Billionaire Devils Club-Palm Beach

by Ashley Woods

Karl remained unaffected and had experienced no pain.

  “That was a big mistake. You will never see her again!”

  Anthony pushed him to the floor,

  “You know the consequences if you continue to pursue her. You know how the Fiore family handles things.”

  Karl replied rudely, “Well, you know that is a matter for debate.” Anthony came at him again.

  Karl then spoke in a deep commanding voice, which no longer had an accent, or sounded like his own,

  “Obviously, Fiore, we travel in the same circles and you may have seen me around, but I don’t believe that you know who I really am, since you are not privy to that knowledge. At least, both your father and grandfather knew to respect me.”

  Anthony faltered, “My father? What are you talking about?”

  Karl jumped in, “That's right my dear Mr. Fiore. You understandably have more questions. Just go back to Palm Beach and you will learn about the official rules. I met Kristen first, and as it pertains to you, the game has changed. Perhaps Kristen does love you, but we all know, and you will learn, that it doesn't matter."

  Karl intensely studied Anthony's perplexed face. He paused and carefully spoke again,

  "On a lighter note for you, and what is even more relevant, is that I am growing tired of Kristen, and I am thinking that I just might let you have her. I have not made up my mind quite yet. I also have my own long-term plans for you.”

  Anthony still could not process the information, and now chose not to listen to him. Defiant and angry, he said,

  “Again, tell Kristen I am looking for her, and you had better see to it that she does call me today.” The two men walked out.

  Karl put the gun back in his desk and dialed his phone.

  A man answered. Karl said only two words, “It’s time.”

  When Kristen returned almost two hours later, she was surprised to see three black cars lined up outside of the gate, obscured by the tall bushes. She walked around to the back of the house in order to avoid seeing Karl, and any guests that might be present in the living room.

  Kristen pushed the door open and walked into the kitchen. She immediately noticed that the door to the basement was wide open and the stairway light was on.

  Then something caught her eye on the kitchen counter. She saw it was a black paper square! Kristen froze and looked at it in disbelief. She stared in the direction of the cellar, and thought she heard someone coming up the stairs.

  She quickly grabbed a large knife from the counter and held it tightly in front of her as she ran into Karl’s den. She went to his desk and frantically tried to open the drawers. They were all locked. She desperately needed his car keys!

  She thought hard, and then rushed into the driver’s quarters off the kitchen. She searched through his coat pockets and felt jagged metal. She found a key! She looked at the emblem and saw that it was for his Mercedes.

  Still holding the knife, Kristen ran outside, jumped into his car, and tore off towards the airport. As she sped along the country roads, she barely could see straight because she was trembling so hard.

  “What were they planning to do to me?”

  When Kristen was finally safe inside the airline terminal, she looked for a pay phone. She was still scared, and the weapon was inside her purse. She was afraid that Karl would follow after her, and she was not afraid to use it. She just had to find Anthony. She needed his help!

  She almost forgot how to dial for an overseas operator. She placed a collect call to Anthony’s house, but no one answered. Then she had the operator try his cell phone, and it began ringing. Kristen pleaded, “Don’t go to voicemail. Oh, God Anthony please pick it up!”

  “Hello?”

  Kristen’s words rushed out,

  “Anthony! Please save me! He’s going to kill me!”

  Anthony was overjoyed to hear her, “Where are you?”

  “I am at Heathrow. Please help me!” Kristen cried.

  Anthony was relieved that she had left Karl’s house.

  “Were you going to fly home to me baby?”

  Kristen started sobbing, “Yes, Anthony I love you. I need you!”

  “Don’t worry, that jerk is not going to kill you.” He instructed her calmly, “Go over to the private jet area. I will meet you in there.”

  Kristen joyously cried out, “You’re here in London? You are at the airport?”

  “My jet is there, and I will arrive shortly. Go meet me over by it. I am on the road right now. I have been looking all over for you. Kristen, I am so glad that you are alright.”

  “Anthony, I am so sorry I ever left Palm Beach. Can you forgive me?”

  Anthony softly replied, “I am the one that chased you away. I am the one who should be saying that they’re sorry. Just hang tight honey. I will be there soon.”

  Kristen was afraid to leave the booth. She just wanted to keep holding onto the phone. It was a lifeline.

  When Anthony arrived at his jet, there was no Kristen in sight, “Did Karl find her?”

  He searched the airport, until he finally saw her, still sitting by the pay phone. She was crying. He reached down and picked her off her chair kissing her.

  “Kristen, I thought I lost you! He then became serious, and he looked her over, “Did that psycho touch you?"

  He then swallowed, and said sternly, "Have you ever slept with him? If you did, we are over.”

  Sadly, the moment was ruined because the old jealous Anthony had returned.

  Kristen was a quite upset, “I have never had sex with Karl. I don’t think he is capable of a normal relationship. Honest Anthony, you can believe me.”

  Anthony looked into her eyes and kissed her again. Kristen looked down at her purse.

  “Anthony, I have a knife in here. I don’t know what to do with it.”

  Anthony’s eyes grew wide, “Are you kidding me? What did that monster do to you?”

  Anthony took her purse. “I am going to throw it out in the Men’s Room. You can’t have this inside an airport. Just wait for me here.”

  Kristen reached take out her cell phone. As soon as her fiancé walked off, the phone began ringing. She saw that it was Karl and ignored it.

  She then looked up to see a tall man walking toward her. He was scowling, and his hand was deep in his pocket. Kristen looked frantically for an exit door.

  Anthony re-appeared, and walked toward her. Kristen screamed, “Anthony, I think that man has a gun!” The man turned, and quickly walked in the opposite direction.

  Anthony ran after him. He chased him for several minutes, until the man fled outside into the back corridor of a service area.

  After Anthony was gone for at least twenty minutes, Kristen grew very worried and debated whether she should tell someone at the airport customer center.

  She began to walk over there. Half-way to the booth, she could see Anthony in front of her. His suit coat was ripped down the side, and he had a large cut across his cheek.

  Kristen called out to him, “Anthony, I am so glad you are back. What happened to you? Did you find that man?”

  Before he could answer, her phone rang again. Kristen gave Anthony a helpless look, and he knew just who it was.

  Anthony grabbed it from her and yelled into the phone.

  “I am here with my fiancée. Why are you calling her? She thinks you want to kill her. I took care of your goon. He has a few bruises to remember me by. And I am now sending my men over there to be rid of you, once and for all!"

  He almost hung up, when Kristen grabbed his arm and said, “Tell him his car is at the airport.”

  Anthony yelled into the phone again, “Your car is at Heathrow. Do not come for it until tomorrow. Understand?”

  Karl coldly replied, “Excuse me, I do not know what gentleman you are referring to. Please inform Miss Kenworth that she is too much trouble, and I have relinquished her. And as for you, Mr. Fiore, I will be expecting a personal favor in return. I have just now learned that your sponsors received
the word of approval for your Whitestone membership. I understand that you have been waiting for some time, in fact several years to join. See you at the club. It will all become clearer.”

  Anthony shouted at Karl, “I was never told that you were a member there. If you are, I am going to tell them no thanks!”

  Anthony now felt very confused as he hung up. He put Kristen’s phone in his pocket.

  “We are going to get you another phone. He won’t be bothering you again.”

  Kristen anxiously spoke, “Anthony, Karl has my passport and all my I.D. cards. It was like he kidnapped me!”

  “Don’t worry, it’s my jet, and there are ways to get you boarded without it. I just need to have my driver go talk to someone.” He looked toward the service area and noticed that security men were running in that direction. He then saw Karl’s man staggering back inside. Anthony quickly put his sunglasses on.

  “Kristen, we have to get out of here now.”

  Anthony then reached into his coat and pulled out her engagement ring. He gently lifted her hand and placed it back on her finger, “You don’t know this, but I have changed my life for you, and I won’t be giving you any more reasons to take it off again. I promise. I love you!”

  He hugged Kristen tightly, and then rushed her over to the other terminal where his jet was. Kristen stayed close by Anthony’s side the entire trip. She was afraid to leave him.

  18 BÊTE NOIRE

  “Only the ocean knows what secrets lay beneath her watery shroud.”

  There had been a rumbling beneath Palm Beach for several days now. As the waters warmed, and the currents changed their course, small bubbles could now be seen rising out of Hell’s tunnel.

  This occurrence could easily be written off as a weather phenomenon that occurred at different times of the year, but to those who believed in the folk lore and pirate’s tales, it indicated that the demons were ready to be fed again. Of course, it also meant something even more significant for the members of The Black Veil.

  There was a flurry at the airports, as all of the club members arrived that week to attend a special Whitestone event. It involved the initiation of new members, and the elevation of certain others to the next threshold. Except for the golf course, the club and tennis courts had been closed for two days, in order for renovations to be completed to prepare for it.

  Karl was also back in Palm Beach. His return was to be brief, so to attend the Whitestone affair that evening. It was uncertain, what else his intentions were besides that. He then planned to return to England for an indefinite period. And, even though he had the recent confrontation with Anthony, things had changed, and he was not concerned should he run into him anywhere.

  On another part of the island, Kristen received a rare early morning phone call. Lucky, that Anthony was in New York again, or she would have had to bear a lot of grumbling from him. She picked up the phone on the second ring and noticed that the number had been blocked.

  “Hi Kristen. It’s Kittens. Remember me?”

  Kristen laughed, “Well, with a name like you have, I sure do know who this is. Did your mother give you my number?”

  “Yes, that’s right. I enjoyed meeting you at that party. The reason why I am calling now, is that my father used to know yours, and he told me to invite you to come with us to the Whitestone. They are having a mid-afternoon cocktail reception for their new members. He said, it will probably last for only an hour, and that you would enjoy yourself. They are having a monstrous party later, and maybe we can swing invitations to that too!”

  It was like a bell that chimed in her head, and Kristen completely woke up, “The Whitestone? That sounds like fun. I always have wanted to see what it looks like inside. It is such a beautiful building.”

  Kittens added, “He said it would be a chance for us to meet some single men, and that there are a few members in our age range.”

  Kristen smiled, “Not that I am eligible these days, but that would really be an incentive for you to go there. I am sure that we will enjoy ourselves.”

  “Great, if you don’t mind driving yourself over there, we will meet you inside at 4 PM. They will be expecting you.”

  Kristen laughed, “Ouch! That is early. I will have to hurry to find something to wear. See you then Kittens.”

  Palm Beach was in the middle of a blistering heat wave. It was not the usual climate for this time of year. The temperature was in the upper 90’s that afternoon, and Kristen decided to walk to the beach. On the way, she went into Publix grocery store to pick up a cold drink.

  As she walked through the store, she was surprised when she saw her brother John, pushing a cart through the wine aisle, “John, what are you doing here?”

  Her brother turned around, “Kristen, how are you? It has been a very long time. What’s new?”

  Kristen held out her left hand, “I am getting married!” Then she frowned, “But you know that. I left you a message and sent you an invitation. Why didn’t you respond?”

  John brushed it off, “Oh, you know, I have been very busy, out of the country, things like that. I am not sure if I can make it, that’s why I did not reply yet.”

  He gave her an insincere pat on her shoulder, “But, I am very happy for you. I know that Fiore is making great strides in business, and he should keep you adorned with all the gifts that I know you need to keep you happy.”

  Kristen looked at him like he had just insulted her, and it took her enthusiasm down a notch.

  She sarcastically said, “You know, that is not what I am into, it is more like our sisters’ “modus operandi”. Anyway John, do as you please and let me know. Maybe we can have dinner sometime while you are here?”

  He looked sheepish and smiled, “Yeah, sure, that would be nice. I have to get going now, I have a date waiting in the car for me. I am taking her to one of Dad's old clubs tonight, and she gets hot wearing her collar.” He chuckled at his own attempt to be funny.

  Kristen inquired, “Are you going to the Whitestone? I have been invited there for early cocktails. Maybe we can meet up.”

  John looked at her with concern, “You are? I am a bit surprised that you are going there. I won’t be there until much later, but perhaps I’ll see you around elsewhere Kristen.” Acting like he was in a hurry, he rushed over toward the front check-out.

  Kristen grabbed a can of Pepsi from the cooler, and a small bag of potato chips. At the register, she looked out the window and saw John drive out of the parking lot. He had a very young woman in the back seat with her eyes closed, and her head slumped against the window.

  Just down the road, a shiny stretch limousine arrived at the front doors of the Chesterfield Hotel. The driver opened the door, and Karl emerged. He politely nodded to the desk clerk as he walked into the building, and then down the hallway leading to the cigar room.

  As he entered, Harris, Hicks, and Hart, were dressed impeccably in black pants and white evening jackets and were seated comfortably in the overstuffed chairs.

  As they rose to greet him, an elderly man wearing his evening jacket over a pair of lime green golf shorts, looked very depressed, and slumped further down in his chair when he saw Karl.

  Karl cheerfully said, “Good afternoon gentlemen, I hope you all had a peaceful flight back from overseas. Have the arrangements been made yet for this evening?” The three nodded their heads.

  Karl smiled, “Very well. It should be quite an eventful occasion. I am looking forward to it.”

  He then directed his attention to the other man and walked toward him.

  “Max, stand up please.” The man seemed weak, and his knees wobbled as he gripped the arms of the chair for support. He faced Karl but would not look him in the eye.

  Karl reached for the man’s lapel, and roughly pulled the fresh red carnation from it. He laughed, “Don’t look so glum Maxwell. You have had a good run here, and now it’s time to make room for our newest member.

  It would have been quite simple to avoid this situa
tion, and you would have had a natural and honorable end. But, we all know that you’ve been talking behind a few backs, and to the wrong parties, and that cannot be tolerated.” The man lowered his white head and nodded.

  A door opened on each side of the room, and two strong men simultaneously entered. They grabbed the man’s arms. As Max was being ushered out, Karl gave him a hearty slap on the back, “My partners will meet up with you at the club in just a bit to take care of the final procedures. As you know, we need to conduct this exit interview in order to certify your termination. I am sure they will enjoy your parting opinions. You always verbalize so well.”

  Max muttered, “Yes, Karl I know all about the exit procedures.” He then started to cry hysterically.

  Karl had no sympathy, “Max, for once you need to act like a man. I know it’s before your time, and I wish you great luck in your next life.”

  He smiled, “I am sure that young wife of yours, will be just fine with all your money to keep her company. Quite a shame that you will miss the party tonight.” Karl then waved farewell.

  As the men exited, two beautiful women with their long black hair twisted into tight buns, slid by them and went straight up to Karl. They were attired in tight red tube dresses and six-inch heels. They obediently dropped to kneel, as he patted their heads.

  “Very nice ladies, it is a pleasure to see you again.”

  Harris spoke, “That “special” new member has been processed as you requested. It took some time for him to grasp our ways. With all due respect Karl, he really does not fit in, I don’t care who he thinks he is.”

  Karl simply replied, “I guess it wasn’t in his nature to obey. Not acting very presidential, now is he? I sunk a lot of money into that campaign, and I made many arrangements on his behalf. He has our final list, and he knows what we want. Soon enough, he’ll learn who he truly needs to bow down to. They all will.”

  Karl lowered his voice, “For now, I am only allowing him general Whitestone status unless there is an “unexpected” opening. I am still just keeping it at 33 spots. He is just not Black Veil material. He laughed, “Pardon the pun.”