Page 68 of Unforgettable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #3)

"Good!" I grin back. "Do you want to go tour it?"

"Sure do!" She turns and heads for the front door, then she stops and says. "But you said I would have an office here too. Why was that?"

"I was hoping you would take over the meal planning for the soup kitchens as well."

She cuts her eyes at me, knowing I just tricked her and obligated her. She shoves me hard, and I stumble. "I would be honored to!" Then she grabs me, pulls me back, and drapes my arm over her shoulder again. We stroll out to our parked cars, with her discussing too many things at once.

"Want to ride with me, so you can keep talking?" I tease her.

"No way! I'll drive myself. As soon as we've finished, I'm heading straight to the grocery store to tell Trent!"

I open her car door, and my phone vibrates with a text.

Alfred here. Your requested update is ready.

Go ahead.

Siri is currently located at Lioness Towers.

When we each turn into the parking lot of my office building, Maria gets out of her car first and walks around the front, examining and dreaming.

When I join her, her eyes are lit with the knowledge that her dream is going to become a reality.

I give her a quick tour, and we discuss the renovations she'll need.

When Maria and I are back in the parking lot, we bond our partnership on a handshake instead of a hug; then, I get in my car and head over to Been Jammin'.

There is one more surprise I want to personally deliver.

I pull up under the canopy, and Jimmy bounds out to my car.

"My man, Moore. It's been a while! It's been a loooooong while.

" He says as he slides his foot across the pavement in a nice dance move, then spins around, claps his hands, and points both fingers at me. "But I was expecting you, my brother."

I open the door and toss him the keys. "Yeah, why is that?"

"Rumor has it that our Babe, Seary, is back, and I believe she is your bae."

I laugh at him. "You haven't lost your entertaining touch, Jimmy."

"Am I, right?" He nods, knowing he is.

"Affirmative." I grin at him.

He watches me enter the casino saying, "Ooooo, la, la, there is a spring in the man's step today! Yes, sir-eee! A real spring in the man's step."

Walking down the aisle to the gambling tables, I notice that nothing has changed. All the sights, the sounds, and the smells are exactly the same as the last time I walked through. Only that time, I wanted Seary to be mine, and this time, she is. I smile.

When Table 56 comes into view, I see that Rebecca is still dealing blackjack.

The table is crowded, and from the sound of the cheers, she is dealing winning hands again.

I walk up, stand behind the crew and wait, knowing she will be scanning the onlookers for her new gamblers.

She knows if she keeps the crowd lively, that her stools will always be full, and her table will always turn a profit.

It isn't long before her eyes land on me, and her expression is priceless.

"Aurei! It's great to see you. Dude! Seary is back!"

The man I'm standing behind turns to look at me. I smile at him and pat him on the shoulder. "I won't keep her long. Just stopped by to pay my respects."

She smiles sweetly at him and, while she deals the next hand, tells the table our story.

How she helped me with a romantic date with their headliner, Seary, but she was called home for an emergency before the date.

How she had returned just today after being away for months, and "look who stands here before me.

" She smiles at me. "I have the room ready. "

I'm flabbergasted by her thoughtfulness.

"You looked shocked by that news." She laughs. "I knew you would be coming."

I smile. "I am. I had no idea you would do that for me again."

"Dude!" She says, shocked. "As crazy about her as you were, there is no way I wouldn't. There is only one small thing you'll need to do again for your date to be perfect."

"What's that?" I ask.

"That expensive champagne? You'll need to get another bottle. I took it home for my Valentine's to Monty. It was soooooo good!"

I wipe my mouth with my hand at that news and then chuckle at her honesty.

A man around the semi-circle sees my look and asks. "What kind of champagne was it?"

I don't answer, but Rebecca says. "Some Fancy French White Gold something."

He looks at me, shocked, then asks. "Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon?"

I wink at him, and he starts to laugh. "Becky, that bottle costs $10,000."

"What?" The color and happiness drain from her face. "$10,000 for one bottle? No fucking way!" But the smirk on my face tells her it's true. "Holy shit balls!" She blurts out.

Everyone at the table laughs. "No worries. I'll get another." Then I reassure her. "Rebecca, I would rather you and Monty have enjoyed it than anyone else."

"Dude, I had no idea!" She shakes her head slowly.

"Listen, I have something to tell you that is going to blow your fucking mind. When's your next break?"

"In a few minutes."

"Good. I'll wait."

In a few minutes, another blackjack dealer comes up, and Rebecca finishes the hand she has dealt and pays the winners out, thanks them for playing with her, and walks over to me.

"I have fifteen minutes. Let me show you the room."

"Sure."

As we walk back to the Gentleman's Lounge, Alfred gives me another update, and I have to take a call from Mia.

Alfred here. Your requested update is ready.

Go ahead.

Siri is currently located at Lioness Towers.

"Moore speaking. Yeah, Mia. Go ahead. No. Angelo is needed here. No. I need you there for now. Soon. Is this why you called? Ok. What did they counteroffer? No. That's unacceptable. Stick to our guns. That's right. I'd rather lose the negotiation than make a bad deal. Out here."

Rebecca takes me past the podium for reservations and through the gate in the railing to the secret door of the club hidden in the wall.

She swipes her access card, and we step into the hallway.

Beverly is listening to an unusual voice I recognize as Cat's from her FaceTime with Siri before we left for Italy.

It's a unique huskiness, and I suspect she has worked on making it sound like a purring kitten. It is a very sexy sound.

Rebecca excuses us and walks by them, but I wait. There is no way I cannot speak to the infamous Cat, Siri's mentor and best friend. Beverly recognizes me and says, "Aurei Moore! We weren't expecting you until tomorrow."

Cat turns her exquisite yellow eyes on me. "Well, I'll be damned! It's nice to meet you." She holds out her hand.

I shake it. "Likewise, Cat. I've heard so much about you. Beverly, good to see you again. Rebecca was taking me to the room she decorated for my date night with Siri."

"Oh," Beverly says. "She doesn't know."

"No. I haven't told her yet." Then I turn to her. "Rebecca, it turns out that Siri and I live in the same hometown, and I ran into her there."

Her mouth drops. "No way!"

I laugh. "She walked across the parking lot, and I looked just like you do right now."

Everyone laughs. "I actually moved into an apartment on the same floor with her. Where I wooed her and was lucky enough to win her on my own merit."

Rebecca's mouth is still hanging open.

"And while I appreciate what you did decorating the room for my return and my allotted appointment with the diva, I won't be needing it. However, I would like to use it for my buddy, Steve, and his girl, Gaby. Post-bachelor party night."

"Well, I'll be damned!" She utters. "Sure. Of course!" She looks at Beverly. "We'll need to move the couches back in."

"You got it," Beverly says to us both.

She shakes off her shock and heads back to the exit door. She pats my arm as she walks by and says. "Excuse me. I'll go on back to my table and try to absorb all this." She giggles as she opens the door. "Wow!"

Cat asks, "So where is my million-dollar girl? I need some happy hugs."

I blink hard, then frown. "Didn't you see her this afternoon before work? She was going to surprise you at your condo."

"No. She didn't stop by."

My gut tightens, and my frown deepens.

Cat notices my expression, and her eyes narrow. "What time would she have shown?"

"Around 2." I pull my phone out and text.

Siri, where are you?

There is a long pause.

Cat informs me. "I was home all afternoon. I've just walked in the door." She leans over to read my text. Beverly pulls her phone out.

Siri responds.

At Lioness Towers.

You good?

Sure.

Quiet begins to fill my head. She would have answered, yeah ... yep, or yes. Maybe even something sassy like 'you know how good I am.' But 'sure?' That doesn't feel right.

Tell Cat hello from me.

Another long pause.

Ok.

Steel bands wrap around my heart. The air leaves my body, and my blood pumps in hard, cold bursts.

I look at the two ladies. Their faces drain of color, and panic has filled their eyes.

"She is in trouble," I state the obvious to them. "Beverly, find Brutus. Tell him to call me. Cat. You're with me."

She slips her shoes off and stands ready. Beverly runs into her office.

I call Alfred as we walk out the exit door. "Where is Siri?"

"Siri is at Lioness Towers."

I look at Cat. She nods, and we take off running.

"Start my Jaguar remotely. Unlock the doors. Report immediately any movement on Siri's phone. Send me the current GPS coordinates. Can you give me her vertical location? Over."

"The Jaguar is running. GPS coordinates sent. I cannot give you her vertical location."

I look over my shoulder, and Cat is keeping up. As we approach the glass doors of the casino, I tell Alfred. "Honk the horn."