Page 38 of Unstoppable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #2)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

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Siri

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When I open the door to my apartment, I turn the light switch on and walk in with Aurei right behind me. The first thing that hits me is the smell of roses, and I remember the Swingers, their checks, and the unread cards.

Oh, shit! I stuck one in my jacket pocket! What if Ruth has it now? What if there was something private written on them? Damn! I should have been more careful.

A touch of panic is in my voice. "Aurei, please ask Steve to check my jacket for the card I stuffed in my pocket.

" I frown at him as I walk straight to the pole for the envelope.

"I thought I would read it on the way to the bar, but I got distracted watching you drive my car. What if I've compromised them?"

He says softly as he takes it from me. "Swingers and their privacy are the least of our worries right now."

"Please call him and ask." I press my lips together and try to smile for him, but I don't manage more than a grimace.

"I'll ask him. But don't worry. I read it. It said, 'You are one hell of an entertainer. Thank you for the performance. It was unforgettable! Love Darren and Angela.' Go! Pack."

"Whew! That's a relief." I sigh and walk into my bedroom.

I look around realizing, I won't be back here ever again. When we return from Italy, I'll be moving back home to Vegas. I should go ahead and have the moving company pack my things while we are gone. I'll ask Mrs. Smith to handle the details for me. She's such a sweet woman.

In my closet, I dig around for my suitcases and start to pack the clothes Aurei said I would need. "The weather in Rome this time of year is still cold. Pack only the heavy clothes you brought. We will shop once we get there."

That makes this quick and easy. I don't own 'heavy' clothes.

I take my Black & Blue Baby down and decide if I will take her with me. I fold her gently and lay her in.

Of course, I will. She is me.

I hear Aurei talking as I go to the bathroom and collect my toiletries. When I come out, he is still talking. I gather my computer, my gun, and empty the safe, taking all the cash I have as well as my passport out.

I put everything in my satchel and sling the strap over my shoulder. Then I roll my suitcases out.

He's still on the phone, so I go over to the flowers and pull the remaining cards off and read them. He was right. Swingers are all about keeping secrets. They haven't have written anything inside to give themselves away. I take the envelope with their checks and put it in my suitcase.

"Ciao," He says and turns toward me.

"I'm ready. Come on. Let's go!" I beam at him, happy to be leaving with him.

"Excellent!" He says with a grin. "I contacted a former Army brother who flies charter jets now with FlyPrivate.

He was in Pensacola. He'll be at the airport in about three hours to pick us up.

" He takes the two suitcases from me, and I open the door for him.

He rolls them through the door, then behind us as we walk down the hall back to his place.

I turn around and face him, walking backward.

"What did you find out from Steve about the card?"

"He checked. He said it wasn't in there. The pockets were empty. If Ruth read it though, she'll know you're an entertainer and that concerns me.

"Don't worry about that. Brutus will handle her." I smirk, "and she won't be a problem ever again."

He nods, then chuckles, "I know he's good at his job, and thankful I don't have first hand knowledge."

I smirk at him, "I'll need to let Cat know our plans too. Where's my phone? I didn't find it in my pants this morning when I searched, and it wasn't in the bedroom." I frown at him. "I haven't seen it since last night!"

"I put it on charge in the drawer of the nightstand. It's safe."

"I'll text Mrs. Smith too. I've decided to have the moving company go ahead and get my stuff. Carmela has been doing my housekeeping while I'm here. She can pack my things."

"You can store it at my mini-storage. I'll have Ann handle it."

"Your mini-storage? I should have known you owned it."

When we walk back into his apartment, I retrieve my phone and sit on the couch to handle all the arrangements. While Aurei goes onto the balcony to make more calls. Brutus responds immediately. "Don't worry. I know some people in Alabama."

Bubba's no doubt.

Cat responds with a lot of worried texts about me flying off to Italy with a strange man.

I get my computer out and FaceTime with her.

She goes off on me immediately when she sees me, not giving me any chance to explain.

Finally, I butt in. "Cat! Calm down. He's the same dude that Bart booked for a one-on-one session with Seary. "

Her mouth falls open. "What? Are you shittin' me?"

"No, I'm serious! You did know Bart booked a VIP room for a solo performance, didn't you?"

"Yes, and the flyboy is the same dude?"

"Same dude."

"He's that Moore?"

"Yeppers. One and the same man."

"Doll!" She whispers to the screen. "He's loooaaaadddded! He paid Bart 100k for two hours with you, and Brutus actually did the background check himself. He's legit." Then she narrows her eyes suspiciously. "What are the odds of you two meeting in Alabama?"

I wink at her. "Jackpot odds, for sure! I've been telling you. Karma's only a bitch if you don't pay it forwards. If you do, she works miracles!"

Just then Aurei walks in from the balcony, and I pat the place next to me.

"Aurei, come meet Cat so she won't worry about me while I'm gone.

" He slides next to me on the couch, puts his arm around me, and kisses my hair.

Her face is priceless! She gives me her 'I would have liked to have taught him a thing or two' look, and I giggle at her.

He looks at the screen and smiles, "Hi."

Her face is priceless again! She practically drools.

"Hi," she says back, but I watch her keen eyes summing him up, and I see her relax. I knew she would like him. "You take good care of our Baby Girl and enjoy yourselves, but come May 1st, she's coming home to Vegas with or without you. She's been gone too long."

He laughs at her and cuts his eyes at me. "It will be with."

I beam at her.

His phone rings, and he excuses himself. I watch him as he walks back out onto the balcony, and she whispers. "Is he gone?"

"Yep."

"Siri! He is the catch of a lifetime! I'm so happy for you. You deserve someone like him. But if he breaks your heart, before Bart has him tortured and Brutus removes the life from his body, I'm gonna give him a go. Ok?"

I crack up, then look toward the balcony, smiling. "I'm never letting him go! Sorry."

Since Aurei is pacing back and forth in front of the door, I have time to talk.

"I have some business to discuss with you too.

" I tell her about the idea I had with Clay's bar and bringing the girls in for a working vacation to help with dancer burnout.

She loves the idea, and she promises to talk to Laura about moving here to raise her baby.

When we finish, and I close the computer screen, it's been almost an hour.

I love that woman to pieces! I can't wait to get back!

Aurei comes back inside and sits next to me. Before he can say anything, I ask him. "Can we take your guitar?"

"We could, but we won't need it. I have one at my studio."

"Good. I want you to sing to me every day."

"That's a tall order. I don't know that many songs." He laughs and puts his arm around me. I lean my head on his shoulder and snuggle. "Ann is going to come pack my things to take back to the farmhouse for me and handle your move. Where's your gun? She can take it too."

"It's in my satchel."

"Dirk has been delayed a couple of weeks, so he can take over my lease.

" He pats my leg. "Let's go grab a quick, keyword being quick, shower.

Rome is a nine-hour flight and seven hours ahead, so we will lose 3/4 of a day traveling.

" He stands and pulls me up. "As cute as you look in my shirt, I'm not letting you arrive in Rome wearing it. "

I giggle as we go to the bathroom together. Right before we step in the shower, Aurei gets another phone call and walks out to take it. I bathe quickly without him and am coming out of the bathroom when he returns. He pushes me out the door.

"No touching. Keyword quick." He tells me as he shuts it.

I go to the kitchen and get a water from the fridge. I stand at the balcony window, watching the birds. I'm so lucky! My mind races around between Vegas, Aurei, and Rome, but it settles on Ruth.

Bitch! There is no way in hell I'm going to let her ruin what we have. She needs serious help.

I find my phone and text Brutus.

Ruth needs a serious psych eval. Drug abuse, but stalker tendencies too. Traumatized. Delusional. Rehab rotator.

Got it! Got your back. Will handle. Moore checked out. Good guy. Enjoy Rome. You deserve it.

TY! !

Yep.

I take a deep breath to relax and put my hands over my head, stretching. Then I bend over and touch my palms to the floor. Standing back up, I repeat the tall stretch, then bend backward until my hair hangs off my head.

They are both right. Everything will be fine.

When Aurei comes in, I see him upside down. He is dressed in a black business suit, black shirt, and royal blue tie. The view almost makes me lose my balance. "Damn, you look fucking hot as hell!" I tell him as I roll-up.

He stands there grinning at me. "You do too, but you need to get dressed."

I sashay over to him. "Let me check out this new look." He rolls his eyes but stands still while I walk around him, admiring him. The suit is an expensive fabric, and it's tailored too. He hasn't shaved, and his whiskers are scruffy. He looks dark and inviting. HOT HUNK!

"I don't think I will ever get used to how handsome you are. But why the suit?"

"I'm not just a country cowboy from Alabama, nor am I just an Army Aviator. I told you my life is complicated." He smirks. "I'm a businessman in Italy."