The Family Business 3
Carl Weber & Treasure Hernandez
This book is dedicated to my Pops,
Carl Weber Sr., the man who taught me more
about how to run a business than all my
business school teachers combined.
Dear Reader, I hope you enjoyed Family Business 3: The Return of Vegas as much as I enjoyed writing it. Here at Team Weber, we are presently working on the next four installments of the Duncans’ saga, which will begin in the summer of 2015 with Grand Opening, a Family Business prequel about how LC, Chippy, and Lou first got started the business; then we return with Family Business 4: The Search for Ruby in February of 2016; Finishing School : The Education of Nevada Duncan in 2016; and No More Mr. Nice Guy: The Introduction of Niles Monroe in 2016.
For fans of my other series, look for Married Men 2, coming in 2016.
All the Best,
Carl Weber
Prologue
Junior Duncan walked into the Waldorf Astoria looking handsome yet uncomfortable in his navy blue Brooks Brothers suit. His awkwardness was not apparent to most of the other hotel patrons. However, it was so obvious to his lovely, full-figured girlfriend, Sonya, that she made a mental note to herself to give him a very special treat in bed later that night for being such a trooper. You see, despite the fact that Junior and his family were as rich as anyone in the building, he was more comfortable in a pair of jeans or coveralls than he was in a suit. Still, today was the one-year anniversary of their first date, and he’d promised her a night out on the town, and he planned on living up to that promise.
The couple held hands as they walked through the lobby toward the Zagat-rated five-star Bull and Bear Steakhouse. There they were greeted by the ma?tre d’, a dark-haired Frenchman who seemed to know Junior personally.
“Ah, good afternoon, Mr. Duncan. Your table is ready. Right this way.” He led them to a very private table in a corner, handing them menus once they were seated. Less than a minute later, a wine steward arrived with a very expensive bottle, which he opened and allowed Junior to taste.
Savoring the wine, Junior nodded his head like he’d seen his father LC Duncan do at fine restaurants like this one a hundred times before. The wine steward filled their glasses, and Junior lifted his, toasting, “To the prettiest woman I’ve ever met, and the most wonderful year of my life.”
Overwhelmed by the moment, Sonya blushed as she tapped her glass politely against his. This was like a dream come true for her, but what she didn’t know was that Junior had much more in store for her.
“Excuse me, Madame.” The ma?tre d’ interrupted their moment, laying a domed silver tray on the table. “I believe this is for you.”
“But I haven’t ordered yet.” Looking up at the ma?tre d’, she missed the look of pure satisfaction covering Junior’s face.
“The gentleman has taken the liberty of ordering your first course.” He motioned to Junior, who nodded his approval. The ma?tre d’ swiftly disappeared, leaving Sonya staring at the silver tray.
“Is there a Lexus with a bow parked outside for me? Are there keys under this thing?” Sonya asked, lifting her head to see Junior’s smirk.
“You’re never gonna know unless you take off the cover.”
She drummed her fingers over the lid nervously and then snatched it up, revealing a small jewelry box covered in rich leather that told her whatever was inside was expensive. Sonya’s hands flew to her mouth and her eyes started to water. She looked from Junior to the box and then back to him.
“Oh my God. Is that what I think it is?” she murmured.
Junior picked up the box and dropped to one knee.