Whiskey King

Chapter 3

Levi

“Is the perimeter set?” I asked my security, disembarking the private jet.

“Secured and ready.”

“Father’s ETA?”

“He’s already arrived sir, he had last minute business with Mr. Buchanan.”

I chuckled, Buchanan was still probably trying to find a way out of the contract.

“Is he trying to renegotiate terms?” Carter asked. Carter has been my right-hand man since week one of pledging in college. It’s surprising how often opposites attract. Compared to my broad, defined athletic build and average 6’1 stature, Carter soars about the crowd at 6’5 with a slender build. In college we used to pick up out of towners by telling them he was on the basketball team. While I’m the master of manipulation, always able to figure out what a person wants and how to bend them, Carter is quiet and thinks long-term strategy. I admired him for it and we balance each other well. He keeps my ruthlessness at bay, most of the time.

“Probably but it won’t happen, the deal is too important and we’ve put it off once already.”

“Are you ready?” Carter asked side eyeing me. I smirked, “I’ve been ready since I was seventeen.”

Carter is the only other one besides the Wades and the Buchanans who know about the deal, possession has to be done discreetly and he knows that secrecy is the upmost importance.  

The black jeep compass sped down the back roads in the South Carolina summer dusk, the skies streaking pink and purple. I’d think it was pretty if we weren’t in the f*****g boonies. We turned onto the gravel drive and through the guarded gates.

“Nice house, too bad you couldn’t get the property in the deal,” Carter mused.

“The house is a monstrosity, and certain types of property can’t be replaced.” I stated as we pulled up the circular drive. We got out the car and straightened our linen summer suits, fitting for this miserable heat and headed up the steps into the party.

“f*****g garish,” I muttered. Willa Buchanan does everything in excess, from the house furnishings to the manicured gardens, the wait staff in coordinating outfits with the event colors, the whole distraction is nauseating. And that’s what this party is, a distraction. We all knew what was coming and it would be happening even if we were having cheap wine and deli meat trays.

I held back and scanned the room looking for my father, spotting him by the bar.

“Catch you in a minute, when it’s time I’ll give you the signal.” I murmured to Carter. I waded through the guests to the bar, spotting my ex-girlfriend Melody and her new boyfriend. Shame how that worked out, it didn’t make me feel great how it ended. When I learned about the contract, I knew things had to end for Adella’s sake.

“Bourbon, neat,” I ordered, “Any updates?” I asked my father quietly.

“No, possession is still occurring tonight. You’re to go with Plan B.” My father’s intense features never changed, sometimes I wondered if he was a robot that could turn emotion on and off.

“Why Plan B? How did Buchanan put it off? I’ve known for years.” Somehow I wasn’t surprised, Buchanan was good at doing the most convenient thing, not the right thing.

“Flight risk.” My father stated, examining his rolex.

“But the security team wouldn’t let that happen. f*****g coward.” Plan B will make everything more complicated, but then again it could make the game so much sweeter.

“Benjamin and Lucas used to slip their security all the time need I remind you.” The mere mention of my deceased brother’s name turned my mood sour. My father’s features narrowed, salt and pepper mustache never moving

“Get it done, quickly and quietly,” he said as he walked away.

“Plan fuckin B it is,” I said and downed the rest of my whiskey.

Adella

After that strange conversation with my dad I wandered over to the bar for more champagne. No one was paying attention to me tonight. The party consisted of Benny’s business partners and Kat’s friends and family from New Jersey. What does it matter if I got a little drunk tonight? I downed my glass of champagne, feeling the warmth spread throughout my body. I asked for another then headed for the dessert table.

“Drunk isn’t a good look for you,” mused a voice behind me. I spun around and came face to face with Levi Wade’s piercing blue eyes. And I was doing so well to avoid him. This is the first time I’d seen him in years and goodness can he fill out a suit. Gone was the tall lanky guy with sandy blonde hair falling into his eyes, a clean cut man in a grey linen suit stood in front of me.

“Oh yeah? How would you prefer I look your highness?” I turned back to the dessert table to select a macaron. Levi bent over my tiny 5’3 frame, almost a foot taller than me, and placed a hand on my hip.

“Naked,” he whispered in my ear. I choked on the macaron and immediately started coughing.

“Here, take this.” Levi replaced my champagne with a glass of sparkling water which I gratefully accepted.

“What the f**k Levi, leave me alone. Like I’d ever sleep with you.” I pushed him away, stalking out onto the front steps and down to the driveway. I needed some air, I was starting to feel faint. Maybe having too much champagne wasn’t a good idea.

Levi followed, “On the contrary I think you might enjoy it, what did they call you sophomore year? AJ BJ?” I froze, turned around and slapped him across the face. Hard. Levi grabbed my wrist and pulled me close to him, staring down into my face and holding the small of my back with his other hand. Any other person would think we might be dancing.

“You will not do that again or there will be consequences,” he seethed, “Finish your water, you’re drunk.” He released me from his grip and I stepped back, flexing my wrist back and forth.

“What are you even doing here Levi?” I asked, sipping my water. I was really starting to feel faint, the room was starting to spin. Maybe I need to go upstairs and lay down.

“There’s a contract that I’m working on closing with your father.”

“But our families don’t like each other.” I leaned against the front step railing for support.

Levi chuckled, “Normally, but this contract has been in the works for a very long time.”

“And you had to come here to close it? Couldn’t you have waited and let my brother have his night?”

Levi stared at me, then sighed and finally said, “I wish a lot of things were different.” Suddenly there was a sound of shattering glass and a spinning feeling as the ground opened up and swallowed me whole.

“Get the car, we’re going.” I heard a distant voice say.

I saw a bright light then everything went black.