CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

HAYDEN

“When did you get in?”

“Last night.” He unbuttoned his gray suit jacket, before removing his laptop from his messenger bag.

“Your problem came at a good time. I just so happen to have a meeting today with some investors. Later, tonight we will make our move.”

I sat next to Sebastian on the sofa glancing at the computer screen. “Did you find out his routine?”

Sebastian laughed. “Of course, I did. You know this is easy work. Have you been practicing everything I taught you?”

“Absolutely. I go to the gun range twice a month and I train with Valen at the boxing gym. He is after all an ex-navy seal. He doesn’t mind sparring with me.”

“I’m happy Valen is working out for you. I knew he would.”

While Sebastian was in the CIA, he and Valen crossed paths. Valen told him he was looking for work once he completed his last secret mission. He’s not afraid of danger, he doesn’t want to work outside of the country, that often. Sebastian suggested I hire him two years ago, after I returned home from college. I was just settling in to run my father’s company. I needed a driver and bodyguard. Muscle as Sebastian explained it. Sebastian used to rough me up when I was younger, he wanted to keep me tough. He said just because we’ve got money doesn’t mean we are fucking punks and pushovers. Now, I’m fucking up my girlfriend’s customers who take it too far.

Sebastian retrieved a piece of paper from his pocket.

“Here is the address for the make-up specialist, who will create your prosthetic mask. Memorize the address and destroy the paper. I brought my mask with me.”

He pulled up the fed for a traffic cam at an intersection in Atlanta. “Bobby Holmes usually leaves the bar around midnight. Grab him once he begins to cross this alleyway,” he pointed at the screen.

“You’ll drop him in the back of the van. I’ll drive to a warehouse I own for shit like this. Hayden, I would protect my woman the same way, actually I have. I have no problem laying a motherfucker down in the pasture for looking at my women lustfully, not to mention if a man touches her. I have no respect for a disrespectful motherfucker. You let me know how far you want to take things tonight. I’ve got your back.”

I nodded my head in agreeance.

“I would like you to meet Lydia tonight. Meet us at Alta’s at 8 p.m.”

“Alright, see you tonight.”

I called a handful of clients making a few million before noon. On my way to the strip club, I phoned a designer Sebastian turned me onto who designs dresses for Sydney. After my conversation with Ms. Novak, I called Spencer.

“Hello, Mr. Gaster.”

“Hello, Spencer. A rack full of dresses and other accessories are being delivered today. Leave the rack in front of the couch. I want Lydia to see it when she gets off work. Attach a note telling her to select as many dresses as she would like.”

“Of course, Mr. Gaster.”

“Thank you, goodbye Spencer.”

“Goodbye, Mr. Gaster.”

∞

Walking into the strip club, my eyes scanned the room. I didn’t see Lydia. I stepped over to her boss who was sitting at the bar.

“Hello, Mr. Keegen. My name is Hayden Gaster.” I extended my hand for his.”

He shook my hand. “Hello. I know we’ve spoken before, but I didn’t know your last name. I can’t believe a billionaire has been tricking off money in my club often. What’s on your mind Mr. Gaster? Would you like a drink?”

“Yes, top shelf vodka on the rocks.”

He glanced back at the topless bartender. “Shyann, Hen for me and top shelf vodka for Mr. Gaster.”

I removed my yellow tint aviators, placing them in my inner suit jacket pocket. Nodding at the bartender, I sipped the vodka. “Did Lydia mention going on vacation this Thursday?”

His eyes widened as he sipped the Hennessey. “No, she hasn’t mentioned it.”

“I will let her reiterate our plans to you. I am taking her on a trip. She won’t be at work Thursday through Sunday.”

He almost choked. “She’s one of my top earners! She can’t go out of town that long and keep her job. It’s one thing when you come in and want her to dance just for you dropping ten stacks for an hour, but now you are talking about her taking off on our busiest days.”

My devilish smile appeared. “Trust me if it were up to me, she would quit right now. However, she’s not ready to quit yet,” I stated through clenched teeth.

“That’s neither here nor there. I am offering to pay her salary for the days she misses.”

“You know she makes a lot of money?”

I sipped the vodka. “You know I work with numbers all day every day. Be careful, I’m excellent with numbers, trust me when I say I know how much she makes and not just because she gave me an average. I sit in here most nights, so I’m aware of how much she makes. I’m prepared to pay you a handsome sum of money for her absence this week, more than what she makes.”

Lydia strolled out of the dressing room toward me.

Her eyes were big as saucers when she noticed I was talking to her boss. “Hayden, what are you doing?” she asked. Her eyebrows wrinkled a little.

“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it.” I smiled.

Her boss smiled. “You’re up Scrumptious.”

Lydia wore a red bikini with tassels hanging all over, red and white cowboy boots, and a red and white cowboy hat to match.

She nodded then took the stage.

“Do you want to accept my offer?”

He turned his lips up, pondering on my words. “Yeah, I’ll take the offer.”

I placed a check for $30,000 on the bar. The check was made out to him not to the club. His poker face was good. He didn’t flinch at the numbers.

“Nice doing business with you Mr. Gaster,” he stated shaking my hand.

“Nice doing business with you Mr. Keegan. I will be in the black room waiting for Scrumptious.”

He nodded.

I didn’t look at Lydia, I strolled into the black room waiting for her to finish dancing on stage. A waitress entered bringing me a fresh drink. My attention was directed at my cell. I was studying stock trends when Lydia walked into the room.

Her arms were folded across her bare breasts. “Hayden, what is going on?”

I planted her naked ass on my lap. “Did you tell your boss you were going to be off work this weekend?”

She was silent. “Hayden, you didn’t?”

“Lydia, did you?”

“No, I was trying to see if I could get dancers to cover my shifts first.”

“Were you successful?”

She smacked her lips. Not yet.”

“Don’t worry about it. Your boss approved your vacation.”

“Hayden, why would he do that?”

“Lydia, just tell the man you will be on vacation this weekend, so he hears it from you.”

She breathed. “Fine.”

She glanced at my glass of vodka. “Where is your lunch?”

“I haven’t gotten it yet. Valen and I will grab lunch after I leave here. I didn’t bring you anything, because you refuse to eat while you are at work.”

I gripped her chin pulling her closer. Our lips met. “Hayden, I’m not supposed to do this, you are considered a customer.”

“I think we can agree I am a special kind of customer,” I winked.

“Hayden, you are trouble.”

“I am your trouble.” I smiled.

She smiled, kissing my lips again.

“My cousin Sebastian Johansen is in town tonight. I invited him to have dinner with us at his best friend’s restaurant Alta’s.”

“You always surprise me. I didn’t know he was your cousin.” She covered her mouth.

“I don’t have anything to wear!”

“Don’t worry about it. When you get off work you will. Oh, I guess I should ask first. Are you coming over?”

She blushed, running her fingers through my hair. “Yes, I’ll be over.”

My hands massaged her waist.

“Hayden, what are you working on.”

“I’m analyzing the stock market.”

Lydia listened to me describe what I do for a living.

An hour later Valen and I were eating lunch at Aria’s in Buckhead. Valen is a big guy. He can put away some food. He’s 6’1,” a body builder type of guy. When he isn’t working for me he’s working out.

My last stop before heading home was visiting the make-up specialist. Sitting for two hours until he was done molding the mask to my face. I waited for the last finishing touches to be completed.

“Mr. Gaster, Mr. Johansen ordered two more masks for you. They will be ready in two days.”

I glanced back at him. “I will send Valen to pick them up.”

We shook hands. “Nice doing business with you.”

“Likewise,” I replied.

A shower and a stiff drink was what I needed after a long day.