Chapter Three -- Avery
Avery entered the boardroom, shaking his clients’ hands and welcoming them. Mr. James Davis had once again come to the aid of his rebellious son, Dawson, who had gotten himself in a real pickle this time.
The Davis family was known for their wealth. They were old money, living off the wealth and financial planning of those before them. That’s what was wrong with Dawson. He had been given everything from a young age and now expected the world to fall to its knees before him.
“Good to see you again, Mr. Davis,” Avery said, his professional smile firmly in place. He glanced at Dawson, who was already sitting down. “I just wish it was under better circumstances.”
“Better circumstances would be preferred,” James said, taking a seat next to his son. “But at least we have you in our corner so things could be much worse.” He folded his hands on the table. “So what are we looking at?”
Avery sat down across from his clients. “I’m not going to lie. It’s going to be a long road with this one.” He nodded towards the younger Davis. “Dawson’s gotten into a lot of trouble over the years. With his history, it’s going to be difficult to sell him as an innocent kid to a jury.”
“I figured it would,” James said, looking over at his son. He didn’t look happy. “Just do your best, Avery. That’s all I ask. I know at this point…,” he sighed. “He’s had plenty of chances to straighten up. I know at this point it will basically take a miracle to keep him out from behind bars.”
Avery could tell James had no idea about what to do with his trouble-making son. A little tough love was needed, but Avery didn’t think James had it in him to lay down the law. It might be out of his hands now. Dawson would be lucky to avoid jail with this one. He flipped through the file, although he didn’t really need to. He had the details memorized.
The case was pretty cut and dry; a textbook example on how to end up in jail. Dawson had gotten drunk at a party, got bored, and then proceeded to drive around town.
He didn’t give a rat’s ass about how his actions affected others. His daddy and the family’s money had always insulated him from the consequences of what he had done in the past, and he assumed this would simply be how it always was., so he had raced down the streets of Houston, blasting through red lights as if he were at home playing a video game. And then he had hit a car full of teenage girls on their way to a movie.
The wreck was one of the worst Avery had ever seen… and he had seen a lot. The photographs taken by the police had shown the twisted wreckage in all its horrendous glory. Dawson had T-boned the car going more than eighty miles an hour. The girls didn’t stand a chance.
Only Dawson survived.
The girls’ families wanted Dawson to answer for the loss of their beautiful daughters, and Avery was in a terrible spot. He felt for the parents, knew they deserved justice, deserved to see Dawson behind bars. But it was his job to defend the irresponsible punk. Dawson deserved whatever the jury threw at him for killing those poor girls, and it was Avery’s job to make sure he wasn’t punished… or at least not punished as much as he should be.
Avery looked pointedly at Dawson. “There’s no way around it. You won’t walk away from this one without doing some time. Do you understand what that means?”
Dawson’s hands trembled. “I can’t go to prison, Avery. You got to do something, man.”
Avery sighed. “The thing is, Dawson, your father and I have bailed your ass out so many times, and there comes a time when you have to pay the piper.” He shook his head. “You’ve done more than your share of dancing, boy, and you’ve reach your limit. The piper wants to be paid.”
He leaned forward, nailing Dawson to the spot with his eyes. “All I can do on this one is try to make a deal with the district attorney; lessen the time you’ll serve.” He shrugged. “And even that might not work. The DA might not want to work a deal.” He resisted the urge to smile when he saw the fear in Dawson’s eyes.
Considering the doom and gloom that hung heavily in the air, the meeting went surprisingly well, at least by Avery’s standards. Probably not so much in the opinion of the Davis’. They said their goodbyes to Avery, trying to look positive and upbeat, and left, leaving Dawson’s life in his hands.
Chapter Four -- Peyton
After talking with her friends about The Boardroom, Peyton felt like a failure. Was this what life had reduced her to? Thoughts as to what kind of job The Boardroom could possibly offer her raced through her mind.
She wasn’t a virgin, but taking her clothes off for a stranger was not something she had ever envisioned herself doing. Brianna had assured her it wasn’t that kind of place, but what other kind of place could it be? Just go on dates with rich guys? Since when did rich guys have to pay to have someone go on a date with them?
“Dear god,” she mumbled to herself, “please help me... help us. If I have to resort to…” She couldn’t even bring herself to finish the sentence. Her brother and sister deserved to have all the opportunities life had to offer, all the opportunities fate had deprived her of. She wouldn’t let them down.
After spending the afternoon buying groceries – what little bit she could afford – Peyton raced home. The bills were piling up. She needed to make a move before she was buried so deep in debt she couldn’t see the light of day. Sitting in the driveway, she snatched her phone from her purse and called Brianna.
“Hey,” she said, hoping she didn’t lose her nerve. “I was thinking about what you said this morning. I’m going to check out that job at The Boardroom.”
“That’s great,” Brianna said in her usual upbeat tone. “I got a business card for you from a friend of mine. She’s actually worked there.”
“Good,” Peyton replied, a little relief flooding through her. The place couldn’t be too bad if Brianna was friends with someone who worked there, could it? “We can talk about it tonight. See ya later… and thanks, Brianna.” Peyton said, before disconnecting the call. Tossing the phone back in her purse, she got out of the car, grabbed the groceries from the trunk, and headed inside.
Chapter Five -- Avery
The day moved along at a snail’s pace. Phone calls, meetings, and a seemingly endless flow of message after message kept coming until Avery had finally had enough. He needed a stiff drink. The lack of sleep was doing a number on him, making it difficult to concentrate. Every time he closed his eyes, even for the briefest of moments, he saw the faceless beauty. She beckoned to him, almost seeming to taunt him, daring him to find her.
Sitting at his desk, he closed his eyes yet again and welcomed the woman of his imagination, letting her enter the meadow within his mind to chase away the pressure of the workday. She danced through the meadow in a sundress, her skin glowing in the sun. Just like every time before, he was engulfed with the powerful urge to reach out and touch her, to rub his hands over her body and hold her close. He could almost smell the sunshine on her skin.
“Damn, I want you,” he whispered into his quiet office, silently begging her to reveal her face, pleading for those hidden features to take form before him. She continued to dance and twirl, her identity remaining hidden, a mystery that refused to be unlocked.
Avery opened his eyes, pushing his chair away from his desk. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he stood and made his way to the little bar built in to the wall across the room. He plucked a crystal decanter off the bar. He had received it as a gift from his college buddies years ago. It was unique and classy, with a diamond pattern that refracted light in an ornate rainbow of colors.
He pulled the stopper and poured a generous portion of amber liquid into a matching glass that had the same diamond pattern, breathing in the rich aroma of the spirits within. Replacing the stopper, he took a sip, enjoying how the liquid burned his throat, warming him as he swallowed.
Voices in the reception area broke the silence he so desperately clung to. His longtime friends and business partners, Chad, Mike, Damon, and Derrick were flirt
ing with Alice. She was a lovely, middle-aged woman who had lost her husband to cancer two years earlier and hadn’t felt the need to enter the dating scene again. He was jealous of the peace that filled her life and wanted so much to have the type of relationship she had with her husband. The guys flirted respectfully, knowing she would never give them a chance. If she was attracted to them, she never let on about it.
Avery’s office door opened and his friends entered. “Avery, my man, what’s happening? Want to head to the bar with us?” Derrick asked, falling onto the black leather couch in the center of the office.
Chad raised his eyebrows knowingly, “Derrick, you know Avery isn’t going to come with is. Although he would have a good time for a change.”
“I’ll go,” Avery said, shocking the group. “Seems I really need more than one drink to loosen up tonight.”
“Dude, you never give in. What’s up with you lately?” Mike asked, eyebrow arched. He glanced at Damon, wondering if he knew anything since they had known each other the longest. Damon returned the look and shrugged.
“The past few months have been tiring,” Avery said, frustration in his voice. “I’m just sick to death of being alone. The dating scene sucks and the girls I’ve went out with... well... they’re not for me.” He sighed, looking into his glass. “I thought I had come to terms with flying solo. I definitely don’t need anyone.” He glanced at his friends, wondering what they might think about this next part. “But then I started having dreams about this really hot woman. A woman I’ve never actually met in real life.” He chuckled. “I don’t even know if she exists in real life.” He sipped his drink, looking at each of his friends in turn, as if daring them to say something sarcastic.
The guys sat in silence, exchanging looks of concern for their friend. Damon broke the silence. “I understand what you mean, Avery, and I think I know a way to help you out.”
Avery sighed. “Really? And how is that?” Damon was a wild kind of guy; a nice guy, but a born party animal and lady’s man. He was pretty sure he wouldn’t be interested in any of his friend’s dating advice.
“A few of my clients have mentioned this club that caters to the elite; The Boardroom.” He flashed Avery a wicked grin. “They specialize in finding partners for men and women.”
“Partners?” Avery asked. “Damon, I’m not interested in an escort or a fucking stripper! I want...” Avery left it at that, unable to finish the sentence, unsure of exactly what he wanted.
“It’s not like that,” Damon said. “I know you would never go for that kind of thing… and I’d never suggest it, but you should give the place a try. You don’t have anything to lose. We can check the place out tonight.”
“Fine,” Avery mumbled. Humoring his friends was the easiest route. He’d go along willingly and then they could all forget about it after it didn’t work out. If he got stubborn about not going, they’d just get stubborn about making him go.
After several drinks, the guys decided to take a drive to The Boardroom and see what the place was all about. Avery wasn’t sure if it would be best to go alone or with his friends, but they probably wouldn’t believe he went unless they saw with their own eyes, so going as a group became the plan. His faceless love was out there somewhere. She was more than just a product of his over-heated imagination. He could feel it in his bones. She probably wouldn’t be at a place called The Boardroom but he’d never find her if he didn’t start looking sooner or later.
Chapter Six -- Peyton
The girls were gathered around the kitchen table awaiting the arrival of the pizza delivery guy. With classes to attend and homework to do, they had each had a very long and tiring day. Peyton wanted to discuss the possibility of “The Boardroom” with them and get their opinions. She would need their support and help covering for her with her brother and sister.
The pizza arrived and everyone dove in like a pack of wild animals. It was moments like this that reminded Peyton why she worked so hard to provide a safe and loving home for her family. Looking around the table at everyone smiling, laughing, and talking made her heart melt.
She wished her parents could be here to see how well Jacob and Maggie were doing. The grief still had not passed and she wasn’t sure it ever really would. It would take time. She just had to be there for them when the emotions finally surfaced.
She cried herself to sleep many nights, worrying if she’d be strong enough to hold the family together. It was hard to walk through a house that held so many memories, but those same memories made it easier, too, making it sometimes feel like her parents were still there, watching over them. Tonight was one of those moments.
After dinner, Jacob and Maggie went to their rooms to do homework. Thankfully, that was one thing she didn’t have to worry about. They studied hard, determined to do the best they could, and for that, she was grateful.
They were good kids. The discipline their parents had instilled in them easy to see. Peyton knew they would succeed in whatever they decided to do with their lives, which was why she was determined they have every possible opportunity available to them. Even if that meant making extra money at The Boardroom.
With the kids studying and dinner taken care of, the house seemed to be wrapped in a calm quiet; something rare with so many people under one roof. It was time to have a heart-to-heart chat with her friends and get the advice she desperately needed.
The five of them gathered in the living room, glasses of wine at the ready. With the conversation that was coming, a little liquid courage couldn’t hurt.
Peyton cleared her throat and took a large gulp of wine. It was time to get down to business. “Okay. I’ve decided to see what The Boardroom is all about. Money is beyond tight. I have to do something. I need advice... from all of you.” She looked around at her friends. They all nodded, knowing this was a hard conversation for Peyton. They had been friends long enough to know she hated to admit she needed help.
After a lengthy conversation – and two bottles of wine – the group had decided Peyton would call and schedule an interview at The Boardroom. From what they had learned about the private club, the girls could tell it wasn’t a strip club, but more of a dating service for the wealthy.
It sounded safe… and there was a certain amount of adventure attached to the whole idea of working in such a place. With discretion about the club and its members obviously being so important, it should be easy to keep her employment secret. That’s if she could even get hired.
Chapter Seven -- Avery
Avery and the guys filed out of the black stretch limo, ready to see what The Boardroom had to offer. As they approached the entrance, Avery took a deep breath and said a silent prayer, hoping this wouldn’t be a lost cause. Stepping through the entrance, Damon grasped Avery by the shoulder. “Relax buddy. You don’t have to marry anyone tonight. Just relax and have a good time.”
“Right,” Avery muttered, glancing around the main room of The Boardroom.
The room was sterile but strangely luxurious. From floor to ceiling, the walls were constructed of glass, with streams of water rushing from top to bottom. What little light the room had was due to large lave-lamp-like stands at the base of each table throughout the room.
Everything about the The Boardroom shouted power and prestige. The silver furnishings were a nice touch, blending smoothly with the glistening water flowing in the walls. Despite his doubts, Avery thought for a moment this was actually his kind of place. The guys had already made themselves at home at a table near the dance floor in the center of the room. From that spot, they could see what was going on in the entire room.
“That could be a good thing,” Avery mumbled under his breath, still not wanting to admit he liked the place.
A soft, gentle voice brought Avery from his thoughts. “Mr. Roderick, I presume.”
Turning around, Avery noticed a short, heavy-set woman in her late fifties looking up at him. “Yes. I’m Mr. Roderick. And you are?”
“I’m Trixi
e Davenport,” she said, her eyes roaming his body slowly before returning to his face. “I own this fine establishment.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Davenport. But how do you know who I am? Being this is my first visit here.” Avery asked, a concerned look on his face.
The woman laughed softly. “Oh, my dear boy. It’s Miss Davenport, and I make it my business to know the eligible bachelors in this town, because after all, it really is my business, if you know what I mean,” she said, motioning her hand across the room filled with men and women.
“I see,” Avery said. “Shall we take a seat? I have a few questions about your services.”
“Sure. We’ll chat in my office. I’m assuming privacy is of the utmost importance.” She winked. “It usually is.” She turned before he could think of a response. “This way, Mr. Roderick,” she said, without looking back.
Avery followed Trixie down a narrow hallway to her office. He had so many questions. If Trixie could do everything his friends had said, then he was in good hands, and by the look of the place, Trixie knew what she was doing. He still didn’t think the woman of his dreams would be here, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t.
Entering the office, Avery took a seat in front of Trixie’s desk. He held back a smile, unable to remember the last time he had sat on the client-side of any desk. It was vaguely unsettling, as if he were willingly giving control to someone else. He felt like a child begging for a cookie before dinner.
The Boardroom (New Adult Contemporary Romance) Page 2