Font Size:

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."