“Since you’re going to help run the club, I guess I can give you part of the credit. Maybe I’ll blame you for everyone thinking I’m innocent,” I joked.
“Oh, please. No one would ever believe that,” Trixi said. “Okay, it’s settled. I’ll work for you. Now, how far away are you? I’m starving.”
“Ten minutes.”
“Great. Just enough time to fix my makeup,” she said and ended the call.
I barely remembered if I brushed my hair, never mind put on any makeup. God, you’re right, Aunt Trixi. I do need you to intervene at the club. I’d probably scare the customers away.
Chapter Two
Andrew
“This is the fifth time you disappear without telling anyone. Is it…serious?” Phillip Heart asked, jabbing a finger in my direction across his desk.
“It’s not a vacation, if that’s what you’re getting at,” I replied. The issue with having five brothers was one of them was always getting in my business.
“You know damn well I’m talking about a woman.”
“No shit. But when have I ever been serious about a woman?” I knew exactly who he’d throw in my face. One fuck-up and no one in this family would ever let me live it down. Before he could talk, I said, “Don’t bother answering that. High school does not count. I chase after only one thing now.” Outdoing you.
“Just checking. Never know when you’re going to run off and get married,” Phillip scoffed.
“We didn’t get married,” I clarified. There were two reasons for that. First of all, we were barely sixteen, and secondly, because Phillip caught wind of what I was doing and told our parents. My father tracked my ass down and practically dragged me back home. I was pissed back then, but I learned that the saying “Out of sight, out of mind,” was accurate. I can’t even recall her name. Hell, I don’t remember any of their names.
“And we’re all glad you didn’t. It would’ve been a huge mistake.”
“Chalk it up to being young and…”
“In love,” Phillip jumped in.
I shook my head. “Stupid. Trust me, Phillip. My head is clear. I know exactly what I want.”
Phillip laughed. “I’ve heard that before from Kenneth and Jerry. We both know how that ended. It’s starting to look like you might be following in their footsteps.”
I chuckled. “It’s not contagious. And trust me, there’s no room in my life for that type of commitment,” I said.
“If it’s not a woman that has you so secretive, what is it, then?” Phillip asked.
“Business,” I stated flatly.
“What kind of business?”
I glared at him across his desk. “My business. Which means, none of yours. But if you want, I’m willing to hear what your next endeavor entails.”
“Point taken,” he replied, no longer laughing. “I hope you know that I only ask because…”
“Don’t get soft on me, Phillip. You and I are cut from the same cloth. We see it. We want it. We get it. If you want to worry, worry about anyone who stands in my way,” I said.
“That big of a deal?” he asked. I nodded. “Here in Boston?”
“If you think asking questions is going to get you answers, you’ve forgotten who you’re dealing with.” Even as kids, Phillip and I were the most stubborn. Part of me wanted to let him know what I’ve been working on, but if he let it slip to the others, I’d be opening myself up to a lot of unwanted opinions.
“I’m here if you change your mind,” he said.
I got up to leave Phillip’s office and said, “Same here. But for now, I’ve got a chopper waiting for me. I’ll see you in a few days.”
I was able to keep the family in the dark by renting a charter instead of using the family jet or chopper. The less they know right now, the better.
It was a move none of them had made yet. There was a chance I was making a mistake, but my gut never let me down. I see it as an opportunity. Buy it. Build it. And sell it for a fucking huge profit. There was just one damn place that had refused every offer I made, even when they were above the asking price. But rumor had it the owner was no longer with us. Time was of the essence – I needed to get there before anyone else snatched it up.
I had a few hours to kill on my flight to Bermoose, New Hampshire. For once, I could close my eyes and relax on the way. Nothing had been announced about who the new owner was, but whoever it was, they had to be easier to negotiate with than Carl Worth.
We made good time on the flight, and once on the ground I hopped in a rental and headed directly for The Treasured Chest. I planned on making this trip short and successful. When I arrived at the club, the doors were locked. At that time of day, they should’ve been open for business and full of patrons.
I smiled. This was a good sign. It was very possible I could lowball the offer and be back in Boston late tonight. All I needed to know was who had inherited this place. The courthouse had closed for the day, but there was a diner I’d eaten at several times. The food was great, but the waitress is a nonstop chatterer. With any luck, The Treasured Chest would be a hot topic there tonight. If not, I’d make it one.
As soon as I walked into the diner, the cheery redhead spotted me. “Welcome back, Mr. Heart. Are you here on business or pleasure?” she asked.
There was nothing in Bermoose that interested me except for its potential. This place prided itself on having a movie theater with dining. That consisted of pizza and beer and some old B-movie most people never heard of. The biggest attraction was the strip club and that would be short-lived once I got my hands on it. Hell, it might be closed permanently already. I just hoped it wasn’t stuck in some probate court, because that could take years to sort out. If that was the case, I was fucked. That club sat right in the middle of my plans.
Taking a seat at the counter, I replied, “Business.”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t you think you own enough of Bermoose? I mean, you buy it, and knock it down. When are you going to build something useful?”
I chuckled. She was very outspoken, and I’d tell her to treat her customers a bit…nicer, but from what I saw, I was the only one she gave shit to. Guessing, I’d say she was close to fifty and had come to the point where she didn’t want to hear any of my bullshit.
“What would you suggest I build?” I asked, picking up the menu idly. I always got the same thing. A burger and fries. What I wanted was a nice steak. It might be on the menu, but I never saw anyone order it, and that was enough of a warning for me.
She stood there tapping her pencil on the order pad and said, “Let me think for a minute.” I put the menu down and waited. Finally, she said, “A shopping mall would be nice. You know, one with those big chain stores in it.”
I almost choked. At no point did I expect her to blurt out exactly what I had planned. Was it possible someone had let it slip? There were only a few people - my lawyers and a developer - who knew the details. I trusted them both. Then again, everyone had a price.
As though it was the first time I’d ever thought of such a thing I asked, “A mall? Here in Bermoose?”
She wrinkled her nose and said, “Stupid. I know. But a woman can dream. I mean just think about it. I have to drive almost three hours to do real shopping.”
Listening to this was only fueling my fire to get that last piece of land. “Three hours is a long ride to shop.”
“Yes, it is. See, there ain’t no easy way there. I have to go up, over, and then down to get there.”
Up, over, and down? Those were odd directions, but if I didn’t take a chopper to Bermoose, I’m sure my drive wouldn’t be much different. “But you go anyway?” I asked.
She nodded vigorously. “You bet your bottom I do. Otherwise, I end up wearing what everyone else does. There ain’t no way I’m showing up at church wearing the same dress as Mrs. Brown.” Her lips pursed as though the two had been in competition for years. “I don’t care if I have to drive five hours.”
“I can see no
w why you suggested a mall,” I said, forcing a smile. This was not getting me the information I needed.
“I guess I shouldn’t complain. There are towns that have it worse than we do. They come into Bermoose and you’d think that we’re the big city. Crazy how everyone wants what someone else has.”
“Yes. Life is…funny like that sometimes. I heard some…distressing news about one of your long-term residents from here.”
“You must be talking about Carl Worth. I tell you no one has talked about anything else for the past week.”
“Really? Why is that?” I couldn’t believe I was resorting to encouraging gossip.
“Well, because he died so suddenly. I’m sure living the life he did, didn’t help any,” she snorted.
“I’m sure his family was in shock as well. Do they…live here in town?”
Shaking her head, she said, “In Errol. You know, one of those small towns I was telling you about.”
“Guess they’re going to close the place then. I mean, can’t run a business from that far away.” I hope.
In a low voice she said, “Not that I like to gossip or anything, but you’d never believe what I heard.”
Please tell. “I won’t say a word.”
“He left everything to his niece. She’s just out of college and hasn’t been around for years, but she gets it all.” With a sigh, she added, “At least that means she’ll probably sell that place. I mean, after all, Bermoose doesn’t need a…a….place like that.”
I could’ve burst out laughing, because it seemed to do very well in a place like this. If it hadn’t, Carl would’ve sold it to me when I asked.
“So this…niece. Is she still in Errol?” I asked.
“I hear she is here in Bermoose. Her car was seen at the club a little while ago, but you know, it could just be a rumor.”
So far, those rumors were all playing in my favor. “Well, if you see her, could you tell her I’d like to speak to her?” I said, pulling out my business card and handing it to the waitress.
She looked it over and said, “I’m not sure. I don’t like to butt into other people’s business.”
Yeah, right. “It’s strictly business,” I stated.
Slipping it into her apron pocket she said, “If I see her, I’ll pass it along. Now, what can I get you to eat?”
I wasn’t actually hungry, but since I’d be in Bermoose at least overnight, I might as well eat. “Mushroom cheeseburger and fries. And how about putting on a fresh pot of coffee?”
“Nothing wrong with the one we got,” she said, as she headed off to the kitchen.
I wasn’t about to argue with her. She would, after all, be handling my food. I pulled out my cell phone to dial the number to the only motel there was.
“Bed and Rest. How can I help you?”
“Hello. Do you have a vacant room?” I asked.
“Sure do. When do you need it for?” she asked.
“Tonight. Put it under Heart.”
“Oh, is this Andrew Heart?” she asked.
I guess my name was getting around. That might make my conversation with Trixi go a bit easier. She’ll know I’m fair yet firm. “It is. I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Okay. I’ll have the room tidied up for ya,” she said before hanging up.
With any luck, tonight would be my only night at that motel. Hell, my only night in Bermoose. Once I got Trixi to agree to sell, the rest could be handled by my team and I could move onto the next big deal.
Chapter Three
Anne
As I walked into the club, I could feel my heart pounding. I didn’t want to think about Uncle Carl being here every day. And right now, I was really glad he hadn’t left this place to my dad.
I wasn’t naïve–I knew what a strip club was like. But until now, I had never actually been to one. Aunt Trixi had been kind enough to open up earlier, and to update the staff with the latest developments. But I couldn’t run the place without showing my face.
As I made my way further into the club, I saw the dance platform with a pole in the middle. Above was a ceiling of mirrors. A shiver ran through me just thinking of what it would look like once the patrons arrived.
A curtain opened and out came a tall woman with blonde hair almost down to her ass. The only thing she was wearing was a silver sequin thong. Although I didn’t want to look, I couldn’t help but notice what great shape she was in. I was almost envious of her physique – tall and slender with large breasts. Everything I wasn’t. Obviously, she was one of the dancers. She gave me a smile and headed in my direction.
“Hi. I’m Sugar. You must be Trixi, the new owner.”
Forcing a smile, I answered, “I guess I am, but everyone calls me Anne.”
“I like the name Trixi so much better. Not so…stuffy if you know what I mean.”
Oh yes I do. “Have you been dan…working here long?”
“Six years. Started when I turned eighteen and said I’d quit once I earn enough to go to college.”
“Still saving?” I asked.
She giggled. “Not for college. Hell, I make more money at The Treasured Chest than any of my friends with a degree.”
I could easily dispute that, but what was the point? I was only here for one reason: so my parents and my aunt could get their share of the money in one year. After that, Sugar and the others would need to find another place to work because The Treasured Chest would be closing its doors for good.
“I should probably let you get ready,” I said.
She smiled and said, “I am. Then she spun around and asked, “What do you think of the tail? Too much?”
“Nope. It’s…fine.” I didn’t want to look at her that closely, but the tail was really nothing more than a fluffy white ball. “Bunny’s tail?”
“Yup. I just can’t find my ears. You don’t have any, do you?” Sugar asked.
“Sorry, I don’t.” Playing dress-up was something I hadn’t done since I was a little girl, and none of my costumes looked like that. “Did you want me to help you look?” I offered.
“Thanks, but I bet the guys won’t even notice they’re missing, if you know what I mean.”
I sure do.
“Okay. Let me know if you change your mind,” I said as I headed to the office in the back.
I opened the door and found Aunt Trixi sitting behind the desk. She looked up and said, “I can’t believe what a mess he’s left. Carl never let his paperwork pile up like this.” Dropping the papers on the desk she said, “God, he must’ve been feeling sick for a while. Why didn’t he tell me? Tell any of us?” she sighed.
Carl wasn’t one who accepted help. He was the one always giving it. “I guess he didn’t want any of us to worry about him.”
“And now he’s….gone.” She lifted her fist into the air and looked up. “Darn you, Carl. You said we’d always be there for each other. You broke your promise.”
I could see that Aunt Trixi was hurting more than she’d let on at the reading of the will. In a soft tone I said, “I guess his way of doing that is by having us work together. So neither of us has to go through this…alone.”
Trixi nodded. “I’m really glad you called me yesterday.”
“So am I. If you weren’t here, I think I’d already have thrown in the towel and locked the doors.”
“Ha. I doubt that. You know what’s riding on keeping this place open. And one thing I know about you is that you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for,” she said. “Carl was so proud of you. Every time your name came up, he bragged about you. Either your grades in college or how well you adjusted to living in Boston. He missed you, but was glad that you were brave enough to follow your dreams.”
I had no idea what her dreams were. I used to think being a stay-at-home wife had been it. The expression on her face said otherwise. “Thanks, but sometimes I think I was just running away. I love my parents, but I needed space. Even though Boston is crowded and loud, I felt like I could at least breath
e there, if you know what I mean.”
“That’s how I ended up working here. My parents were so controlling, and I was… rebellious. I took a job here just to piss them off. It worked. They were so angry they didn’t speak to me for years. Actually, it was your uncle that got us talking again.”
“Really? How?” I wasn’t sure why Carl had to die for me to learn so much more about him.
“It was my birthday, and he planned on asking me to marry him. But he wanted to do it the so-called ‘right way’ and get my parents’ blessing. So he went and had a talk with my father.”
“Wow. How romantic is that?” I said.
“Yeah. He never even complained about the black eye my dad gave him that day for hiring me.”
“Wait. Your dad beat up Uncle Carl?” I couldn’t believe it. Carl stood way over six feet tall and was built like a lumberjack. That’s why he didn’t need a bouncer at the club. He was the biggest guy in town.
“Just one punch. And Carl didn’t tell me, my dad did. On our wedding day.”
“That’s poor timing,” I said, shaking my head.
“Not really. It was kind of sweet. He was walking me down the aisle and whispered it in my ear. He just wanted me to know how much Carl really loved me. Do you know he never even raised a hand to block my dad? He just took the hit so my dad could get out all that anger on him and not on me.” Trixi picked up a photo of her and Carl that was sitting on the desk. “Damn, I miss that stubborn bastard.”
I flopped down in the seat across from her and said, “So do I.”
We sat there quietly as though neither were ready to let go of the memories were holding onto. Uncle Carl, I wish I’d come home more often. I just thought we’d have more time.
Each time he’d call and invite me to Bermoose for a visit, I hesitated, afraid that if I came, he’d try talking me into staying. So I thought up all different ridiculous excuses. I could feel the regret building up within me for being so selfish.
Sniffing to fight back the tears I thought had vanished, I asked, “Where do you recommend I start with all this paperwork?”
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