Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [77]
After announcing the names of the two men, Jeffrey said, ‘May I present Miz Santangelo.’
Armand did not proffer his hand. Instead he gave her a dismissive nod of his head, making no eye contact.
Fouad spoke up. ‘It is a pleasure to meet such an accomplished businesswoman,’ he said, causing Armand to shoot him a furious glare.
Lucky did not miss the energy passing between the two men. It seemed that Fouad was happy to be present, while Armand was certainly not.
‘Thank you,’ she said, picking up a silver letter-opener with the inscription Never fuck with a Santangelo. Bobby had given it to her last Christmas – a reminder of the family motto. ‘Gentlemen,’ she said coolly. ‘Kindly take a seat.’
‘We should get down to business,’ Armand said, addressing Jeffrey as he sat stiffly in a high-backed leather chair. ‘I have no time to waste. I am sure neither do you.’
Lucky was amused at this man’s obvious difficulty in dealing with a female presence. She’d encountered men like him before. Men who were basically scared shitless by powerful women. Men whose balls shrivelled at the mere hint of a female being in charge. Men who always had to pay for it, otherwise they were incapable of getting it up.
Ah yes, she’d come across men like Armand Jordan many times. They were unemotional pathetic creatures who obviously needed help.
It occurred to her that Jeffrey should never have requested that she attend this meeting, for she had no intention of venturing into any deals at all with the arrogant asshole who sat before her. First of all she didn’t need his money, and secondly she certainly didn’t need his sexist attitude.
‘There is really nothing concrete to discuss,’ Jeffrey said, instantly realizing that there was no way Lucky would ever enter into business with Armand Jordan. This meeting was useless, and he’d better wind it up as quickly as possible, because knowing Lucky, there was no doubt she would bring up the hooker incident if she felt in the mood to embarrass Armand. ‘Mr Khan requested a meeting regarding future financing of any major projects that Miz Santangelo might want to proceed with,’ Jeffrey continued. ‘He thought it prudent that the principles got together, and I agreed. However—’
‘Fouad must have given you the wrong impression,’ Armand said, rudely interrupting, while still not addressing Lucky directly. ‘I am not here to talk about future financing. I am here today to purchase The Keys. And furthermore, I am prepared to pay whatever it takes to do so.’
Lucky flashed Jeffrey a look that said, Are you fucking kidding me?
Fouad sank deeper into his chair.
Danny glanced up from his laptop, well aware there was about to be trouble. He knew better than anyone how Lucky hated to waste time, and this meeting was definitely a huge time-waster.
‘There has no doubt been a big misunderstanding,’ Jeffrey said, adjusting his glasses. ‘I made it perfectly clear when Mr Khan visited my offices in New York that The Keys was not in any way for sale.’ Jeffrey turned to Fouad. ‘Isn’t that so?’
Fouad fidgeted uncomfortably and went to say something, but Armand silenced him with a shake of his head.
‘I’m not sure that you are hearing what I am saying,’ Armand said, speaking very slowly as if dealing with a backward child. ‘I wish to buy The Keys, and I will pay whatever it takes. This is not a negotiation, it is an offer you cannot refuse.’
Finally Lucky spoke up. ‘Really?’ she questioned, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Armand made the mistake of continuing to ignore her, once more addressing Jeffrey. ‘I have no time to waste,’ he said abruptly. ‘This deal has to take place immediately.’
‘Why the urgency?’ Lucky asked, playing with him.
‘My lawyers in New York are waiting for your call,’ Armand said to Jeffrey. ‘I expect you to make that call today.’
‘Mr Jordan,’ Lucky said, willing him to look at her. ‘Although I realize that you are totally delusional, I think it’s about time I set you straight.’
‘Excuse me?’ Armand said coldly. ‘Are you addressing me?’
‘The Keys is not on the market