Chapter 7

 

Eric

Eric stepped foot into the empty nightclub with Pistol Pete right behind him. It was three o’clock in the afternoon and the club wasn’t scheduled to open for hours. Eric and Pistol Pete weren’t there to party; instead, they were there because the owner invited them to the club so they could talk business. Eric approached the bar and spotted a beautiful Latin woman cleaning a few glasses; her long wavy hair was pinned up in a sloppy bun. “Excuse me; I’m looking for Winston, would you happen to know where I can find him.”

“Sure,” The Latin woman said with a bright smile on her face. “Give me one second and I’ll go get him for you.”

“Thank you,” Eric said as he watched the woman’s ass switch all the way upstairs. “Damn, Miami might not be that bad after all.”

Two minutes later Winston walked down stairs dressed in a gray suit, the top four buttons on his dress shirt were left unbuttoned, showing off two thin gold chains that hugged his neck. “Gentlemen it’s nice to meet you,” Winston said with a smile as he extended his hand.

“Pleasure’s all mines,” Eric gave Winston’s hand a firm grip.

“If you gentlemen don’t mind, would you follow me to my office?” Winston led Eric and Pistol Pete upstairs to his office and poured three strong drinks. “Okay so I’m not going to waste you guys time. I’m going to get straight to it,” he handed both men their drinks. “I want you to invest in my club,” Winston said looking at Eric. “I want you to be a silent partner this will be a great investment for you because you’ll see an instant return on your investment.”

“Well if business is doing so well then what do you need me for?” Eric raised his glass up to his lips and took a sip.

“Well it’s like this. I want to buy a few supermarkets, but I don’t have the cash handy,” Winston explained. “So the money you invest will make us 50/50 partners and I’ll use that capital to get my supermarkets. Sounds like a win-win to me, not to mention, I’m sure I’ll be able to learn so much working beside a business mastermind like yourself.” Winston knew all about the Mason family. He had done his research and became very fond of Eric Mason and his business endeavors. By doing research, Winston realized that it was Eric Mason’s businesses that really put the Mason family on top. With all of Eric’s businesses, the Mason family was able to clean boatloads of drug money and Winston wanted a person like that on his team.

“I don’t know too much about Miami so I’ll have to think about it,” Eric sipped his drink. “I’m sure you’ve heard about my family’s reputation.”

“Why yes of course I have,” Winston answered quickly.

“Good because the first sign of any shady business from you and I’ll have your brains blow out and mailed to your family,” Eric said looking Winston straight in the eyes. “I’ll be in touch,” he said as him and Pistol Pete stood then headed for the exit. Once outside the club, Pistol Pete spoke freely. “What you think? Does it sound like a good deal?”

“Not for me,” Eric paused. “But it sounds like a good deal for you.”

“Yeah right, I wish I had that type of cash laying around,” Pistol Pete chuckled feeling a little embarrassed that his money wasn’t as long as it should have been.

“I don’t want nothing to do with that club,” Eric said in a serious tone. “But what I am going to do is put up the money for you.” He looked at Pistol Pete and flashed a smile. “Congratulations, you are about to be a club owner.”

“Nah I can’t take that much money from you,” Pistol Pete waved him off. His pride wouldn’t allow him to take Eric’s money Pistol Pete was from the old school. 

“This is nonnegotiable,” Eric said quickly. “It’s free money all you have to do is let Winston do all the work while you collect free money maybe go check on the club twice a year just so your face can be seen here and there and you’ll be good.”

“Thank you so much Eric, I really appreciate all this, and I promise I’ll work this debt off cause as you know, I won’t be able to sleep until I pay you back every penny.” Pistol Pete said.

“I’ll have Mr. Goldberg fly out here in a few days and get all the paper work squared away,” Eric winked. “You are now officially a business man, congratulations.”