Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
The country club, a sprawling manor of marble and ivy, stood sentinel over the immaculate fairways and greens. It was early afternoon, and the club buzzed with the annual tournament. Crystal chandeliers cast prisms of light onto the marble floors, while the hum of conversation echoed off the high ceilings. In the distance, the clink of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter wafted from the terrace, where the rich and powerful indulged in rounds of golf and lavish meals.
Amid this aristocratic scene, tucked away in a corner of the club, was a cosy, secluded porch.
The porch was flanked by tall, potted ferns and offered a panoramic view of the eighteenth hole. The sun dappled through the leaves of a nearby oak tree, casting dappled shadows on the worn, teak furniture. A bottle of Macallan 18, along with four crystal glasses, rested on a low table, gathering condensation from the cool drinks within.
Tom Winters, a man of heavy build and a strong jawline, was the first to take a seat. His short, slightly graying hair gleamed in the sunlight as he poured himself a glass of scotch.
He was a successful businessman, a man of means and influence, but today he wore an expression of irritation. His golf shoes tapped impatiently against the floorboards as he waited for his companions to arrive.
Bob, a tall, lanky man with a perpetual tan, was the first to join him. "Tom," he acknowledged, taking a seat and helping himself to a drink. "Rough day on the green?"
Tom grunted in response, swirling his glass and inhaling the amber liquid. "You could say that."
Just then, Mike, a portly man with a ruddy complexion and a booming laugh, appeared.
"Gentlemen," he said, raising his glass in salute. "Who's ready for a little liquid gold?"
Tom barely acknowledged him, taking a long sip of his scotch instead.
Bob shot Mike a knowing look. "Tough luck out there today, huh, Tom? I heard about what happened with your daughter."
Tom's grip tightened around his glass. "Yeah, well, Brandy's always been... enthusiastic. Today, she was just a bit too eager."
Mike chuckled, "And a bit too close to the ball.
I never thought I'd see the day when Brandy was the one costing you the game."
Tom's eyes narrowed, the muscles in his jaw tensing. "She's young, she'll learn."
Bob leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "So, what're you going to do about it? Give her a lecture, ground her?"