Page 31 of Dragged Home for Christmas

Elliott beamed. “She loved it. She came to the first show we ever did. She used to stay for the weekend, and we’d treat her like royalty. Then one Christmas, she watched Nick perform. A week later, the earrings arrived. She said she wanted Nick to have them, because she hadn’t worn them for years, and they’d be perfect with his gold costume.”

Mike stared at the antique earrings. “I think I’ve uncovered all Nick’s surprises, and then you up and toss out a new one.” He gazed at the pretty jewelry. “They might fetch a good price.”

“You can’t sell them, “Ashley protested.

“Why not?” Mike looked her in the eye. “What doyouthink Nick would want—for the Velvet House to go under, or for the show to go on?”

“Not the Velvet House—Nick’s Place,” Sam reminded him. “We’ll need a new sign. Leave that to me.”

Mike gave him a grateful smile. Then he frowned. “Don’t look now, but we have company.”

There was a man in a suit standing at the door, staring at them.

Anthony ground out a snarl. “Ben fucking Sharp. Isaidit wouldn’t be long before he crawled out of his sewer and slimed his way here, didn’t I?” He burst into song. This time it was “Let ’Em In” by Paul McCartney.

“Maybe the rats developed good taste in friends and kicked him out,” Elliott suggested.

Mike stood. “I’d better let him in.” He glanced at the others. “Please stay?”

Jim guffawed. “Honey, we ain’t going nowhere. You need all the help you can get.”

Mike went over to the door and opened it. “Sharp? What can I do for you?”

Mr. Sharp blinked, then offered a broad smile. “I see the Provincetown grapevine is still in full vigor.” Then he glanced over Mike’s shoulder, and his smile lost some of its wattage. “May I come in?”

Mike stood aside and indicated one of the armchairs. “Have a seat.” He waited until their uninvited guest was settled before sitting on the couch facing him. Jim, Anthony, Elliott, and Sam stood behind the couch, arms folded, their expressions neutral.

“But don’t get too comfortable,Benjamin, ’cause you ain’t stayin’,” Anthony flung at him.

Mike took a moment to assess Ben Sharp. His name suited him, from his elbows resting on the armchair rests, to his knees, the lines of his face, right down to his pointed chin.

Ben cleared his throat. “You’re Mike O’Neill, aren’t you? Nick’s nephew.”

Mike nodded.

“And you are?” Ben peered at Ashley.

She gave a wave of her hand. “No one you need worry about. Why don’t you just cut to the chase?”

That earned her another blink.

“Why are you here, Sharp?” Mike asked before Ashley could say another word.

Ben winced a little at the use of his surname, but overcame it quickly. “I hear you’ve inherited this place,” he said with a sweep of his arm. Then he straightened his redtie. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should justcut to the chase, as it were. Take a long, hard look, Mr. O’Neill. This place is rundown. Perhaps it would be nearer the mark to say it’sbrokendown. Who knows what horrors a survey would reveal? How much would it take to restore the Velvet House to her former glory? We could be talking hundreds of thousands of dollars.” He gave Mike a compassionate smile. “Vast sums you might not have at your disposal. You’re clearly an intelligent man. You must realize you’ve inherited a money pit.” He glanced at the four men standing. “Not to mention all the other… baggage the place comes with.” He raised his chin, that broad smile back in evidence. “So let me take it all off your hands. I understand the property market, and indeed, I own a great many properties. I have a large portfolio. And I’m willing to relieve you of this burden. I’d give you a fair price for it.”

The magnanimous prick managed to sound as if he’d be doing Mike a favor.

Mike returned his smile, then stood. “Thank you for dropping by. I’m sure it would be a reasonable offer, but I’m afraid I’m not interested in selling.”

Ben gaped at him, as though Mike had grown a second head. “Don’t you think you’re being a little hasty? I mean, you haven’t even heard my offer yet.”

“There seems little point in doing that if I don’t want to sell, don’t you think?”

Ben stood. “But I’m willing to offer you two million dollars. Surely that’s worth considering?”

What the—

Two million?

---