Understanding Alice Du-Kane

by Riley Walker

  I moan and sit up. “Sorry I fell asleep guys. Did I snore?”

  “Like a freight train,” Oren teases.

  “Butthead,” I say as I punch him in the arm.

  Oren rubs his arm. “Ouch! You’re violent when you wake up.”

  I give him a dirty look. “Okay guys, Dobey and I need to head home. Thanks for the dinner and movie. Maybe next time I’ll actually get to watch the movie.”

  North places my feet on the ground and hands my shoes to me. He stands up and stretches, showing me a peak of his washboard abs when his shirt rides up. Oh my, I’ve got to get out of here. I slip my feet into my shoes and grab Dobey. I’m walking towards the door when Ridge grabs my arm.

  “Alice, we need to talk to you about something.” He looks at me with a serious face.

  I smile at him. “Sure thing, but can it wait? I’m beat and Zoe is probably wondering where I’m at.”

  Ridge runs a hand through his hair. “Of course, Hot Lips. Text us when you get home so we know you’re safe.” He kisses my forehead and opens the front door for me.

  The rest of the Michaelson brothers say bye as I walk out to the car. All four of them stand in the doorway until I get in my car and drive off. I need alcohol, lots of alcohol, and a conversation with my bestie. By the time I get home, Zoe is already asleep. After putting on my pajamas, Dobey and I crawl into bed. I send the guys a group text as promised.

  Me: Home safe & sound, night guys

  Cash: Sweet dreams pretty girl

  Oren: I’ll be dreaming of my desk chair Alley Cat

  Ridge: Night Hot Lips wait… what about a desk chair

  Oren: Nevermind Ridge go to bed

  North: Go to bed dumbasses, Alice R U OK

  Me: Yep, just tired night everyone

  Cash: Don’t call Pretty Girl a dumbass

  North: OMG I meant y’all

  Ridge: What about a desk chair spill it

  I turn my phone on silent. Those chats can go on forever, and I have too much to think about. My uncle is stealing from Du-Kane, Inc., FLAG is almost ready to sell, I’m housing a warehouse full of prostitutes that are becoming drug runners, Puff N’ Stuff needs more edibles, and the Michaelson brothers want to share me like I’m a shiny new toy. Yep, I’m going to need a lot of alcohol and soon.

  Twenty-Four

  The Rules

  Ridge: You ok? Why you been avoiding us lately

  Cash: Pretty Girl what’s wrong

  Oren: Miss you

  North: Talk to us. Please

  I feel guilty about ignoring them, but right now I’m knee deep in other things. I make a note to call them all later tonight and apologize. No matter how I feel about the conversation I overheard the other night, the Michaelson brothers have been very good to me, and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t developed feelings for them. Even the jerk, North.

  My thoughts are interrupted by a small hand tapping me on the arm. I peek down and see Iza. I bend down so I can talk to her at eye level. “Good morning, Iza. What can I do for you, precious.”

  “Miss Alice, my momma signed me up for the Girl Scouts, and they are making me sell cookies. Do you think you could help me?”

  I think for a second. I could buy all her boxes, but I’m sure that isn’t what her mom, Erica, had in mind when she told little Iza to ask me. Then it hits me.

  “I have the perfect place for you to sell all your cookies. I hope you have a lot of boxes, because I have a feeling you are going to sell out very quickly. Just be sure to save me a box of those Thin Mints, okay?”

  Iza smiles big and runs off to find her momma. This may not be the best idea I’ve ever had, but it’s a damn sure smart one.

  “What in the heck is going on out there?” John is peering out the front window, a scowl on his weathered face.

  “What do you mean, John?” I ask while acting clueless. “I don’t see anything out of the ordinary going on.”

  “Don’t you toy with me, Alice. There’s a little girl in front of a pot store, your pot store, selling Girl Scout cookies to the customers.”

  I shrug my shoulder. “Everyone gets the munchies, John. Especially potheads.”

  “Whatever you say. You’re the boss lady.”

  I turn and face him. “When I thought about where to put her, I was actually thinking of gaining the attention of all the older ladies from the gym next door. It didn’t cross my mind about our customers buying from here until we set her up.” I begin to wipe down the counters, again. What is it about people wanting to put their hands all over glass cases? “Anyway, you have to admit, she looks pretty cute sitting out there in her uniform selling the cookies. Who could say no to that face, John?”

  He just grumbles as he walks away from the door, but I see the small smile on his face. Even stuffy John can’t deny Iza her happiness at selling box after box of those things. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s the top seller of her entire troop.

  I’ve called a meeting with all the ladies at the warehouse tonight. We need to discuss the rules and what is expected, also the location each one is to take. Zoe assures me the new product, FLAG, will be ready to roll out within the week. Before I start the meeting, I send out a text to the guys. It isn’t right for me to ignore them, but I just can’t deal with what they were talking about the other night. Not yet.

  Me: Sorry. Been super busy. Will call you all later

  Cash: K Pretty Girl

  Oren: Call when u can

  Ridge: Call 2nite Hot Lips

  North: We’ll be waiting for that call

  “Evening everyone!” I put my best smile on. “We need to go over a few things. First, Mrs. Bell will be here first thing tomorrow to take everyone to Target for clothes and other supplies. I know we’ve already purchased a few things, but you are going to all need more and once we start selling, we won’t have as much free time on our hands. Next, we need to discuss territories. I can’t put any of you where you used to work. We need to stay far away from any of those places as possible. We can’t risk running into any of your pimps when we’re out there.” I thought about this a lot last night. This is my main concern for the ladies. Even if their previous employer doesn’t see them, someone else may and that could end very badly. I roll over the large map of Memphis I had blown up and attached to a stand. I’ve added lines to form grids so we can divide it out easily. “I need each of you to come up here and put an X where you used to work, then we can decide on the best areas to begin. We obviously won’t be working corners,” I say as I roll my eyes at the thought of sending them to a corner to sell FLAG, “so we need to make use of the contacts we do have that we can trust. Old friends, customers, preachers, anyone and everyone we can think of.” The preacher comment gets a laugh, but I happen to know a certain minister that sells to his entire congregation. He’s on my list to go see as soon as FLAG is ready. “Also, we aren’t just going to be selling the product in bags, but also in edibles. Brownies, cookies, cakes, things like that. These items will need to be ordered. It might seem a little weird to walk around Memphis with bags full of baked goods.”

  I step back from the map and let them all start marking it. It looks like most of them were mostly on the south side. I can definitely work with this. I want to expand us out east. Hit up the stay-at-home-moms, single women, reading groups, and whoever else that would be a client you’d never suspect. The ladies’ safety is my top priority. Getting them out of the city limits and selling to proper women, aka the Upper Class, I think will work to our benefit.

  Once they have all finished with the map I take a deep breath and get to the only rule I have.

  “I only have a few rules that I absolutely insist must be followed. You cannot, in anyway, touch the product. No using at anytime. This includes smoking or eating the edibles. If I catch you doing so, you’re automatically out. That is the quickest way for us to get caught, and for you to be noticed and bring possible harm to everyone else. I want to trust you, and I want you to trust m
e. However, before I get to know all of you, for now, we will be having mandatory drug testing.”

  I wait for them to stop groaning. I knew this wouldn’t go over well. Not that I think they will all start using, but because these women gave up everything to come work for me, and I should show them the same faith they have shown me. Unfortunately, I’m a business person first and I need to protect myself, Zoe, and Du-Kane, Inc.

  “I know you hate it, but it’s what has to happen. Sally will be handling them when the time comes.”

  I give them a moment to digest it all before I tell them the rest of the rules. These should be easier for them to accept than the drug tests. “Two more things, no more prostitution. I don’t care what or who is offered to you, just say no.” I inwardly snort to myself over that one.

  “Lastly, don’t get caught. You’re all smart ladies, don’t sell to the cops, know your surroundings, and please, don’t get picked up with FLAG on you.” I clap my hands together. “Alright, that sums it all up. There’s food over there, so eat all you can and have a great night. Don’t forget, Mrs. Bell will be here first thing tomorrow.”

  I walk over to Sally who is in the back of the room, leaning against the wall. “How do you think it went?”

  “You did good, Alice. I don’t think we’re going to have any problems with them. They are all too grateful to be out of the environments they were in. If nothing else, they’ll do what's right for their kids.”

  I nudge her with my shoulder. “I’m really glad you’re here, Sally. Thank you for taking this all on. I know it can be a handful, but I knew if anyone could handle it, you could.”

  Sally chuckles at me. “Spit it out, Alice. What do you want?”

  “Moi?” I push off the wall and look her in the eyes. “I don’t want anything. I just needed to tell you again how much I appreciate you.”

  “Stop being sappy. I’m surprised you don’t have at least one of those hot guys here with you tonight.”

  I huff before I can answer. “I have some thinking to do on that front. They may want more from me than I can give them.”

  “What do you mean, more?”

  I raise my eyebrow at her.

  “Ohhhhh. That kind of more? All four of them?”

  I nod my head at her. “I overheard them talking the other night when they thought I was asleep.” I smack her on the arm when she smirks at me. “I fell asleep on the couch during a movie. Get your head out of the gutter, Sally.”

  “Alice, I have to say, if anyone could handle four men, it’s definitely you. Is it because what you think others would say? I say go for it. Hell, if there were four hunky brothers all wanting me, I’d have my bags packed and a case of condoms with me before you could count to ten. Forget everything else, just go with your heart. What is it telling you to do?”

  I grab up my old friend in a hug, whispering in her ear, “Thank you.”

  Stepping away from Sally, I pull my phone out of my back pocket. She’s right, I need to forget all the misconceptions I have and do what my heart says, and my heart says I’d be an idiot not to see where this could go.

  Me: My house. Tomorrow at 7

  Ridge: Done

  Oren: Bringing wine

  Cash: Bringing me

  North: I’ll be there

  Twenty-Five

  Sharing Is Caring

  It’s been a long week and I’m nervous about the guys coming over. Before I get ready, I need to check on Zoe. We’ve hardly seen each other over the last week. I, of course, find her in the greenhouse. When I walk through the door, she is hunched over a table studying something I can’t see.

  Zoe looks up at me and gives me a funny look. “What’s wrong, Al?’

  I shrug. “How do you know something is wrong?”

  “I’m your best friend, I can tell when something is bothering you.”

  I roll my eyes at her. “The guys are coming over tonight and I need to have the talk with them.”

  She laughs. “You mean the ‘how do I date you all’ and ‘I don’t have that many holes’ talk?”

  “Ugh, do you have to say it like that? By the way, how’s it coming in here?”

  “Nice subject change.” Zoe chuckles. “I’ll need your help tomorrow. The plants are cured, and we need to manicure the buds.”

  I clap with excitement. “I can’t believe it. Your baby is about to hit the streets.”

  Zoe points at me. “Our baby, and yes, I’m excited, too. I’ve got a date with Ben tonight and I’ll probably stay at his house, so you’ll have privacy with your guys. We should both go get ready.”

  We walk out of the greenhouse securing the door behind us. “They aren’t my guys, yet.”

  Zoe just shakes her head and I follow her into the main house. We both part ways to head to our rooms. After a shower, I’m standing in my closet trying to find something to wear. At first I think I should dress to impress, but I decide to go for sexy comfortable instead. I definitely don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard. I put on a pair of tight yoga shorts and a pink off the shoulder t-shirt that says Will Run For Donuts across the chest. I’m going barefoot because I just had a pedicure, and my pink toes are adorable. The girl even painted a marijuana leaf on the big toenails. I pull my long dark hair up into a messy bun, and call in Italian for delivery. No reason to have a serious conversation on an empty stomach.

  The doorbell rings as I’m coming down the stairs. Dobey runs past me barking like crazy. When I open the door all four of the Michaelson brothers are standing there. They look so good it takes my breath away. I step back to let them enter.

  “Hi, guys,” I say and give them a nervous smile.

  Cash pulls me in for a hug. “You look good, Pretty Girl.”

  Ridge grabs me from behind, pulling me away from Cash. He squeezes me and whispers in my ear, “I’ve missed you, Hot Lips.”

  Just as the doorbell rings again, Oren and North both mumble, “Hi.”

  I excuse myself and open the door again. The takeout guy hands me the four full bags, takes his money, and leaves.

  I walk past the guys, stopping to watch North petting Dobey, before heading to the kitchen. “I ordered Italian,” I holler.

  They follow me into the kitchen and Cash gets out plates and silverware while North grabs bottles of beer out of the fridge.

  “What are we having?” Oren asks.

  I give him a sheepish smile. “I really wasn’t sure what to order so there is lots to choose from. We have salad, bread, lasagna, cheese manicotti, chicken alfredo, baked ziti, and chicken parmesan.”

  “I’ll have one of everything, ” Ridge says as he begins to pile on a little bit of everything onto his plate.

  North rolls his eyes. “All you care about is your stomach.”

  Ridge pouts. “Not true. I care about Hot Lips.”

  We each fill up our plates and sit around the bar.

  Oren clears his throat. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you invited us over, but why have you been avoiding us?”

  I put down my fork, no longer hungry. “To be honest, I overheard your conversation the other night. The one about sharing me like I’m some new toy.”

  I’m surprised when North is the one to speak first. “Alice, we didn’t mean it like that. We all like you and are willing to try sharing in order to keep you. We’ve never dated the same girl before so it would be new to us. Do you really think you could choose just one of us?”

  “Say we try this. How would it work? Won’t you all get jealous? What will people say?” I begin to ramble on.

  Cash holds up his hand. “Take a breath, Pretty Girl. We can take it one step at a time. I’m sure there will be some jealousy, but as long as we have equal time with you, and we agree not to talk to each other about private matters, we think we can make this work. As for what people will say, we should probably keep it quiet till we’re sure it will work.”

  The guys are looking at me with hopeful faces. I stand up and start pacing the fl
oor. “I’m willing to give it a go, but y’all can’t date anyone else. I know it’s not fair that you’ll be sharing me, but there is no way I could share any of you with another girl.”

  Ridge starts laughing at me. “Hot Lips, we don’t want to date other girls. We want you, and we hope you want us, too.”

  Oren grabs my wrist to stop my pacing. “Open communication will be the key to making this work. Also kissing, lots of kissing.”

  Open communication? I stop and think about FLAG and the progress Zoe has made. How am I going to tell them about not only FLAG, but the real reason I have a warehouse full of ex-prostitutes?

  I sit back down and watch the brothers start eating again. My stomach is too tied in knots to attempt food, instead I pass pieces of bread to Dobey.

  “Penny for your thoughts, Alley Cat?”

  I smile at Oren. “I was just thinking about work. How about after dinner, we try to watch another movie?”

  “I’m done, so I’ll help you start cleaning up,” North says as he stands and comes around toward the sink.

  The rest of the guys bring us their plates and I direct them to the family room and tell them to find a movie. Once everyone but North has left, I give myself a pep talk and turn to look North in the eyes.

  “Just ask me whatever it is you want. I can hear you thinking all the way over here.”

  I look down, shaking my head. “You never once gave me a reason to believe you liked me. Why now? Why would you, of all people, agree to share someone, especially me?”

  He takes his time drying his hands off before he turns to face me. North reaches over, grabbing my hips and pulls me close to him. “Alice, I have wanted you since the moment you kicked my ass in that mock trial. You were so beautiful, so confident, but the timing, it just wasn’t right. When I decided to stop stalling and making excuses, we found out your father had passed away. Once my brothers met you and took to you so quickly, I knew it would never be just me and you.” He takes a deep. “This isn’t going to be easy, especially if we pursue a career in law. But for you, all four of us would do anything to try and make this work.”