“Morning,” Fiala murmured back. “It’s been a busy week, hasn’t it?”
“Little bit, yeah,” Doc agreed. “But it also felt calm, like the lull before a storm blows in.”
“I finished training the girls how to deal,” Fiala reminded him. “Lia says I can keep dealing if I want, but I was thinking the others need more practice.”
“She’s really going to change the entire place around...” Doc commented. “The guys are going to be upset.”
“She’s going to keep Joey and Dillon on as security if they want the jobs,” Fiala said. “Both of them have been the best of the lot. She never would have had them in the building if not for Brand insisting that she get some male staff.”
“As soon as Rangvald gets here, hopefully today, we’ll pay off Lia’s debt. Seeing Brand’s face when he insists that he be taken care of will be funny.”
“What about your checking on the properties?”
“I can purchase a few from the bank. As it turns out, Goodman doesn’t actually own them yet. He’s just carrying the deed for the bank. Same with Suez, actually, and Brand doesn’t have any at all. In fact, all he has left is his mine.”
“You’re going to buy out the ones you can?”
“Yes. Henrick’s shop, Otto’s barber shop, the tanner, and a couple of others. I’ll be buying them all today. It’ll deplete my personal account almost entirely and cut the business account well under half, but getting those people on my side will be worth the initial cost. Hope they see it that way.”
“Are you going to tell them?”
“Yeah, as soon as I buy them out,” Doc said, kissing the top of Fiala’s head. “Going to take the deeds with me when I speak with them.”
“When?”
“Today, if things go right.”
“But the tournament…?”
“Going to miss it,” Doc shrugged. “The lower tournament isn’t interesting to me, honestly. Tomorrow’s might be fun, though, depending on if Brand plays or if anyone else shows up.”
The usual knock on the door made Doc smile. Fiala got up and left him in bed to answer the door. “Morning, Posy. Thank you.”
Doc covered himself with a pillow since she had taken the blanket with her. When the door shut, he pulled the pillow off. “You go first. You have a tournament to get to.”
“You just want to watch me rinse off,” Fiala smirked.
“It’s a perk,” Doc laughed.
“I was thinking about inviting Lotus to join us again tonight,” Fiala commented, watching him from the corner of her eye.
“Won’t turn that down.”
“I see it has your full attention,” Fiala snickered. “You really do enjoy having us both.”
“Any sane man would,” Doc murmured, watching her tail flick back and forth. “I’m looking forward to you and Rosa, as well.”
Fiala stopped for a moment. “Is that going to be okay?”
“Yes, she’ll behave herself,” Doc said, then frowned. “But you’ll see the other side of me during those moments, too.”
“Other side?” Fiala asked.
“You know how I take the lead when you go down on me?”
“Of course. I enjoy it.”
“Rosa is controlled the entire time. I’m not gentle with her at all, nor kind.”
Fiala turned to him, curious about his tone. “But... you’re a good man.”
“I am, but I’m also not. I find the most joy when giving my partner what they love. For you, it’s soft, sweet, gentle, and giving. Rosa is the opposite. For her, I’m rough, demanding, cruel, and I take what I want. I’m honestly a little concerned how you’ll respond after seeing me like that.”
Fiala looked down for a moment. “Will you treat me that way?”
“No, not unless you want it. I’m perfectly happy with what we have.”
“I will have no problems with it, then,” Fiala smiled. “Truthfully, even if you did start to change and do that with me, I think I’d still be happy, just not as much.”
“Just please keep it in mind for when we all come together for the first time. I’m mentioning it now so you’re not shocked and disgusted with me.”
“You do it for her,” Fiala smiled at him, setting the washcloth down and moving over to him. “I can’t hate you for doing something for someone you care for. If she didn’t want that and you were doing it, I’d feel differently, but that isn’t the case here, is it?”
“No.” Doc sat up and Fiala took the spot on the bed beside him.
“Thank you for telling me.”
“Didn’t want it to be more awkward than it’s likely to be. She’s looking forward to being… used… by us both.”
Fiala blinked, “Both of us?”
“She can read thoughts, remember? I had some about the two of us with her and she was very receptive to them.”
Fiala blushed a little and shifted on the bed. “What kind of thoughts?”
“Pretty much everything we’ve done with Lotus, but... also her being denied the chance to join in and having to watch just the two of us.”
“Oh,” Fiala whispered, shifting again. “Just making her watch?”
“While telling her how much better you are.”
Fiala licked her lips, “Because she likes that?”
“Yeah. Seems you might like the idea yourself.”
Fiala blushed deeper. “A little.”
“Then we’ll make it happen,” Doc said, kissing her cheek and getting to his feet.
Doc had only made it a step away before Fiala grabbed him and pulled him back toward the bed. She moved around and hung her head off the edge of the bed, taking his stiff cock into her mouth. Exhaling sharply, Doc gently massaged her while she did what she wanted.
~*~*~
Doc wondered when, and even if, Rangvald was going to get in. Breakfast had ended hours ago and the small poker tournament was starting up in another hour. Sitting in the private dining room with a mug of beer, Doc was deep in thought over what today was going to start.
Brand is going to be pissed, but he’s almost a nonentity in the town at this point. Goodman and Suez are going to be royally pissed when I snatch those buildings out from underneath them. That’s what they get for not buying them outright, though. Stupid to think their gentleman’s agreement would let them get to it later... Still surprised Goodman hasn’t done anything with the Gold Strike yet. It was dead as fuck in there the other day.
A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. “Sir, the person is here for you,” Posy said, stepping into the room.
“Thank you,” Doc said. He stood and drained his mug. “Can you take this for me?”
“Yes,” Posy said.
“You like that brooch, huh?”
Posy’s free hand touched the rabbit-shaped brooch on her dress that Doc had given her yesterday. “Momma was surprised by it and said that if it had been anyone but you, I should have turned it down.”
“She’s right on that count,” Doc nodded. “I wouldn’t have gotten it for anyone else, either. Made me think of you, and you’ve done a lot to help me. Make sure to listen to your momma.”
“I do.”
When Doc walked past her, his thoughts again drifted to what having kids of his own would be like. Fiala and Lotus are on Henrick’s birth control, so it’s not likely to happen any time soon unless they want it to... but what about Rosa? Doc’s steps slowed as he realized he’d never asked her about that when they spent time together. “Fuck,” he sighed. “Have to bring that up when I see her next.”
The front room of the Lily was packed full of people, all waiting to get in on the tournament. The normal tables had all been replaced by poker tables that had tops to cover the playing surface if they weren’t in use. Lia had jumped at the idea when Doc had mentioned it to her, and the only downside was that it made for odd seating when they weren’t being used for poker.
Doc gave friendly smiles to the few who greeted him and ignored the re
st. Stepping outside, he saw Ivan instead of Rangvald waiting for him. “What’s up?”
“Rangvald is at the bank,” Ivan told him. “Wanted me to get you. He’s sure someone’s going to cause a fuss.”
“Let’s go. I have a lot of stuff to finish today.”
The pair hurried over to the bank and, when they stepped inside, they saw Rangvald with the assayer, Friedrichsen. The guard wasn’t at his normal post, instead standing near them both.
“Excuse me,” Doc said politely, “I need to speak with my foreman.”
The guard stared at him before grunting and stepping back. “Don’t cause trouble.”
Doc rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Rangvald. “How did it go?”
“I brought what we discussed,” Rangvald said. “He’s taking a quick look at the purity.”
Friedrichsen grunted as he put a sliver of soul stone into a beaker. “This is the rush job. Rangvald said you’d be fine with a slightly lesser payout if I could expedite the process.”
“He’s my foreman. If he says so, it’s so,” Doc said simply.
“Very well.” Friedrichsen pulled a small vial from his desk and used an eyedropper, putting a few drops of something into the beaker. Taking out his tools, he watched the reaction and prodded at the stone in the container. “I see. Hmm... Yes...” Friedrichsen muttered as he worked. He set his tools aside and rubbed at his nose for a moment. “I must say, I think you’re a fool. Without closer testing, I’d still call it ninety percent pure. I’m sure it’s over ninety-five, but that would take a full day to test.”
Both Rangvald and Ivan blinked, clearly shocked at what they’d just heard. Doc grunted, “Can we take the lesser amount and have you test it so we can collect the greater later?”
“No,” Friedrichsen said sadly. “Rules being what they are, you may take the quick assessment or wait for the full assessment.”
“A moment,” Doc said and lowered his head to hold a whispered conversation with Rangvald. “Is the lesser amount the same or better than your estimate at the claim?”
“Almost double,” Rangvald choked. “If you took longer, it might be over double.”
“Can’t wait this time,” Doc sighed. “I’ll give you guys the cut for higher before I start doing my other business.”
Rangvald jerked as if slapped. “No!”
Doc stood up straight. The guard took a menacing step closer before Rangvald waved him off.
“I mean... Boss, that it isn’t needed. We’ll take our just due only.”
“Alright,” Doc said. “We’ll take it at ninety.”
Friedrichsen’s eyebrows had shot up when Rangvald yelled at Doc, and they tried to climb higher when Doc said they’d take the lesser rate. “I’m sorry. What?”
“Ninety percent,” Doc said. “We’ll take that as good for this. When can we have the money?”
Friedrichsen’s mouth opened and closed like a fish for a few moments. “A… an hour, at least. As it is, it’ll put a severe strain on the bank.”
“What if I used some of the money to pay off debts that are due to the bank?”
Friedrichsen looked lost, “Uh… I’m not sure. Ayla?”
The woman who set up Doc’s account stepped over to them. “I’m sure we can manage it. We would prefer it, actually. I’d ask the mayor, but he’s not in today. As the assistant manager, I will allow it.”
Doc gave the woman a big smile, “Thank you, Ayla. Once we have a workable amount, I can work with you on what debts I’d like to pay.”
Bright smile in place, Ayla replied, “Of course, sir. Would you like to step over to my office?”
“I’ll make sure it’s all accounted for before I go to the smelters,” Rangvald said.
“That’s fine. You’ll know how much we made here before you leave. Whatever you get there, take your pay out before putting the rest into the accounts.”
“We’ll take care of it, Boss,” Rangvald said. “Friedrichsen, can we start the measuring?”
“Yes, right away,” Friedrichsen said.
Doc followed Ayla to her desk and took a seat. Giving her a smile, he noticed her shirt had lost a button in the last minute. Ayla knew he noticed and smiled wider. “Now, Mr. Holyday, what debts are you looking to pay off? I don’t recall you having any.”
“I don’t, but there are debts that I’m going to pay off for others.”
“Oh?” Ayla tucked some of her hair behind one of her slightly-pointed ears. “Let me know which debts you’d like to pay off and I’ll get the paperwork in order, sir.”
Doc hesitated and wondered about her for a moment. Half-elves aren’t treated well according to the system, yet this one is the assistant for Goodman. When I mentioned debts, she became almost... eager to help me. Fuck, is she angling on me? “Of course. First, the Lily. The debt there is owed between Lia and Brand. I’m here to pay that off so it goes fully back to Lia.”
Ayla’s expression froze for a moment before it thawed slightly. “That’s the debt you’re most concerned about?”
“I get along with Lia, her piano player, and the staff. Seeing friends in a bad place makes me unhappy.”
At the mention of the piano player, Ayla almost spoke up, but didn’t. “You don’t mind that…?” She trailed off, clearly unsure how to continue her sentence.
“That they aren’t human?” Doc said softly. “No. The only thing that matters is who they are as people, and all of them are good people.”
“I see...” Ayla looked hopeful for a moment before she put her professional face back in place. “Let me get that paperwork.” Getting up, she gave her shirt and jacket a smoothing pass, definitely trying to give away that she had assets of her own.
She wants out, Doc realized. Must be indebted to Goodman… it comes down to how much and why should I?
Ayla was back quickly with a file. As she was sitting down, Doc noticed she had pulled her hair up into a bun, using a pencil to hold it in place, and shifted in his seat slightly. Looking up, she gave him a knowing smile. “I recall bits of the file from memory. You want to erase the bet debt, correct?”
“Yeah,” Doc said, wondering about her going so far to sell herself. Pressing on, he lowered his voice so it wouldn’t be easily overheard, “A question, and please pardon me if it’s too personal or forward of me... Your debt, did you need help?”
Ayla’s eyes went wild, and she quickly looked to see if anyone was nearby. Not seeing anyone looking at them, she exhaled deeply. “What do you know of it?” she asked just as softly and cautiously.
“Nothing, but I’m not blind. As soon as you heard debts were going to be paid, you’ve started on a hard sell. I’m flattered, but I do have enough attention of a certain sort already.”
Ayla deflated in her seat, slumping. Her face fell. “Oh... Since you were fine with non-humans, I had hoped...”
“Tell me about the debt, the reason, and the cost. I might help, but I need to know why first.”
Taking a deep breath, Ayla rebuttoned her shirt and let her hair down. “My mother was very ill. I came back to help her, but it was an almost lost cause. She was deep in debt to Goodman and he was about to evict her from the house. With little to my name but my schooling, I had nothing to barter with. Well... nothing of monetary value.” The last few words held a hint of anger.
“You can stop,” Doc said softly. “What happened to your mother?”
“She passed a year later. She’s buried on the eastern cliff now.”
“Besides working as an honest woman, he has other things for you to do?” Seeing her face go red in shame and anger, Doc sighed. “Fuck. How much is it?”
Ayla blinked and started to respond, but stopped herself. “What will you taking my debt cost me?”
“Depends on the cost, honestly.”
“Five thousand,” Ayla said with little hope.
“Damn, that’s high.”
“I’ve got my credentials from Highyard University in banking. If I wasn�
�t tied to this… town… I could make that back easily.”
“Huh...” Doc thought for a moment and smiled. “You’re skilled at money management? It just so happens that I will pay off your debt, and my price is quite simple: I would like to hire you at a moderate salary.”
Ayla just stared at him.
“What?” Doc asked.
“That’s it?”
Suited for Luck Page 34
