Adventure Club by R S Luebben

Chapter One

I really don't mean to be cruel. Some tell me it's a defense mechanism or compensating, who cares for who listens to what people say. I've had the unfortunateness to attract rich self involved snobs into my sphere. OK they're assholes, but charming assholes. I'd like to say I'm not a snobbish asshole too but I'm not only just one. Well if you're young and rich, and have the kind of money that you can tell everyone to fuck off. It's hard not to be. I'd also like to say that bringing an attractive girl out on the yacht, having a fancy lunch, drinking fancy wines, and going for a sensual swim was to be romantic. It wasn't. Truth is I'm shallower than a dried up sea bed. Now before you go thinking that this lovely is a victim, she wouldn't exactly have said yes to all this if I wasn't flush with riches. A saint she is not, just ask the fish who witnessed our sins we just committed so joyously. After loosing my parents and surviving in battles like Verdun, I think I deserve to indulge in my privileges. No one has sympathy for a billionaire not even me. If I wasn't so busy enjoying the fruits of high society, I might pause to remember my emotions. That just won't do. Then I might be just another frail human whose tragically flawed and imperfect. Actually I find the whole charade of high society to be repulsive. At first its very charming for you get to meet celebrities and rub elbows with powerful people. Then you realize that they are only using you so long as you benefit their social status. They greet you with smiles and then proceed to talk shit about you behind your back. Who am I to judge for I still go to the parties, don't I. I prefer days like today. Taking a pretty girl out sailing, away from prodding eyes. Having the Mediterranean wind blowing through your hair, basking in the warm sunlight. I enjoy adventure for the sake of it. When you're out in the woods or sea, there's a brutal honesty. If you're false or fake out there it can cost you everything. It helps to put a big ego like mine in proper perspective. Some are surprised that I enjoy sailing so much considering that my parents were lost at sea. It's of the belief that I live life on the edge because I'm in a rush to join them, I never thought long enough on it I'd probably agree. Everyone is either false praising me or false hating me. Few actually know me and I guess that's how I like it. When you inherit a billion dollars in your twenties I suppose it's only natural for the curiosity of people to gossip and pry into my affairs, it doesn't make there sting less hurtful. If it makes the nosey nose people feel better, I think the war took a toll on my once youthful good looks. I much more rugged and jaded person emerged from those fields of blood. I can't say if I ever truly was attractive or if it's just the celebrity. That will definitely sit in the back of your mind ever time someone shows you a bit of kindness or flirtation. Is it truly me that they have come for or is it what I can do for them? I suppose since the war I've been stepping up my reckless nature. I developed a bad habit of pissing off all the wrong people who don't care about knocking around a rich, spoiled kid. Might even bump me off this crazy world. A Mobster with a wife and daughter that he doesn't like spending evenings in another gentlemen's abode. I didn't know their circumstances at the time and no I didn't sleep with both at the same time-the mother and daughter that is. Some think I should be ashamed of myself and by Job they are probably right. It's partly why I've developed a passion for treasure hunting of late because if I just sat around my shame would consume me. Looking for treasure or artifacts with significant value, are a distraction. I don't need the money, I just need the adventure of it. The mystery of it-Putting pieces of the puzzle together or the thrill of discovery. During the war, a buddy of mine used to help stave off the fear of death by telling us all stories of adventure and of lost gold. We all new his stories were bullshit but it gave us something to dream about. Saying when the war is over we're going to track down that treasure. Many of them didn't live long to get there chance, and perhaps nobody really ever meant to go look for it. I do-I'm going to have myself an adventure. If I find anything or not doesn't matter but damn it I got to get away from all these high class assholes somehow. Would my parents be proud of me if they were still around? My father would probably say something about putting my foolishness behind me and that is was time to be a man. I don't have his work ethic and have bo love of business. I have men who manage my funds so that they stay healthy and they stay healthy for it. So no my father would not be impressed by my wonderings and lack of direction. My mother was the kind of person never had a bad word to say about anything or anyone. Instead of pointing out all the things she'd hate about my life now, she'd find a way say something to cheer me up. She'd hide her disappointment but I could always feel it. Here I go again talking about my parents again when I am enjoying this lovely day. This young woman seems to be enjoying herself to and I wouldn't be a good host to let my mind wander like this. Both of us are treading water in the gloriously calm sea. My family yacht, well I guess my yacht, is anchored in a lonely cove just a little up from Cadaques, Spain. I spend a lot of time on the Costa Brava these days. I swim over to Ines, a young Catalan girl of maybe twenty. I don't really know if I'm being honest. She has long dark hair, slicked back from all the sea water. Her eyes are equally dark, and perhaps her mind, for she has a wild soul. Don't tell her very catholic parents. I met her early in the summer and have come to know her family a little. I almost feel guilty when I'm sitting at her family table enjoying all the deliciously divine cuisine, and then taking her home to have devil corrupting sex. We swim to the boats ladder so that we can hold on to something. We both hook one of our foots around a lower stair so we are free to bob in the water and more importantly free our hands a little. I move close to kiss her full lips. My left hand slides to her back in part to help us both balance in the waves while our other hands hold on to the side of the ladder. Her free hand on my waist. I gently move my lips to her neck where I can taste the saltiness of the sea on her skin.
It's a selfish thing to let yourself go to desires, and I don't deny the truth in it. As humans we all indulge in our desires in some form or another. It's true that you get a quick fix or rush from it only to be quickly left unsatisfied. Not from the experience but that it doesn't last and ultimately seems to take a piece of your pureness. Becoming harder to reach back to that pureness ever again. It is only when we indulge in acts of selflessness that we can feel pure again. Ines doesn't seem troubled by it. Ines' one-piece swimsuit was rolled down to her waist from earlier. As the waves moved up and down her bare breasts would be exposed but they were content with each others lips. "Ines I'll race you to the buoy. Loser has to wash the dishes from lunch. What do you say?" As I ran a finger along her tanned shoulder and a glint in my eye. "I'll maybe give you a head start." She joked in her soft Catalan accent. I just gave her a silly face in return and we both kind of chuckled. "You can do the count down and on three we go-alright?" She nodded in agreement. "1-2-3, go!" She said quickly and pushed me as she swam away. I kind of expected that but I enjoy her playfulness, it matches mine. I started to swim as hard as I could towards the buoy. It felt good to focus the mind on something else. She was a good swimmer and I really didn't care if I caught her. Losing and washing the dishes was more likely to put me on her good side. She reached the buoy first and I splashed her a little bit in protest. We laughed like we were two kids on a playground in youthful exuberance. It may not be the righteous path but like the eastern philosophers say you got to have balance. I can't say I've achieved it but maybe I'll search for it someday.
We continued our splashing game and enjoying our whimsy without a care in the world. I almost didn't notice two runabouts cruising along. I hope they are enjoying the fine day like we are. The Mediterranean sun on your skin feels warm instead of piercing. Though it I am slightly annoyed to have our little bubble popped. It felt like we were Adam and Eve, all alone in the world. Now we are brought back from paradise to the real world by these two travelers. These travelers do seem to taking their party over to ours though. I couldn't think of a reason for them to be heading our way. Did they think we wanted t talk or perhaps did they recognize my boat and are coming to make like we are friends? My annoyance levels were climbing. I couldn't help but sense something was off about them. My intuition kicking in or guardian angles flapping their wings. They didn't seem to be in a terrible hurry to get over to them, almost like they were making certain before making their move. It was going to be a move, I was sure of it now. I didn't want to panic Ines or make a big deal of it only for it to end up being false. So I started to think of our options while we drew close to kiss. "Que?" She asked in Catalan, meaning What. Perhaps she could feel it too or just my change in behavior. "No passa res." Meaning its nothing, I said. The fact that we had defaulted back to Catalan over English perhaps should have been enough to tell both of us it wasn't nothing. The roustabouts were now in view so I could see its passengers and its as I feared. They have many names but mostly where I come from they are called gangsters. I'm pretty sure they are the rough boys working for Angelo Cossani, the same gangster whom I had pissed off by putting parts of myself into his daughter and wife. They were capable of anything. "Remember when we raced to the buoy? Now I'm going to have to ask you to race me to the beach. We swam too far away from the boat, are best bet is to make it to shore. When you get there, don't wait for me just run. Don't ask me why, just do it and I'll explain later. That is if there is a later." She seemed confused still but as I began to swim for shore, she followed.
We reached the shore but the boats didn't seem to interested in following. The shoreline was a bit rocky and difficult to climb out of the sea, perhaps that is why they seem to be waiting. It could be that Ines was topless until she was able to pull her bathing suit back up. I don't blame them for being distracted for she is quite stunning. I suspected it was not the reason.
We managed to climb up to the top where it overlooked the sea and made way through the rock and scrub towards the seaside road. I guess this is karma or causality for my libertine ways. Ines didn't need to get caught up in the mess. We got to the road just as a Minerva AB Roadster was pulling up to us. I wasn't really surprised that it contained Cossani himself in the back seat. Nor the man in the font passenger seat pulling out a pistol. "Hello Jack. Care to go for a ride?" Angelo said in his Italian twang. "Sure, sure Angelo, The lady here doesn't need to be involved. How about we leave her here?" I tried. "Oh no, she can come along. We can drop her off in town. Hop in." He denied my effort. We climbed in the back with Angelo. There was a driver and the crony with a gun now facing forward. We took the road along the sea back to Cadaques, which is quite breath taking under different circumstances. It was stifling uncomfortable. Ines and I exchanged looks, and confusion filled her face. I tried to smile and reassure he but the truth was that I had no idea how this might go. Angelo perhaps reveling in the fear he was causing, just sat there with a grin. He was well dressed in a suit with a ornate cane between his legs. He turned and looked me in the eye. "Don't worry Jack we aren't going to harm your friend. Even you don't have much to fear. I am not a fool as to attract attention to myself by doing irreparable damage to such a well known gentlemen as yourself. We're just going to rough you up a bit so that I feel better about certain unfortunate events of the past." I nodded and again looked to Ines ,who despite Angelo's attempt at assuring us, had become stiffer with anxiety. I wasn't feeling to great myself. I suppose I could be wiling to accept a push in the face for I probably deserved it. I suspected that he was looking to do more damage so as to send a proper message. I probably deserved that as well but it didn't make me desire it to happen all the more. We arrived in the center of Cadaques and there are plenty of people at the cafes and by the beach. It is a wonderful day after all. All these people going about their day without any hint of danger to the rest of their leisure. Just good food, coffees, beautiful sea views and a carefree look on their faces. Angelo was a man of his word and had his men stop his car and let Ines out of the vehicle. The henchmen in the passenger seat moved to a position so that I couldn't join her in the exit. "I'll be alright, come around the house tomorrow sometime." I said trying to give an impression on confidence but the truth is I still didn't know how bad this could get. She nodded and watched as we moved on. We didn't get far because of all the people trying to cross the road, so we had to sit and wait. As we sat there Angelo looked over and could help to say, "Jack Hunter Hawksley, you'll be a guest to my home. This time you won't be like a fox in a hen house, this time you'll be my obedient little puppy." I just nodded in compliance but still wished to avoid pain like everyone else. As the street cleared and we continued down the road and headed out of town as it winded up some hills. The road quickly took us into a bit of open country as we moved long. The tension in my body was not releasing. How are you going to get out of this Jack? I asked myself. We came to stop at a crossroad and only by pure luck there was a farm truck stopped on the other side I recognized. As we passed each other a managed to make eye contact with the driver, it just happened to be my friend Trip Griffin, who has been working hauling for a local farm for the summer. He was probably on the way to drop off some goods to the local market as it seemed the truck was full of cargo. I consider Trip to be my closest friend, for I was the one who helped him get that job with the farmer. We forged a bond due to our war experience together and we have become very loyal to each other. Trip is tremendously imposing figure of a man and is no stranger to facing death. On the field of battle or facing the slave master's he escaped as a child in Mississippi. Either way he was capable and brave enough to take on a some gangsters. Before I could think of it in my own mind, trip had already turned his truck around and started to follow behind us. I was trying not to tip Angelo off to the fact for I don't know if he is aware that was my friend. Perhaps he simply didn't care or fear it. We continue on towards Angelo's beautiful house in the hills that have panoramic views of the area. We had to wait at his front gate as the man in the passenger seat had to go open the gate, this was the opportunity. Trip came smashing into the back of Angelo's car. This caught the other two off guard but I had anticipated and I was quick to use this to get out of the car. The man with the gun was opening the gate so I was able to get out and run to Trip and the truck. The henchman with the gun shot it in the air as a warning but he wasn't dumb enough to try and escalate this to murder. This gave us the chance to throw it in reverse and gun it back to town. The gunman running back to get into the car so they could follow. We were heading with speed through the country roads and down the tight turning hills with Angelo on our heels. The gunman firing shots in our direction trying to scare us to stop, We did not. We knew we stood out best chance around others. We reached the cafes and beach area where we saw Ines, who was standing with the local Guardia civil. I happened to know both of the officers. It's nice to have friends. We pulled over to them and told them what was happening. We saw Angelo and his rough necks drive off, he was smart enough to know he would have other chances to get his satisfaction. It might be a good time for me to take my adventuring to calmer waters.

Chapter Two