“No, I’m not. Forgive my deception, but I really wanted to play a few rounds of poker and didn’t think you would give me a fair game if you knew who I really was,” I offered as an explanation. “Please sit.”
He hesitated a moment then took a seat in one of the chairs in my seating area, and I took the one across from him. “Do you even know who I am?”
“Of course, Mr. Molina, you own a series of nightclubs and rent space in our buildings. I had to refresh myself on which ones and what agreements were made in your lease, but I’m up to speed,” I shared with a smile, gesturing to the file and tablet on my lap. “Now, how can I assist you today?”
“It’s about the security you’ve provided,” Alejandro started.
Cutting him off before he could get any further, I flipped open the file and looked over the notes again. “Are they not following the rules and guidelines you’ve set up? I see we have a list of people who are to be let in or kept out. The supervisor informs you on all altercations that happen as well as keeping our people in the loop. You’re in control of setting hours, approve all staffing choices, and can even request overtime if there’s a special event. To be honest, I’d say you’re given a much better deal than all our other tenants who have security included in their lease, not to mention you are in one of the most secure buildings.”
The man in front of me fidgeted as if he hadn’t expected me to besowell informed. “Yes, well, my biggest problem is they aren’t my people. They’re Caprioni people who babysit my interests at the behest of your father.”
Turning to the tablet, I opened it to our secure network and found the lease agreement with links for me to click on that would take me to the places Gunner highlighted. I could kiss that man right now for making this so easy. “I just want to double-check something for you. Ah, yes. So according to the agreement, you’re allowed to discontinue our services and hire your own people. They would need to be approved by our people since we’ll add them to the security system in each building, but there’s nothing stopping you from having your own people.”
“If I do that, is my rent going to be less?” he questioned.
“No, because you’re one of our most valued tenants and friends to my father, he has given you a fair deal. Those who have this service are charged an additional five thousand a month since we have to pay the men. You are only being charged for the space and the surcharge for the top-of-the-line security system. If you wanted to step down to one of our other buildings that doesn’t have that level of security, it would drop your rent considerably,” I explained. “I might add that we don’t even have that kind of security for our gambling facilities. Is there something special about yours that requires it?”
Alejandro grunted. “I doubt it’s wise for you to say something like that so casually. It might give the impression you’re easily robbed.”
“Oh, I didn’t say we were vulnerable because of it. They’re quite well protected. It’s just not done with a flashy system,” I corrected. “Plus, I know better than to let anything slip which could endanger my family’s business.”
He frowned at my answer, not at all understanding what I was saying, but that was fine because he didn’t need to. “Now, getting back to the matter at hand with your security. Other than them not being people you hired personally, is there something that needs to be addressed?”
“If I decide to bring in my own people, you still need to do the background check and fingerprinting, correct?” he inquired.
“Yes, because of the security system in place, they must have their fingerprints registered for the scanners,” I answered simply, not wanting to give more away than I needed to.
“Hmph, I still don’t like that you have to monitor my people,” he grumbled.
“That’s a simple fix in switching buildings,” I countered. “You only have three clubs, and it’s been going around that they haven’t been doing as well as you’d like. It might benefit you to change your venue and do a relaunch while cutting your cost considerably. I’d even be willing to let Braxton and his team assist you if you’d like.”
I was playing a dangerous game pushing him so hard, but I needed to know if taking a look at his clubs might need to be happening in the near future.
Alejandro’s brow creased as he glared at me. “My clubs are doing just fine. They’re my main source of business, more of a hobby, and I won’t downscale them just so you can get someone bigger and better into the space.”
“Goodness, in no way did I mean to make you think all that,” I said with wide, surprised eyes. “I’m simply looking out for one of our best clients and tenants. Those spaces are hard for us to fill because of their cost. I was simply offering an alternative that might help you in more ways, but if you wish to continue on there, so be it. As for the security, you can hire your own, put them in the system, or continue with what you have and let me know if there’s something I can do to improve the situation.”
“It’s clear you’re his daughter with how stubborn and thick-headed you both are. It’s a wonder anyone does business with your family seeing as you’re utterly unreasonable in your terms. No one else would dare to conduct business like this,” Alejandro announced, shaking a finger at me.
I leaned back in my chair and set aside the file and tablet before crossing my leg over the other and settled my hands in my lap, appearing completely relaxed. “Then feel free to take your business elsewhere.”
Alejandro looked like he might have a stroke with the shock on his face. “What?”
“Look, if you’re not happy with the deal you made with us, then I give you the freedom to find something better,” I stated. “If you can find someone who’s willing to take a monthly meeting to hear you complain about something we should be charging you for, then by all means do so. I have better things to do with my day than waste my time listening to you. Those aremypeople who are graciously on loan to you. I pay their salary, and you’re damn right I’m in charge of them, so if you don’t like it, then find better.”
“I doubt your father will feel the same way when I leave with not only my nightclubs but canceling all the contracts I have with your family,” he snapped back, shoving out of his chair angrily.
“You most certainly can do so if you wish, but make sure you have your lawyers on speed dial since we’ll be suing you for breach of contract. I was going to be nice about it and let you move your clubs without any fuss, but you had to go and call my bluff. If you pull everything you have going with us, it will cost you millions if not billions in contracts and legal fees,” I informed him. “The ball is in your court, Mr. Molina, but if you try to ruin my family, make no mistake, Iwilldestroy you.”
The older man paused in his hasty exit and looked back at me. “You dare to threaten me,girl?”
I let out a sigh, stood, and walked over to him. “First, I’d like to make it abundantly clear that wasn’t a threat, it was a promise. You fuck with my family over something so insufferably insignificant, I’ll make it my sole mission to demolish everything you’ve built to the point you’ll never recover. Secondly, I’m a grown-ass woman, and I’ll be treated with respect befitting the underboss of the Caprioni Family. Have I made myself clear?”
Alejandro clenched his jaw and balled his hands, but he nodded.
“I’m sorry I didn’t hear that,” I commented, cupping my hand behind my ear.
“Understood, Ms. Caprioni,” he bit out.