.

"Giordano, I'm sitting in your reception area expecting to see you but it seems you aren't here. I believe I'm ready to name my price but I can't do that via telephone," he said casually, though I could hear the underlying anxiety in his voice.

"Very well, I can meet you at the cafe across from my building, since you've interrupted my breakfast," I said not wanting to seem too eager.

"I apologize, whatever you have will be on me, how soon can you be there?" He asked.

I checked the clock, it read eight thirty so I figured I could get there in about half an hour with the traffic at this time of morning.

"I'll be there in thirty minutes," I said.

He agreed and we disconnected the call. I was practically thrumming with anticipation at the prospect of finally being able to stop worrying about him targeting my businesses and interests. I didn't care what his price was, I would find a way to pay it so I could move on and focus my energies on my family.

I ran upstairs to took a quick shower then threw on the first suit I grabbed along with its tie and jacket. I quickly slipped on my shoes then ran down the stairs again stuffing my keys and wallet into my pockets. I went to the kitchen quickly to kiss Lia goodbye and give Naia hug.

"You're leaving? Uhm I think you might want to hear what Naia has to tell us," Lia said with uncertainty.

"Sorry baby but I have to go, I can't let this chance pass," I said already on my way out.

"But Damian its-"

I didn't hear anymore as I was already out the door.

At exactly nine I pulled up at the cafe, parked and found Zandre Alexander sitting at a table outside already nursing a cup of coffee. He nodded a greeting to me which I returned and signaled the waitress to come take my order as soon as I was comfortably seated.

The young woman came, took my coffee order and left again. We chit chatted and made small talk until I had a cup in my hands. After a few sips I decided to broach the topic myself since he seemed quite content with stalling.

"So you've decided on a price?" I asked, to get that clear first off, "what exactly does that mean for me?"

"Well if you can help me get what I want then I'd be willing to sign a merger to have us work as equal partners," he said, leaning back in his seat.

The look on his face told me he was dead serious. I couldn't believe my ears, a partnership with this man would give me a foot in to a whole other market and take the Giordano brand to a whole other level in the business world. This offer only doubled my curiosity as to what he could possibly want badly enough to put that kind of bid on the table. I knew for a fact that he was trying to ensure I couldn't say no, that I wouldn't even want to say no.

"That's quite an offer Alexander," I said tentatively, leaving room for him to explain the details before I dived in head first.

"Well yes, because what I'm asking for your assistance with is quite a task," he admitted.

"If I wasn't already curious, I'd be going out of my mind," I said with a chuckle trying to lighten the mood enough for him to say what it was he needed.

He gave a wry smile and rubbed a hand over his low cut hair, the first give away that he was nervous about his request. It led me to ask the next most obvious question with narrowed eyes.

"Is what you're asking of me legal?"

He looked bewildered for a moment before laughing out right, "Of course it is, I'm not trying to set you up this time. That would actually work against me here."

"Well then, out with it man!" I said with slight impatience.

"I need your help with a woman," he mumbled, slightly embarrassed.

I laughed wondering if I heard correctly, "you're kidding right?"

He shook his head grimly, "I kid you not Giordano."

"Why would the notorious Zandre Alexander need my help getting a woman?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Its my notoriety that's causing me to need help, and you or rather your wife knows the woman I want quite well so I need your help getting her," he said.

"Mio Dio! Tell me you don't mean-"

"That's exactly who I mean," he said solemnly.

I got the distinct feeling that he was the trouble Naia got herself into or should I say onto last night, which would explained why she seemed so guilty about admitting what had happened. She was probably beating herself up thinking she had somehow betrayed us by getting intimately involved with him. The wheels started turning in my head and while I knew it was wrong, I couldn't help but imagine all the ways I could spin her misplaced guilt to my advantage and secure this deal with Alexander. Lia would kill me for sure, but this way we would all benefit from this; Zandre would be an ally instead of an enemy and Xanaia would be seeing someone I could keep an eye on.

"Wait, if you're just looking for a good time then I can't help you, my wife would kill me if helped you to use her best friend," I said as my conscience decided to rear its ugly head.

"I assure you there is nothing casual about my feelings for Xanaia, otherwise I'd be at home with some other woman plotting how to destroy you," he said honestly, I couldn't help but respect him for the admission.

He really was likable when he wasn't trying to ruin my life's work and run me out of the country.

"Well alright then, you have yourself a deal, let's go back to my office and work out the details for a contract," I said, extending my hand so we could shake on it.

"Yes, let's," he agreed with a smile that told me he really was serious about her.

I sighed inwardly. My decision was made, I Damian Giordano was going to help Zandre Alexander, my arch nemesis turned ally and business partner, to win the heart of the elusive, and slightly neurotic Xanaia Echeveria.

This is going to be my greatest challenge yet, I thought.