“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. I suggest you remember that.”

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 took me under his wing. Maybe it wasn’t the smartest decision on my part, now that I think about it.

“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 look 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 that 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 life saver to be tossed out to me. I was totally and utterly fucked.

“This is your fault,” Leo spat at me.

“How is this my fault?” I asked, while looking up at him through my hands. “I do believe the Ponzi scheme was your idea, the embezzlement was your grand plan, and the club was the pinnacle of your scheme to get back at your son, your own son!” I roared. “I should have stayed as far away from you as possible.”

“Too late for ‘should ofs,’ son,” Leo said with a menacing tone.

I got up from the booth and adjusted my suit jacket. I looked Leo square in the eyes and said, “Don’t ever call me ‘son,’ you sadistic bastard.”

With one last glance, I retreated from Leo and went back to my place. It was time to face my Creator. There was only one way out of this life, and hell if I was going to rot in prison for the next hundred years.

I was a lost man; it was about time I found where I was supposed to be…in fucking hell.

22

“Jealous”

Jett

A lone trumpet played in the far distance as I sipped my café au lait and observed the many tourists lining up to get a taste of Café du Monde’s beignets. It’s been a long time since I’ve been down to the quarter for my Saturday ritual. Things have been hectic, to say the least, and I wasn’t about to visit the Quarter while I was still with Goldie if she couldn’t come with me.

Goldie.

My heart still ached from the thought of her. It took me a couple of phone calls, but I was able to track her down. I should have known she would have gone to stay with Diego; they’d had a close connection ever since she went to go help him out with painting his club. I just prayed she wasn’t working there with him as well. She had plenty of money from being a Jett Girl to keep her afloat. I wondered if she’d used any of it. I was tempted to look at the bank account I set up for her, but knew that was an invasion of privacy, and the last thing I wanted was to piss her off more.

She was mad. Really mad. I didn’t blame her. She was right about everything she said. I didn’t trust her, I didn’t believe in her, and I had zero faith. I didn’t blame her for leaving; I deserved it. I was a master at pushing people away, and I’d done a damn fine job of kicking her out of my life.

But I was over and done with that now. I knew what I wanted. I wanted a life with Goldie; I wanted everything. I wanted her to be mine, to share a home with her, not just as a Jett Girl, but as my girlfriend…as my wife one day. I wanted her to carry my child one day. I wanted nothing more than to grow old with her in my arms.

The only problem was, she wanted nothing to do with me, but that would be changing.

A Vietnamese woman who worked at the café took my money and smiled gently at me, as if to wish me a good day. Her smile carried me out onto the streets, as I observed the bustling sidewalks of Jackson Square.

My life was coming full circle, as I walked the same route I took when I first dropped my business card off to Goldie. It was a risky move, getting as close to her as I did, but there was no stopping me then, like there was no stopping me now. I was on a mission, and hell if I wouldn’t follow through with it.

I placed my sunglasses over my eyes, rolled up the sleeves to the button-up light blue shirt I was wearing, and made sure it was tucked into my jeans. Even though it was a casual day for me, I still made sure to present myself well in public; it was the one thing I learned from my father that I would never forget. Image is everything, especially when it comes to someone in my position.

Leisurely, I walked around Jackson square, taking in all the palm readers, side show acts, musicians, and artists. One of the many beauties of New Orleans was you could be as weird and outlandish as you wanted, and no one was going to judge you for it, because they all chalked it up to the atmosphere the city had to offer. Some people may say New York City is full of crazy eclectic people, but that just tells me they’ve never been to New Orleans, because where else would you find a man painted in gold, a shopping cart turned musical instrument, and break dancing on cardboard? Only New Orleans.