Page 77 of Unforgettable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #3)

"Really? Who?"

"Dirk Sam. We went to flight school together. I got a text from him while you were working out that he is in town. I invited him to come to the show."

"Awesome! Can't wait to meet him."

He laughs. "He's a real piece of work. He's the one who tagged me Hardcore."

"Oh! That's interesting! Maybe we can invite him to dinner with us before the show."

"What about James?"

"It's too late to go over any real choreography. I'll text him what I want to do on the way there. He'll be too busy flittering around trying to get everything and everyone lined up to want to sit down, much less eat a meal. It's a much better plan to meet your friend for dinner."

He pulls his phone out to text his army buddy.

* * *

Aurei

* * *

Sam I Am, how about meeting up at Bart's Steakhouse in Been Jammin'?

Perfect. Time?

In 2 hours.

You got it.

"Dirk's down for dinner. I told him in a couple of hours."

"Don't hesitate to come to my rescue if I'm not free by then."

We walk out to the car, and I open her door. She gets in, and I close it, walk around and get behind the wheel. As I pull out, she takes her phone and begins text warfare with James. She narrates for me.

"Let's incorporate the bachelor party as part of my last performance rather than before or after." She gives me her impression of James. "Hmm. I don't know. What are you thinking?"

She gives him a list of the songs in the order she wants them with a brief description of what she envisions.

I'm amazed at the ease with which she creates a production and just as amazed when James agrees and says, "Piece of cake.

Now let's chat about the Cirque do Soleil show.

" That discussion doesn't go as smoothly.

Siri envisions her entrance swinging in, singing on a trapeze hoop, showing off her pole dancing skills, landing on the stage, and hitting a lively dance routine.

While James envisioned her wearing a white gown and arriving through a pillar of smoke with strobe lights as if she were an angel from heaven coming down in a cloud, singing a 'to be determined' song.

"He clearly envisions the show competing with Celine and MJ, but I envision the competition to be Brittney and JLo. Competition isn't the right term. It's target audience. Their audience is our target. What do you think?"

"I think you should do both."

"Both?"

"Alternate it so return customers won't see the same show every time."

"That's perfect!" She types it on her phone. "Did I tell you I love you today?"

"Several times."

"Did I tell you that you are my hero today?"

"Several times."

She hits send and then turns to look at me.

"Did I tell you you're a genius?"

"No. First time I've heard that one today."

"Well, you're a genius." Her phone dings, and she reads it, then grins. "He likes the dual idea." She sets it down and asks. "So, tell me the story about how you got the nickname Hardcore."

I entertain her with the wingman story as told by Dirk. "When he overheard me using a line on flirting chicks, he told me that was hardcore. The name stuck."

"What was the line?"

"'I'm not into you, so I'm not getting into you.'"

"That's hardcore, alright. Straight line, not curved."

"Affirmative." I turn the blinker on and pull into the turn lane to wait for a break in the traffic. She sits up when she realizes we are here. Her excitement level just jumped off the chart. "Hang on, Wild Thang!" I laugh.

She grins at me then beats her thighs. "Eek!"

When I park, I lock her door and tell her. "I'll open your door and escort you in. I don't want you without protection. I won't have you mobbed."

She looks under the canopy at the crowd of people, and I see her complete trust in them, but says, nonetheless, "Ok. Whatever you say. But hurry! I can't fucking wait!"

I look out and realize there are a lot more people than I'm comfortable with walking in with her alone.

"On second thought." I reach behind my seat and pull out a baseball cap, hand it to her and say.

"Hair up. Hat on." Then I open the glove box and give her my spare Ray-Ban sunglasses. "Put these on, and don't dance!"

She giggles.

As we walk in holding hands, I tell her. "I would feel a lot more comfortable if Brutus was here too."

When we discussed the exact ambush point on the drive over, Siri nixed texting him. "He isn't scheduled until 10 p.m. every night, and if he comes in early, everyone will know I'm here."

She pushes her tits against my arm. "You got this Sugar Bare!"

I scan the crowd as we walk, though. No one is paying us any attention. Amazingly the hat and sunglasses are working. As we approach Table 56, I see Rebecca entertaining a single patron. "Want to surprise Rebecca first?"

"I do!"

We walk up, and as we approach, Rebecca, scanning for new marks to attract, sees us.

She squeals and bounces up and down at her table.

Siri gives her a twinkling finger wave and walks behind her station.

She gives her a sincere hard hug, and Rebecca tells her.

"Love looks so good on you! You are practically glowing with happiness! "

"It feels pretty fucking good too!" Then she turns to the gambler. "Excuse us. I've just returned from a long hiatus. I didn't mean to interrupt your game." She lowers my Ray-bans and winks at the dude.

He laughs. "I didn't mind at all. It was quite enjoyable." He looks over his shoulder at me. "Right?"

I nod. Then Siri returns to me, and I drape my arm over her shoulder. She lays her hand possessively on my abs, and I love the way that makes me feel. Proud I'm hers.

Siri tells her we are popping in to surprise everyone, and they will catch up at the party. Rebecca nods. "I can't wait to hear the details." She looks back down at the dude as we walk off and says. "Do you realize how lucky you are? That was Seary! Our headliner."

I can feel his eyes boring into us, and I give her shoulders a little squeeze. "Word will spread fast, you know."

She laughs. "I know. We can't stop again. We have to go straight to the Club and to the dressing room."

"Lead the way."

She steps out from under my arm and reaches back for my hand as her stride lengthens. I clasp it and match her pace. I'm enjoying the way her tits are moving and flowing with her gait when she glances up and sees me. "All men love bouncy tits."

"Yes, we fucking do!"

As we walk past the Steakhouse, I realize we don't have reservations. "Siri, I should go in and reserve a table."

"You don't have to. Bart has a standing table available all the time. We can just use his."

"What if he's using his."

"Then we'll join him."

"He won't mind?"

"Won't mind what?"

"Imposing on him."

"Bart? No. He won't mind. Trust me."

"Are you spoiled rotten?"

"Pretty much."

When we come upon the new construction area, the ticket booth is set up for the new Whitney Houston, I Will Always Love You Cirque do Soleil show, and there are people at the window.

Banners fill the huge wall with Siri's picture along with the announcement that the venue is almost complete.

I squeeze her hand. "I should snap a pic of you in front of the ticket booth and send it to Zita and Bob. "

"That's a great idea!" She detours to the ticket area and poses for me. She slides the sunglasses off her nose and removes the cap. Her long blonde hair floats out and swings down. Her eyes are dancing, and her smile is what dreams are made of.

I snap the pic, grab her hand and march past the reservation podium, through the gate, and up to the secret door in the wall with such focus, no one approaches us, but we do hear, 'Oh my god, It's Seary!

' I push her up to the door, and she looks at it without moving, then turns back around and says. "I don't have a card to swipe."

"Well, fuck! That's a snafu!"

But the door opens, and Cat stands inside. "Baby Girl!"

"Cat!" Siri rushes into her arms, and I step in, closing the door behind us.

The two friends hold each other in a long, tight hug.

They talk at the same time, and I can't make out a thing they are saying.

Beverly comes out of her office and joins them.

Then a tall, slender man with spiked red hair runs down the hall to them.

I'm guessing that's James. The family reunion is going strong when a distinguished man in a black silk suit walks down the hallway.

He touches James' shoulder, and he steps aside.

"Excuse me. I want to greet our million-dollar baby now.

" Cat and Beverly step aside, too and Siri stands alone.

My eyes narrow when I notice her posture changes. She stands there being ... meek.

Who is this dude? I stand tall and study him. Not sure if I like this alpha man whose smile is decisively dominant and who's decisively ignoring me. She opens her arms and walks up to him. He takes her in his embrace and says in her ear. "How's my glowing, green-eyed vixen? You okay, Baby Girl?"

"I'm fine, Bart, but I owe you all an apology." She pulls away and addresses them. "I put myself at risk. What I did was incredibly stupid. Please forgive."

Bart speaks first. "No apology needed. We're all thankful you are fine." Then everyone else starts talking too. I can't make out a single word, but they all seem to be hearing each other.

I check my phone and see Dirk has texted.

Here now. I'm gambling. Come bring me luck.

Zita texted too.

Love the pic! Siri looks radiant! I'm blowing this up and having it framed for my office!

Siri touches my arm, and our eyes lock. Boom! That jolt of love that sometimes flashes so strong between us flashes again. I smile at her and lean down for a kiss. She pecks my lips and then turns to her crew. Her face radiates her joy. "I want you to meet my husband."

"Husband?" Bart and James say at the same time. Bart's eyes and his dominant posture stare back. His eyes are narrowed, and he is sizing me up. I stare back, claiming her from him.