Page 48 of Bourbon Kingdom
“Please show him in,” I replied, grabbing two glasses of bourbon for myself and Zane.
Last night, Zane let me know that everything had gone according to our plan, and set up a time to discuss the details with me today. I couldn’t be more eager about gathering the information from Zane, not just because I would be able to finally lock up the feud between myself, Rex, and my dad, but because it meant I would be able to take my little one back. At least, I hoped she would want to come back.
I was still very sour about the whole situation, and I hated that she showed up with Rex, actually despised the whole notion of her being on his arm. The light taste I’d gotten of her last night had only made me crave her more. It was a slice of heaven that wasn’t guaranteed, which made me realize, even though she was with me in that moment, it didn’t mean she really wanted to be with me.
If Goldie left me, it wouldn’t be the first time a woman had left me for Rex. The thought made me sick to my stomach. I wanted to convince myself she wanted to be with me and she wanted nothing to do with Rex, but there was always that nagging thought in the back of my mind that brought me back to the day Natasha left. It happened once; it sure as hell could happen again.
The door to my office opened and Zane Black walked in, wearing a black suit with a white button-up shirt that was undone at the top. The man exuded confidence, but wasn’t too cocky about it, something I respected about him.
“Z, it’s nice to see you,” I greeted, while handing him a glass of my favorite bourbon.
He tilted the glass toward me and said, “Jett, always a pleasure.”
“Please, sit down.”
We both sat down in the seating area of my office, which offered a more relaxed environment.
“I sent you an email with all the data and evidence I was able to collect,” Zane started off. “Have you received it?”
“I have, but haven’t had a chance to look at it quite yet. I thought I would allow you to tell me everything. I plan on sending it off to my detective friend and giving him a call once we finish our meeting.”
“I’m sure your friend will be excited. You were right about the phone, Rex collected it right before I walked through the doors. The man knows he’s conducting illegal business and is doing everything in his power to make sure he’s not caught.”
“Did the watch work out all right?” I asked.
“Perfectly. I was able to record everything Rex said and take some pictures. Some of the things on there are a bit graphic because, I’ll be honest, what Rex has going on in there is rather indecent. I won’t go too far into it, but the main reason he is able to keep staff on board is because he’s blackmailing them all. The employees look depressed, lifeless actually.”
Thoughts of Goldie ran through my mind, and I wondered if she was one of the ones Zane saw. She and Rex were late to the event last night, so it did cross my mind that Zane might have seen Goldie, but I refused to ask; I didn’t want to drag Zane into that aspect of my life.
“That’s sad,” I responded, feeling sorry for the girls who were stuck under Rex’s grasp.
“I wasn’t able to get any proof of the quote unquote contracts Rex had his employees sign, but I’m sure your detective will be able to find them. Even though those girls are selling their bodies to the men in that club, they clearly don’t want to be there, you could see it in their eyes.”
Was Goldie one of the girls he was talking about? The curiosity was starting to burn a hole in my soul. I couldn’t stand to think of Goldie exposing herself to such men, letting them touch her.
“Are you all right?” Zane asked, as he tried to gather my attention.
Clearing my head, I nodded. “Long night last night. Do you believe you got enough material to take them down?”
“I do,” Zane responded. “I recorded Rex talking about the club; no doubt they will be able to put him away for this.”
The thought of Rex and my father in jail brought a smile to my face. That was exactly where they belonged, and thanks to my connections, I would be damned if they got away with anything less than jail time.
“Well, I can’t tell you how appreciative I am to you for you going in there for me and gathering evidence.”
“Hey, it was kind of fun,” he laughed. “Plus, I would have sold my soul for the Expressway. I can’t tell you what this will do for my business.”
“I’m glad I could help, which reminds me.” I stood up and walked over to my desk, where I had put together an envelope for Zane. I handed it over to him and said, “Inside is the deed to the Expressway, as well as blueprints, layout, and zoning restrictions. Plus, I added some of the contacts I know around the city to help you get around some of the restrictions, as well as construction companies who would be more than willing to work for you. They all know we are friends, so they should be a pleasure to work with.”
“Wow, thank you,” Zane said, while looking down at the envelope. “Lot 17 really means a lot to you, doesn’t it?”
More than he would ever know.
“It’s an opportunity for me to give something back to the community, which needs it. This city has been through hell and back, and if I can help it out in any way, help the children of this city have a better life, then I will do it.”
“That’s very honorable of you. You’re not the man I thought you were. I’m glad we were able to work together.”
“Me too,” I agreed.
