You need me

I'm pansexual Vanessa and I can hit on anyone." Rocco chuckled.

"Something your father didn't approve. He cursed you on his death bed remember?"

"He's in good hands. Heaven was his goal so, he at last drifted to that paradise he preached about to all his followers."

"You must have hated him that much huh?"

"I'm not like my brother who constantly obeyed his god-damned rules. It has been ages since I last visited his monastery." Rocco poured himself a glass of sunset rum and took one shot. "I don't usually talk about my fucking family when I'm sober. You need one too." He emptied the all the bottle content to another glass and handed it to her.

"I can't afford to get drunk, I have a meeting later." She turned down his offer.

"You and your meetings...let your imaginary husband take care of everything. Just look at me, I have a lot at stake but do I look bothered?"

"Easier said than done. You always have your way with everything."

"What Rocco wants is what Rocco gets."

"Seriously? Why do you have those photos?"

"I let you marry the man your parents worshipped, didn't I? I needed closure after that night. I still remember how naive you were back then. So hot but feisty, you had everything I was looking for but when I realized you were going to marry into the Griffins I had to stay in touch...."

"Let's cut the chase here. What exactly do you want from the Griffins?"

"Oh, you got me. I want to secure my business with the Griffins, I'm aware that they own half of Aston including the ports. All I want is a direct passage of my goods to overseas. Consider it as a way of expanding your empire. You're nothing without the Griffins remember?"

"I'm already an established business tycoon. I don't need your bloody money." Vanessa dismissed him.

"You need me Vanessa. Wait until Almond finds out about your little affairs, he won't think twice about throwing you out to the streets. You think you have everything but I assure you, dirty women like you have no place in society. Have you even thought of him divorcing you?"

"On what grounds?"

"Infidelity."

"I have nothing to lose. I'm tired as it is. Those photos won't be a threat to my marriage neither you." She gave him a blank look and took her purse to leave.

"Before you leave, there's something else you need to know. Mayor Parker is at the verge of bankruptcy and her skinny daughter will be a great enemy to the Griffins. So I were you, I'll protect everything I have before it's too late."

He cautioned her but she snorted loudly and said, "I won't lose anything Rocco. I knew before hand and she's not a threat as you think she is. I'll handle her."

Rocco felt intimidated by the woman he once controlled. She had changed over the years and if he couldn't find a way to have her side with him, he could lose billions of money and everything he had worked hard for would go down the drain. His drug laboratories and warehouses were full of hard drugs that were supposed to get to overseas. The ports had tight security measures and it cost him a great deal to export his goods out of Aston.

The only way his overseas clients could access their packages as per terms of order was through the Griffins. They had a major influence on Aston and if Rocco Burton had Vanessa on board, he could bring his plans to complete success.

He had his men everywhere delivering to VIPs and government officials. The payment was quite mouthwatering but Rocco was a man who needed more. Clubs and Schools didn't source a lot of cash for him and so he mostly relied on his clients abroad.

"I'll consider your proposal but only on one condition..."

"Name your price." Rocco responded quickly.

"I don't need your money but I want you to get Carina and Shark married."

"Are you kidding me?"

"No, make it happen." She cast a stern look at him and walked out. One of her body guard yanked the door open for her and she slouched in the backseat as her convoy pulled away from the beach house.

Just as she was enjoying a peaceful nap, her phone rang forcing her to pick it up. It was Carina.

"Speak of the devil." She muttered under her breath and answered it.

"Aunt Vanessa it's been a while since we last hang out. Is it possible to meet?"

"Honey, I'm super tired and I'm on my way home." Vanessa didn't see the need to lie to her since she was soon going to be her daughter-in-law.

"How about tomorrow?"

"I'll let you when I'm free." She said.

"Sure thing." Carina sighed and threw her phone on the couch. She was hoping to talk to Vanessa about Shark. Without her she couldn't show up at Shark's Villa unannounced now that Yara was there.

She had her people watch over Shark's Villa and report to her about everything he was up to. She knew that of late, Shark had been spending much time indoors taking care of Yara. The latter hadn't stepped into his office premises for a while now and that was making her impatient. She wanted coincidental meetings with him and that wasn't going to happen any time soon. She had to do something ASAP to salvage her family's reputation now that her father was hosting an auction event the day after tomorrow.

If the Griffins attended, she'd have a chance to talk to Shark. She was willing to go to an extent of hiring a private paparazzi to circulate rumors of her being involved with Shark to the public, if that meant getting Shark. She was full aware that Shark hadn't officially acknowledged Yara as his girlfriend to the media because of how he valued his privacy.