Page 53 of In For a Penny
“We understand there was some nasty business concerning a couple of thugs of a local loan shark,” Max said the second Parker’s ass hit the chair. He grunted in frustration. This was no one’s business but his.
“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” he answered.
“No doubt, but extortion doesn’t sit well with me. Especially when it involves my friends,” Max said.
Parker wasn’t sure how to answer the SWAT officer. Yes, the interest was unreasonable. But he knew that going in. He needed the money. What other choice did he have?
“We have a solution,” Dean said after clearing his throat. Parker watched as he glanced over at Liam. Liam gave him a quick nod. “Yesterday, Liam sold his shares of the bar to me.”
“No,” Parker barked out.
Necessity had forced his dad to sign over the bar to him. He had only agreed if each son received a third interest. He would run the day-to-day operations, but his brothers would always own a piece. It was part of why he worked himself to death to make sure the bar survived. It wasn’t just his heritage at stake.
“Hear me out,” Dean said. “I only agreed on several conditions.” Parker wanted to storm out of the room. Dean had always been a smart guy, though, so he owed it to himself to listen.
“First,” Dean continued when Parker nodded. “I’m made a silent partner. I don’t want to tell you how to run your business. I would love to help out on occasion though. I’ve always wanted to learn how to bartend.
“Second, Liam has the option to buy back the shares for the purchase price at any time. I’m not willing to steal his inheritance. Ronan had me draw up the paperwork to transfer half of his shares to Liam. They will revert to him if and when Liam repurchases his shares. In the meantime, they will each hold half of Ronan’s third, you retain all of your shares, and I hold the remaining third.”
“No, Liam. I won’t let you do this over some stupid mistake I made.” Parker was shaking his head.
“Parker,” Ronan cut in. “You were doing the best you could with an impossible situation. Now it’s our turn. Liam and I are good with this deal. It’ll give you the money to pay off the loan shark, fix the apartment for Dad, and maybe expand this place.”
“The loan’s already being taken care of,” Max added. “I made a visit yesterday to Falcón’s youngest son to let him know if he continued his harassment, SWAT was going to suddenly take an unprecedented interest in his father’s businesses.”
“Can you even do that?” Parker asked.
“Probably not, but he doesn’t need to know that.”
“I also spoke to Jimmy yesterday. He’s agreed to waive the remaining interest if you pay off the rest of the principal by the end of the week. I’ve already set it up,” Dean said. Parker sat back in his chair, running his hands through his hair.
This was the moment he lost the bar. He had known in the back of his mind that it was coming. Everything had been slowly turning around so he had chosen to ignore his inner voice. Maybe he could still make this right. He would just work twice as hard until he had Liam’s shares back.
“I guess I don’t have a choice,” he began when Liam cut in.
“You always have a choice. This is still your bar. We’re just doing what we need to keep it. I went to see Dad yesterday.” Parker’s head shot up. “I explained everything. How you’re working yourself to death, about the debt, all of the sacrifices you make for us. He’s not stupid. He’s been worried about you for a while.”
“He thinks this was a good plan,” Ronan continued. “Please, Parker, this can work. People take on partners all the time.” Parker sat in silence, looking into the pleading eyes of his little brothers. How the hell did they get so smart? He let out a breath that had felt pent up for years now.
“Okay, yeah,” he finally said, looking over at Dean. “Welcome to the life of a bar owner.” He held out his hand and Dean grabbed it with a grin on his face. A collective sigh went around the table. “How in the hell did you do all of this in a day?”
“Astrid has a way of spurring people into action once she has a plan,” Ronan said with a grin. Astrid. He should have known. She was just so damn brilliant. His eyes landed on hers.
“I’ll deal with you later,” he said. Her face paled slightly. He knew she thought he was angry. He was anything but. He was impressed, dumbfounded, astonished, and more than a little turned on. He would definitely deal with her. He would lay on his back, cross his hands behind his head, and let her ride her fill. His eyes narrowed at her. Someone cleared their throat.
“I’m going to head to the office to file the paperwork,” Dean said as he rose to stand. “As soon as it’s done, I’ll meet with Falcón to give him his money. I have the wiring instructions to send you the rest.” He pulled Sam up. “Come on, babe. I’ll drop you off at the administration office on the way so you can change your class schedule.”
“Hey, is anyone going to the mall? I need some new shorts for practice and Ro needs to pick up some new brushes for this year,” Liam asked.
“Yeah, come on. Max has to get to work and I need to hit Target,” Karlie answered.
“Wait,” Parker said as everyone started to walk toward the door. “I just wanted to say thank you.”
“Please,” Max answered, squeezing his shoulder. “Do you have any idea how many times you’ve saved us? Shit, no one should have to put up with being grabbed by a couple of drunk coeds that many times.”
“And you kept Dean from winding up with a Stepford wife,” Sam added. “Parker, it’s what friends do. They have each other’s backs.”
“Besides, we all have our crosses to bear and you’re now stuck with that,” Max added, shooting a thumb at Dean. Taking Karlie’s hand, they walked to the door.
