“Right now, I have expert video techs working on a video proving Suzanne removed the original loan agreement from our vaults,” Daniel said, his voice strong and clear.
The senator blinked once, giving away very little, but he began to pale. “So? What does that have to do with me?”
“The agreement shows the correct amount owed from Dufort Hotels, and proof of blackmail.”
The senator laughed.
“You think that’s enough to stop me? To stop this wedding? It’s not, son.”
Say son one more time and I will punch your fucking lights out.
Instead, Daniel grinned. “I also have in my possession a recording of you discussing your plans to use Suzanne and the extortion of Dufort money to fund your run for president,”
The senator glared back at him across the table. Cold as fucking ice. “Obtained illegally. The authorities can’t do anything with it.”
Daniel leaned back in his chair and stared at Mackenzie. He was in no hurry to bury this asshole. In fact, he was enjoying it.
“The media and the public can. Am I right, Fletcher?”
Fletcher sat forward. “They’ll love it. No one wants a dirty president.”
Mackenzie stood up and planted his hands on the back of his chair.
“You kids have no idea what you are talking about. I’ve been playing this game a lot longer than you. You think they are going to believe any of this?”
“Seriously, man, it’s a recording with your voice,” Hunter said, shaking his head at the ignorance of the man.
“Whether I leak it in an official Dufort media release saying we’ve been blackmailed OR anonymously, your name will be tarnished, Mackenzie,” Daniel said. “You decide.”
“You don’t get to negotiate with me, Daniel Dufort,” the senator sneered.
Daniel slammed his fist on the table. “You chose to play in my sandpit when you roped my ass into your corrupt bullshit!” he yelled, standing up. “Dufort Hotels will pay the original loan back to you tonight. You have three hours to release a statement saying the engagement is off.”
Fletcher and Hunter stood up.
“You are a rogue playboy. The media isn’t going to take a word you say seriously,” Mackenzie laughed.
“Cool. You willing to bet your chance of becoming the next POTUS on that?” Fletcher asked, shaking his head. “Because if I were you, I wouldn’t.”
Either way, the senator was fucked. He just didn’t know it yet. Josh Hawke would see to that.
“Two hours or I am taking action,” Daniel said. “If you try to fuck with me, my family or my business again, I will fucking bury you.”
Mackenzie plunged his hands into his pockets.
“One day I will be president and we will have quite a different conversation, son. Mark my words.”
Daniel laughed.
“You’ve forgotten one thing, Senator. Presidents aren’t born, they are made by powerful and rich men. Men like me. I am a billionaire in my own right, many times over. I have influence in corners of this country and around the world you couldn’t even dream of.”
Daniel walked to the door and turned. “No, sir, you will never be President of the United States. I will make sure of it.”
“That recording—”
“Send the release and it will be destroyed,” Daniel replied, and they both knew it wouldn’t be. Daniel would lock it in his personal vault. He lived in a world where information was power, and it wasn’t the only thing he had tucked away in there.
“I know my father is ultimately responsible for this,” Daniel said. “You’ve had your revenge. Now move on.”
“I have not had my fucking revenge,” the man said, his jaw tense.
“Well, you need to get over it. I’m in charge of the Dufort Dynasty now, so you two can slap dicks in another playground,” Daniel said, turning away. “This conversation is over.”
“Two hours,” Fletcher reminded him, tapping his Rolex. Then the three of them walked out of the building and stood on the sidewalk, turning to face one another. There were a couple of smirks, even though Daniel's blood was still pumping.
“I thought that went rather well,” Hunter said.
Daniel let the corners of his lips curl.
He still had one more meeting, and it was going to be much more difficult.