Diane (The Town of Pearl 6)

“Hi, Mark.”

“I’m putting you on speaker, Drake and Lucas are right here.”

“Hey, beautiful, how did everything go?” Lucas asked.

“It was exhausting. I know Sage sent you guys the pictures and a video. Are you mad at me?”

“Mad? I guess a bit jealous and concerned. Who else got to see you in such sexy things?” Drake asked.

“Just the photographer, other models, and Monique. It wasn’t that bad. I actually sucked at first,” she told them and Mark thought she sounded upset.

“Are you okay? You sound upset, what happened?” he asked.

“I don’t know. I actually enjoyed doing it once I got the hang of things, but afterward, Monique seemed happy, yet she said she would let me know if I made the catalogue.”

“You mean there’s a possibility that you did all this, traveled out there, and may not make the catalogue at all?” Lucas asked.

“That’s what it sounded like.”

“Honey, no matter what, know that you look incredible. We saw the pictures, you’re gorgeous,” Lucas told her.

“Thanks, but you guys are kind of prejudiced in that department.”

“We know what we’re talking about,” Drake added.

“How is everything with you guys? Any news on your case, Mark?” she asked, and he was silent a moment.

“Mark, what happened? Something went wrong?” she asked, and he loved that she cared.

“Just some bad stuff. An agent was killed, and another wounded badly.”

“I’m so sorry. I promise to give you a great big hug when I see you.”

“I expect a hell of a lot more than that,” he replied. And she chuckled.

“How about Brenda? Any sign of her?” she asked, and Mark looked at his brothers. Both seemed shocked at Diane’s question. Mark knew that she was trying to be understanding. Just as he was trying his hardest to not be jealous that she was away and concerned about men hitting on her.

“No sign at all. No one knows anything.”

“You know, you said you’d show me a picture of her, but you never got the chance.”

“I’ll show you when you come home tomorrow. We can’t wait to see you. What time will the limo be dropping you off here?”

“Around nine in the evening.”

“Okay, and your plans tonight? What’s this about a party?” Drake asked.

“Oh, I have to go even though I’m exhausted. But as long as I can pull Sage away from all the excitement, we’ll call it an early night.”

“Sage is enjoying herself?” Drake asked.

“Oh yes, she offered to be my personal assistant, carry my pocketbook, and fetch my lattes if I make modeling my profession. I think she likes all the free stuff and the glamour.”

Lucas chuckled. “Well, if you do decide to continue this profession, I think we’ll be the ones to be your personal escorts.”

“Now wouldn’t that be interesting. I don’t think I’d be able to concentrate on posing, and the bed they used as a background would be used for a hell of a lot more than modeling lingerie”

“You were on a bed posing? We saw one in the background but not any pictures with you posing on it. Did you?” Mark asked, raising his voice.