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Jonas peered over a hedge and got a clear view of a young beautiful woman about twenty-five with long dark hair. The man she’d appeared to be arguing with had to be in his late thirties or forty. Jonas couldn’t be sure in that dim light. The forty-something man had been attractive with grey on the sides of his temples that Jonas could see.
He could see that the man had the pretty woman by her arms, shaking her. Jonas didn’t know what to do, but he’d learned to mind his own business unless the man was trying to harm her, but it didn’t look like that was the case with the two of them.
When the argument died down, Jonas headed for the house and into the bedroom for a shower. After his shower he listened for noise, but there was nothing, so he fell across the California King bed, and slept until the sun peeked through the shutters.
After coffee, Jonas dressed and went for a walk on the beach. When he looked in front of him, he was coming face to face with the same woman he’d seen across the hedge. As she neared him, she smiled and then stopped. He kept walking.
“Thank you.”
Jonas stopped, turned, and said, “Were you talking to me?”
“Yes.” They were facing each other, and Jonas could see that she was a stunning dark-haired beauty, and much younger than he thought. She had to be no more than eighteen, but she looked at a glance as if she was twenty.
“Did you have a problem with your father last night?”
“He’s not my father. He’s my lover.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.” And Jonas started to walk away.
“Don’t be sorry. I saw you staring at us and was glad that you didn’t intervene. I didn’t mean for it to get out of hand, but sometimes he wants me to do things that I don’t feel like doing.”
“I know what you mean.” Jonas was just being polite. He didn’t want to know exactly what it was she didn’t want to participate in. He’d been around and he’d known the signs and saw them. A young woman and older man. The woman getting involved with a man because of his money. And he looked as if he had enough to command her attention.
This man had to be like Jonas, although the woman didn’t know the kind of man Jonas was. He was handsome and rich. However, Jonas wasn’t as old as the man, and he didn’t have this beautiful woman to call his own and in that way Jonas envied that man.
“Do you really know what I mean?” She glared at Jonas with amber eyes, flicked her dark silky long hair to the side. “Care to go for a swim.”
“Not now. I’m not dressed for an early morning swim.”
“I didn’t mean now. Tonight. What about tonight? My name is Brooke, and yours?” Jonas paused before he would give his name.
“Jonas.”
Brooke inched closer to him. “Jonas. That’s it?”
“I don’t like to give my surname.”
“You’re not a fugitive are you?”
“No. I don’t think so. I haven’t had time to check.”
Brooke chuckled. “I like you. You make me laugh. So, will you swim with me tonight? Should I say skinny dip?”
“Won’t your boyfriend mind?”
“He’ll be busy tonight.”
“What time?”
“Nine o’clock is good,” Brooke said.
“Then nine it is.” Jonas and Brooke stared at each other for a moment and a smile crossed both their faces at the same time. Jonas turned to jog away and for some unsuspecting reason, he shouted, “You’re beautiful.” He knew nothing about this woman, but she captivated him. Was it her youth, not really, because he’d had many young women before her. Maybe it was her apparent innocence combined with a boldness. Or maybe she’d reminded him of someone he’d loved dearly.
Jonas trotted away, proud and confident, anticipating what tonight would bring.
Time wasn’t passing fast enough so Jonas decided to get some chores done. He needed clothes for the warm weather and he needed groceries. Instead of getting them delivered he decided to go to the market.
On leaving the market, he passed a strip mall and there on the outside, a large sign: For Sale or Rent. Jonas drove into the mall and looked around. It was just what he needed. Large enough for a club. Not the kind he once had, but more of a bar that served drinks and maybe food. He wrote down the number and called from his car.
“I’m inquiring about the property at this strip mall. It says for sale or rent.”
“I’m the owner’s secretary and I manage some of his properties. Let me see.” She paused a moment as if she was checking which one Jonas wanted. “The property belongs to Mr. Cartwright and it’s not for rent. He’d like to see the whole complex sold if you’re interested?”
“I have to get back to you.” Jonas hung up. He had to think about it. Was he going to be in Miami long? It all depended on Brooke. He’d been attracted to her the minute he saw her standing almost nude with her boyfriend.
After returning home, he had time to consider whether he’d purchase the property or not, on his drive along the beach highway. However, he needed some extra money. The money he’d gotten from Max had to go only so far, and it didn’t include making any more investments. He had to leave his club in New York because it had been overtaken by some shady characters, like the lawyers he’d hired to go over his books and receipts. They’d failed to pay the taxes, and everyone who could get a piece of his bondage club after the IRS got their portion, got more than their share.
Jonas never thought anything over and it appeared he’d never learned his lesson. He called the only person who he thought could help him. This time he wasn’t asking Alex for her help after she and Max got him out of the last shit-storm he’d gotten Alex and himself in. This time it would be different. He just needed a little advance because he knew he could make the bar profitable. It was small enough for him to control, and he could lease out the remainder of the property.
Jonas scrolled through his phone looking for Alex’s number and hit the green button.
“Alex, can you talk?”
“Oh, Jonas. I was thinking about you. I miss you and the children miss you.”
“What about Max. Does he miss me?”
“He loves you, Jonas.”
“That’s not what I asked. Does Max miss me?” There was a long silence. “I guess you answered my question. I called because you’re the one person who never let me down and believed in me.” Another long pause as Alex wondered what Jonas was ready to ask her and she’d been ready to tell him no. But could she ever tell him no? “I need some money.”
“Sure, Jonas, how much do you need?” She’d failed that test.
“I don’t know, but you can’t tell Max.”
“I said that I would never do what I did before. You of all people know just how destructive it was to hide things from him.”
“You don’t have to hide from Max, just don’t tell him. Don’t you have money?”
I’d almost forgotten I’d received money from my mother after her death. “Yes, I do.”
“Would you consider lending me something? I don’t know how much it is until I speak to the owner, but I want to buy some property here in Miami Beach. I can’t go on asking Max and have him scrutinize everything I do. I’m thirty-five fucking years old. And Max is a controlling fuck. You know that, Alex.”
Alex did know, and that was why she empathized with Jonas. “I’ll lend it to you.”
“Don’t worry, Alex, you’ll get it back with dividends.”
“I’m not worried, Jonas. I just worry about my family and you’re part of that family. I don’t want anything to happen to you. I need you to be alive and happy. Then I’m happy.”
“Another thing, Alex. I met someone. Her name is Brooke. I’ll fill you in on it, but right now I have a date to meet her on the beach. Call you tomorrow and tell you all about her and tell you when and where you can wire the money.”