New Story - again written exclusively on Steemit - WiP - Bouncer Part 9

I started a new story to share on Steemit. It's not my usual type of tale, but I decided it has legs so I'm going to let it run.

Meet Zack, my newest character. I hope you like him.

The first part was written a few weeks ago and since then, I've been mulling it over in my head where the story needs to go.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8

Pictures from Google free to use search

Please note: This is the FIRST DRAFT, no editing, written straight onto paper.

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Zack turned on his phone and got into the car.

He turned the key and sat with the engine running. The notification ping of his phone receiving the messages he’d missed while at work took a few moments to stop. Zack looked at the phone nestled in the cup-holder in the centre console of the car, then he looked at Taylor.

“Looks like we’re in business,” Zack said.

“You don’t know the half of it,” Taylor said. “Guess who owns The Cobalt now.”

Zack looked at his brother. Taylor sat grinning like the cat that got the cream and he grinned back as realisation took hold.

“The Russians?”

“Yeah. They’ll be up and running within the next three months if I know anything about it,” Taylor said.

“I think I owe James a drink,” Zack said and drove out of the car park.

Zack dropped Taylor off at his house and drove home. He parked his brother’s car on his drive rather than at the side of the road.

One pint of orange juice, teeth brushed, a quick sluice in the sink and a pee and Zack fell into bed, exhausted. It had been a hectic few days.

A little after eight the next morning, Zack’s phone started pinging and woke him to the point of no return.

He stumbled to the bathroom, set the shower going and looked at his bleary-eyed reflection. “This had better be worth it,” he said to his reflection.

Zack, hair not quite dry from the shower, suited and booted, went ‘round to Taylor’s house for the full (sober) run-down of the meeting with the Russians.

Taylor looked a little better than Zack felt and with a wry grin, the older brother decided life wasn’t fair.

“What are you grinning at? I’ve not even told you what the Russians and I spoke about last night,” Taylor said, pouring Zack a coffee.

“I’m thinking life isn’t fair, brother,” Zack said, putting on his ‘listen to my advice’ voice.

Taylor frowned and glanced at Zack. “Not fair?”

“Yeah, you went out, had a great meal, a skinfull of booze, came to the club, watched me work, had girls throwing themselves at you, had drinks bought for you, got driven home and you don’t even have a headache. I went to bed stone cold sober and woke up feeling like I have your hangover,” Zack said.

“Living the dream,” Taylor said.

“Bollocks!” Zack said. He grinned at his brother. “What did they propose?”

To start with, Viktor wanted us to work exclusively for him. In fact, I think he was hinting at owning the company,” Taylor said. He studied his brother’s face for his reaction.

Zack didn’t disappoint. A frown furrowed his brow. “I hope you told him to fuck right off – respectfully, of course?”

“Not in so many words, but yeah. I told him that wasn’t going to happen. ‘We don’t want to get into bed with anyone,’ I told him. I also told him that we’d think about the bankroll he offered us as a ‘cushion’ for wages,” Taylor said.

“There’s always a catch when people offer money,” Zack said.

“I respectfully declined that offer too after thinking it over. I did agree that his company would be first in the order of clients, though. To be honest, it wouldn’t take much to justify that. They were the first to ask about our services,” Taylor said. He stopped speaking. Zack’s expression warned him that something may be a problem.

Zack tapped a finger to his bottom lip. “That’s not entirely true. Mikhail said he’d be interested in our services when I told him I was quitting.”

“Yeah? Well he didn’t mention it to me last night, so I’m taking it that Viktor got in first.”

Zack nodded once. “OK, I’ll go with that logic. That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.”

“Right. On Monday afternoon, we’re off to Viktor’s hotel. He wants to meet you, and it’s a good chance to talk everything over. We’ll get a taxi over, they can be heavy-handed with the vodka toasts,” Taylor said.

“You were steaming last night. How much did you have to drink?” Zack said, studying his brother.

Taylor looked down at his hands. They shook as his lifted his coffee mug. “Like you said, I had a skinfull.”

“And you drove to the club like that?” Zack placed his mug down deliberately. He wanted to slam it onto he counter, but kept his cool.

“No. Viktor’s driver drove me. Vicktor’s bodyguard drove his car and followed us. I insisted. I won’t drink and drive, you know me better than that,” Taylor said.

“OK,” Zack said. “So we’ll be twiddling our thumbs with no income for three months. Never mind, I think we’ll manage.”

“Not entirely accurate, brother,” Taylor said. “Viktor has a casino and another couple of clubs he wants us to provide security for. Starting at the beginning of next month.”

“Next month?” Zack said. “That’s next weekend.”

“Yeah. Sorry about that. Your holiday is going to have to wait.”

“It’s a good thing I didn’t book anything then,” Zack said.