Chapter 1
A Fresh Start
Somewhere in New Jersey.....
Taylor Reese leaned against his old Dodge van awaiting his friend to come out the bar he was parked in front of. The sign in the window said "FOR SALE BY OWNER." This peaked their interest. He and Matty Demaret needed a fresh start and this run down looking bar could be just what the doctor ordered. It had been six months since the shit went down in Montana. Long since Matty had stopped any dealings he had with his father. Matty did well to hide his emotions about his father. Taylor knew this was going to be hard for the both of them. He shook all doubt out of his mind. Matty wasn't like all the other knockaround guys, hell he wasn't even like Taylor. Matty was the only one to see something other than a tough guy in Taylor. This strengthened the two men's bond. He was going to help his friend in any way he could.
Once again Taylor looked over at the front of the building. This reminded him of the bar that was around the corner from his apartment building when he was a kid. The only difference was, no bums standing on the corner or hustler's trying to make a quick buck. He grinned as he looked upon the deserted side walk. This is exactly what we need!
His attention was drawn back to the window as he saw the for sale sign come down. He lifted himself up from the van and stepped forward as Matty walked out the front door. Matty was followed by an older man with graying hair.
"Well, My dear lad. You and your mate their own a pub," the old man said with a heavy Irish accent while smiling before shaking Matty's hand.
"Thank you sir. And again It was a pleasure doing business with you," Matty told the old man. He looked over at Taylor and gave him a grin.
"Now...I want the two of you to come over tonight after we open and meet the crew," the old man said before walking to the entrance to the bar.
Both Matty and Taylor watched the man turn and walk into the bar. They waited until he was gone to say anything.
"Is what we need?" Taylor asked before lighting his cigarette.
"Exactly," Matty said while whipping his hand over his mouth. "It's perfect."
"Good...I like it. No bums," Taylor said showing a slight grin. "Do you expect any problems?"
"They opened at noon and close at midnight," Matty asked while climbing into the van. "All the employees been working her for years, this is the beginning for us"
~~~~~~
Matty and Taylor pulled up the McKnight's pub around 6:30pm. They looked at the bar then at one another before making their way inside. Matty pulled off his over coat and gently placed on the rack before walking down the other end of the bar. He took the seat next to Mac. Taylor on the other hand eyed the place. He wanted to know where everything was and to check out the locals. His eyes slowly made their way around the room. Not to much happening in here. That's good. Old men and not much else. He had stopped right after he walked in the door which cause all the customers and staff to stare at him. Taylor quickly looked around the establishment again then went up the bar to stand next to Matty. His friend began a conversation with the old man from earlier in the day. Out the corner of his eyes he saw a women staring at him. She glared at him for another second then went back to stocking the bar. His attention then went back to Matty and the old man's conversation.
"I am happy to see the two of you again. I've spoken with my people and told them you would be coming. They will all stay a little after to close so they can all meet you"
Matty smiled then said, "Thank you Mr. McKnight"
The old man smiled then moved so he could look over at Taylor. "And you friend"
"How rude of me" Matty said before turning to look at Taylor. Taylor stood up and moved to stand near the old man.
"This is my partner Taylor Reese"
The old man stood up and extended his hand toward the man in front of him. "You're a big one aren't you. It's nice to meet you Mr. Resse and please both of you call Mac."
Taylor shook the man's hand then went back to his seat.
"Not much of a talker" McKnight commented to Matty as he sat back at the bar.
Matty grinned then said, "He talks when need be."
~~~~~~~
Taylor turned in his seat so that he was facing the bar. He looked the mirrored background, watching the customer's interaction. His focused turned from the customer's to the employee's. Three women waitressing, another women behind the bar and three men who bartended and bounced. He watched each one of them very closely. Two of the women where around his age maybe a couple years younger. The other two women were in their late 30's. The men were all in their early to mid 30's. His took him time watching each one of them. How they moved, the tone of their voice and how they interacted with the customer's. The younger waitress who's name was Michelle, was flirty and talk allot. She was tall with long legs and a model's body. Her blonde hair was pulled up in pony tail and she wore a tight crop top with McKnight's Pub on it. She looked harmless but Taylor knew that all women had a dangerous side to them. The other two women's working the bar were more the motherly type. They both looked like they'd been working there for years. Alice was medium height, dark hair that she wore in a bun and a full figured women. She reminded him of his mother. The other lady was named Rosa. She was a tall slender women who looked very elegant. Her short brown hair cup in a very modern style. Her manner was playful and flirty. She reminded him of Michelle, just a younger version.
The men were actually three bother's from around the neighborhood. Taylor had to do a double take when he saw two the of them were twins. The other one looked like he could be another twin but wasn't. All three were 6'2, dirty blonde hair and all were well built. They looked like they could handle themselves in a fight. Finally, Taylor focused on the women standing behind the bar. Charlie was her name, she was about 5'3 with dark hair pulled up in a kind of a bun. She wore a pair of old jeans that rode low on her hips and a T-shirt that cut off at her waist. Unlike most women he meet, she wouldn't turn away when he looked at her. She would glare back at him then go back to her making drinks. Matty placed his hand on Taylor's shoulder which cause Taylor to look away from Charlie.
Matty knew what Taylor had been doing. At this moment Taylor knew more about everyone who worked in this place than the old owner. The man sitting next to him had a profound gift for figuring people out without speaking to them. When Taylor's attention was focused on him, Matty asked the all important question.
"Anyone to be worried about?"
"The blonde likes to flirt but she's harmless. The three guys are bothers and I don't see anything to worry about, the two other waitress's seem fine" he told his friend.
Matty looked down at the bartender then asked, "You forgot her?"
Taylor cocked his head to the side and looked in the direction of Charlie. "She's a fighter" After he said that he turned his head back and looked in the mirror before him.
The black haired young man smirked at his friend's comment. Taylor wasn't what you called a "Ladies Man" neither of them were, but there was a hint of amazement his voice.
~~~~~
After the pub closed, McKnight called everyone to attention to meet the new owner's of McKnight's Pub. Michelle, Rosa and Alice sat at one table. The three men who's names now began known; Alex, Anthony and Adam, sat at another table. Charlie stayed behind the bar. Taylor looked back at her for a moment then turned as Matty began talking.
"I wanted to thank all of you for staying. My name is Matty Demaret and this is Taylor Reese. Mr. McKnight has sold the bar to us. We wanted to come by and to meet all of you and to let you know that all yours jobs are safe. We aren't here to fire you. Mr. Reese and myself want all of you to be at ease with us."
He smiled a half smiled to all the people staring at him. Matty wanted the employees to not worry about their jobs. He and Taylor weren't here to mess up these people's lives. He watched as each one of them looked around the room and then to old man McKnight.
"Mac is this true?" Charlie asked from behind the bar. She then glared at Matty and Taylor. Matty sensed her uneasiness and said, "We don't want you to think that we're coming in and now everything has to change"
She grinned at him then said, "Was I talking to you?" she looked at Mac then asked again, "Mac is this true?"
Mac stood up and walked up to the bar. "Darlin It's time the old Mac is out of this game. This has been coming for a while now. You knew that."
Charlie slammed the towel she had in her hand down onto the bar. She rounded the corner of the bar then said while staring both Taylor and Matty. "I know what you two are. You think you two can walk in her and start a scam. What's is gonna be drugs, whores?"
Matty shook his head and put his hands out in front of him. "Look we aren't here to start anything. We just here to run a legit business nothing more nothing less"
Taylor watched as the women standing before them put her hands on her hips and say, "Sure you are. That's what the big guy is for. She then pointed at Taylor, " for your legit business. I know who your father is."
When Charlie took a step towards Matty, Taylor stepped in front of her. "Taylor" Matty said while shaking his head and moving around his friend. Charlie looked up at Taylor with heated expression in her eyes. Her eyebrow rose before she said, "I've seen what you could do but that doesn't scare me. This place means allot to us."
He went to say something but didn't when Matty piped in, "Taylor's my business partner that's it" He smiled down at Charlie then said, "I promise you this isn't going to turn out bad"
Charlie looked at the man standing in front of her. Sure cutie...I believe you. She turned around and went back behind the bar. Matty turned his attention on the other employees. She now watched as the meet each of them one by one. Taylor glanced back over his shoulder at the height weight behind the bar. She quickly turned her back to him but didn't break his stare. I got your number Mr. Reese. Charlie said to herself while looking at him threw the mirror.
~~~~~
As everyone was leaving, Mac asked Matty and Taylor a question.
"You two boys have a place around here?"
Matty turned back to look at the old man and said, "Not a permanent one"
The old man smiled then said, "Look you two follow me around the corner. There's a building I own with some empty rooms"
Taylor and Matty walked away from the van and followed Mac. He walked the corner then went down the next street. The gray haired man stopped in front of the building with a blue door. It was three stories and looked very quiet.
"It's one big house at the bottom. Then there is an apartment on the second floor and the office is up top. You two stay here at least until you find another place you want."
Matty looked at Taylor who had a reluctant look on his face. He then turned back and said, "How about if we can't find anything we like we take you up on the offer?"
Mac smiled then said ok. Taylor and Matty went back to the van before they talked about what happened tonight.
"She's got balls" Matty said as Taylor pulled onto the street.
"Who?"
"The bartender"
Taylor didn't replied to his friends comments. He was more concerned about getting this thing rolling without any problems. "So where are we going to about a place to stay?"
"Yeah, We don't need to spend excess money on this hotel for too much longer"
"Do you think it's a good idea to live so close to the bar?" Taylor asked.
"I really don't see it being a huge problem" Matty told him. "We can keep a better eye on the place"
The following day the two friends decided to take out Mac's offer to live his building. Taylor hoped this was a good idea. Matty didn't show any reservations about living that close to their business and Taylor trusted his friends judgment.
~~~~~~
The next couple of weeks were busy for Matty and Taylor. They spent most the time moving into Mac's empty house and then the rest of the time was spent at the bar. Matty went threw and redid everything. The entire set up of the bar changed. The employees would now be required to clock in and out on computers instead of writing down when they came in and out on the note pad on Mac's desk. He made sure to take his time and explain to each one of them how he and Taylor wanted everything to run. Matty also took this time to bond with the employees. He a real gift of putting most people at ease. It was only when people found out who his father was that problems arose. The young man decided that these people wouldn't hold his father's reputation against him. He took his time laughing and cutting up with them. Taylor on the other hand, kept his distance. He was here to make friends or be nice. This was a business and he left the interaction with the help to Matty. Not that he didn't care if they were happy or not. He just felt Matty was better to deal with the everyday problems of the workers. Taylor always trusted Matty's instincts. He knew his friend was determined to make this work, so he said nothing.
What he did do was watch the employees of McKnight's Pub very closely. This was Taylor's input on the business, he would take each person and break them down. He'd found out their strengths and their weakness. All his years on the street showed him that people are more than meets the eye. It taught him to watch out for sighs to how people's minds work. The one problem he kept coming up against was Charlie. She had become very quite, the complete opposite of when he and Matty first showed up. Something about her puzzled him. He knew she was dangerous but what he couldn't figure out was, Is she dangerous to the business or me?
The pub closed down the following week so that there could be grand open to the new improved McKnight's Pub. TBC
Somewhere in New Jersey.....
Taylor Reese leaned against his old Dodge van awaiting his friend to come out the bar he was parked in front of. The sign in the window said "FOR SALE BY OWNER." This peaked their interest. He and Matty Demaret needed a fresh start and this run down looking bar could be just what the doctor ordered. It had been six months since the shit went down in Montana. Long since Matty had stopped any dealings he had with his father. Matty did well to hide his emotions about his father. Taylor knew this was going to be hard for the both of them. He shook all doubt out of his mind. Matty wasn't like all the other knockaround guys, hell he wasn't even like Taylor. Matty was the only one to see something other than a tough guy in Taylor. This strengthened the two men's bond. He was going to help his friend in any way he could.
Once again Taylor looked over at the front of the building. This reminded him of the bar that was around the corner from his apartment building when he was a kid. The only difference was, no bums standing on the corner or hustler's trying to make a quick buck. He grinned as he looked upon the deserted side walk. This is exactly what we need!
His attention was drawn back to the window as he saw the for sale sign come down. He lifted himself up from the van and stepped forward as Matty walked out the front door. Matty was followed by an older man with graying hair.
"Well, My dear lad. You and your mate their own a pub," the old man said with a heavy Irish accent while smiling before shaking Matty's hand.
"Thank you sir. And again It was a pleasure doing business with you," Matty told the old man. He looked over at Taylor and gave him a grin.
"Now...I want the two of you to come over tonight after we open and meet the crew," the old man said before walking to the entrance to the bar.
Both Matty and Taylor watched the man turn and walk into the bar. They waited until he was gone to say anything.
"Is what we need?" Taylor asked before lighting his cigarette.
"Exactly," Matty said while whipping his hand over his mouth. "It's perfect."
"Good...I like it. No bums," Taylor said showing a slight grin. "Do you expect any problems?"
"They opened at noon and close at midnight," Matty asked while climbing into the van. "All the employees been working her for years, this is the beginning for us"
~~~~~~
Matty and Taylor pulled up the McKnight's pub around 6:30pm. They looked at the bar then at one another before making their way inside. Matty pulled off his over coat and gently placed on the rack before walking down the other end of the bar. He took the seat next to Mac. Taylor on the other hand eyed the place. He wanted to know where everything was and to check out the locals. His eyes slowly made their way around the room. Not to much happening in here. That's good. Old men and not much else. He had stopped right after he walked in the door which cause all the customers and staff to stare at him. Taylor quickly looked around the establishment again then went up the bar to stand next to Matty. His friend began a conversation with the old man from earlier in the day. Out the corner of his eyes he saw a women staring at him. She glared at him for another second then went back to stocking the bar. His attention then went back to Matty and the old man's conversation.
"I am happy to see the two of you again. I've spoken with my people and told them you would be coming. They will all stay a little after to close so they can all meet you"
Matty smiled then said, "Thank you Mr. McKnight"
The old man smiled then moved so he could look over at Taylor. "And you friend"
"How rude of me" Matty said before turning to look at Taylor. Taylor stood up and moved to stand near the old man.
"This is my partner Taylor Reese"
The old man stood up and extended his hand toward the man in front of him. "You're a big one aren't you. It's nice to meet you Mr. Resse and please both of you call Mac."
Taylor shook the man's hand then went back to his seat.
"Not much of a talker" McKnight commented to Matty as he sat back at the bar.
Matty grinned then said, "He talks when need be."
~~~~~~~
Taylor turned in his seat so that he was facing the bar. He looked the mirrored background, watching the customer's interaction. His focused turned from the customer's to the employee's. Three women waitressing, another women behind the bar and three men who bartended and bounced. He watched each one of them very closely. Two of the women where around his age maybe a couple years younger. The other two women were in their late 30's. The men were all in their early to mid 30's. His took him time watching each one of them. How they moved, the tone of their voice and how they interacted with the customer's. The younger waitress who's name was Michelle, was flirty and talk allot. She was tall with long legs and a model's body. Her blonde hair was pulled up in pony tail and she wore a tight crop top with McKnight's Pub on it. She looked harmless but Taylor knew that all women had a dangerous side to them. The other two women's working the bar were more the motherly type. They both looked like they'd been working there for years. Alice was medium height, dark hair that she wore in a bun and a full figured women. She reminded him of his mother. The other lady was named Rosa. She was a tall slender women who looked very elegant. Her short brown hair cup in a very modern style. Her manner was playful and flirty. She reminded him of Michelle, just a younger version.
The men were actually three bother's from around the neighborhood. Taylor had to do a double take when he saw two the of them were twins. The other one looked like he could be another twin but wasn't. All three were 6'2, dirty blonde hair and all were well built. They looked like they could handle themselves in a fight. Finally, Taylor focused on the women standing behind the bar. Charlie was her name, she was about 5'3 with dark hair pulled up in a kind of a bun. She wore a pair of old jeans that rode low on her hips and a T-shirt that cut off at her waist. Unlike most women he meet, she wouldn't turn away when he looked at her. She would glare back at him then go back to her making drinks. Matty placed his hand on Taylor's shoulder which cause Taylor to look away from Charlie.
Matty knew what Taylor had been doing. At this moment Taylor knew more about everyone who worked in this place than the old owner. The man sitting next to him had a profound gift for figuring people out without speaking to them. When Taylor's attention was focused on him, Matty asked the all important question.
"Anyone to be worried about?"
"The blonde likes to flirt but she's harmless. The three guys are bothers and I don't see anything to worry about, the two other waitress's seem fine" he told his friend.
Matty looked down at the bartender then asked, "You forgot her?"
Taylor cocked his head to the side and looked in the direction of Charlie. "She's a fighter" After he said that he turned his head back and looked in the mirror before him.
The black haired young man smirked at his friend's comment. Taylor wasn't what you called a "Ladies Man" neither of them were, but there was a hint of amazement his voice.
~~~~~
After the pub closed, McKnight called everyone to attention to meet the new owner's of McKnight's Pub. Michelle, Rosa and Alice sat at one table. The three men who's names now began known; Alex, Anthony and Adam, sat at another table. Charlie stayed behind the bar. Taylor looked back at her for a moment then turned as Matty began talking.
"I wanted to thank all of you for staying. My name is Matty Demaret and this is Taylor Reese. Mr. McKnight has sold the bar to us. We wanted to come by and to meet all of you and to let you know that all yours jobs are safe. We aren't here to fire you. Mr. Reese and myself want all of you to be at ease with us."
He smiled a half smiled to all the people staring at him. Matty wanted the employees to not worry about their jobs. He and Taylor weren't here to mess up these people's lives. He watched as each one of them looked around the room and then to old man McKnight.
"Mac is this true?" Charlie asked from behind the bar. She then glared at Matty and Taylor. Matty sensed her uneasiness and said, "We don't want you to think that we're coming in and now everything has to change"
She grinned at him then said, "Was I talking to you?" she looked at Mac then asked again, "Mac is this true?"
Mac stood up and walked up to the bar. "Darlin It's time the old Mac is out of this game. This has been coming for a while now. You knew that."
Charlie slammed the towel she had in her hand down onto the bar. She rounded the corner of the bar then said while staring both Taylor and Matty. "I know what you two are. You think you two can walk in her and start a scam. What's is gonna be drugs, whores?"
Matty shook his head and put his hands out in front of him. "Look we aren't here to start anything. We just here to run a legit business nothing more nothing less"
Taylor watched as the women standing before them put her hands on her hips and say, "Sure you are. That's what the big guy is for. She then pointed at Taylor, " for your legit business. I know who your father is."
When Charlie took a step towards Matty, Taylor stepped in front of her. "Taylor" Matty said while shaking his head and moving around his friend. Charlie looked up at Taylor with heated expression in her eyes. Her eyebrow rose before she said, "I've seen what you could do but that doesn't scare me. This place means allot to us."
He went to say something but didn't when Matty piped in, "Taylor's my business partner that's it" He smiled down at Charlie then said, "I promise you this isn't going to turn out bad"
Charlie looked at the man standing in front of her. Sure cutie...I believe you. She turned around and went back behind the bar. Matty turned his attention on the other employees. She now watched as the meet each of them one by one. Taylor glanced back over his shoulder at the height weight behind the bar. She quickly turned her back to him but didn't break his stare. I got your number Mr. Reese. Charlie said to herself while looking at him threw the mirror.
~~~~~
As everyone was leaving, Mac asked Matty and Taylor a question.
"You two boys have a place around here?"
Matty turned back to look at the old man and said, "Not a permanent one"
The old man smiled then said, "Look you two follow me around the corner. There's a building I own with some empty rooms"
Taylor and Matty walked away from the van and followed Mac. He walked the corner then went down the next street. The gray haired man stopped in front of the building with a blue door. It was three stories and looked very quiet.
"It's one big house at the bottom. Then there is an apartment on the second floor and the office is up top. You two stay here at least until you find another place you want."
Matty looked at Taylor who had a reluctant look on his face. He then turned back and said, "How about if we can't find anything we like we take you up on the offer?"
Mac smiled then said ok. Taylor and Matty went back to the van before they talked about what happened tonight.
"She's got balls" Matty said as Taylor pulled onto the street.
"Who?"
"The bartender"
Taylor didn't replied to his friends comments. He was more concerned about getting this thing rolling without any problems. "So where are we going to about a place to stay?"
"Yeah, We don't need to spend excess money on this hotel for too much longer"
"Do you think it's a good idea to live so close to the bar?" Taylor asked.
"I really don't see it being a huge problem" Matty told him. "We can keep a better eye on the place"
The following day the two friends decided to take out Mac's offer to live his building. Taylor hoped this was a good idea. Matty didn't show any reservations about living that close to their business and Taylor trusted his friends judgment.
~~~~~~
The next couple of weeks were busy for Matty and Taylor. They spent most the time moving into Mac's empty house and then the rest of the time was spent at the bar. Matty went threw and redid everything. The entire set up of the bar changed. The employees would now be required to clock in and out on computers instead of writing down when they came in and out on the note pad on Mac's desk. He made sure to take his time and explain to each one of them how he and Taylor wanted everything to run. Matty also took this time to bond with the employees. He a real gift of putting most people at ease. It was only when people found out who his father was that problems arose. The young man decided that these people wouldn't hold his father's reputation against him. He took his time laughing and cutting up with them. Taylor on the other hand, kept his distance. He was here to make friends or be nice. This was a business and he left the interaction with the help to Matty. Not that he didn't care if they were happy or not. He just felt Matty was better to deal with the everyday problems of the workers. Taylor always trusted Matty's instincts. He knew his friend was determined to make this work, so he said nothing.
What he did do was watch the employees of McKnight's Pub very closely. This was Taylor's input on the business, he would take each person and break them down. He'd found out their strengths and their weakness. All his years on the street showed him that people are more than meets the eye. It taught him to watch out for sighs to how people's minds work. The one problem he kept coming up against was Charlie. She had become very quite, the complete opposite of when he and Matty first showed up. Something about her puzzled him. He knew she was dangerous but what he couldn't figure out was, Is she dangerous to the business or me?
The pub closed down the following week so that there could be grand open to the new improved McKnight's Pub. TBC