Page 68 of Love Deep

“Your people? What does that mean? Are you part of the Mafia now?” I ask.

“Uh, yes. The Mafia otherwise known as the establishment of New York City.”

I laugh. Jack’s not wrong. Being from the Alden family means Jack’s grown up in a world I know nothing about. He’s got generational connections with anyone worth knowing in America and probably the entire world. The six of us are all wealthy. We’re all successful. But Jack’s from old New York money. And there’snothingso powerful.

“So who exactly are your people?” I ask.

“Just the security people my family uses,” Jack responds.

“Well, if you let me have a number, I can contact them.”

Jack narrows his eyes slightly. “It doesn’t work like that. They’re not going to take your call. But it doesn’t matter. I’ll speak to them and one of them will call you.”

“What are they going to do?”

Jack shrugs. “Probably pick him up outside his apartment. Bundle him into a van. Take him to an abandoned warehouse in Jersey and ask him some questions.”

I pause, waiting for Jack to crack a smile and tell me he’s kidding, but he doesn’t say anything. I glance over at Bennett and Worth, but their expressions are blank. He’s got to be kidding. I don’t want Gerry Banks kidnapped, for crying out loud.

“Jack,” I say. “I don’t want?—”

“I’m kidding. They’ll just poke around. No one’s getting taken to Jersey. Dad won’t work with anyone who’s ever set foot in that state.”

“Okay, but no kidnapping either.”

“Scout’s honor.” He puts up his three fingers. “Not unless we really need to.”

I roll my eyes. “So how’s the hotel coming, Worth?” I want to change the subject. I want to feel a little lighter. More hopeful. I can’t shake the feeling that Gerry won’t stop at The Homecoming Kings. He wants more.

“It’s good. Poppy and Avril are running the show. I’m just along for the ride,” he says. “What about your place?” he asks.

“Actually, I’m thinking of selling it.” Ihadn’tbeen thinking about it until just now. I get offers on the hotel all the time. It’s in a great location, and I really don’t makethe best of it. I love my five best friends but I don’t love the hotel business.

“What?” everyone around the table choruses.

“I get offers all the time. It was a great idea when we left business school. It bound us together. But for me? It’s not my passion. And I like the idea of a simpler life.”

“Are you serious?” Bennett asks.

“Yeah. The reason for us having those hotels was to maintain our bond, but we don’t need hotels to do that. Not anymore. I’m not sure if we ever did. There’s no way any of you are drifting away from me. I wouldn’t allow it. And anyway, it’s not like I ever win, anyway. You always win, Bennett. You’realwaysgoing to win.”

“Not true,” Bennett says. “Byron’s always going to win. If we allow the Colorado Club to qualify for our little competition, that is. It’s a controversial topic. Is the Club really a hotel? I would argue it’s not really within the original scope of what was agreed.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Sounds to me like you don’t wanna be a loser. Maybe you need to up your game.”

“Are you going to buy something else?” Worth asks. “You know I had the Boston hotel before Ninth Street. It’s much better having something in the city. But I guess that’s not your problem.”

“Right. It’s not the actual hotel or the location that’s an issue. It’s the fact I don’t want a hotel. Life is… I know I have people to run it, but… life in Star Falls is really simple, and it’s made me realize how complicated things are back here.”

Jack gasps. “Fisher! You’re not thinking of moving there permanently, are you?”

“You’re moving to Colorado?” Sophia appears, carrying a plate of cheese and meats and sets it down on the table.

“No, I didn’t say that.”

“I’m not losing you too,” Jack says. “Not you and Byron. No way will you survive in Colorado.”

I roll my eyes. “You haven’t lost Byron. He and Rosey spend most of their time in New York.”