Page 61 of Bourbon Kingdom
The moderator called on an elderly gentleman in the front, who had been chewing on his pen for the whole conference.
“Mr. Colby, can you comment on the investigation involving your father?”
That was quick, I thought to myself, as I geared up for the question.
“My father and I have been estranged for years now. He’s conducted business in a way I didn’t want to emulate, so when I was eighteen, I separated myself from him. I believe in the judicial system, and if the allegations against my father prove to be true, then I expect he’ll be punished appropriately.”
“Did you know about his embezzling and Ponzi scheme?”
“Like I said, my father and I have been estranged since I turned eighteen. I was unaware of his financial status and the inner workings of his business. Next question.”
“Mr. Colby, you are known to have a strained relationship with Rex Titan. What are your thoughts on the charges he’s facing?”
“I find it improper to talk negatively about relationships I have with other individuals in a public setting.”
A blonde raised her hand and asked, “Is it true you and Miss. Keylee Zinc are engaged?” The local gossip magazine. I refrained from rolling my eyes.
“Miss. Zinc is a wonderful woman, but we are just friends. Any rumors about Miss. Zinc being connected with me romantically are just that, rumors. Our relationship is a strictly platonic one.”
“Are you in a relationship with someone else?” she asked, pressing her luck.
“I don’t believe that is the media’s business. I am a private man and would like to stay that way. If there aren’t any other questions about Lot 17, then I believe I will end this press conference.”
Before I ended, I answered a few more questions about Lot 17, and then thanked the press one more time before taking off. Kace stood on the side of the stage, waiting for me, with his hands in his suit pockets and a smirk on his face.
“Community center?” he asked with a questioning brow. “I thought you were just going to make a park.”
“Plans changed,” I said, before thanking the assistant who’d handed me a bottle of water. Both Kace and I walked toward the waiting town car, said our goodbyes to George, and took off.
“When did your plans change?” he asked, once we were settled in the car.
“The moment I lost Goldie. I knew I had to make some changes to the way I conducted business. The Lafayette Club isn’t the same without her, and I need to give the girls other opportunities.”
“What do you mean?” Kace asked, concerned.
“I’m closing the club.”
“What about the girls?”
“They will work at the center, teaching the children and families, while they still pursue their education. I don’t want to expose them any longer. With this new business venture, I can have the members of the Lafayette Club become donors to the center. We will still allow meetings to be conducted in the Toulouse Room, but the girls won’t be performing anymore. Those days are over.”
“I see,” Kace said, while looking out the window. His silence said it all; he was worried about his place in the club.
“Don’t worry, if you accept, I would love for you to manage the center and offer exercise classes to the community, including boxing.”
Kace’s head whipped around and his jaw was slack as he stared at me for a second.
“Are you serious?”
“Very much so. Your talent and services are better used in that capacity. You have so much to offer young teenage boys who might be lost. I have the utmost confidence in the fact that you can make an impact on these boys.”
“Wow,” Kace responded, while rubbing his chin. “I didn’t see that coming. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll take the job.”
“How the hell can I say no to that?” he smiled. Silence fell between us as Kace looked at me with a serious expression. “I have to say, Jett, I couldn’t be more appreciative of your friendship. You’ve been there with me through everything and never once judged me. I would be lost without you.”
“I feel the same,” I admitted. Kace nodded and smirked. I jabbed his shoulder and said, “I can’t believe you were going to cry back there.”
