This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise showed, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents in this story are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Part 10 Three Goldilocks, A Bear, and Penny
It was Thanksgiving the following week, and we all were invited over to Roger's house for a big Thanksgiving dinner. Our school let out for the entire week, and while Julie and Nicole fished up their training, Beth and I carried out the move. We called the movers; they picked up everything from both houses and set up the new house in a day. This specific moving company was owned by Santana, and I'm sure furniture wasn't the only thing they transported.
We all set up the house. Beth and Nicole had their own rooms, with me and Julie in the master bedroom. We had contractors knock out a few walls that expanded both women's rooms, and each had a bathroom. I was surprised all the construction, which started Monday, was finished by Wednesday. Again, the company was owned by Santana and we must have had 30 men working on it. Beth went around barking out orders and ensuring everything was getting done correctly. Every worker addressed her as 'ma'am,' and kept her happy; she had a lot of power at Santana. I pictured both Nicole and Julie in their positions getting this respect, and I was sure they would revel in it.
Each woman decorated their room, with Julie decorating ours. New furnishings were delivered on Wednesday, and by dinner on Wednesday night, which we ordered in, everything would be set up. Both Nicole and Beth combined on decorating the common areas and the kitchen, with Julie not interested except for our room. Out of the six rooms, three were spoken for. I told the ladies to leave one room for me and set the other 2 up as guest rooms. The basement was also mine. They were to do nothing with it. I set up that one guestroom as my office, decking it out with a nice desk, computer, large screen TV, and of course video games. Not that I would have much time to play. I had some good ideas for the basement.
On Monday, I went to a meeting with Roger. He told me Nicole and Julie needed to get a taste of some privileges of their new life; it wasn't just about obedience. He told me to get them a new car. In the afternoon, I went by the tattoo parlor and finished my ink.
I wanted to surprise them, so I had them wear blindfolds on our way to the dealership. We went to one that specializes in sales to the Assassins. Buying expensive cars with cash stands out too much, so this company takes the cash, but they do the paperwork to make it look like it is paid for on a loan. It was a nice dealership, but we wouldn't be shopping from their normal stock.
When we arrived, Nicole and Julie looked confused. I told them they would each be getting a new car. They were in shock, and they hugged me, jumping up and down, celebrating together. They started walking around the showroom looking at all the models, but I stopped them and waved my hand and said, "These are not the cars you're looking for!" Yes, I know, I'm a geek!
We walked out of the main showroom, following the manager, and entered what looked like an old garage. Inside were the cars they would choose from. I was told these cars were legal but had their paperwork and registrations adjusted to make it seem like we were paying less than $30 thousand each. There wasn't a car in there less than $50 thousand, and when the ladies saw them, I thought they were going to faint.
The garage was large, most of the space occupied by around fifty cars. They had most of the expensive makes and models available, in a variety of colors, and even some top end imports. In one corner of the garage was a sitting area, with a couch, two reclining chairs, a coffee table, and a wet bar. The area was on a large carpet, making it look like someone's sitting room at home. The garage was well lit, but the lights were lower in the sitting area, creating a nice, relaxed atmosphere. I grabbed a drink from the bar and watched the women in their quest to choose the perfect vehicle.
Nicole and Julie looked around for about an hour, climbing through, and around, all the models. They would compare notes on one, go to the next, and repeat the process. I sat in a recliner and watched them inspect each car. The manager answered their questions and just made sure they were happy while ensuring I was comfortable. After an hour, they made their decisions.
Nicole chose a red luxury four-wheel-drive SUV; she did like the color red. It had all the modern features it could hold, and the price was more than I had ever seen in my life. Julie wasn't as fancy. She chose a black off-road four-wheel drive with oversized tires, again, loaded with all the features, but about $30 thousand less than her mother's. These fit their personalities. Nicole was refined yet adventurous, and Julie was 100% off-road. After they made their decisions, the paperwork was complete. The company had all the financial information, and no money had to change hands. After they cleaned the cars one last time and gassed them up, we drove off. I still had my old car and was feeling a little left out. I didn't know it yet, but I wouldn't feel left out for long.
The next day, Roger told me to head out to meet the Assassin's leader, John. I was nervous as I drove to the address. It was a little way outside of town, an old salvage yard named Peterson Salvage. I walked inside and asked for John by name. Inside looked like the reception area for a mechanic, and the walls were a mixture of dirty white paint and grease. The occasional pin-up calendar hung around the room with scantily clad women. Everything in the room appeared dirty and smelled of motor oil and lava soap, except for the floors. The tile floors were shiny, standing out in contrast with the rest of the room. What is it with the Assassins and shiny floors?
The man behind the counter stood up, and it surprised me when he stood there looking down at me. At 6'2 I didn't have to look up at many people, but this guy had to be almost 7 feet tall. He was also about 7 feet wide, or so it seemed. He had some weight on him, but he also had some muscle; I would not have messed with him for anything. He wore the largest set of blue coveralls I have ever seen, and he had his name on the right pocket.
He introduced himself. "You must be Rich. My name is Kevin, but everyone calls me Bear."
I could see why. I just hope he didn't eat me!
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Rich." Bear said. "Everyone thought highly of your father. He was an exceptional guy, and I could tell you some stories!"
With this, he pulled down his coveralls to show me his upper arm. On it was an Assassins club tattoo. It was weathered, and a bit faded, and looked like this guy had seen some years in the sun. I thought for a second, then lifted my arm and showed him mine.
"Well damn, isn't that thing shiny! You're just a baby!" Bear teased me.
He laughed aloud and pulled his coveralls back up over his shoulders and buttoned them up. He came around the counter and shook my hand.
"It's damn good to have you as a brother." Bear told me with a smile. "Follow me."