Page 7 of Untouchable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #1)

"Always," I reply with the same smirk.

"Smartass!" Then her eyes clear, and they look directly into mine. "Did you find the motherfucker?"

"Affirmative."

"Dead?"

"Yeah."

"Good!" She looks down at her mangled leg, then at the front seat where Bradford had been sitting.

"Bradford?" I ask.

"He's been escorted back."

We stare at each other, knowing the pain of his death will bond us together forever. She opens her mouth. I know she wants the details, so I begin telling her before she has to ask. "The Motherfucker was hiding as a woman."

"Piece of shit!" The venom in her voice is pure.

"Yeah. Hiding with the women and children."

"Are they okay?"

"He killed three boys before I could get my hands on him."

She looks up. "Are you good?"

"Yeah." I smile at her, raise my arms and turn around so she can see I'm unscathed. "I'm good."

"How did you...."

"Knife," I answer, classifying the killing, then hold my hand out. "My gun, please, Ma'am."

She stares at my open hand, digesting the information and realizing I won't share any more details. She quietly lays the weapon in it. I check the safety, return it to its holster and zip it up with the buck knife.

I state the obvious. "Looks like you'll be heading home."

She looks down at her leg. "Yeah. Looks like a one-way ticket out of here." She takes a deep breath, then relaxes, letting the morphine have its way with her. When she looks up at me again, she says. "Easy Mama's going home to see my Badass Baby Daddy and our precious little girl!"

The look on her face makes my breath hang in my throat, and my gut tightens.

She closes her eyes and drifts off to sleep as I stand there guarding her. When the medics return with a gurney, I wake her. "Easy. Time to go home."

Her eyes flutter, and when she focuses on me, she smiles.

I back away but continue to guard my friend as they work to remove her from the vehicle. When she's free and her leg is being secured, I watch her pass out from the pain. But when they lift her to carry her to the bus, her eyes open, and she reaches for me.

I walk over to clasp her hand. "Take care of yourself, Easy."

"Will do, Sir. You too." She squeezes my hand.

"Your Badass Baby Daddy is one lucky man."

She grins, then laughs. "Yes, he is!"

Then the medics carry her away.

I watch for just a moment, then turn to leave, knowing it's time to report to my commanding officer.

I take a few steps, then hear her yell after me. "Hey, Hard? Don't stay that way."

I throw my hand up in the air, letting her know I heard her.

"I'm serious, Asshole!" She yells, making me laugh out loud.

I turn to face her and shrug my shoulders as I continue walking backward. "Hardcore." I double-tap my heart with a closed fist, then spin around and continue walking away.

She laughs and yells as they load her on the bus. "Bro, you didn't fool me! Hardhead for damn sure, but not hardcore!"

I sling both arms in the air, spin to face her again and give her a final salute, flipping her off. "I won't forget you, Easy Mama."

"You better not!"

"I won't."

....

....

....

As the vision that haunts me vanishes out of sight, my gut tightens.

War fucking sucks balls.

I pinch the bridge of my nose wishing I could forget the look on Easy's face when she spoke of her Baby Daddy…. It was unadulterated beauty. Full of undeniable love.

The memory triggers raw emotions I had learned before the war to push deep down inside.

Leaning my head back, I take deep cleansing breaths, trying to gain control of the pain.

Wishing I didn't long for someone to look at me that way.

Knowing that finding someone who would … well, I gave up a long, long time ago.

As the shutters in the cabin are lifted one by one, and the brightness from the sun brings me back to reality, I feel the bands of cold hardcore steel wrapping around my heart, and I gain control again.

The flight attendant asks, "Mr. Moore, would you like coffee, tea, or perhaps something stronger? We have Crown Royal in the freezer."

I smile. It's always nice when your preferred drink of choice is remembered. "I'm good with water. Thank you."

He nods and returns to his station to retrieve a bottle for me.

I spend the remainder of the flight to Vegas going over the architect's plans for the farmhouse in Alabama and making notes on the changes I want. About an hour out, I text Kip to let him know when I will arrive.

Walking down the steps, I see Kip. He throws his hand up, and I wave back.

When I arrive at his car, he shakes my hand." Aurei, it's good to see you, brother."

"Likewise, buddy," I tell him as I pump his hand before we slap each other's back in a bro hug.

Kip is not only my real estate agent, but he's a close friend.

When I first began investing in the real estate market in Vegas, he was a fireman dabbling in real estate remodeling on his off days.

Kip showed me his first 'fixer-upper,' and I negotiated with him to do the work.

Since then, he has managed my portfolio, buying and flipping fixer-uppers, while his wife manages my rental units.

He takes my bag and throws it in the trunk. "Bianca sends her love."

"How's she doing?"

"Ornery as ever." Kip smiles.

"That's why you're still together. She doesn't take shit off you."

Kip laughs. "True dat. She's one tough little bitch."

I laugh. "Does she know you call her that?"

"Hell no! And don't you go telling her either." He changes the subject. "So, do you want to do the house tour now, or do you want to go to your place first and rest. We'll head to Been Jammin' around midnight. If Surreal is performing, we don't want to miss her."

"I'm up for a tour now. I slept on the plane, but I want to be back to the house to see the sunset. I'll meet you at Been Jammin'."

"Good deal. Let's start with the latest purchases, and we'll work our way down the list." Kip gives me the rundown as he drives.

"This last batch of remodels are almost ready to flip.

I think this team of subs is doing a better job than the last one.

I have a group of fifteen houses I'm putting together to show to some Japanese investors.

" We spend the afternoon looking at properties, crisscrossing blocks, and suburbs.

When we've seen the last one, I ask him as he drives me back to my place. "Have you gone to Been Jammin' before?"

"Yeah. It's a happening place. Have you been yet?"

"No, I haven't. Tell me what you know about it."

"It's the hottest gentlemen's club in Vegas. I had to call in some favors to get us in tonight."

"Thanks for that. I appreciate it."

"Are you hoping to catch a Surreal Show? 'Cause they don't announce them ahead of time."

"No. I was wondering if you are familiar with the dancers?"

He cuts his eyes at me, and his eyebrows are raised.

His voice is cautiously curious. "Somewhat.

I'm not the regular I used to be since I hooked up with Bianca.

She's coming tonight, by the way. She insisted.

" He laughs and mimics her voice, making me laugh.

"'You'll be horny as hell within an hour, and no one's riding that hose but me. ' But I know it's really to see you."

I crack up at that, knowing it's true and thankful it's open between us. Kip and Bianca are into BDSM and belong to a private club. She has been determined to get me to join them for a threesome for a long time now, but I ain't into that.

He chuckles. "She won't stop, you know."

I laugh. "I know, but it ain't happening."

He laughs now too. "I keep telling her that if you haven't already caved into her, you aren't going to, but she is a pitbull at heart."

I shake my head.

He goes back to my question. "Why do you ask about the dancers at Been Jammin'? Have you been referred to one?"

"Yes. Her name is Seary."

Kip whistles. "Damn, man. Nothing like shooting for the Star. Seary's the headliner there."

"Tell me everything you know about her."

"She's as hot as her name implies."

I wait, but he doesn't offer any more information. "That's all you know?"

"Well. Yeah. She's the Star. I don't have the pocketbook to know more than that."

I nod and look out the window, then after a few moments, I ask. "How much does she cost?"

Kip hits the brakes and slows down to a stop at the red light before he answers. He turns in the seat and looks me in the eye. "You're looking to score with her?"

"Maybe."

He grins, then takes off again. "I wish you luck, bro. I've never heard anyone talk about hitting that ho, but I know they do book her." He hits the blinker and pulls up to my house. "Are you sure you don't want to ride with us?"

"I'm sure. I'll meet you at the club."

"Ask for Beverly."

"Will do. Thanks for the tour. You're doing a great job."

He grins, gives me a head nod, and I walk around to the trunk to retrieve my bag. I hoist it out, then slam the trunk, double-tap it, and he pulls away.