It’s not like me to stray like this, and no matter what, they’re relying on me to do my part in this.
I force myself to focus in.
Roberto slides his phone across the desk toward Caterina, then looks at me. “We got some new information this morning about the due diligencelead.”
“Nilsson,” Caterina says, taking his phone.
“Yesterday, they mentioned that her flight was delayed. That’s why she couldn’t make it to the gala,” Roberto continues. “But they didn’t fly in. They drove down from New York, so why did she fly? I got curious.”
“And where was she flying in from?” I ask, already knowing I’m going to hate the answer.
Roberto’s expression stays flat. “Chicago.”
Caterina’s eyes flick up from the phone. “She had a meeting out there?”
Roberto nods.
“Another potential for the acquisition?” I sit back a fraction, the good mood thinning. “Who?”
Roberto doesn’t blink. “A group called Bellandi Operations.”
The name isn’t immediately familiar, but there’s a quick tightening in my gut at his tone.
“I get the feeling that’s not just another bidder,” I say slowly, the pull in my torso reminding me how quickly things can turn.
“No.” Roberto’s mouth hardens. “It’s a front.”
I push out of my chair. “Shit.”
The air in the room has grown heavier. The morning mood evaporates like it never existed.
Chicago mob.
Caterina’s jaw tightens. “They want Northstar.”
“They want to acquire it,” Roberto confirms. “And they’re pitching it as expansion—moving into the Northeast corridor, growing their footprint.”
“They’re trying to buy their way into our backyard with Northstar,” I say, voice flat.
Roberto nods. “And if they get it, we don’t just lose an acquisition. We get a new Chicago organization setting up shop in our own backyard.”
I sit again and lean forward, elbows on my knees now, anger controlled for the moment. “So we stop it.”
“We stop it,” Roberto agrees.
Caterina looks at me. “This is why you needed to be present last night.”
“None of us knew last night, Cat,” I say. “It wouldn’t have made a difference. Besides, I didn’t want to push too hard. They weren’t the easiest bunch.”
“And the due diligence lead will be even tougher,” Roberto says.
“I can handle her,” I say, confident. “Tell me what you need.”
Roberto’s tone turns into command. “Monday. We have a meeting with Northstar. All of us. You’ll be there.”
“I’ll be there,” I sayimmediately.
“You bring your A-game,” he adds. “This deal needs to happen. It cannot go to Bellandi.”