"What is your name, ma'am?" He asked, ignoring her question. "Keisha," She replied. She didn't know where this conversation was heading. "Keisha Bronx.""Now, Keisha," Jon leaned on the counter, "How would you like to have a business partner." "Huh?" "I would have offered to buy the store," Jon said, looking around. "I would never sell," She snapped. Her tone was starting to become hard. "I know and that was exactly why I didn't ask," Jon said soothingly. "My name is Jonathan Stone and I would like to be your business partner.""I don't understand where this is all coming from," Keisha replied slowly. "There is nothing to partner here. I mean, take a look around you." "There is nothing to partner here yet," He put emphasis on the last word, "How would you like to manage a chain for pharmaceutical stores across Illinois?" "That would be –" "How about we talk about this over a cup of coffee?" Jon gave her a charming smile. "Um, yes, sure," She stammered, "If you would, please g

"WHY WOULD MAXIM bug your phone?" Jon asked. Nicole had hopped on the next plane out of New Jersey and now they were taking a slow walk on the streets of Illinois. "Because he knows we are up to something and he wants to know what," Nicole said. She looked up at Jon, "He is not exactly one of your fans." Jon scoffed, "I know that. But to bug your phone? That's FBI, M16 kind of shit." Nicole chuckles softly, "It is. And I know Maxim… he had the capability to do it. He might even have me followed." Jon looked back. Nicole laughed and said, "Relax. If I was followed, I would know. Jon nodded but could not help occasionally glancing back. "He would know you came here to see me." He said. She shook her head, "My parents live here. Even though I don't want to, I'll visit them. He would think I came here for them." "How are your engagement plans progressing?" Jon asked. She snorted. "Right now, I don't know. Maxim has not said anything about ending things off, but neither do I hav

"YOU KNOW HIM," Nicole muttered. "Who doesn't?" The big man snorted. "The son of Stefan Stone. I am sorry about your Dad, by the way." He did not offer his hand for a handshake and neither did Jon offer his. They simply stared daggers at each other. It was Nicole's mother that tried to diffuse the tension. She said, "Welcome to our home, Mr Stone," she smiled widely, "I see you've met Nicole. I am Patricia," Jon nodded, "Thank you for having me, ma'am." Claude Bishop snorted and waved his hands for them to sit down. He sat at the head of the table, with his wife by his side. Nicole and Jon sat side by side. Claude waved his hand again and some uniformed servants filed in and started serving them their dishes. Jon watched on without saying anything. They could have just taken their meals by themselves. But they seemed used to this already. Claude held his goblet out for a servant to fill it with wine while his wife, Patricia, was tucking in a napkin over her scrawny neck. A serv

VITTORIO HAD NO idea that his life was numbered as he smiled and went about his regular routine of his day. No, cancel that. He knew his life was numbered. He knew that he had a number of old age illnesses that threatened to take him anytime, but his mind was put somewhat at rest, knowing that his grandson, Leonardo, was there to take up his legacy when he was gone. He knew that he did not have more than 2 years to live due to one of the illnesses that a doctor abroad had told him about. He did not care for the name or what particular doctor had diagnosed it. He was still strong, he did not need help to stand or clothe himself, and he was not bedridden. He considered himself to be in pretty good shape for a man of almost one hundred years old. He stopped a bit as he stood up from his chair near the fireplace and went to the wine tray to pour himself a glass of scotch. "Should you be drinking that?" Leonardo asked gruffly walking into the room. Vittorio scoffed and sat down heavil

NICOLE NODDED AND helped Jon make flight arrangements as he called his parents for an impromptu goodbye. After spending almost 5 minutes on the call with promises to come to visit again (with the nice, beautiful lady), he ended the call and began packing his things as Nicole finished booking his flight. They showered and she offered to drop him at the airport, he nodded absently and followed her downstairs to check out and got into her Ford SUV."Who do you think is responsible?" Nicole asked. They were doing 60 miles per hour on the I-60 highway. Jon shrugged and rubbed his eye sockets, "I have no idea," He said. "But you know that eyes will be on you. You will be the primary suspect," Nicole said. She expertly overtook a car before continuing, "The hate between the Orsattis and your family was not secret. Everyone knew about it and you happen happen be the one person to gain from their death." Jon sighed and said, "I have a solid alibi. I was with you during the period. I was no