A Backroom deal

Lex entered the restaurant, the buzz of conversation and clinking glasses surrounding him. The atmosphere was warm, with the clink of silverware and quiet murmurs over dinner.

He ignored all of it, making his way toward the back of the room where a discreet door led to a small, dimly lit office. The faint smell of pasta and garlic seeped into the backroom, but here, everything felt colder.

Dominic Dante.

The lawyer was already seated at a simple desk, flipping through a file. He looked up as Lex stepped in, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.

"Mr. Latham, I presume?"

Lex offered a cool nod. "That's me."

The lawyer didn't stand, but his gaze shifted up and down, assessing. "You're... young. A little younger than I expected."

Lex leaning against the desk. "How old do I look?"

The lawyer studied him. "Seventeen, maybe? Eighteen at most."

Lex smirked. "About right."

Without waiting for further commentary, he handed the lawyer the file that Elias had prepared for him—thick, with everything inside that would lay the foundation for their case.

The lawyer opened it without hesitation, flipping through the documents quickly before his eyes landed on the key details. "This your first time with something like this?"

Lex's expression stayed unreadable. "It's my first case like this."

The lawyer nodded, pausing at the names. "Bernard Maddox. Your uncle?"

Lex's voice was low but steady. "That's right."

It was a case that any lawyer would think twice before taking on such a challenging task. Even when Lex had offered a significant amount of money.

The lawyer tapped the file thoughtfully. "And we're pressing charges against him?"

"Yes," Lex confirmed. "For moving artwork from a trust fund. Three Picassos, ten Warhols. I have reason to believe he sold at least some of them."

The lawyer paused, his eyes flicking over Lex again. "A trust fund?"

He scratched his chin. "Selling trust fund art?"

Lex's gaze was calm. "Not my call, Mr. Dominic. My uncle decided to move those pieces. The Warhols—sold to a mob family, or a shady gallery, at least. It's all there in the file."

The lawyer's typed quickly, scanning the names on his screen. A quick seach show

"Call me, Dante. This is another level family fued. My normal clientele are plain Janes who accidentally met someone with mob ties and now wants out."

Lex leaned in slightly, his voice flat. "It's a level that I intend to use every thing to bring him down."

Dante raised an eyebrow but didn't hesitate. He tapped a few more keys, a,fee more searches and then looked back at Lex. "Alright. I'll take the case, but I'll need time to dig into both of your names. A guy like Maddox, he won't be an easy target."

Lex didn't flinch. "I want a good shot."

"You'll good.." Ferrara said, glancing at the file again. "My rates depend on the case, but since this involves a trust, high-value assets, and potential mob entanglement, you're looking at a retainer of $100,000. From there, my hourly rate is $1,000."

Lex didn't even blink. "You'll get your retainer by the end of the week. I'll need an itemized breakdown of billable hours. No fluff."

Dante nodded, clearly approving of the straightforward approach. "Of course. I don't pad hours. My reputation is built on results, not invoices. Now, let's talk contract." He reached into a drawer, pulling out a thick document and sliding it across the desk. "Standard agreement. Outlines confidentiality, scope of representation, and contingencies."

Lex flipped through the pages quickly, scanning for anything out of place. "I assume this covers litigation, settlements, and potential criminal defense if things get messy?"

Ferrara leaned forward, his expression sharp. "It covers everything conditions of going to trial. But if your uncle fights back—and I expect he will—you'll want me handling this from day one."

Lex set the file down. "I'll have my lawyer review it. If everything checks out, you'll have your retainer and my signature within forty-eight hours."

Dante smirk deepened. "Smart move. But let's be clear—once you sign, I don't back down. This isn't a game of corporate chess. You come for blood, you better be ready to see it through."

Lex met his gaze, unflinching. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't."

Dante let out a low chuckle. "Then we'll get along just fine."

Lex stood, tucking the contract into his coat. "Expect my call soon."

Dante nodded. "I'll be waiting."

Lex turned and walked out, the weight of the contract in his hands feeling less like paper and more like a loaded gun. Now, he just needed Elias to give it the final sign-off.