Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Now I’m sitting in my car, waiting for Danica to come out to get to her night class while I make the last and final phone call before I’m able to intercept the headstrong woman who’s got me thinking thoughts I never thought before. Jesus, Sylvester is right. I’m gone for her, and I only met her earlier today. I hit Clean and Gleam’s saved contact in my phone, a personal line to Mallory in case I ever need something after what happened last time.
“Hello, Mr. Goldman, I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon,” Mallory gets right to the point. You’ve got to admire a businesswoman who knows how to corner the market with not only commercial business cleaning but personal as well.
“Mallory, I wasn’t expecting to call you so soon, either.” She makes a humming noise in the back of her throat.
“I hope it’s with good news,” she fishes, then waits for me to elaborate on the reason behind my call. I can’t say that I blame her. Clean and Gleam made a good name for themselves, and if the situation in my penthouse escalated, it could have meant more backlash than she wants.
“It is. Nothing to worry about there. I’d like Danica permanently.” In more ways than work, too, but I’m not telling Mallory that. She’d probably think I’m a raging lunatic.
“I see. Well, she doesn’t usually clean personal properties. What are you willing to offer?” I already knew I’d have to sweeten the deal. She’s a smart woman and would be dumb not to ask for more than I’m paying as it stands.
“Double the pay for both you and Danica.”
“She won’t accept. You’ve met her once. I’ve known her for years now. Money doesn’t mean as much to you or myself like it does Danica. She’d rather work three jobs than accept help.” I guess it’s time to up my offer.
“Alright, double yours, triple hers. But I want her exclusive to my penthouse. Throw in she’ll have to make dinner or whatever. And, Mallory, if this falls through, you know what will happen.” I leave the rest open ended. Clean and Gleam works at Four Brothers headquarters as well. It’s a wonder I’ve never met Danica before now, though with her weird-as-fuck schedule, it would make sense.
“Mr. Goldman, I’ll see what I can do. Clean and Gleam values you as a client as well as Four Brothers. If Danica doesn’t agree to the terms, we may have to sever our partnership. That being said, I’ll see what I can do.” Would I actually severe a contract with Mallory personally? Fuck, yes. I mean what I say, and I’ll do anything in my power to get what I want. And what I want is Danica. As for Four Brothers, they’ll make us talk it out like a bunch of old ladies meeting at bridge club.
“Hopefully, we can come to an agreement. I’ll look forward to your call back, Mallory.”
“Likewise, Mr. Goldman.” We hang up, and while I’m sitting in my car contemplating how I’ll pull up to take Danica to her class, I have an epiphany. Instead of waiting, then talking her into a ride she’ll begrudgingly take, I dial another number to place yet another phone call. The damn thing has been glued to my ear for the past twenty minutes, and I’m hopeful this will be the last call I have to make.
“Mr. Goldman, how can I be of service?” Bellamy, one of our trusted drivers, answers on the first ring.
“Hello, Bellamy, I need someone picked up, dropped off, and then taken home after her class. Are you available?” Bellamy is an older gentleman, unlike the other drivers, who wouldn’t bat an eye at flirting with Danica.
“As a matter of fact, I am. Text me the address, and I’ll head over there right away.” The tightness in my chest recedes. Gone is the worry that some other male driver will be picking her up. I’m all too aware she’d have no problem putting someone in their place. That doesn’t mean I want her to have to deal with more than what she is already. I’d bet her landlord, Brian, gives her more hell as it is.
“Thank you. I’ll send the information over now. If you’ll let me know when she arrived home. Also, please walk Danica to her apartment door this evening.” The promise of a threat I left with Brian may cause some blowback on Danica I’d rather didn’t have to deal with.
“That’s not a problem at all, Mr. Goldman,” he replies.
“There’s one other thing. Her elevator doesn’t work. She’s on the third floor, and conveniently so is her landlord. He’ll probably give you trouble. Keep me posted if he does.” It’s going to take more than a few hours to roll her apartment building into one of our company names that can’t be traced back to Four Brothers, meaning Brian won’t be dealt with yet.