Page 68 of Bourbon Kingdom
“I’m so glad you two could join me tonight,” Jett stated with cool composure. “Especially given your new circumstances.”
“What the hell do you want?” Leo asked, raising his voice. The man was angry. I actually hadn’t seen him since the club was raided by the police.
“We’ll get to that,” Jett smiled. “What I really want to talk about is your embezzlement and financial problems. Father, I thought you were better than that.”
Leo leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re just finding too much humor in this situation, aren’t you?”
“Where is the humor when it comes to you screwing over thousands of people with a Ponzi scheme? A Ponzi scheme! What about your little prostitution ring, did you really think you weren’t going to be caught? You’re despicable.”
“Like you’re one to talk, with the Lafayette Club; you don’t think that’s despicable?” I stated. “You did the same thing as us with those girls, you just cover it up better.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. The Lafayette Club doesn’t even come close to what you two were conducting behind closed doors. I offered the girls an opportunity to better themselves, all you did was blackmail those girls into working for you. Do you really think that’s a way to conduct business?”
“Is that what this is?” Leo asked, “A little economics lesson?” Leo snorted and then leaned forward. “The only reason you’re in the position you’re in right now is because of me. I suggest you don’t forget that.”
“Once again, you’re wrong. I’m in the position I’m in today because I worked my ass off and utilized the heart my mother gave me, rather than the empty soul you tried to instill upon me. There’s conducting business, and there’s stealing from others, taking advantage of human beings, and that’s where you two faltered. The power got to you, and now, you’re going to reap what you deserve.”
“You think you’re so perfect, don’t you?” Leo asked, growing angrier by the second.
“No, I don’t, actually. I’m far from it, thanks to you and the manipulative childhood I had to endure.”
“Ahh, is that what you’re calling it? Manipulative? I taught you everything you know; I gave you a set of steel balls, boy.”
Even though I was in a world of trouble and looking at possibly a lifetime in prison, I was rather enjoying the little “Daddy hates me” conversation that was going on. I knew for a fact Leo despised his own son; he’d told me many times. That was why Leo had taken me under his wing. When I thought about it, maybe that hadn’t been the smartest decision on my part.
“The only thing I learned from you is how not to treat people, how not to conduct yourself in a professional atmosphere, and how to push someone as far away from you as possible,” Jett trailed off as he looked down at his hands.
It was easy to see his last comment struck a nerve with him, and I knew exactly why.
A laugh escaped me as I pointed out, “Seems like you took daddy dearest’s advice when it came to Goldie.”
A sharp look from Jett tried to split me in half, but I was unfazed by his glares by now.
“Goldie isn’t a topic we discuss, ever.”
Both Leo and I laughed together. I turned to Leo and said, “At least we were able to take away the one thing he wanted, even though he denied it constantly.”
“There is nothing between Goldie and me,” Jett cut in. “Like I said . . .”
Leo held up his hand and cut him off. “Save us the bullshit. We know how much that girl means to you; it’s undeniable, so stop making a fool of yourself and trying to contradict your feelings for the woman.I’m just glad she came to her senses and left you.”
Jett’s jaw ticked as he tried to think of what to say next. I could see his mind working, trying to find a way to justify what happened between him and Goldie, but it was useless. The man knew exactly how he pushed her away, which was punishment enough.
Clearing his throat, Jett sat up and said, “Goldie is not the reason why I came here. I came here to tell you that your assets will be repossessed and will find a safe home.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, while I could feel the fury start to boil up in Leo.
“I’m going to tell it to you two straight. I’ve already talked to the bank, and once you are convicted, which you will be, there is no denying that, I’ve made it my mission to own everything you two have ever purchased together, at a very decent rate, thanks to my many connections. So, your little empire you thought you built, that will be mine.”
“You son of a bitch,” Leo roared, as he reached across the table. Jett scooted out of his chair just in time to avoid his father’s attack.
In rage, I watched as the man who’d been my nemesis ever since I could remember, adjusted his tie and looked down on us.
“Good luck, boys, have fun in prison.”
With that, Jett Colby walked out of my life, probably for the last time.
I buried my head in my hands and tried to comprehend what was happening, as my stomach twisted in knots. Never in my life did I think I would ever hit rock bottom, but here I fucking was, without a lifesaver to be tossed out to me. I was totally and utterly fucked.
