Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jax

J CP Corporation, Upper West Side, Manhattan...

Jax was incapable of concentrating on work and sat staring out of the window, his mind in shambles. The betrayal he had felt over the role George played in what could potentially have destroyed his company was nothing compared to realizing he never truly knew the man.

Could it really be feeling slighted by Mindy that changed him? Turned him into what appears to be a psychopath?

"Busy? Or do you have time to review the sales reports? Our profit margins have taken a nosedive since losing all those tenders."

George's voice interrupted his dark musings. His shoulders tensed as he prepared to face his once friend without showing the disgust he now felt for him.

"If we don't sign a couple of big contracts very soon, I'm afraid we'll have to consider closing certain operational service divisions."

"I'm well aware of our financial position, George." He waved him to one of the visitor's chairs before he continued, "I have meetings with the Finance Director twice a week. We've already made some adjustments to certain expenses." His gaze hardened to hide the resentment raging through him. George's complete disregard for the families who would be affected by closing any of the service divisions underscored his true nature. He was still dead set on destroying everything Jax had worked for.

"Shaving off on expenses isn't going to cut it, Jax. At this rate, we're going to show a loss for the year."

"Every company has a dip at some point, George. We've had fifteen years of being at the top, and we made astronomical profits along with it. The investments we've made over time were done exactly for such an occurrence and will carry us through bad times."

"So, you're not going to listen to my advice?" George's expression turned thunderous.

"With all due respect, George, you're the one who should be concentrating on finding those jobs to turn our situation around, not dwell on matters not in your portfolio." Jax deliberately pushed him, knowing how he hated feeling unwanted or incompetent. His voice remained steady and calm. "Leave me and the finance team to worry about our financial stability."

"I'm on the board of directors, Jax. It's my future at stake as well. How dare you indicate it's none of my concern?"

"Since your concern seems to be self-directed and not aimed at the survival of the firm as a whole or taking into regard the futures of all those people you so blithely want to cast to the street by closing service divisions." Jax leaned forward.

"Believe me, George. Firing staff would be the very last resort, and only if the company is on the verge of failure, which, based on our latest financials, is not going to happen for a very long time." He leaned back with his arms crossed over his chest in a sign of indignant anger.

"All the top execs will obviously not make as much in profit shares and bonuses as they're used to, but then again... you've all been at the high end of shaving the gold off the top, haven't you? So, if we cut anything to save costs, it will be the top executives and directors' bonuses."

"Look here, Jax, you're the one who always said we're all equal partners in this firm, and that includes sharing in the riches. You're not going to cut my bonuses. I worked too fucking hard alongside you to be punished for you not reading the market development."

"Ah, so it's my fault we lost the tenders?" Jax smirked as he opened the folder that he had been studying earlier. "See, you underestimated me dearly, George. I had my own forensic investigation done on the tenders. Interesting, isn't it, that they are all different from the ones I signed off on and have certified copies? Care to explain this phenomenon? I mean, since you're the last one to oversee every tender before personally handing them in."

George turned pale.

"Yes, George. I know it's you who sabotaged JCP." He leaned forward. "I also know you have been working with the Genolere Mafia to force me into an association with them by crippling our liquid assets." His eyes narrowed angrily. "What I don't understand is why."

His face now as white as a sheet, George jumped up. "What a load of bullshit. You're the failure, but now you want to point a finger at me?"

"I have proof of tender mismanagement, George, and I also had a very interesting meeting with Angelo Grecco an hour ago."

This time, George didn't bother to defend himself but turned to run to the door.

"Ah, Mr. Larson," Stefan Roland drawled as George flung open the door. "Just the man I was looking for."

George spun around to stare at Jax in shock. "You ratted me out? Because of a couple of changes on those fucking tenders?"

"No, I called Stefan because you did something much worse than extortion for the mafia. Although, I'm sure he'll add that to your charges." Jax pointed to the chair. "Why don't you sit down? I believe there's something you should see."

With Stefan's large hand wrapped around his shoulder, forcing him back inside the office, he had no option but to sit down.

Jax turned the monitor on his desk so everyone could see the screen as he played the video clip of Mindy's death. By the end, George had lost all color on his face.

"Why do you have to show me this? It was bad enough that I had to watch her kill herself. Something I've had to live with ever since. Now, you force me to... fuck you, Jax!"

"Hmm, seems he's in denial," Stefan grumbled. "Either that, or he thinks we're idiots. Let's try this again, shall we?" Stefan pushed him forward with a hard hand around his nape. "Watch carefully, Larson. Jax, replay the video at half the speed, please."

This time, even George couldn't deny what had really happened. His jaw locked as his eyes flung daggers at Jax.

"Well, what did you expect? You completely fucked her up, and when I offered her a life of luxury, respect, and love, she laughed at me. Laughed at me! And do you know why? Because she said I would never be able to match up to you. That no man ever could. That she had made a mistake and was going to beg your forgiveness. Belittling me like I didn't matter. Right there, in full view of people passing by."

His lips compressed into a thin line as he looked at the monitor. The frozen picture of Mindy's broken and bleeding body seemed to mock him even further.

"She deserved to die." He looked at Jax with hatred glimmering in his eyes. "And you had to suffer like I had from that day, and I knew the only way that would happen was if you lost your precious company since that's all you truly care about, isn't it?"

"You were wrong, George. Mindy was a gold digger. Something I realized too late. She never loved me. What she did love was male attention, to be placed on a pedestal by one and all. One man would never have been enough for her, but whatever her shortcomings... she didn't deserve to die for them." Jax pointed to the screen. "Least of all in such a gruesome way."

"George Larson, I am arresting you for the murder of Mindy Saligen and for extortion and colluding with a known criminal group, the Genolere Mafia. You have the right to an attorney. Everything you say and do will be held against you in a court of law."

"You will pay for this, Jax." George struggled violently as the police officers cuffed him. "You and those fucking mobsters! They won't get off scot-free. You tell them that!"

Jax watched silently as the police officers dragged his once best friend out of the office.

"I'm sorry, Jax." Stefan smiled grimly. "I know the two of you used to be close."

"Yeah, that was before he showed his true colors."

"Life is fucked up, my friend. I'll keep you updated on the progress. You do know you'll be called in to testify in court."

Jax acknowledged Stefan's response with a nod, hardly hearing him say goodbye before he left. Life was finally turning in Jax's favor. His company was saved, and he had the most wonderful woman who loved him in his life. The Genolere Mafia was off his back, and he refused to have his happiness crowned with such heartrending betrayal.

"It's over. George Larson was never truly my friend. At least Mindy will now rest in peace."

His phone rang as he was driving home. A glance at the screen confirmed it was Stefan.

"Jax, I have some bad news, I'm afraid. On the way to the holding cells, the police car that was transporting Larson was in a serious accident. He died on impact. The two officers are in critical condition, but the doctors say they should pull through."

"Fuck," Jax slammed his hand against the steering wheel. He should've known that George would never make it to court.

Giovanni Lombardo had struck again.