Page 48 of Bourbon Deceit
“Meet-up group?” I asked, not knowing what the hell he was talking about.
“Yeah, it’s a website where people who are looking to get out in the community and do things with others meet up, hence the name. There are so many different kinds of groups and they usually revolve around a particular interest, like dog lovers or quilters.”
“Quilters?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.
“You know, sewing,” Jeremy said, making a sewing motion.
“I know what quilters are, I just didn’t know there existed enough to form a group.”
“You would be surprised the kind of groups there are out there. Quilters Republic is tame compared to some of the other ones, like Swingers and Lovers of Anal Plugs. It can get scary.”
I held up my hand, not wanting Jeremy to explain any further. He got the hint and continued with his story.
“So, I started attending one for personal assistants. It’s supposed to be for networking, but everyone just complains about their bosses and shares secrets.”
The hairs on the back of my neck tingled as I stood up and hovered over Jeremy, who’d had the fear of God instantly put into his eyes.
“What the fuck are you telling me?” I asked, trying not to lose my temper but finding it quite difficult.
“Before you get all worked up,” Jeremy said quickly. “No one knows I work for you. They think I work for some prissy-ass author.”
Feeling better, I sat down in my chair and grabbed my glass of bourbon. “Continue.” I waved my hand at him.
“Well, I made friends with some assistants to some really important people, and was able to get the skinny on what’s going down with Lot 17.”
A small smirk crossed my face. “Am I going to have to give you a pay raise?”
“You might, but we can talk about that later,” he said with a wink. “I was talking to Bernie Butler’s assistant and apparently you got to him at the event, because he turned down the offer your dad made him. Since he is a member of the club, he didn’t want to screw up any kind of relationship he had with you.”
“Smart man,” I responded, happy with my ability to put fear in another man.
“I also heard that the bidding process has been brought to the attention of the mayor, and now that he’s running for a second term, he wants to run an honest campaign, meaning, anything he hears that sounds shady, he wants nothing to do with. So, your dad’s unsolicited bid for Lot 17 has been rejected, and he is going to have to go about it like everyone else.”
Jeremy sat back in his chair, crossed his legs, and smiled at me.
“Wow, Iamgoing to have to give you a pay raise.”
“That or a gay cruise, all expenses paid.”
“Don’t push your luck,” I said, as what Jeremy said to me soaked in. “That is great news. Thank you, Jeremy.”
“Any time, sir. I feel like I’m just as invested in this program as you are, and you know I would do anything for you. If it weren’t for you, I would be out on the streets on my ass after my parents disowned me.”
I shook off his comments. I didn’t care for praise much, especially when it came to me helping someone out. It was just a duty as someone who was born into a privileged life.
“Think nothing of it,” I responded as I went back to signing more papers. It’s all I ever did, scrawl my name with ink every damn day of my life.
“Well, that being said, I have you and Lo set up for the Hopkins Social this coming Friday. I have already talked to Tootse about a dress and she is on it. Do you still want to bring Lo?”
“Yes,” I said without even giving it a second thought. The past couple of days had really opened up my eyes to a new world, one that revolved around Goldie. I never thought I would see myself in such a vulnerable position again but I couldn’t stay away, she was addicting, so now, all I wanted was Goldie near me. It actually pained me to know she was downstairs practicing and I was up here, signing my life away. I wanted more time with her.
“Oh okay, I wasn’t expecting you to answer so quickly.” I didn’t respond so Jeremy cleared his throat and continued, “I’m not positive on the guest list but so far, neither your dad nor Rex Titan should be there and it’s too late to RSVP, so it looks like you’ll be clear to talk to some of the city planners.”
For a moment, I forgot about my dad and Rex. I knew there was going to be a time when I would run into them again, which wouldn’t bother me. What would bother me, though, would be running into them with Goldie. I didn’t need to show any weaknesses and Goldie was a weakness, she was my fucking Achilles heel.
“Good, if they do show up on the attendee list you are to inform me.”
“Yes, sir.”
