That was interesting. Lou was having meetings with someone in Gio’s casino.
“Who?”
“That’s the million fucking dollar question.”
For some reason, Gio not knowing who Lou had been meeting with made me uneasy. Most of the time a rat wasn't hard to sniff out, but occasionally one or two blended.
Gio changed the subject, warning me that it was going to be a full moon and all the unstable population would be out.
“That little minx needs to tie you to the bed then.”
He hung up on me.
“And he says I don’t have a fucking sense of humor.”
Umberto grinned.
My first stop was to buy a house for Leonora. Her brothers needed a different atmosphere to grow up in. I was going to have a talk with them before the oldest left the hospital. I knew what it was to be a man living in a boy’s body, and it seemed like the oldest was similar.
Our next stop was Dynamic. Georgia Fedele got there early sometimes to look over the costumes. It was rumored that she was sick, and that Joe had married her so she’d have health insurance. I knew Leonora had no clue about the situation. I would have never pried before, but it seemed like something Leonora should know. I could tell they were tight. It was something I wanted to prepare for.
After that, I bought the apartment complex Leonora lived in with her mother and brothers. I had a talk with Linda Davies, who didn’t care where her daughter went as long as the rent was paid and she had what she needed.
Umberto, who was usually quiet and reserved unless provoked, hit the target when he said Linda Davies checked out a long time ago.
In between business, I checked on Leonora through the men I had trailing her. She spent some time with her brothers, then went shopping.
A text came up on my phone from her number, even though I didn’t give it to her.
You’re right. I love Lidia. We’re best friends now.
How did you get my number?
My best friend.
At least she hadn’t upped her armor considering my earlier confession. It wouldn’t have been unlike her. Whenever she got close to dropping her guard, she’d look at me like she was convincing herself that I was going to bolt. That she somehow scared me.
I wasn’t the type to cower. Period.
My phone went off again.
She also told me about your sex rooms.
I called Lidia, and she started screaming at me in Italian when I asked her why she’d lied. Then the phone was pulled away and Leonora said, “Grow a sense of humor, Big!” I heard her muttering about the translation app on her phone before she hung up on me.
The last thing was a shit show, but by the end of it, justice had been served. Freddie Money had moved on from the girl who had Leonora arrested. He didn’t want to find his head disconnected from his body if he didn’t drop her. It wasn’t a threat if I made good on my word.
After a few calls, the only place in town who would hire her was me.
The man who’d be married to the woman she hated.
When I finally got home, the entire place smelled different. Like perfume and women’s products. The people Lidia had hired to help Leonora get ready were in action.
I used a spare bedroom and bathroom to shower and get ready. I’d texted Lidia earlier to tell her where to bring my tuxedo. I didn’t want to disrupt the flow of anything going on with Leonora.
Thirty minutes ahead of schedule, I poured myself a drink—my once-a-year allowance—and walked over to the window looking out over Vegas.
Another thirty minutes went by, and Aphrodite was making me sweat in my custom-made tux.
