Page 1 of The Billionaire Player

Prologue

Remy

“Charlie, how’s the paper doing?” Remy asked into the phone.

“Hanging on by a thread, you know that. If we didn’t have our digital content I’d be out of business,” Charlie replied.

Remy leaned back in his chair and thought about his longtime friend and his struggle to keep his business floating in the changing times.

“You should have gotten into the liquor business with me when you had a chance,” Remy said with a laugh.

“Hindsight and all that my friend. I’m a newspaperman, always have been, always will be, even if I go under with my company.”

“What if I could help you keep your company afloat, at least for a little while,” Remy said.

“I’m not taking any charity or even a loan. I’m doing okay, not great, but okay.”

“That wasn’t what I was talking about. I think I might have a story for you, one that would be of interest for your younger readers.”

“Really? You have a scoop for me? How did that happen? Who’s it about?”

“Before I tell you, do I have your word that you won’t say anything to anyone? Your source for this story stays strictly between the two of us?” Remy asked.

“Of course, that goes without saying.”

“It does not. It has to be said, so that we’re clear. I can never have my son know that I was the one who put him under your radar.”

“No one will ever hear it from me. Are you having second thoughts about retiring? Are you trying to kick your son out? That’s low even for you, my friend,” Charlie said.

“No. The exact opposite. I’m talking about my middle son, JD.”

“New York’s most eligible bachelor and player? What did he do?” Charlie asked, clearly intrigued.

“It’s what he’s going to do. He’s set to open up his restaurant and while I think he’s a talented man-.”

“He’s bitten off more than he can chew and is going to cause problems for himself and your company when he fails?” Charlie finished for him.

“Something like that.”

“You think that doing an exposé on him is the best course of action?” Charlie asked and then added when Remy didn’t say anything, “You want him to go work for you and Bennett Liquor. You’re trying to get him back into the fold and you want my help.”

“Is that something you can do?”

“A chance to get the goods on one of the Bennett boys, especially the one who went to Italy under curious circumstances, absolutely. I have just the man for the job,” Charlie said excitedly.

“Actually, there’s a woman in your employment I would like you to consider.”

“Which means you want me to use her or the deal is off.”

“Take a look at Alexandria Ricci. She’s young and hungry and I think she would be the perfect person for JD,” Remy said.

“Good looking too. I just pulled up her profile. You might be right. I could see JD opening up to a woman more than some guy he doesn’t know. Are you suggesting this be undercover work?”

“No, nothing like that. I’m going to tell him to expect her, but that he’s doing it as a favor for me. You know, with your company failing I wanted to help out.”

“You sly devil. He won’t know what hit him,” Charlie said with a laugh.

“He’s about to. Just promise me that you’ll tell the truth, no matter where it may lead you,” Remy said.

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