Chapter 10

 
Going through so much, she wouldn't be surprised if she had a nervous breakdown. The doctor had offered something to help sleep, but she didn't want anything. She didn't like the dreams about Ethan she continued to have.
On her third day vigil by her grandmother's side, a very handsome man with gorgeous green eyes and pitch black hair came in the room. He was three inches taller than Ethan, with the same muscular build and a smile that could light up a room. When he introduced himself as James Black by handing her a business card, she told him exactly where he could stick the business card. He only chuckled and found a seat next to her.
Nicole hissed, "Didn't you hear what I said?"
"I'm not like my brother," he said.
"Whatever you have to say about that man to me, you're only wasting your breath."
"He told me the same thing when I told him I was coming over to see you. He also said he'd break my neck if I slept with you."
"Why should he care? He's got his revenge."
James lowered his eyes to his briefcase in his lap. "I thought you said you didn't want to speak about him."
"That would be the reason why you came, isn't it?"
He shook his head. "To be honest, partly. He asked me to do something for him and I thought I should get the news to you since you won't see him. I figured this was pretty important to you, unless you aren't interested in saving your grandmother's business."
She sat up, glaring at him warily. "How could you possibly help me?"
"By setting up an appointment with Parker Mills a day early before your uncle and mother meet with him. If you have a sweeter deal for him, then I suggest you make a ploy for him now. They owe him a great deal of money."
She wanted the meeting, but she wasn't sure what or how she could sweeten the deal. "How much is owed?"
"A quarter of a million."
She buried her head in her hands.
"Talk with your mother's lawyer. Maybe he could help you out, Nicole." He placed his card on her lap. "Call me to confirm or let my secretary. Kristen knows what’s going on and she’ll get any and all messages to me immediately." He paused and then added, “She also could get any messages to Ethan too if need be.”
“No, it’s not needed,” Nicole sneered.
He shrugged. “Too bad. Because she’s really good at getting them to him more quickly than me.”
After he was gone, she went to the pay phone and called Armando Bellini. To her good luck, he was on his way to Detroit and could meet her in Southfield at the St. Royal Hotel tomorrow. She called Cleo to see if she could stay at Nanna's side for her. Cleo eagerly agreed.
Armando looked in his early thirties and she was surprised to know he was younger than that at 27. "I'm the baby of the Bellini family in my generation. I was the youngest child my aunt raised because my mother died in a car accident. My aunt amazingly mothered over ten children when I was younger. We don't consider ourselves cousins, or adopted siblings, or friends. We're a close-knit family. My sister’s best friend and law partner actually represented your mother's ex-husband in their divorce," he said matter of factly.
"I really don't give a fig about that man," she sneered. "I want to discuss Nanna's options. I don't want to sell."
"She said you wouldn't."
"What else did she say?"
"You'd take care of things and would be the only one to look out for her best interest. I must remind you though; receiving Nanna's estate is a big responsibility."
"Why?"
"Your grandfather invested in a lot of older stocks and Nanna's been hoarding that money like it was a secret. I didn't understand until she explained to me that even her daughter is out to ruin her and if they knew about the money, she would never have a penny to her name." He called for a waitress to refill their drinks. She opted for orange juice instead of liquor.
Nicole informed him of the large debt owed to Parker Mills.
"I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is you have the money to pay it off; the bad news is in order to get to that money, Nanna has to either sign for it herself or die so the assets can revert to you. I am only here to make sure her true will is read and letters delivered. I have no power over the money. I know about it though and can even tell you what bank she's got it in, but I can't touch it. You see, I usually only work for family members. But my uncle Antonio Bellini II owed a favor to your grandfather, and Nanna called in that favor when she didn't know anyone else to turn to. Uncle Tony of course came to me and I said I would personally handle the matter because we take favors very seriously. I came here the day before Nanna had the stroke and worked out power of attorney papers and also the new will, including a living will as well."
"So I can try to make a deal with Parker Mills, but I'm on my own."
"I can tell you your options and how high you should go before, but that is about it. Like I said, I'm only here to help Nanna and her best interest."
She should be mad. He was basically telling her unless she laid a wad of money out for him for his services, he wouldn't give her crap, but he was a lawyer. She shouldn't expect much and he was doing his job - looking out for Nanna's best interest.
"Tell me what you think and I will go from there."
Armando smiled assuredly. "You're a pretty smart kid, Nicole. I'm sure you will know what to do when the time comes."
"I'll bet," she snorted. "Because if I mess it up, you'll step in and make sure Nanna's interests are saved right?"
He laughed. "You get the picture. I take my job very serious."
She knew someone else who was serious as well. Both of them got on her last nerve about now.