“So it appears the two of you have agreed to the terms of the contract,” Archard says.
Enzo doesn’t respond; he just glares into my soul waiting for me to back out or change my mind. So I answer, “Yes, although I’d like to know a little more about the contract.”
“Of course, Miss Miller. We have lots to discuss.”
Archard retrieves the large pile of papers from the center of the table. And then pulls two more stacks from his briefcase. “These are copies of the contract between your two families for you to keep,” he says, passing a stack to each me and Enzo.
Enzo nods but barely glances at the papers. It’s clear he’s seen them before, while I grasp onto them like they are my lifeline to a past and future I don’t understand.
“This contract was written to ensure Surrender, and all of its entities, go to the proper heir. The true heir. The one capable of running the organization properly,” Archard says.
“Surrender? You mean the club? The winner only gets the club?” I ask.
“No, Surrender is one of many clubs and entities the winner, or heir apparent, will control. I’m sure Mr. Rinaldi will give you a tour of everything you could inherit. Surrender is also the name of the umbrella company that encompasses everything,” Archard pauses.
Enzo, or Mr. Rinaldi as Archard called him, tightens his lip and gives the slightest of nods.
“But according to the records here,” Archard flips a page before continuing to read. “The winner will receive ownership of sixty-five bars and clubs, ten superyachts, and seven estates. The winner will also be given control of the entire organization including the over a thousand employees that work for Surrender and encompassing companies that include bars, clubs, yachts, and security.”
My eyes widen with every word.
“The winner will be given the power to a ten billion dollar organization that runs Miami and most of the sea between here and the Bahamas,” Enzo says with a threatening tone in his deep baritone voice. He steeples his hand on the table as if this is an ordinary day, a regular meeting—not one deciding our destiny, the fates of over a thousand employees, and the status of the underground of Miami.
But it’s clear from Enzo’s expression he doesn’t think I can do this. Even if I were to win, I couldn’t run the empire properly.
“So if I win, I get everything?” I ask.
Archard nods. “Yes, you would have the keys to the world. You would never want again. You would have more money than you could ever spend—more power than most kings. But you also need to understand how serious the power you would gain controls. You would take the lives of thousands of people into your hands. You would be responsible for ensuring Surrender, the name of the organization, not just the club, continues to grow and thrive. You would be responsible for ensuring the company continued to be profitable. And the clients that hire Surrender for protection are ruthless. If you fucked up, they would come for your head. Becoming Mr. or Miss Black is a dangerous job. One you shouldn’t take lightly.”
I let it sink in. All that I stand to gain if I win. I would obtain money, power, control. But I would also inherit danger, darkness, cruelty. I would acquire everything I hate.
Maybe I could change it?
Somehow I don’t think you can change a criminal organization overnight.
“And what does the loser get?” I ask, because I have to know. I’m much more likely to lose. I wasn’t prepared for a life of power.
“Nothing,” Archard says with thinned lips.
Nothing.
I won’t be any better off than I am now. I have nothing to gain by playing, except maybe my freedom from this house.
“Shall I continue?” Archard asks again looking to Enzo for permission.
My rage rises, although it shouldn’t. Archard is Enzo’s lawyer. He works for him, of course he would ask him the questions. But I want to be looked at like I have a chance to win this too.
“If Miss Miller is ready to continue,” Enzo bounces the attention back to me.
I try my best to smile to rid myself of the negative feelings. “Yes, let’s continue.”
Archard flips the page, and I do the same with the papers in front of me.
“Let’s discuss the rules.”
Rules.
I glance to Enzo expecting him to be studying the paper in front of him, but instead, he’s studying me.