Page 55 of Lilly

I cringe as he sets his dessert fork, dripping with dressing, on the white tablecloth, then picks up the salad fork.

"So." He pierces his lettuce with his fork using far too much force. It's delicate butter lettuce and should be handled with care, not stabbed like it's an animal being speared in a hunt. "Are we ready to discuss business?"

Phillip answers. "One generally does not discuss business until the meal is done."

He smiles. "In my business, we usually discuss business during dinner, not after."

Phillip's lips purse. "Ours is a different type of business."

"About that, I still don't quite understand what type of business you're in. Or what I'm signing up for here."

"Mr. Ashford." Phillip sets his fork down. "I believe it's time we go over the rules once again. But before I do that, let me remind you that you are joining an organization. We are not a business. We are a fraternal group of like-minded individuals set on achieving common goals. While it's true that many of us are business owners and we indeed use those skills and resources to achieve our goals, the group in and of itself is simply an entity. Now as for the rules, the number one rule is to never ask questions."

"But isn't that why we're—"

"What did I just say, Mr. Ashford?" Phillip's jaw clenches.

"Don't ask questions," Dean mutters. "Please continue."

"From here on out, the group is your priority. It comes before anything else."

"What about my job? My son?"

Phillip lets a heavy sigh. "Your inability to follow rule number one is becoming quite tiresome."

"I'm sorry, but I was under the impression that I would be allowed to ask questions at this meeting."

"Your assumption was incorrect."

"Phillip," I say, getting his attention. "Perhaps this once, since Mr. Ashford knows almost nothing about it, we could allow him to ask one or two questions." I glare at my brother-in-law, not wanting him to ruin this. I gave him a talk before we arrived, explaining to him how to handle Dean but he's not following my orders. I knew Dean would have questions and if we don't answer at least a few of them, he won't progress to the next step.

"Very well," Phillip says, glaring back at me. His eyes return to Dean. "In response to your question regarding your priorities, your duties for us will not have any effect on your position at your company. If you need to be absent, they will understand and not question it."

"I don't understand. If nobody knows about it, then how—"

"The right people know. The people at the top. How do you think you got that job? You're certainly not executive material. You don't even possess an advanced degree. You never would've been given that job if it weren't for us. We obtained it for you to show you what we can do. To show you the power we have, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Our power runs deep, Mr. Ashford. Deeper than you'll ever know." He picks up his salad fork. "We should eat and finish our discussion after dessert."

After a painfully long meal, in which I had to listen to the disgusting sounds of Dean chewing his steak and gulping down his wine, our plates are cleared and we're finally ready to begin.

Phillip takes out a folder and sets it on the table. He opens it up and turns it around so it's facing Dean. "This is the initial contract you signed when Katherine first approached you last May. Do you remember signing this?"

"Yes," he says. "But I wasn't told what it meant. It just seemed like a standard non-disclosure."

"It's far more than that. Yes, it does state that you will not tell our secrets, but it also states that you have agreed to start the application process for membership."

"And what does that entail?" he asks, then cringes because it was yet another question.

Phillip stares at him. "Perhaps you could wait for me to finish talking and then at the end, we'll see if you still have questions."

He nods. "Go ahead."

"As I was saying, by signing this document, the application process has begun. It's a rather lengthy process that includes various assignments that must be completed in a timely fashion. Those assignments will then be assessed and recorded and shared with the new member committee. Fortunately for you, I'm a member of that committee so getting approved should be quite easy for you, as long as you're cooperative."

"What do you mean by—" Dean stops himself. "Continue."

Phillip takes the folder back, setting it in front of him. "In exchange for the many perks that come with belonging to this group, our members must complete certain tasks. Some are as simple as making a phone call or handling paperwork. Others are more involved. For the most part, we hire people to do these jobs and simply oversee them, but in a few instances, they must be done yourself. The tasks I'm referring to are what we call our assignments. As I mentioned, we will be giving you several of these assignments to complete as part of your application process. The first one is described here." He takes a piece of paper from the folder and sets it in front of Dean. "Read it over." We wait for him to finish, then Phillip says, "At this point you may ask questions, specifically about the assignment."

Dean holds up the paper. "You want me to make fake documents to get the mayor charged with embezzlement? Why would I do that?"

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