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Chapter 17
Daniella (Dani)
"I don't understand why we had to meet here anyway," Aaron said through clenched teeth.
He'd been calling me for days, but I'd been avoiding him. Carlisle told me it would look suspicious, so I finally answered. Honestly, I didn't feel like being bothered with him.
I exhaled and sipped on my lemon water.
"Why are you sitting in my face ignoring me?" His face was red.
"Because," I rolled my eyes.
"Because what, Daniella?" His lips were tight.
"You're not saying anything I need to respond to." I shrugged.
"What?" He squinted his eyes. "You are charging me two motherfucking grand to sit across the table from you. The least you can do is talk to me."
"What do you want to talk about, Aaron?" I huffed.
"Well, for starters, let's discuss why we haven't met in our usual place for weeks. Then I'd like to know why you haven't answered my calls?" He counted off with his fingers.
"I've been busy," I said dismissively.
"Busy," he leaned in closer. "How the hell are you too busy for me with the retainer you have me on? You owe me. I'm paying for a service I haven't received in damn near two weeks. Either we leave now, and you make it all up to me by staying at the hotel at my beck and call for the next two weeks or you give me my money back." His tone had an edge to it.
"Now, that's funny," I snorted a laugh. "I thought you were smarter than that. There are no refunds, ever."
"Dani, don't play with me." He pointed at me.
"Does it look like I'm playing?" My brows furrowed and the humor was gone. "I'm a businesswoman who does not play about her money. Any and every time you meet with me, whether in a bed or at a table, you will be charged. I respect my time and so will you." I pointed back at him.
"Have you forgotten who I am and what I'm capable of?" He cocked his head. "You've gotten away with some of the bull shit you've pulled because I let you. I will squash like the bug you are if you don't watch it." Aaron threatened. "You're where you are because of me."
I stared at him for a few seconds before I laughed sarcastically. "You have lost—
He cut me off. "Dani, do you not understand the connections I have that could expose you to the world? To let them know how you got wealthy?" He smirked.
I smiled, reaching across the table, and laid my hand on top of his. "Aaron, do you think I care? My smile was lopsided. "I'm not scared in the least bit. Go on ahead and shoot your best shot, sweetie."
He had no idea the millions of dollars I'd been investing throughout the years, setting up my little nest egg. I was into real estate investment trusts, rental income properties in ten different states, dividend stocks, and annuities to name a few. My financial portfolio looked good.
Just because I started in this lifestyle to survive didn't mean I wanted to stay in it.
He pulled his hand away from me. "For you to be nothing more than a high-priced hoe, you're confident." He spat.
Adrenaline surged through my body like a shock wave. I wanted to smack the shit out of him, but I had to be wise—strategic.
"And if I'm a high-priced hoe, what does that make you?" I arched one eyebrow, wishing bullets could come out of my eyes.
"You're nothing more than a slut that was willing to scratch my itch." He laughed.
I took another sip of water so I wouldn't throw the glass at him and to restrain myself. "Humph," I sat the glass down. "I wonder if Bella would be interested in how long you've been itching. Or better yet, how about the partners at your precious firm." The sides of my mouth quirked up.
One of the many flaws Aaron had was being so concerned about his image. He always wanted people to think he had his shit together. But he was far from it.
"Don't you even think about it, Dani—are you sure you want to play this game with me?" He sneered. "I will drag you and your whole damn family through the mud. Don't piss me off."
He was really testing me. I was boiling on the inside, but I had to appear cool and unbothered on the outside. I couldn't let him know he was getting to me.
"What makes you think you're untouchable, Mr. Smith? After all, you have more to lose than I do, right?" I folded my hands in front of me and gave him an expected look.
He blinked for a moment then turned his head.
"It seems reality has settled in, huh?" I teased.
"We both could lose." He scraped his fingers through his hair." "Damnit why are we even here? I'd rather be relieving this stress with your legs wrapped around me. Can we go? I already had a room reserved." He pleaded.
Aaron had always been nice to look at, but it was when he opened his mouth that made me nauseous. He looked cute begging and most times I gave in to it but that had gotten old too.
I hadn't realized how tired of him I'd grown. I wasn't sure when it had started but I knew I couldn't do it anymore. There was no amount of money he could offer me that would make me want to be with him again.
"No," I nodded.
"No?" He jerked his head back.
"You heard me."
"What the hell do you mean, no?"
"No is a full sentence and I know you understand what it means."
"I know exactly what it means but you can't deny me. We have a goddman business arrangement." He leaned in closer to me.
"That I can end at my degression." I cupped my chin with my hand.
His jaw clenched and unclenched. "Look, Dani, I don't want to argue anymore. We're wasting time. I've missed you so much and I need you." He almost looked sincere. "You're the only one that can calm me, help me to ground myself."
I bit back my smile. "So, your Bella hasn't been able to do that for you?"
"You know I don't talk about her with you, but I'll allow it this time." He looked down at the table. "No, she can't." He rubbed the back of his neck. "As much as I hate to admit it sometimes, I feel like we don't completely connect in the bedroom. I'm not sure if it's her or me."
For him to open up like this, I knew he had to be desperate.
I guess it was time for me to play therapist with him, again.
"Why would you marry someone you don't feel connected to?"
I was surprised when he told me he had proposed.
"There are a lot of other factors—I'm not getting into that with you. I've already told you enough." He started to scoot out of the booth. "Can we just go?" He thumbed.
I shook my head. "I meant what I said the first time."
"Okay," he stroked his bread. "I get it. You're a businesswoman and you want to play hardball. You don't have to stay in my hotel room for two weeks, I'm willing to let that go this time. It can just be for the night."
I tucked my hair behind my ear. "My answer isn't going to change, Aaron."
"What in the hell is wrong with you? You've never turned me down. What has changed?" He narrowed his eyes.
"I'm not in the mood and I think I'm getting out of this lifestyle," I told him the truth.
"You're getting out," He mocked.
This is exactly why I never shared anything personal with him. I'd always been the one that listened—that got dumped on. It has been about him from the moment we met. How I can please him or make him feel better.
And to make matters worse, he's not my only client like that. I should've been a damn psychologist.
"What else are you gonna do?" He sucked his teeth chuckling. Sex is all you know."
"First of all," my upper lip curled. "You don't know a damn thing about me."
"I know plenty about you. I had you investigated before our first encounter." He had a victorious smile on his face.
"You know what I wanted you to know." I snapped back.
"What is that supposed to mean, Dani?"
"Don't worry about it. Forget I said anything." I waved dismissively.
"No, I'm not going to forget it. What the hell does that mean? What have you been hiding?"
"It's a little too late for that question, isn't it? You're the big-time attorney that has all these damn connections you've bragged about for years, right?" I tapped my fingernail on the table.
"Stop evading the question. What have you been hiding?" He demanded.
"Not a damn thing you need to be concerned about. But know this, I have people above your pay grade looking out for me and that's all I'm going to say." I raised my hand beckoning for the waitress to come over.
"There's no way in hell this conversation is over. Don't you dare call her over here." Aaron hissed through his teeth.
I ignored him, smiling as the young waitress approached the table.
"Can I get you anything else?" She smiled warmly.
"No, thank you. The chocolate cake you recommended was delicious." I ate that with a cup of coffee before Aaron got here. I had no plan on this being a long meeting, which is why I never mentioned ordering anything when he arrived.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," the waitress grinned and turned toward Aaron. "Can I get you anything, sir? I apologize for not coming over sooner, but I had to help out with a large party being held in the private room." She explained.
"You're perfectly fine, I didn't need anything else. I'm ready for my check." I smiled.
"Oh, okay," she pulled out her black wallet pad from her back pocket, handing it to me.
"Well," Aaron cleared his throat. "I'd like to order something. I'm hungry."
"Let me get you a menu first." The waitress said before walking away.
I looked at my bill then grabbed my purse and pulled out a hundred-dollar bill, sticking it inside the guest check pad.
"You can put that away. I'll pay our bill once I'm done eating." Aaron said.
"I've got it. I hope you enjoy your meal. I'm about to go." I said with finality.
"I want you to stay."
"I don't care what you want."
"Here you go, sir," the waitress handed him the menu. "What would you like to drink?"
"A scotch on the rocks sounds good to me." The slimy fucker smiled at the waitress.
"Alright, let me get that for you." She replied back.
I scooted out of the booth, standing up next to her. "You can keep the change, sweetheart."
"Oh, okay, thank you." She looked a little confused. "I'll be back shortly, sir." She said to Aaron.
I went to walk away but he grabbed my wrist. "Please stay. I've been going through so much shit lately. I really need your help, Dani. Please, we don't even have to go to the room. Just…" He trailed off.
I pulled and he released my wrist. "I have somewhere else I have to be in less than thirty minutes." I had a meeting with Silver Fox and Blondie.
"With whom? And how is it that we weren't supposed to even be here." He argued.
"Aaron," I rolled my eyes. "We were never going to a hotel room. Now, just to make sure we're clear and on the same page. Today was our last time to meet. You are no longer my client and I will not allow you to meet with any of my girls." I was still angry with what he did to Talia.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" He stood, as his voice rose.
"Dead serious," I stood my ground, even while his 6'3 body towered over my 5'5 body.
"Excuse me, sir," she cleared her throat. "Here's your scotch."
We stared each other down, neither one of us willing to move first.
"Okay, then, I'll just sit this down. I'll give you a few more moments with the menu." The poor server hightailed it outta there quickly.
He looked down at me wickedly, "You just fucked with the wrong one, Dani."
My eyes burned into his, "you can't threaten someone who has nothing to lose when you have everything to lose." I walked away swinging my hips more than usual because I knew he was still watching.
I shook my head as I walked out of the door. The idiot had no idea how his life was about to change.