Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
“Tell me.”
Javier clears his throat. “I did some digging, man. I was subtle, but I poked around, called in some favors, and then just started snooping, looking into what you asked me to look into about the girl from the auction the other night.”
“And?”
He whistles lowly. “Fuck, Marshall, it’s not fucking good. The member who reached out and first contacted her was Bobby Vecchio.”
I scowl. I know the man. I’d call him competition, except that would be too kind to him. He’s a hack is what he is, running a shitty, margin-trading, scummy little hedge fund that operates in my shadow. He’s also on a some of the planning committees in The Society, and I know he’s been responsible for some of the more, well, lewd events I’ve seen at the club—sex shows, girls tied up, that sort of shit. The man has connections, but they’re dirty, criminal connections.
“How the fuck did Bobby Vecchio even find—”
“This is the part I think you’d better sit down for.”
Javier’s voice is edged, and my scowl deepens as I set my coffee down.
“Speak.”
“It appears Mr. Vecchio has gone into some real estate investments recently. Some with other members, but a few with guys outside The Society as well. One went bad. He was a primary investor in this guy who was opening up a bunch of nightclubs that kept tanking. Apparently, Bobby lost some real money, and so did the developer.”
There’s a cold knot in my stomach, because before he even says it, I know where this is going, and the thought horrifies me.
“This developer is a guy named—”
“Tony Davids,” I finish for him.
Javier pauses. “Wait, you know him?”
“He’s my fucking neighbor.”
“Shit, Marshall. Well, he owed Bobby a bunch of cash after the clubs went under, and these two pieces of shit decided that Tony would put his own damn stepdaughter up for the auction. Apparently, the girl was set to go to college, but without any money…” he swears. “Well, Bobby can be a real manipulative, convincing piece of shit sometimes.”
The full weight of it hits me, and I stumble as I sag into one of the barstools at my kitchen counter.
Kendall’s stepdad set her up for the fucking virgin auction. I mean Jesus fucking Christ, who does that? The guy blew all of his money, and probably all of Kendall’s deceased father’s money, and to make some of it back, he had his buddy in The Society reach out to her and offer her what I’m sure he pitched as a “chance of a lifetime.” A shitload of cash for one night.
“You still there, man?”
I blink, swallowing dryly. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m here. Listen, Javier, can you—”
I’m about to ask him some more questions, when suddenly, the other shoe falls, and I freeze.
Hang. The. Fuck. On.
The scheme was to get Kendall into the auction, because Tony owed money to Bobby. And suddenly, I realize I’ve overlooked one little detail, which is insane considering the industry I’m in.
…Where’s the money.
Upon completion of the auction, I had money from my account wired directly to an escrow account held by The Society. The way the exchange was to work, when I met my mystery girl, she’d make a call, and the funds would be transferred to her account.
“Javier.”
My voice is cold, my body on edge.
“Do me a favor and check the escrow account from the auction.”
“Give me one sec.”
I can hear him typing for a second before he pauses.
“Money’s been transferred.”
I frown. That’s fucking weird.
I mean, I’m not mad about it—like I’ve been telling Kendall, the money is hers, no matter what happened or happens with us. I want to pay for her college, and I know with Tony fucking up her family’s finances, she needs money. But her having called to make the transfer is just… weird. Not that weird, but it sticks out to me. Maybe it’s that Kendall hasn’t exactly mentioned becoming a millionaire in the last day or so. Though, I guess she’s been busy.
I grin.
…With me.
I take a breath, shaking my head.
“Is there a way to check what account the money went to?”
“There is…” Javier pauses. “I can find out. It might take me a little while though.”
“If you can, please do, and let me know.”
“You got it, Marshall.”
Out the kitchen window, I watch as Amy’s car swings back up the driveway. She spots me and waves, and past her in the passenger seat, I can see Kendall, her eyes locked on mine, a flirty little smile and a blush on her face.
“Call me back when you know. Thanks, Javier.”
“Anytime, man.”
I hang up and hear the sound of the backdoor banging open and shut, and before I know it, Amy and Kendall are rushing into the kitchen.
“Hey dad!”
Amy gives me a big hug before pulling away. She snatches the coffee out of my hand, beaming at me as she steals about half of it in three big slugs. Behind her Kendall is biting her lip, a grin on her face as she eyes me hungrily with raw lust and heat in her eyes.