Page 9 of Undeniable

I hang up the phone and immediately begin texting my team.

Antonio: *Change of plans. Charter a plane to Vegas as soon as possible.*

Mia: *I won’t be coming by the office after all. Forward the contracts. I’ll review and return them from here. Have you heard anything on the issue in North Dakota? Make sure we don’t lose that bid. Also, I want to review the list of charities this year and the dollars allocated for each.*

Adona: *Cancel the remainder of the girls. I’m good for now.*

Kip: *I’ll be flying in to Vegas in the morning. What are the chances you can get us a couple of tickets into Been Jammin'?*

Maria: *I’ll be flying in tomorrow. Would sure appreciate it if I discovered some leftovers waiting for me in the refrigerator.*

Adona responds first. *Is everything good?*

*Yes. Leaving Rome. No complaints. She was fun.*

*Good. I thought you would like her. She is still new to the business. A fresh face. Let me know when you need my services again. You know you are one of my special clients.*

Then Kip. *Text me when you’re an hour out. I’ll pick you up from the airport. Made reservations at the club. Looking forward to the show! Watching strippers dance never gets old.*

Then Antonio: *You’ll be flying JetAir. Leaving in two hours.*

I update Angelo: *I’m flying out in two hours. Please pick me up at my apartment in 30.*

Angelo answers: *Roger that, Boss. On my way now.*

Maria sends: *Can’t wait to see you! It’s been too long. I’ll have your favorite waiting. Safe travels."

And last Mia answers. Her text is a chapter in a book, so I flip through it. Scanning it for anything that must-handled now.Nothing that can’t wait until I’m in the air.

I head to the bathroom to shave then shower. Lathering up, I stroke my face with the razor, and think about the concept of a Fucking Fantasy business in Vegas where prostitution is legal. All the ideas that come to mind make me realize how uniquely qualified I am to evaluate this particular business venture.Hasn’t that been what I’ve been doing? Having different kinds of sex with different women, experimenting and enjoying all they have to offer?I smile at myself in the mirror.I’m looking forward to learning more about this Fucking Fantasy business.I turn the shower on and step in. Sticking my head under the hot water, I close my eyes and think about nothing. Letting the wet warmth clear my mind and regenerate my body. When I step out, I get dressed in a pair of comfy gym pants and long sleeve t-shirt, then pack, throw on a hoody and leave the apartment. Angelo is already waiting on the street for me. On the way to the airport, we discuss the soccer match.

At the airport, the traffic is heavy, so I tell Angelo. "Pop the trunk. I’ll walk in." He gives me a look that says he would rather I not, but does what I say. I grab my bag, and trot to the private terminal, check in and board the plane without incident. Once on board, I pull out my laptop and begin reviewing the documents Mia sent over. Halfway across the Atlantic, I finally finish, sign them and hit send. Then I look over the bid for the North Dakota fracking contract, verify the numbers are where they need to be and give her the go-ahead to negotiate the terms. Next, I review the list of charities and notice that Wounded Warriors isn’t on the list. I send her a note to add them and also remind her to make sure she sets up the scholarship for Bradford’s children and pays off their home mortgage for his widow. I close the laptop, take the pillow the flight attendant offers and settle in to catch up on my sleep. "Please wake me when we are Stateside. I’d like to eat while the jet refuels."

"Yes, sir. Sleep well." He tells me as he pulls the shutters over the windows, blocking out the sun.

I’m asleep before he finishes.

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I’m driving to the flight line. Bradford sits next to me. Everett’s in the back. Bradford is talking about his wife and kids. His youngest just started the first grade. Proud papa. He kisses his school picture and tucks it back inside his flight suit.

Everett unbuckles leans up and shows off a picture too.

Crack! Boom! The vehicle rocks and nearly flips, then lands hard upright, shaking us as it bounces to a stop.

My ears are ringing from the blast. All I can hear is the pounding of my heart in them, drowning everything else out. The world seems to be in slow motion. I survey the cab.

There’s blood everywhere.

Bradford hangs dead in the passenger seat.

Anger floods my mind.

Rage drenches my body mixing with the sweat.

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