Sinners & Gin - Top Shelf

“It’s fucking cold in Aspen,” Victor Drayton said with a smile. “But I’m down to be a spectator if it’ll help you.”

“I’m aware that most of you are in serious relationships, and I don’t expect you to do anything but show up, shake some hands, have a few drinks, and allow me to take it from there. No one needs to leave the party with a sexy kitty unless they want to. Or hell… bring your lady as your own pet.”

I glanced around the table to see everyone nodding and pondering what exactly their plan would be. Their willingness to dive into the belly of the monster and walk into a mafia boss’s kink party so I could enact my revenge said a lot about our friendship.

“Just don’t get yourself killed, man,” Harley Crow warned.

“Or allow this dark fury to eat you up,” Lennon added.

Too late.

Too fucking late.

I took a deep breath and started rattling off the details of the party so the men could add it to their schedules. Once I was done with the minor details, I excused myself and headed to the main floor of Spiked Roses in search of Tennessee Charles, our house manager. Once I saw him sitting at the bar going over some books, I pulled up a stool and sat next to him.

“I have a proposition for you,” I started.

Tennessee stopped what he was doing with an eyebrow arched in interest. “I do love when a man says those words to me,” he joked.

When the bartender approached where we were seated, I ordered Nolet’s Reserve Gin Modern—my drink of choice. “A vacation of sorts,” I began.

Tennessee snorted. “I haven’t had a vacation since I started at Spiked Roses. This place would fall apart without me.”

I nodded in agreement, and I hated to ask this of him, but Tennessee was the only one I trusted enough to do what I had in mind. He would be a vital part of my plan, and without him, I didn’t exactly think I could pull it off.

“Kenneth will be able to help out. He won’t run as tight a ship as you, but the women will listen to him. And a change of scenery could do you good. You’ve been acting like you have a stick up your ass for weeks now.”

My drink arrived, and I took a sip as I looked at Tennessee who watched me with both confusion and uncertainty in his eyes. He was smart enough to know this was more than just a vacation offer.

“I have a place in the mountains of Colorado. It’s close enough to Aspen to be desirable, but far enough to be a true getaway from the stresses of life. I need you to go there and watch over it. Take care of the house, me when I’m there, and if I have any… guests. It’s remote so you would be the only staff there.”

“So, you need a mama?” Tennessee laughed. “You want me to go play house up there with you?”

“Yes,” I stated simply. “Can you cook?”

Tennessee raised his hand to his chest and acted offended. “Can I cook? Can I cook? The southern boy in me is insulted, Mr. Price.” He chuckled. “Of course I can fucking cook.”

“Well, then,” I said. “How would you like to get away from the heat of New Orleans and enjoy some fresh mountain air?”

“How long?”

“I don’t know yet,” I answered honestly. “But it’s a huge house, beautiful scenery, and it will be stocked with whatever you want. I’ll also double your salary in cash while you are up there since it’s 24/7 that I need you.”

“What’s the catch?” he asked.

I smiled and took a sip of the gin. The smooth warmth of the liquid helped soothe the rage that was still swirling within me.

When Tennessee saw I had no intention of answering his question, he took a moment to stare at me with squinted eyes. “All right. I’ll do it. But I’m not a cheap date. I don’t put out. So, don’t expect any funny business,” he teased. “When do I pack my bags?”

Taking the last swig of my drink, I stood up and patted the man’s back. “I’ll give you the details later today. Pack warm. It’s fucking cold up there in the mountains.”

2

Aria

I hated this house. There was absolutely nothing I enjoyed about coming to Aspen, Colorado. The mountain lodge opulence made me sick. There was nothing warm or inviting about the large marble-floor foyer with the huge double spiral staircase. The ridiculous statues of nude men and women made me feel like I belonged in some overpriced gallery in Paris. The bedrooms were too large and cold. The furniture was all modern rather than rustic and authentic lodge as I always felt it should be. It was nothing more than a sterile house adorned with expensive furnishings that screamed money.